A shuriken flew from the trees, aimed directly at his head. He dodged it easily, but the shuriken emitted a dazzling glow that made it impossible for him to look directly at it. At that moment, a figure burst out from the bushes toward him. He knew it was Maki, but he averted his gaze from her to prevent being blinded by the light, which would cost him his focus.
Hearing the sound of her drawing her sword, Naruto immediately became alert. Unslinging his ninja blade, he blocked her attack and countered with a strike of his own—even though he couldn't see her movements clearly.
"All her genjutsu target my weakness. These illusions don't try to change reality itself, but instead manipulate my senses. Even the Nine-Tails can't help me."
"I know how to deal with you, Naruto-senpai," Maki said.
Naruto blocked another one of her attacks and pushed her back.
"Just tell me where you are. I only need one hit to finish this."
"I've studied you for years. I've analyzed your fighting style. My entire combat strategy was built to exploit your weaknesses." As she spoke, Maki maneuvered around Naruto's defenses and punched him in the face.
"You always like quick fights. Me? I prefer to play around longer."
Before she could continue her assault, Naruto kicked her away.
"Enough, Maki," Naruto said, walking toward her with his eyes closed. "I understand your abilities now. I hope our conversation just now was meant to buy time, not because you really wanted to kill me."
Maki stood up, formed a hand seal, and dispelled the genjutsu on Naruto.
"That's right, Naruto-senpai. Actually, I just wanted to test you. This level of illusion is nothing to you in the long run. In real battle, I'll improve my tactics."
Rubbing where he'd kicked her, she frowned, clearly annoyed. "I'm glad to see you've returned to your old fighting style. I'd love to knock some sense into you and bring out your old self."
Naruto stared at Maki, confused.
"What do you mean? Knock some sense into me?"
Shaking her head, Maki activated [Mystical Palm Technique] and began healing Naruto's wounds as she spoke.
"No. I've always been beside you. During the time you were sealed away, Danzo-sama assigned me to monitor you at the Ninja Academy. We entered the school in the same year, and even graduated together."
Naruto stared intently at Maki. Once the treatment was done, she smiled at him. He began pacing nearby.
"I don't remember any of that. Why don't I remember?"
"Because I'm good at hiding myself, senpai," she winked. "I actually tried speaking to you several times, but you were too busy chasing after that girl named Sakura all the time during school."
She furrowed her brow.
"Later, Danzo-sama forbade me from interacting with you. He said you wouldn't remember me anyway, and that you might report the incident to Lady Hokage."
Putting his hand on Maki's shoulder, he gently patted her.
"It's alright. I'm here now—say what you need to say."
She broke into a radiant smile.
"Naruto-senpai," Sai leapt down from the tree.
"We've got company." The pale-skinned ninja drew his Tanto from behind and assumed a fighting stance.
"Who'd be stupid enough to attack us? Are they from Akatsuki?" Maki asked, standing back-to-back with Naruto, who was also gripping his sword. "Who is it?"
Multiple Shadow Clones relayed a flood of information into Naruto's mind.
"Nope, not Akatsuki, but there are a lot of them... Nine… ten… wow, twenty-one!"
Sai sprang to their side, forming a triangular formation with them.
"Who would attack us? If they aren't Akatsuki, could they be ninja from Otogakure? You really do have plenty of enemies, Senior Naruto."
Naruto shook his head.
"Nah, not them either." A distant explosion echoed. "Now there are only seventeen left." Sai and Maki looked at him puzzled, waiting for an explanation.
"It's my Barrier Sealing Jutsu." Heavy footsteps thundered from the forest, drawing closer. "Get ready for a fight!"
A group of ninja wearing demon-like masks, clad in armor and wielding kunai rushed from all directions, surrounding Naruto, Sai, and Maki.
Sai scanned the area, trying to assess the level of threat.
"Who are these people?" He muttered under his breath, not expecting a reply—especially not from his two teammates.
"They're Root members," both Naruto and Maki said in unison before exchanging glances.
"That's right. Maki and I were both part of Root before. Danzo-sama sent us to eliminate them."
Maki thought for a moment and said,
"If these are truly Root's last remnants, we can finish our mission right here."
Sai nodded.
"So they've come seeking revenge, wanting to kill us or use us to find Danzo-sama."
He shook his head.
"But honestly, that doesn't matter. Danzo-sama never reveals himself publicly. Unless they plan to infiltrate Konoha, they won't be able to find him."
Naruto twisted his neck.
"You got it. Let's beat them first, then let them know that. Hurry up; I want to end this once and for all and continue on our way..."
---
##Orochimaru's Base##
Sasuke and Suigetsu moved silently through the hallway without disturbing anyone, mainly because of Sasuke's overwhelming presence, which kept others from approaching.
Looking at the black-haired teen, Suigetsu asked,
"You sure you can win? I mean, whatever happens to me isn't a big deal. If we fail, you'll become Orochimaru's pawn, and I'll either get killed or shoved back into that water tank. But you seem pretty confident."
Sasuke scoffed coldly.
"He doesn't stand a chance. He's been holding back, but I can see his body is close to collapse. Even that idiot could beat him now..." They arrived at a large door. "Wait out here. Keep everyone away until we come back out."
Suigetsu gave him a surprised look.
"You sure?
"What I'm saying," Suigetsu said, "is that if we both go after him together, we might be able to defeat him without even fighting."
Sasuke gave Suigetsu a cold stare as he stood in front of the door.
"Nobody comes near this place until we come out. If I can't even beat him, then I don't have any chance against Itachi at all."
As he spoke, electricity gathered in Sasuke's palm. He fired it straight at the door, blasting straight through it. Then he drew his sword, cutting away the remnants before walking inside. Orochimaru was lying on the bed, blocking Sasuke's attack with his hand. The strike hadn't hit any vital spot.
Orochimaru shot Sasuke a furious glare.
"I knew you'd come."
Sasuke looked at Orochimaru expressionlessly.
"There's nothing more you can offer me. And I won't hold back—not even if you plead. You won't escape this time."
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