Chapter 903 You've Been Surrounded

"In addition, Orochimaru also mastered the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave." In Hokage's Office, Kanpū dropped another bombshell.

"Sage Mode?"

Minato was incredulous, "The Sage Mode of Three Holy Lands requires extremely high talent to train, and it can't be compensated for by shortcuts. Even the Chimera Technique wouldn't be able to do it!"

The Chimera Technique could only devour the Kekkei Genkai of others, but it couldn't devour the Sage Mode mastered by others.

"Hokage-sama, do you still remember Shisui's new arm?" Kanpū reminded.

Minato startled: "The arm that was transplanted with Shodaime-sama's cells?"

"Yes, I only found this severed arm in Otogakure at the time, but the owner of this severed arm has been missing." Kanpū said.

"What do you mean?" Minato's heart skipped a beat. He then remembered that Hiruzen had told him that Orochimaru had been studying Ninjutsu for eternal life in the soul reincarnation category, 'Could he have succeeded?'

"I suspect that Orochimaru moved his soul into the owner of that severed arm and then used the body's lack of rejection to absorb the Sage Chakra of the White Snake Sage, thus learning Sage Mode." Kanpū analyzed convincingly.

'Just as I thought!'

'But if that's the case, doesn't it mean that Orochimaru has obtained eternal life?'

Minato frowned, then immediately remembered Shisui's Wood Release, and his face changed drastically, "If that's true, Orochimaru could also awaken Wood Release by transplanting Shodaime-sama's cells, couldn't he?"

Kanpū nodded: "Some time ago, Orochimaru infiltrated the prison to see Danzo. I am afraid it was for Shodaime-sama's cells!"

Minato's expression became even more solemn, "The people said that the intruder used Sharingan's Genjutsu…"

Kanpū continued, "Orochimaru most likely already has three Kekkei Genkai: Wood Release, Steel Release, and Sharingan!"

"Plus Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode ..."

Minato looked up towards Kanpū and asked, "How did you defeat him so quickly?"

Kanpū smiled shyly: "During the fight, Orochimaru only used Steel Release Kekkei Genkai and Sage Mode, so I took him by surprise with the Truth-Seeking Ball."

'No wonder.'

Minato suddenly realized.

'Anything that comes into contact with the Truth-Seeking Ball will be dissolved into ashes and dispersed. Since Orochimaru suddenly encountered such a terrifying ninjutsu, even if he's cautious, he would still suffer heavy injuries and then flee far away.'

'But correspondingly, once Orochimaru finds the flaws in the Truth-Seeking Ball, he will surely counterattack Kanpū with even more fierce attacks!'

Minato inquired about the details and confirmed that Kanpū only used one Truth-Seeking Ball to play 'tag', then he breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Kanpū hadn't revealed all his trump cards, even if Orochimaru counterattacked, Minato knew that Kanpū could still hold his ground.

Then, the two chatted about Orochimaru's secret plan.

From Kanpū's 'knowledge', Minato was naturally unable to determine Orochimaru's true purpose, but he did not just sit still and wait for death.

These days, Minato had sent people to search throughout the Shinobi World to find the whereabouts of Land of Sku's surviving members, and at the same time, he got the Anbu to monitor the teams that come to Konoha to participate in Chunin Exams, especially Otogakure and Kirigakure, Unfortunately, Anbu hadn't discovered anything so far.

After chatting for a while, Kanpū bid farewell and left.

Returning to the backyard of his mansion, Kanpū opened the crystal ball and continued to watch the 'live broadcast'.

...

Forest of Death.

After meeting up, Sasuke, Karin, and Naruto found a quiet place to rest and continued on their journey only at noon.

With the experiences from Gaara and Orochimaru, Team 7 became much more cautious. They moved quietly, avoiding encounters with other teams along the way. They even encountered the teams led by Hinata and Shikamaru, but they didn't approach them.

The three of them headed towards the central tower of the Forest of Death cautiously, and two days later…

"Sasuke-kun, Naruto!"

Karin suddenly called out as they moved through the Forest of Death, "There are three unfamiliar Chakra signatures about ten kilometers to the left. It's the weakest Chakra signature I've sensed in the past two days!"

Hearing this, Naruto's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great!"

They had been relying on Karin's Sensor Ninjutsu to avoid other teams on their way here. Although it's safe, they couldn't collect any scrolls. Now that they finally encountered an opportunity, Naruto couldn't hold back!

"In that case, let's go!" Sasuke also got itchy hands and rushed out first.

Ten kilometers away.

Three Sunagakure's Shinobi are hiding in the dark, quietly waiting for their prey to come.

Before long, three kids wearing Konoha forehead protectors unknowingly walked right into their encirclement.

The three Sunagakure's Shinobi are overjoyed. Without any hesitation, they immediately launched a barrage of kunai and senbon. After that, each of them controlled two puppets to engage in close combat.

"Konoha's brats, surrender now, you are surrounded!"

Six ferocious puppets surrounded Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin from all sides. The weapons on the puppets gleamed with various colors, clearly coated in poison.

"We're surrounded?"

Sasuke couldn't help but chuckled, "Naruto, show them what it means to be surrounded."

In this moment, Sasuke unexpectedly found it somewhat enjoyable to be teamed up with Naruto.

'Well, just a little bit.'

Naruto hated Sasuke's pretentious tone, as if he was his subordinate.

However, the six puppets seemed to be coated in poison…

'Sigh.'

Naruto gritted his teeth: "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Bang~ Bang~ Bang~ Bang~…

Hundreds of Naruto appeared and surrounded the six puppets.

"What the hell?!"

"We must be under a Genjutsu, right?"

"This can't be real!!"

The three Sunagakure's Shinobi hiding in the shadows were stunned.

Naruto stood with his hands on his hips among his countless clones, smugly shouting: "Hey, you guys are the ones surrounded by me alone. Hand over your scrolls, or you'll get beaten up!"

"Damn it! Run!"

The three Sunagakure's Shinobi are not fools. Without hesitation, they turned and fled, even abandoning their puppets!

"Naruto, they're running away, hurry up!" Karin, who was constantly sensing their surroundings, quickly shouted.

"Don't worry, they won't get far!" Naruto chuckled.

With Karin's sensory abilities, the three Sunagakure's Shinobi didn't get far before being caught by Naruto's clones. After a thorough beating, they successfully obtained the scroll from the Sunagakure's team.

After opening it, it turned out to be the Heaven Scroll they needed!

"Not bad, we got the Heaven and Earth scrolls in one go. Now we just need to reach the central tower to complete this round of the exam." Sasuke said with hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.

"With me here, we will definitely reach the central tower safely!" Karin elated said.

Ever since Kanpū drove away Orochimaru, Karin had been more cautious. Whenever she was awake, she continuously used her Sensor Ninjutsu to monitor their surroundings, allowing them to avoid other teams along the way!

"Ah, are we just heading to the finish line like this?"

Naruto said hesitantly, "I still want to fight that old man."

The old man Naruto referred to was Kankuro, who is just 14 years old!

"Kankuro is on the same team as Gaara. If he appears, Gaara will definitely be there too."

Sasuke calmly said, "Although I also want to fight Gaara, now is not the time. Do you understand, Naruto?"

'Since you wanted to fight, why not now?'

Naruto looked confused and doesn't understand Sasuke's words very well, but fortunately, he is self-aware. He knows that Karin, the backstabber, will definitely side with Sasuke and bully him. Without Karin's cooperation, even if they did encounter Gaara's team, she would likely guide them to avoid the fight.

'Sigh.'

'So annoying.'

Naruto folded his arms near his chest, puffed out his cheeks and stared at her.