Such power was indeed enough to shake the entire ninja world. The combined force of the three was so sudden and unexpected that it could have seriously injured even a Jonin.
However, the figure that had been reduced to charcoal suddenly cracked and shattered like a shell. From within the blackened husk, Orochimaru emerged anew, as if shedding an old skin, regaining his vitality. And he still looked completely unharmed.
At this moment, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata no longer felt fear. They felt despair. The three of them had unleashed their strongest combined attack, a feat akin to a profound secret technique, and it had meant absolutely nothing to the monster before them. He was practically immortal.
Orochimaru, however, looked at the three of them with great admiration, his gaze especially fixed on Naruto. "This is a wonderful surprise," he hissed. "Naruto Uzumaki, although my goal has always been Sasuke, you are becoming more and more irresistible." He licked his lips, his pupils emitting an eerie light, as if he had just discovered a beloved new toy.
Naruto was panting heavily, his face growing increasingly pale. The Forest of Death was already a place of constant dread, and after a series of fierce battles, they had been forced to fight this monster for far too long. The Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, the powerful Wind Style techniques, and the ultimate combined attack of their team—they had done almost everything they could, but they were still completely helpless. What could they possibly do next?
Sasuke was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe. He recalled what Itachi had once said: *If you want revenge, then live a wretched and ugly life.* Part of him wanted to retreat, to survive at any cost. But then he thought of Naruto and Hinata, who had protected him time and time again, and the memory of Team 7 fighting side by side against powerful enemies. That part of him was determined to continue the fight. Yet, at the same time, he was crushed by the terrifying power of the monster before them, and he even considered giving up completely.
But in that moment, Sasuke suddenly understood what he had to do. Although he was on the verge of collapse, he still resolutely took a step forward. "If I am your prey," he said, his voice strained, "then let Naruto and Hinata go. I will go with you!"
Naruto and Hinata were shocked. "Sasuke! What are you saying?!"
"Be quiet!" Sasuke retorted coldly. "We've already fought to our limits; we simply can't be his match! I would rather die alone than have all three of us die together!"
Naruto and Hinata froze on the spot.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Willing to sacrifice yourself for the sake of so-called bonds? How touching. However, Sasuke, I never said I would take you away now. Everything that just happened was merely a test. But before I leave, I need to give you a little gift... a mark."
In that instant, Orochimaru's head suddenly flew forward, his neck elongating grotesquely, twisting like the pale body of a serpent. It looked ferocious and terrifying. He opened his mouth impossibly wide, revealing sharp fangs, and instantly lunged at Sasuke to bite down hard.
Just as Sasuke was about to be bitten, there was a sudden impact.
*BANG!*
With a loud thud, Naruto rushed forward, shoving Sasuke aside but exposing himself to Orochimaru's attack in the process.
"Oh?" Orochimaru was slightly taken aback, but he didn't stop. "Naruto, if you insist on doing this..."
*CRUNCH!*
Without hesitation, Orochimaru bit down on Naruto's nape. A sharp, searing pain shot through him, and Naruto couldn't help but scream, nearly collapsing to his knees.
Sasuke was both shocked and furious. "Naruto! What are you doing?!"
Hinata covered her mouth, her eyes wide with fear and worry. Naruto clutched the wound on the back of his neck, realizing it wasn't a simple bite. It was as if the monster had injected something into his body, and a strange, inexplicable power was beginning to surge within him.
Orochimaru did not retract his neck. "Heh, since you insist on interfering, I'll just leave one more test subject. Besides, you're just my type, Naruto. However, Sasuke still can't escape..." His neck shot out again, biting down hard on Sasuke's neck in the exact same manner.
"Ah—!" Sasuke screamed and collapsed to the ground.
Hinata rushed forward and assumed her Gentle Fist stance, but Orochimaru had already begun to depart. "Heh, little girl of the Hyuga clan, I've placed cursed seals on both of them," he said, his voice echoing through the trees. "What happens next is up to their own fate." After saying this, his figure transformed into a giant snake and quickly disappeared into the Forest of Death.
Hinata finally breathed a sigh of relief once she was sure he was gone. However, Naruto and Sasuke had both been bitten by that monster, and it was unknown what serious consequences might follow.
"Naruto, Sasuke," she said, rushing to their sides. "How are you?!"
Naruto, with his tenacious will, could barely hold on. He clutched the wound on the back of his neck, gritting his teeth as he spoke. "I... I'm fine..." Sasuke, however, had reached his limit and fainted.
"Sasuke!" Naruto forced himself to stand and slowly moved over to check on his teammate's condition. "Huh? This is..." Near Sasuke's neck, a three-tomoe-shaped curse mark was slowly emerging.
Hinata hurried over. "Naruto, you... you have the same mark on your neck, too! This must be what that monster was talking about..."
Naruto was in excruciating pain, but having endured repeated baptisms of lightning from his training, coupled with his powerful Uzumaki vitality, he was able to resist the curse's full effect. Sasuke, on the other hand, had suffered immense mental trauma, and his physical body was no match for Naruto's resilience.
"Damn it," Naruto growled. "We'll have to wait until we get out of the Forest of Death to ask Kakashi-sensei for help. Hinata, let's hurry."
"Naruto, should we continue with the exam?" she asked.
"Going back now is too far," he replied. "It's better to reach the tower at the end. We can notify the Chunin Exam staff there as soon as possible."
Hinata thought about it and realized it made sense. She nodded and, together with Naruto, helped the unconscious Sasuke up and quickly headed towards the finish line. Sasuke remained unconscious, and although Naruto was barely holding on, it was clear he could no longer fight. Hinata exerted all her strength, keeping her Byakugan active to choose the optimal route and avoid all enemies. She was at her limit, but knowing the grave situation, she couldn't afford any mistakes. She could only give it her all, gritting her teeth and persevering.
Later, Hinata's vision began to blur, but thinking of Naruto and Sasuke, she had no intention of giving up. After what felt like an eternity, she finally saw the towering structure they were looking for. Hinata breathed a sigh of relief and, with her last bit of strength, brought Naruto and Sasuke into the tower. Naruto finally reached his limit and collapsed to the ground with a thud, also losing consciousness.
Hinata immediately opened both the Heaven and Earth scrolls simultaneously.
*POOF!*
After a puff of white smoke, a familiar figure appeared, surprising her. "Iruka-sensei?!" she exclaimed.
Just as Iruka was about to say something, he saw Naruto and Sasuke lying on the ground. "What's going on?!"
Hinata quickly recounted what had happened. Iruka was shocked and immediately summoned his other companions. "Quick! We need help!" Soon, other hidden staff members appeared and immediately escorted Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata away from the Forest of Death.
Meanwhile, Anko Mitarashi, the examiner for the second exam, was also informed that the bodies of three Kusagakure ninja had been discovered, their faces torn away.