Inside the giant snake, Naruto felt the pressure of its insides closing around him. Panic surged through him, but he quickly remembered the plan. "I won't let this be the end!" he shouted, gathering his chakra.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In an instant, dozens of shadow clones filled the snake's belly, each one ready to execute the plan. As the clones multiplied, Naruto focused, channeling all the chakra he could muster.
"Now, let's see how big this thing can get!" he exclaimed.
The massive buildup of chakra from all the clones triggered a chain reaction. The snake's belly bloated further until it could no longer contain the immense pressure. With a thunderous explosion, the snake's body ruptured, sending bits of flesh and scales flying as Naruto was propelled out of the creature's mouth and into the clearing. He landed gracefully on the ground, dusting himself off and looking back at the chaos he had just caused.
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura faced Orochimaru, the Sannin's serpent-like form coiling menacingly as he prepared to strike. "You'll pay for that little stunt," he hissed, his neck stretching unnaturally toward Sasuke.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, adrenaline coursing through him. "Stay back, Sakura! I won't let him get to you!"
Just as Orochimaru lunged forward, his neck expanding to bite Sasuke, Hyuk burst onto the scene, a chilling aura surrounding him. "Not so fast!" he shouted.
Without a moment's hesitation, Hyuk drew his sword made of ice, its blade glinting menacingly in the dim light of the forest. "Ice Release: Sword of Judgment!" he declared, swinging the sword with lethal intent.
In a fluid motion, Hyuk sliced through Orochimaru's long neck before the Sannin could reach Sasuke. The blade connected with a clean, decisive arc, severing Orochimaru's head from his body.
Sasuke and Sakura stared in shock as Orochimaru's head fell, the moment leaving a chilling silence in the aftermath. However, in an instant, the head grew back, startling both of them.
"Foolish child," Orochimaru hissed, his voice echoing even as he regained his form. "You think you can defeat me so easily?"
Hyuk, unfazed, gripped his sword tightly, eyes fixed on Orochimaru. "You're not the first to underestimate me," he replied coolly, ready to engage.
Realizing he was outmatched and not wanting to risk further confrontation, Orochimaru slithered back into the shadows of the forest, disappearing before they could react.
With Orochimaru gone, Sasuke, Sakura, and Hyuk turned to Naruto, who was catching his breath after the explosion. "Naruto! You made it back!" Sakura exclaimed, relief flooding her voice.
"Yeah, I figured I'd pop out and help," Naruto replied with a grin, shaking off the remnants of his earlier panic.
Hyuk looked at Naruto with an approving nod. "Good timing. We were just about to finish this."