"Kano, this location is exposed. Let's change locations as soon as Naruto gets back."
Kano nodded.
They waited for a long time, but Naruto still didn't return. A bad premonition rose in Kano's heart.
"Sasuke, be careful. We might have been targeted by an enemy. Let's leave here first. As for Naruto..."
Before she could finish, a gust of wild wind swept in, even plowing deep furrows into the ground.
The two immediately dodged to hide themselves, each finding a place to take cover. Then, a thick mist gradually rose.
Sasuke crouched in the bushes, quietly observing the surroundings.
"Sasuke, you're here."
Seeing Kano find him, Sasuke continued to lie in wait. This Ninjutsu was incredibly powerful; the enemy was not to be underestimated. It was a blessing in disguise that Kano wasn't injured and had successfully met up with him.
Kano naturally walked to Sasuke's side, wanting to hide with him.
However, Sasuke's shadow fluctuated, and a Shadow Deer jumped out of it, headbutting Kano. Kano also quickly pulled out a Kunai and killed the Shadow Deer with one strike.
Sasuke was shocked and quickly retreated, throwing several shuriken.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
"Is that a backup plan left by that little girl? Hehe."
Big Snake Auntie stopped pretending and dispelled the transformation. She dodged the flaming shuriken with an eerie movement style.
At this time, Kano was also attracted by the sound and rushed over. Arriving with her was Shadow Haku.
Sasuke also instantly activated his Sharingan. He couldn't be careless or underestimate the enemy; he had to find the opponent's weakness!
"Sasuke, be careful. This enemy is strong—absurdly strong."
Seeing the Shadow Ninja standing with Kano, Sasuke was then convinced she was the real one.
"Yeah."
"Hehehe, you want my 'Earth Scroll,' don't you? After all, you're holding the 'Heaven Scroll.'"
Pulling out a scroll, she showed it to Sasuke and Kano, then stuffed it into her mouth and swallowed it like a snake right in front of them.
"Now, let the scroll struggle begin—a fight to the death!"
An intense surge of killing intent swept over Kano and Sasuke like a sharp blade.
Even though Kano had the soul strength of a forty-year-old, her legs trembled under this pressure, and she felt like she was about to wet herself from fear.
Sasuke slumped to the ground. This killing intent reminded him of that night.
Who on earth was that person? To have this much intensity from just killing intent alone. Sasuke looked at Kano and found she wasn't doing much better; she was also kneeling on the ground, trembling all over, with tears of terror streaming down her face.
No, they had to run!
With trembling hands, Sasuke pulled out a Kunai and struggled to stand up. He planned to take Kano and escape quickly under the cover of the mist.
"It seems I still can't enjoy myself."
Big Snake Auntie saw that both were too terrified to move. The little girl's shadow Ninjutsu couldn't even be maintained, and the Shadow Ninja returned to the shadows.
Only Sasuke could barely stand, but even that wasn't enough.
"Don't worry, it'll be quick. I won't let you feel any pain."
She drew two Kunai and aimed them at Kano and Sasuke.
"Run in different directions! Go find Naruto!"
Facing Orochimaru, Kano planned to go all out! Shadow Zabuza struck with his blade!
The kubikiribōchō came whistling through the air. Big Snake Auntie noticed it in advance and ducked to avoid it, then kicked a Water Clone to death. Immediately following was the real Shadow Zabuza—Water Prison Jutsu!
However, the water prison only trapped a clone. Big Snake Auntie emerged from the ground and struck Zabuza unexpectedly, sending him flying. Then, Shadow Haku activated a secret technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals! Surrounding Big Snake Auntie within it.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!