Traveling through Naruto, I am Uchiha Obito?

She shouted sharply, trying to attract the other party's attention, while secretly signaling the Chunin behind her to prepare to break through with Karin.

"Red Bean, you're still so naive..."

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile and leaned forward slightly, clearly preparing to forcibly seize it!

"Fake darkness!"

A cold, low shout exploded like a thunderclap!

Stab-! !

A massive, blindingly bright bolt of lightning, like a spear tearing through the air, carrying a destructive aura and deafening thunder, pierced through dozens of meters in an instant with incredible speed and precision, striking Orochimaru directly from behind!

"Um?!"

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed sharply, a strong sense of danger causing him to instantly abandon his attempt to grab Karin. His body twisted at an unnatural angle, defying human anatomy, while his hands rapidly formed hand seals.

boom!

The violent energy of the Lightning Release: Pseudo-Dark slammed into the spot where Orochimaru had been standing, blasting a charred crater in the ground, sending dirt and debris flying everywhere! Only a section of the substitute wooden stake, instantly carbonized by the lightning, remained in its place!

"Really quick response."

The Rubik's Cube appeared in front of Anko and the others as if by teleportation, its eyes locked on Orochimaru, who had just appeared on the other side.

"you again……"

A rare flash of annoyance crossed Orochimaru's eyes. His hard-won "unexpected gain" had been ruined by this guy again. Without another word, he formed hand seals once more, his chest suddenly puffing out:

"Wind Escape·Big Breakthrough!"

call--! ! !

A violent hurricane, far exceeding the scale of ordinary ninjutsu, instantly formed! Like an invisible behemoth, it roared and pounced on Cube and the others behind him! Wherever the hurricane passed, trees as thick as bowls were uprooted, and deep furrows were plowed into the ground. This terrifying power was enough to tear Cube and the others to shreds!

"careful!"

Red Bean's expression changed drastically, and she immediately used ninjutsu to prepare for defense.

However, the demon standing at the forefront made a move that left everyone dumbfounded when faced with such a terrifying wind technique!

He neither dodged nor defended!

"Earth Release·Earth Spear!"

With a low shout, Rubik's Cube formed a hand seal! His exposed skin was instantly covered with a layer of rock-like dark brown luster, his muscles bulged and expanded, and his whole body seemed to transform into an indestructible rock statue!

"Eight Gates Formation, Fourth Gate, Injury Gate, Open!!"

boom--! ! !

A violent torrent of chakra erupted from the cube's body! Steam rose like flames, and the powerful airflow even temporarily held back the hurricane coming from the front! His muscles seemed to groan at their limit, and the blood vessels under his skin bulged like writhing dragons. His strength, speed, and defense instantly soared to a terrifying level!

"what?!"

Orochimaru's snake eyes revealed genuine astonishment for the first time! The Eight Gates?! This brat from the Uzumaki clan actually possesses such a forbidden technique? And judging from the color and intensity of the steam, he's directly opened the fourth gate?!

Just as Orochimaru was stunned, the Rubik's Cube moved!

Braving the raging winds powerful enough to tear apart forests, Cube, like a meteorite swimming upstream, slammed his feet into the ground! The ground exploded! Relying on the terrifying defensive power enhanced by Earth Release and the explosive power brought by the Eight Gates, he actually managed to withstand the hurricane that was enough to blow everyone away and forcefully charged forward!

His figure cast a blurry blue shadow in the wind pressure!

"Wind Release Rasengan!"

In the blink of an eye, the Rubik's Cube had forcefully broken through the Great Breakthrough's wind barrier and appeared in front of Orochimaru! In his right hand was not an ordinary blue Rasengan, but a rapidly spinning cyan chakra sphere filled with countless tiny wind blades! This was a Rasengan infused with wind-attribute nature transformation!

Orochimaru's astonishment instantly turned into horror! The speed at which the cube forced its way close despite the wind release technique and the power of this sudden change of move completely exceeded his expectations!

These numbers are wrong, aren't they? Shouldn't it be a wave? Why are you taking the brunt of it with your bare hands? Okay, let's open it!

Although Orochimaru intentionally shifted his attack range slightly away from Anko and the others to avoid killing them, his attack on the Magic Cube was real and uncompromising. He didn't think the Magic Cube would be unable to withstand the attack, but he never expected that the Magic Cube would respond to his attack in such an unpalatable way.

Pfft——! ! !

The Wind Release: Rasengan slammed into Orochimaru's chest!

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a chilling tearing sound! The raging wind-style chakra, like countless rapidly spinning blades, instantly invaded Orochimaru's body! His supple skin and muscles were easily torn apart, and his bones emitted a teeth-grinding cracking sound! Orochimaru's body was jolted backward as if struck head-on by a high-speed train!

"Ugh—!"

A suppressed groan escaped Orochimaru's lips as he was blasted away by the terrifying spiraling force, like a kite with a broken string!

boom! boom! boom!

Orochimaru's body crashed through several thick trees before finally coming to a stop amidst the mess of broken wood and dust. He slid softly to the ground, his chest a bloody mess, with his white bones clearly visible!

Anko and the Chunin behind her were dumbfounded, their jaws practically dropping. She withstood Orochimaru's Wind Release attack head-on? She opened the Fourth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, getting close to him while enduring the attack? Not to mention that final, unsealed ninjutsu? This…is this really how ninjas fight?

Karin covered her mouth, staring incredulously at the powerful figure.

Amidst the smoke and dust, Orochimaru's body twitched slightly. He struggled to lift his head, his snake-like eyes fixed on the unharmed but panting Rubik's Cube in the distance, his gaze filled with disbelief, shock, and... a hint of apprehension.

"Cough...cough..."

The excruciating pain in his chest made it extremely difficult for him to speak. The terrifying speed, power, and defense that the Rubik's Cube had just displayed, along with its ruthless moves and ferocious fighting style, had completely overturned his understanding of ninja combat!

This is a pure lad!

Hearing the sounds coming from not far away, Orochimaru knew that Konoha's reinforcements had arrived, and for the sake of his plan, he had no choice but to retreat for now.

He struggled to move his eyes, and finally glanced reluctantly at Karin, who was still trembling and being tightly protected behind Anko.

"What a pity..."

Orochimaru murmured hoarsely.

The next moment, his body suddenly writhed violently, and his skin cracked open inch by inch.

puff!

A giant python emerged from his mouth and vanished swiftly into the depths of the dense forest. In its place, only a tattered, blood-stained, and slimy humanoid snake slough, torn apart by the Wind Release: Rasengan, remained.

The green steam emanating from the Rubik's Cube gradually dissipated, and the earth-escape luster on its skin faded. He was slightly out of breath (pretending), and he glanced coldly at the snake slough on the ground, confirming that Orochimaru's true form had already escaped.

"They escaped quickly."

He said something in a low voice, then turned around and looked at the still-shaken Anko, Karin, and the others.

The crisis was temporarily averted, but Orochimaru's deep glance as he left truly frightened young Karin. She clung tightly to the corner of the Rubik's Cube's clothes, as if only in this way could she feel a little safe.

Chapter 37 Taking in Karin

Chapter 37 Taking in Karin

The lingering smell of gunpowder and blood from the Forest of Death still seemed to fill their nostrils as the Rubik's Cube brought the still-shaken Karin back to the relatively safe core area of ​​Konoha.

Without delay, he went directly to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was in the Hokage's office discussing countermeasures with Jiraiya.

The atmosphere in the office was heavy. When the Third Hokage and Jiraiya saw Rubik's Cube enter with an unfamiliar red-haired girl wearing glasses, they both stopped talking and their gazes fell on Karin.

The girl still bore the marks of the battle, her eyes timid, as she followed closely behind Rubik's Cube, her fingers unconsciously clutching the corner of its clothes.

"Rubik's Cube, and who is this?"

The Third Generation put down his pipe, looked gently at Karin, and asked with a hint of speculation, observing her red hair.

The Rubik's Cube succinctly stated: "Uzumaki Karin, a surviving examinee from the Forest of Death, is from Kusagakure. Orochimaru has his eye on her."

The Third Hokage immediately understood the gravity of the situation. He looked at Karin, his voice steady and reassuring:

"Karin Uzumaki, is that it? I am Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha. Welcome to Konoha. You are safe here."

He paused and continued:

"Regarding your identity as a ninja from Kusagakure and your stay in Konoha, I will personally negotiate with Kusagakure. You don't need to worry, just stay here in peace."

The third generation's words were gentle yet profound, possessing a magical quality that made people believe them.

Karin lowered her head, her body trembling slightly, and did not respond immediately. She quietly raised her eyelids and quickly glanced at the Rubik's Cube beside her, her eyes filled with dependence and unease.

She didn't know if her powerful savior would continue to protect her, nor did she know if this unfamiliar village was truly safe.

Jiraiya, a man of great experience, saw through the girl's concerns at a glance. He stroked his chin, chuckled, and broke the silence:

"Old man, look how scared this little girl is. Right now, the thing she trusts most is probably the Rubik's Cube that she rescued from Orochimaru's mouth."

He turned to the Rubik's Cube and winked mischievously.

"I think it would be better to let Karin stay with Rubik's Cube for a while? With him there, the little girl will feel more at ease, right?"

Upon hearing this, the third generation stroked his beard, pondering the feasibility of the suggestion. He looked at the Rubik's Cube:

“Cube-kun, I remember you’re staying with Naruto right now? Naruto’s already… wouldn’t it be inconvenient to have another person? If needed, the village can arrange new accommodations for you and Karin.”

The demon's expression was calm, as if he were stating something utterly ordinary:

"No need for that, Hokage-sama. I have another place to stay now."

He paused, then added...

"At the Momonogi family's house."

"Oh?"

The Third Hokage and Jiraiya were both taken aback.

The next second, the two experienced drivers instantly understood!

"Pfft—cough cough!" Jiraiya spat out the tea he had just drunk, choking and turning his face red. He slammed his hand on the table, pointed at the Rubik's Cube, his voice rising with excitement, even cracking slightly:

"Wh...what?! Another place to live?! At Momonogi's house?! You little rascal!!"

His expression was incredibly complex, a mixture of surprise, envy, jealousy, and resentment. His face visibly flushed and heated up, almost as if steam was rising from it.

"As expected of my disciple, Jiraiya! This speed! This efficiency! He has truly surpassed his master! Hahahaha!"

He tried to hide his envy with an exaggerated laugh, but his flushed face and twitching eye muscles completely betrayed him.

Rubik's Cube merely glanced at him indifferently.

"Old Deng, you still need to practice!"

A hint of surprise flashed across the Third Hokage's face at first, then his wrinkled face blossomed into a smile of extreme satisfaction and delight, so much so that he almost dropped his pipe.

His gaze toward the Rubik's Cube was filled with the loving kindness and appreciation of an elder:

"Great...great! Rubik's Cube! This is...fantastic!"

He paused, his tone becoming solemn and full of gratitude.

"Momonogi... I am truly grateful for your care. As your elder, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

The Rubik's Cube readily accepted the gratitude and even cracked a little joke:

"You flatter me. In fact, I have to 'thank' Orochimaru for his 'assistance'."

He made a pointed remark about Orochimaru's attack.

Upon hearing this, the third generation's smile faded, his eyes sharpened, and he immediately spoke seriously.

"Don't worry, Cube. I will personally take charge of Momono and Karin's safety. I will send in the most elite ANBU squads to protect them 24/7. I will not allow Orochimaru or any of those guys to have any chance!"

Rubik's Cube nodded. With the protection of the Hokage's direct subordinate Anbu, he could indeed feel much more at ease.

"Then, I'll take Karin to Momonogi's place to settle down first."

He glanced at Karin, who was still somewhat timid.

"Afterwards, I will assist Jiraiya-sensei in tracking down Orochimaru's whereabouts and purpose in the village."

"Well, thank you for your hard work."

The third generation nodded solemnly. As if remembering something, he walked behind his desk, opened a sealed scroll, and took out a scroll from it. On the cover of the scroll, there were complex runes representing the word "forbidden".

"This is what I promised you before."

The third generation passed the scroll to the Rubik's Cube.

The Rubik's Cube looked at the scroll, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he reached out and took it.

"Thanks, sir."

The Rubik's Cube weighed the scroll in his hand, a confident smile curving his lips.