"My dad? Then who are you?"
"I'm Gamatatsu, the son of Gamabunta. The one beside me is my brother, Gamakichi."
....
"How long are you two going to keep this up? Kabuto, attack..."
The hilarious master - apprentice duo stared at each other silently for a moment. Jiraiya had no choice but to wrap his body with his long hair, which then transformed into spikes to block Orochimaru's attacks.
Kabuto rushed towards Tsunade, who was lying on the ground. In his view, Naruto and Sakura were just two brats. As long as he took out the old hag, the scales of victory would tip completely in their favor.
Naruto didn't know much about Kabuto's Ninjutsu. Under Kabuto's ghost - like movements, he accidentally got touched a few times. The seemingly weak attacks brought a sharp tearing pain, making his body sway unsteadily. Finally, he plopped down on the ground, his legs twitching uncontrollably.
Taking this opportunity, Kabuto got past Naruto and Sakura and dashed in front of Tsunade, holding a [Kunai] in a reverse grip to end the woman's life.
"Splat"
Blood instantly spattered in all directions. The feeling of the [Kunai] piercing through flesh was extremely clear, if we ignore the hand that blocked in front of Tsunade.
"Impossible! How can you still stand up?"
Kabuto stared at the provocative Naruto in shock. He clearly knew that Naruto had been struck by his [Chakra Scalpel], and it should have been difficult for him to even stand. Why was he moving faster than himself?
"Sorry about that. It's just that my body is stronger than most people."
Humph! Just as I thought, the Jinchūriki of the Nine - Tailed Fox has a life as tough as a cockroach.
"Brat..."
Tsunade's eyes, which were initially dull, finally regained their sparkle. She looked at the brat in front of her in surprise. Why would he save someone who had nothing to do with him?
"Yo~ Granny Tsunade, you're finally back to your senses. Let me make it clear first. I'm not suddenly filled with some saintly impulse to save you. You're just my rival on the path to becoming the [Hokage]!"
"Humph! Stupid Naruto, always trying to show off!"
Kabuto pulled out the [Kunai] from Naruto's hand. The pain hit Naruto instantly. Naruto was already at the end of his strength and had no time to dodge. Kabuto gave him a spinning roundhouse kick, sending him flying far away, and was about to deliver the finishing blow.
"Clang"
The clashing sound of the blades exploded right next to Kabuto's ears. Sasuke blocked his attack with a [Kunai], giving Sakura a chance to treat Naruto.
The two were extremely agile. They fought back and forth on the empty [arena]. Whether on purpose or not, their battle location was getting further away from Naruto.
Kabuto frowned and started secretly putting in some extra effort with his hands.
"Sasuke Uchiha, do you still want to join our side or not? Why are you stopping me?"
Sasuke looked cold. If Naruto were here, he would have noticed that Sasuke was getting angry.
"Your name is Kabuto, right? You've got one thing wrong. I have no obligation and no need to answer any of your questions. It's always been Orochimaru who's been after me. If Orochimaru is not satisfied with my actions, let him come here himself. You're not qualified to interfere."
"What an arrogant tone!"
You don't seem sincere at all. There must be some shady conspiracy behind your actions. I'll definitely stop you from getting close to Lord Orochimaru."
Hearing this, Sasuke didn't get angry but instead smiled, the corners of his thin lips curving into a beautiful arc, his eyes full of mockery.
"Don't you understand what I just said? I said you're not qualified!"
In fact, regardless of whether Tsunade could cure Itachi's terminal illness, Sasuke had to go with Orochimaru. Sasuke didn't forget that he still had a mission.
Obito still had evil intentions, and Madara Uchiha, who was hiding in the dark, hadn't shown up yet. There was also The Fourth Great Ninja World War and the upcoming confrontation with the Otsutsuki Clan.
He had to join hands with Orochimaru to research a new ninjutsu system so that he could prevent many tragedies from happening.
Sasuke looked at the man in front of him - Kabuto. This guy, who usually seemed unremarkable, was also one of the culprits that made The Fourth Great Ninja World War extremely arduous.
Although he was finally brought back to the right path by Itachi using Izanami, this guy was now a typical double - crosser. What to do? Should he kill him now?
Maybe sensing the killing intent in Sasuke's eyes, Kabuto instinctively felt a chill and unconsciously distanced himself from Sasuke, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He couldn't help wondering in his heart: Sasuke Uchiha, just who the hell are you?
After being treated by Sakura, Naruto's broken muscles had almost recovered. Especially when he saw Sasuke fighting evenly with Kabuto, he was even more eager to come and help him.
"Rasengan!"
Naruto appeared silently. Kabuto had most of his attention focused on Sasuke and ignored him. Naruto's Rasengan hit Kabuto square in the abdomen.
The violent Chakra cyclone tore at the skin around his abdomen. Kabuto reacted quickly and placed his Chakra scalpel at Naruto's heart.
Kabuto was sent flying dozens of meters away by Naruto. The stones he passed by turned into powder. Naruto also fell to the ground, having difficulty breathing and coughing up blood constantly.
"Sakura, come and check on him quickly. Naruto was just hit in the heart meridian."
Sakura sensed something was wrong and quickly stepped forward to check. Naruto's injury was too serious. Even though Sakura treated him, he still couldn't stop coughing up blood.
This level of cardiopulmonary damage was beyond the ability of Sakura, a beginner, to treat.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Sasuke shouted at Tsunade.
"Hey! Old hag! How long are you gonna stay silent? You just gonna watch Naruto, who took a hit for you, die right in front of you?"
Tsunade looked at Naruto, who was lying on the ground but still had a firm look in his eyes. She raised her head, slightly looked up at the sky, and finally closed her eyes and suddenly opened them. There was no trace of the usual hesitation and confusion in her expression.
"This is so damn outrageous! I actually got saved by a brat like Naruto and chewed out by that cocky brat. And it all happened in front of my own disciple. This ain't like me at all."
Tsunade ridiculed herself in her heart.
"So you're Sasuke Uchiha. I'll remember you, brat. How dare you call me an old hag today. You'd better not ever fall into my hands in the future!"
?_?
Sasuke: I really have a vulnerability in my hand...
Tsunade stepped forward and told Sakura to watch her Medical Ninjutsu treatment closely. A gentle glow enveloped Naruto's chest. The cool and soothing power instantly made his breathing easier, and he stopped coughing up blood. His injuries were getting better at an almost visible speed.
Tsunade looked solemn. It wasn't all due to her Medical Ninjutsu. The Chakra of the Nine - Tailed Fox in this kid's body was also repairing his body.
"Thank you, Granny Tsunade."