A layer of haze covered Naruto's eyes, and a disdainful sneer appeared on his face.
'Poor Kabuto, you're utterly clueless about what it means to truly be wealthy.'
'How much could a simple Ninja Sword cost? Of course, I'd buy a hundred at a time, why settle for just one?'
Kabuto was stunned, feeling the situation outrageous!
But Naruto didn't care. Living humbly is a challenging art in itself.
Seizing the moment while Kabuto was still in shock, Naruto swiftly channeled his Lava Release into the blade and swung another diagonal slash at Kabuto.
He did consider stabbing Kabuto straight through the heart, as he would not show mercy to the enemy no matter what.
However, if Kabuto dodges, the blade might get stuck in his ribs and be difficult to pull out, not to mention his face might be covered in blood.
Naruto abandoned that idea in an instant, opting instead for a diagonal slash. If he could severely injure Kabuto again, the battle would be nearly over, and he could always finish the job later if he was not dead.
With the agility of the swiftest cheetah, Naruto's body moved like a lightning bolt, the molten blade blazing white-hot as it cut through Kabuto's side.
Drip, drip.
Kabuto clutched his side as he staggered out of the smoke, blood dripping onto the ground. He had no choice but to swallow a blood-replenishing pill to replenish the blood he'd lost in battle.
The battle only lasted for a moment. Kabuto was already at the level of a Jonin. Although he was not as good as Kakashi or Guy, he was still young with great potential.
An average person's talent was fully displayed in Kabuto, and handling a kid like Naruto should've been easy.
However, battle is all about seizing the moment and striking with precision. Naruto had the advantage, dodging Kabuto's attacks at high speed and boldly moving within Kabuto's striking range. More importantly, Yakushi couldn't figure out where Naruto got the new sword from.
This time, he'd really suffered a lot. His body was becoming increasingly sluggish, and continuing the fight with the current condition seemed impossible.
The dark red molten lava flowed along the blade, and the Ninja Sword in Naruto's hand revealed a golden color. The intense heat radiating from it suggested the sword was on the verge of breaking.
The battle between the two had lasted no more than two minutes from start till now. From trading blows to exchanging insults, the outcome of the battle was decided in just two minutes.
Naruto had chosen the dirtiest tactics and the quickest way to fight.
It is impossible for him to kill Kabuto immediately, meanwhile, Shizune on the other side was barely holding on. If Orochimaru doesn't die, he will have the means to save Kabuto.
However, if Shizune and Tsunade died, they would really die for real. Continuing to tangle with Kabuto wasn't worth it, so when Naruto realized he couldn't deliver a fatal blow, he switched to dealing a heavy injury instead.
With a scream, Shizune was kicked away by Orochimaru.
Even without his hands, Orochimaru was still fierce, like a madman with nothing to lose. And he truly had nothing to fear. As an emotionless, 'immortal' being, he had almost no weaknesses.
Shizune fell on the grass, blood oozing from her wounds.
Orochimaru didn't bother with her anymore, instead opened his mouth to release a sword, then turned to face Naruto. Naruto almost got goosebumps all over his body, but he could only steel himself to fight.
The slippery snake left Naruto with almost no time to think, and Kyubi's Chakra surrounded his entire body. His leg muscles tensed like those of a rabbit ready to spring.
[Kyubi's approval: 19.8%]
The sword in Naruto's hand shattered instantly upon contact with Orochimaru's snake sword, after all, the Kusanagi Sword was unbeatable.
Naruto dodged and retreated, and Orochimaru smiled sinisterly and rushed straight towards the blood-phobic Tsunade.
Upon seeing the blood, Tsunade completely lost her ability to fight. She sat on the grass, trembling all over. It's as if she had become a different person, entirely consumed by overwhelming fear.
Weak and helpless, she seemed like a frightened child.
If Naruto didn't already know that Tsunade had a fear of blood, he might have thought she was just putting on an act.
But seeing how Kabuto had been shaken mentally by his words, it wasn't too surprising that Tsunade would react this way.
In that split second, Naruto realized it was too late to go to Tsunade's side. He stepped back, but Orochimaru was already heading toward Tsunade.
Flying Thunder God: Second Stage!
The kunai was thrown, moving so fast that it pierced through the air with a sharp, whistling sound.
At this time, Jiraiya finally arrived, his voice sounding a bit strained.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
The Flying Thunder God Kunai arrived first. Orochimaru hadn't expected that the Yondaime's Flying Thunder God Technique would appear at this time. He was startled when Naruto suddenly appeared beside the kunai and tackled Tsunade to the ground.
The Kusanagi Sword missed Tsunade, but instead pierced right through Naruto.
The sudden, intense pain made Naruto realize that he had been struck by the Kusanagi Sword, a legendary weapon that no amount of money could buy.
The severe shock caused Naruto to lose his composure and he spat out a mouthful of blood on Tsunade's chest.
Jiraiya's Flame Bullet arrived a second later, forcing Orochimaru, who was about to pull out the sword, to retreat several dozen meters.
"Ahhhh!!!"
Tsunade screamed in terror as Naruto's blood splattered on her, and the scenes of her younger brothers, Nawaki and her lover, Dan's deaths flashed through her mind. She recalled the desperate rain-soaked nights when the bleeding could not be stopped no matter what she did.
"Naruto!"
Jiraiya's pupils dilated, but Orochimaru blocked his path, and Kabuto, looking slightly recovered, jumped back to Orochimaru's side.
As for whether he has recovered from the mental shock caused Naruto's verbal attacks, it is unknown.
Tsunade watched in horror as Naruto lay in her arms, her pupils widening in shock at the sight of the blood. She screamed, her mind breaking down, her body trembling, her face contorted with fear and helplessness.
Suddenly, the seriously injured Naruto raised his bloodied hand and, without warning, wiped it across Tsunade's face.
Tsunade was stunned. Naruto coughed violently, using all his strength to lean toward her ear. This scene of him whispering his last words was eerily familiar, pushing Tsunade to the brink of collapse.
However…
Naruto's hand slipped from her face to her neck. He used all his strength to pull Tsunade over, and then said with a weak and dying look on his face, "Tsunade-sama, I... I've never... asked you for anything."
"Stop talking! Please, stop!" Tsunade collapsed and cried, her tears started falling, "Why did you do this? How could you be so stupid?!"
Naruto's breathing became more rapid. He clutched Tsunade tightly, his eyes almost bulging out, and he shouted hoarsely like an old man who was about to die, "Quick... pull out... pull out the sword."
"Now... it... it's mine!"
Tsunade froze as she stared blankly at Naruto. Tears streamed down her porcelain-like cheeks, dripping from her chin into Naruto's eyes, and she burst into tears.
Naruto didn't understand why Tsunade was crying, but he knew he couldn't lose the Kusanagi Sword. He wanted to shout again, 'Hurry and pull out the sword! If you don't, Orochimaru is going to steal it!'
'The sword is good, now it's mine!'
Tsunade held Naruto and cried uncontrollably. Naruto's mouth opened slightly, his eyes dim, silently mouthing the words.
'Pull out the sword!'