Orochimaru laughed as he heard Naruto's imploring words. "You're wasting your time!" He shouted. "He can hear every word you say, but he's powerless to disobey me. No doubt he's hated doing everything I've forced him to do, but he has no choice but to do it! His will no longer matters!"

Jiraiya sent a punch Orochimaru's way that the snake ninja barely dodged. "You should keep your focus on our fight Orochimaru!" He yelled, lunging in for another attack.

Orochimaru jumped back and opened his mouth, the Kusanagi erupting from within him. He grabbed it and charged Jiraiya, slashing at him wherever he could reach.

As Orochimaru and Jiraiya fought, Naruto continued holding Kakashi. He didn't know what to do. Chances were Kakashi wouldn't break free since he was sixty feet smaller than Naruto but he wouldn't be able to be helped without Tsunade. Naruto knew that if he didn't do something Orochimaru would try something even if he was currently occupied. He'd only need a split second to cast his Forbidden Jutsu on Kakashi or try something equally heinous. What was he to do?

As the fights raged on Tsunade was making a most interesting discovery at the hospital. She didn't quite know what to make of it at first, but the longer she looked the more sense it made. She sat back in her chair and called for Sakura. She had been attending to the patients as best she could with the other nurses but came running when she heard Tsunade's voice.

"What is it Lady Hokage?" Sakura asked politely.

"I've discovered something quite interesting. That abnormality in the the bodies of the former giant ninja comes from a remnant of the jutsu Orochimaru cast. It's the part of the jutsu that stimulates the growth processes in the body."

"So what does that mean?" Sakura asked.

"Think about it." Tsunade said. "All parts of Orochimaru's jutsu was removed except for one: the growth factor."

Sakura's face suddenly lit up and she said, "Do you mean...?"

"Exactly!" Tsunade said, slapping her hand down on the charts. "Those ninja affected by Orochimaru's jutsu will be able to control their size."

"That's amazing!" Sakura said. "But there's limits right?"

"To an extent." Tsunade said. "Depending on long the jutsu was cast on the ninja will determine how much they can grow. I believe Gaara, Naruto, Kakashi, and Iruka will be able to grow the most with the other ninja falling in behind them. The smallest of the group will probably those who fell in their first fight like Shino. How much longer until the ninja will be conscious?"

Sakura quickly looked through the papers she'd collected from the other nurses. "Ummm...it looks like they'll be up within the next ten minutes!"

"That's good!' Tsunade said. "As soon as they wake up I want them briefed on the situation between Orochimaru, Kakashi, Naruto, and Jiraiya and I want them sent out to help. We'll be following the last ninja to wake up to help Kakashi."

Sakura nodded excitedly, happy to know that this whole mess was finally coming to an end. The only question was, would the ninja be in time to help Naruto?