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"SASUKE! I'm here to save you! I'll get you away from Orochimaru right now!" Naruto ran towards Sasuke Uchiha, completely oblivious to Sasuke's icy expression.
Kabuto Yakushi stood aside, watching coolly. He didn't intervene with Naruto Uzumaki, instead following Orochimaru's orders to keep an eye on Sasuke Uchiha.
"Get lost. I don't need your help." Sasuke Uchiha ruthlessly kicked Naruto away.
Naruto, sent flying, looked completely bewildered. 'What's going on? Why did Sasuke attack me when I came to save him?'
"Naruto Uzumaki, you don't know yet, do you? Sasuke-kun stayed here voluntarily," Kabuto Yakushi said with a sinister smile.
Naruto looked at Sasuke in disbelief. "Sasuke, tell me, is it true?"
Faced with Naruto Uzumaki's questioning, Sasuke Uchiha remained silent, which was a tacit admission.
"Were you threatened by Orochimaru?" Naruto looked at Orochimaru with hatred.
"No. This is my choice. You dead-last, you can get lost now," Sasuke said indifferently to Naruto Uzumaki.
"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU! OROCHIMARU MUST HAVE THREATENED YOU! DON'T WORRY, I'LL DEFINITELY SAVE YOU!"
Naruto refused to believe Sasuke would betray Konoha and follow Orochimaru. He was convinced Sasuke had been coerced.
"Does Naruto Uzumaki look like a simp, or is it just me?" Shin, watching Naruto, couldn't help but feel he looked exactly like a simp.
"If Sasuke were a girl, this plot might be interesting... But he's a dude. This is painful to watch." Shin decisively turned his head away, not wanting to watch these two anymore.
Orochimaru bit his finger and used the Summoning Jutsu to bring forth Manda. Manda's colossal form instantly destroyed a large portion of Orochimaru's base.
"OROCHIMARU! You summoned me! Where's my—"
Manda, annoyed, was about to demand a sacrifice from Orochimaru when it suddenly caught sight of Shin in the periphery. It immediately deflated—Its previous arrogance vanished completely.
Manda had a very deep impression of Shin.
The reason Ryūchi Cave was split in two was because of this very person. Most importantly, this person had killed the White Snake Sage.
Manda was terrified of Shin!!
Orochimaru, seeing Manda trembling with fear, frowned—A terrified Manda was useless in battle.
"Orochimaru, don't look for me this time. I'll settle the score with you next time." Manda directly fled, scared back to the summoning realm because of Shin.
"Haha! Orochimaru, your Manda doesn't listen to you at all!" Jiraiya burst out laughing at this scene, then immediately summoned Gamabunta.
Orochimaru's face darkened.
Previously, Orochimaru had let Manda do as it pleased. Now, it seemed Manda needed some discipline.
"Kabuto Yakushi, take Sasuke Uchiha and retreat," Orochimaru instructed Kabuto.
Facing Jiraiya, Orochimaru had no intention of fighting head-on. Since this base had been discovered, he had to abandon it.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto Yakushi grabbed Sasuke Uchiha, glanced at Naruto Uzumaki, and prepared to leave.
"LET SASUKE GO!" Naruto Uzumaki roared and attacked Kabuto Yakushi.
"GET LOST—!" Sasuke Uchiha ruthlessly stabbed forward, tearing a hole in Naruto Uzumaki's abdomen.
If Naruto hadn't dodged at the last moment, he might have died under Sasuke Uchiha's blade. Just now, Sasuke Uchiha had aimed for Naruto's vitals, showing no regard for their camaraderie.
None of that mattered...
For Sasuke Uchiha, the most important goal in life was REVENGE!
"Sasuke… why?" Naruto knelt on the ground in pain. He had almost been killed just now.
"Naruto!" Jiraiya, seeing this, immediately rushed towards Naruto, forgetting about attacking Orochimaru.
However, though Jiraiya didn't attack, Gamabunta did. Its massive katana swung towards Orochimaru.
Gamabunta's strength wasn't weak, but it truly posed no major threat to Orochimaru. Orochimaru wasn't afraid of Bunta, the pipe-smoking giant toad.
Kabuto Yakushi left with Sasuke. Jiraiya didn't pursue them; he was checking Naruto's condition, helping him stop the bleeding.
"Pervy Sage, STOP SASUKE! We have to bring Sasuke back!" Naruto endured the pain and said to Jiraiya.
"He almost killed you! Why do you still care about him?!" Jiraiya was so angry he wanted to beat Naruto up. If Naruto weren't severely injured, he definitely would have.
"I believe Sasuke has his reasons! Please, Pervy Sage!" Naruto pleaded with Jiraiya.
"Kimimaro, you stay behind and cover our retreat." Orochimaru summoned a swarm of snakes, blocking Gamabunta's attack, then instructed Kimimaro.
After giving the order, Orochimaru left.
Kimimaro, that guy… to be precise, he was sold out by Orochimaru.
It didn't matter. Kimimaro didn't care. Compared to Naruto Uzumaki, Kimimaro was an even bigger simp—Orochimaru's true simp.
Being abandoned by Orochimaru to cover the retreat, not only did he not complain, but he even felt excited. Being able to help Orochimaru was something to be excited about.
In comparison, Naruto Uzumaki, who was so determined to bring Sasuke back, was far inferior.
Jiraiya didn't pursue the fleeing Orochimaru. The injured Naruto was still here; Jiraiya couldn't possibly leave Naruto to chase after him.
At this point, Naruto had already fainted from blood loss. It was probably for the best. If he were awake, he'd definitely pester Jiraiya to save Sasuke. Jiraiya had no desire to save Sasuke, especially since Sasuke had willingly gone with Orochimaru.
"Guy, this person is yours. Be sure to defeat him. I'm taking Naruto for treatment," Jiraiya instructed Guy.
Looking at the battle situation, Jiraiya knew Guy could handle the opponent, so he could leave with Naruto without worry.
"Bunta, sorry to trouble you. You can go back now."
Jiraiya said to Gamabunta before leaving, then picked up Naruto and quickly departed. He had to get Naruto back for treatment as soon as possible.
Although Naruto hadn't been hit in a vital spot, the injury was still severe. If not treated quickly, it could also be life-threatening.
Though Jiraiya knew basic first aid, he didn't know medical ninjutsu, so he had to take Naruto back to Konoha.
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