Naruto Vol. 33

At the Tenchi Bridge, Kabuto attacks the disguised Yamato and reveals that he never truly escaped Orochimaru’s influence. Orochimaru emerges and provokes Naruto by discussing Sasuke as though he already belongs entirely to him. Naruto’s anger releases the Nine-Tailed Fox’s chakra, producing a three-tailed transformation that rapidly escalates into a four-tailed state.

Naruto loses awareness of his surroundings and attacks Orochimaru with overwhelming force. His chakra cloak burns away his skin and repeatedly regenerates it, placing his life in danger even as his destructive power increases. Orochimaru survives by using replacement bodies and regenerative techniques, but Naruto’s concentrated chakra blast devastates the surrounding landscape and forces him onto the defensive.

Sakura attempts to approach Naruto and is struck by one of his attacks. Yamato restrains the transformed Naruto with Wood Release and uses the First Hokage’s necklace to suppress the Nine-Tails’ chakra. After returning to normal, Naruto is horrified to learn that he injured Sakura, although she initially tries to conceal the truth.

During the battle, Sai approaches Orochimaru and offers a message from Danzō. He accompanies Orochimaru and Kabuto to their base, apparently abandoning Team Kakashi. Yamato uses a tracking seed planted on Sai to follow them, and the team discovers that Sai’s true Foundation assignment may be connected to Sasuke rather than the original reconnaissance mission.