Death is near!

Naruto faced Orochimaru with an arrogant grin. Gradually Oro's malicious grin also faded because now he became aware of what made the boy in front of him (if you can still say boy) so strong: Kyuubi; the demon that even HE could not defeat. He knew that he had to intimidate Naruto, because then the Kyuubi's strength would decrease. What he couldn't know, however, was that Naruto was already completely absorbed by the fox demon! Naruto's gaze was fixed straight ahead and Orochimaru followed him with his eyes - every little twitch was noticed by him. But suddenly Naruto was gone! Panicked, Oro's eyes searched the entire place but he was nowhere to be seen! When he suddenly heard a breath and the growling of a fox behind his left ear!

Sasuke looked at Hinata. He knew that she was afraid - not for herself but for the person she loved. He walked in her direction in a friendly manner and put his arm around her."You know as well as I do that Naruto is the strongest ninja Konoha has ever seen. At least since Sandaime! He'll make it and come back to you and us! He's my best friend and also my strongest rival. He'll make it we just have to trust him! ", he said soothingly to Hinata. And it hadn't missed its effect: A small smile crossed the girl's face and her eyes wore a new glimmer of hope. Sakura had watched this whole scene and was once again proud of her Sasuke. Nobody would have believed that the sublime Uchiha boy would become such a good person!

Orochimaru was on the floor, panting. He was just attacked by 2 Narutos who were both as strong as 100 together! But Naruto stood over him and didn't even seem to be out of breath - on the contrary! He picked up Oro and put him on his feet. "THAT is supposed to be all? I know you are better, so fight with me and stop playing!", he said, slightly irritated and in a bellicose mood. There was no doubt: Naruto was no longer himself! Suddenly angry, Naruto hit the completely unprepared Orochimaru in the stomach. This flew against the opposite wall, which was now a huge hole Orochimaru slipped down the wall like a slice of banana and lay there gasping for breath. Naruto or respectively Kyuubi stared down at him confident of victory but he did not underestimate him - he knew that would have been a mistake!

Tsunade was just back at her desk when there was a hard knock on her door and an ANVU entered. "What's going on?" She asked, slightly confused as the ANBU only came to her in extreme emergencies. "We searched the forest and found a few dead among them were only ...", the ANBU paused for a moment as he ran out of breath. But this short break was pure torture for Tsunade. Was it her shinobi? If so, then she had sent her to her death.But she got no further because the ANBU continued: "None of us was there. They all seem to be alive!" and with these words he disappeared again. Did it just seem like that to the Hokage, or was their emphasis really on the word "still"? She was just glad everyone was fine!
She had to tell Kakashi this immediately - if he was still there and she hoped so!

Sasuke had tried to track them down with his Sharingan, but he couldn't rule them all out. So they always went into the tunnels in pairs. Without knowing what to expect! Everyone hid their fear for Naruto or for themselves, but everyone knew that there was this indescribable fear! Sasuke grabbed Sakura and the two went into the first tunnel. Then Shikamaru and Ino (only for you Shik4m4ru !!!) went to the next one. The others didn't really know what to do, but then the others joined in too: Hinata and Gaara, Neji and Tenten, Kabuto and Temari. Lee stayed in place to guide those who had hit a dead end into the correct tunnel.Naruto cleverly dodged Oro's attacks. For him it was more like falling asleep, while Orochimaru, who was once the most feared ninja, seemed at the end of his strength and was defeated by a youngster! Naruto looked down at the Orochimaru lying on the ground and knew: now or never! He created a doppelganger of himself and with his help formed the Rasengan! He hurled it at the defeated Orochimaru and it was over. Orochimaru was dead. But even Naruto did not allow Kyuubi to take over his body and managed to banish it again. But- he paid a very high price! His life!