"Sakura!"
After realizing what was happening, Naruto immediately dashed frantically toward Sakura.
However, his speed couldn't possibly catch up.
Sasuke glanced in that direction.
Since the appearance of Gaara and the others, Sasuke had clearly felt someone watching from there.
Although he couldn't pinpoint their location at the time,
Sasuke was ninety percent certain it was Orochimaru.
After all, who else besides Orochimaru could make it difficult to determine his position?
None of the Genin in this exam likely had the ability to do such a thing.
Only Orochimaru could have achieved it.
Kidnapping Sakura was probably also to protect Gaara!
The reason for protecting Gaara was naturally simple. After all, Gaara was to become an important part of Orochimaru's plan to collapse Konoha.
Naturally, Sasuke couldn't be allowed to eliminate Gaara, the Jinchuriki, right here.
Orochimaru probably didn't anticipate how quickly Sasuke's strength had changed, making even someone like Gaara powerless against him.
Sasuke glanced back at Gaara.
Slowly, he raised his ninjatō.
Sasuke took two steps back, then turned to look in the direction where Orochimaru had disappeared.
Once he confirmed the direction,
an astonishing amount of lightning erupted around Sasuke.
A blindingly bright bolt of lightning suddenly appeared, striking down from the sky.
It was as if it was striking Sasuke himself.
Immediately after, Sasuke transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished before the three of them.
Watching Sasuke disappear at such high speed, whether it was Gaara, Temari, or Kankurō,
their gazes became somewhat dazed in that moment.
This… how is this possible…
What kind of speed is this?
With just a flash,
he disappeared right before their eyes. Such terrifying speed must be his true power!
Swift Speed~ Lightning Flash Mode Activated Sasuke.
The speed he unleashed now was a drastic change from before.
With his Lightning Release enhanced, the power of his Swift Speed was naturally astonishingly amplified.
As a result, Sasuke accelerated and, in a short time, surpassed Naruto.
Heading toward Orochimaru's direction, it took less than three seconds for him to catch up to Orochimaru ahead.
Orochimaru, who was quickly moving with Sakura in his arms, was quite surprised as he turned around.
Seeing Sasuke flash in the distance and appear directly in front of him the next second,
Orochimaru, wearing another person's mask, had a look of horror in his eyes.
'This kid… his speed… has become so much faster again…'
Crack! Crack! Crack…
In an instant, Sasuke, having passed Orochimaru, blocked Orochimaru's path.
Standing in front of Orochimaru, the lightning around Sasuke disappeared.
Orochimaru now had a somewhat gloomy expression, raising his hand to choke Sakura's neck.
"Threatening me?"
Sasuke frowned.
Orochimaru smiled. "Such terrifying speed, what kind of ninjutsu is this?"
Hearing this!
"A technique I developed myself!"
"Oh! As expected… it's a technique you developed yourself. I knew I'd never seen such a technique before!"
Orochimaru looked at Sasuke before him, growing more satisfied.
A perfect vessel with such a terrifying technique had greatly exceeded Orochimaru's expectations.
It made Orochimaru almost want to seize Sasuke's body immediately.
But he couldn't rush such matters!
He had to take it slow.
Orochimaru looked at Sasuke. "As expected of a Konoha ninja, you've already obtained the scrolls needed for the exam at the very beginning!"
"But it's a pity it benefits me now!"
Saying this, Orochimaru took the Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll from Sakura's ninja tool pouch.
Sasuke was speechless.
Did this guy really think he hadn't figured it out?
Just a humanoid mask, thinking everyone was an idiot?
"Sasuke!"
At this moment, Naruto's voice sounded.
Naruto immediately followed and chased after.
Sasuke glanced at Orochimaru.
A faint electric current suddenly burst from his fingertips. Orochimaru looked at Sasuke's hand, knowing Sasuke was about to make a move.
However, what he didn't expect was that the next second, such a faint electric current instantly activated Sasuke's Swift Speed mode.
Lightning Flash!
Sasuke disappeared in an instant.
Orochimaru's eyes rapidly narrowed.
'So fast…'
Even when facing this speed, he could barely react!
Pop!
Suddenly, the sound of a blade piercing his skin echoed.
At that moment, Orochimaru suddenly felt pain…
Sasuke thrust his ninjatō into Orochimaru's shoulder with one hand.
The Lightning Release caused Orochimaru's body to experience a brief paralysis!
Orochimaru was stunned.
'How is this possible?'
'When did this kid…'
Suddenly, the scene before Orochimaru's eyes flashed. Sasuke, who should have been in front, suddenly appeared to the side.
Moreover, Sasuke took the opportunity to rescue Sakura from Orochimaru's grasp.
At that moment, Orochimaru looked at Sasuke, whose Sharingan was rapidly spinning.
'Genjutsu?'
'When did he…'
He was even being affected by this kid's genjutsu…
And he had no idea when the opponent had activated his ninjutsu!
How is this possible!
Orochimaru now looked at Sasuke with a face of shock.
In the air, Sasuke, carrying Sakura, jumped aside, then turned and directly threw Sakura toward Naruto.
"Take Sakura and leave first!"
Naruto, who had just arrived and was still confused, had no choice but to follow Sakura and head away into the distance.
After all, Sakura was already unconscious.
Even if he wanted to help, he needed to secure Sakura first.
Orochimaru, with his injured shoulder, now looked back at Sasuke.
His incredulous gaze fixed tightly on Sasuke.
"Genjutsu?"
"I'm really surprised! You even have such mastery over genjutsu!"
"Sasuke Uchiha!"
Now, Sasuke deactivated Swift Speed.
After all, maintaining this state consumed a significant amount of chakra.
Sasuke lightly waved his ninjatō.
"Still pretending with me?"
"Orochimaru!"
Suddenly, Sasuke directly exposed Orochimaru's identity.
Orochimaru was instantly stunned.
Did this kid know his identity?
"After our last encounter, I researched for a long time after returning to Konoha. The S-Ranked rogue ninja of Konoha, one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru!"
Saying this, Sasuke slowly sheathed his ninjatō back into his scabbard.
Seeing Sasuke's action, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
It was surprising, so surprising. Not only did Sasuke have strong talent and power, but also a sharp mind, managing to uncover his identity like this!
A slow smile curled at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.