Elsewhere, Kakashi's squad fought their way past several Sound shinobi and reached a records room.
There was still no sign of Orochimaru, and with no note from Natsuki, Kakashi couldn't help feeling anxious.
Three-Tails? Don't tell me Orochimaru is also targeting the Tailed Beasts? Actually… it makes sense. Someone like him would have no qualms about using a Tailed Beast for experiments. So… does this mean the Three-Tails has revived and is alone right now?
Sasuke's pulse quickened. He snatched up the scroll and unrolled it, scanning the contents rapidly.
Inside was a map, seemingly of a lake perpetually shrouded in mist. The notes speculated that the Three-Tails lived there—favoring solitary life in fresh water, excelling at Water Release, and often blanketing its territory in mist to keep people and other creatures away, preserving its peace.
Tailed Beast… found you.
Sasuke slipped the scroll into his belongings, unable to keep the curve from his lips.
Kakashi and Sakura stepped into the room, shooting Sai a disapproving look before noticing Sasuke's oddly good mood. They didn't know what to make of it.
"Sasuke-kun, what did you find that makes you so happy?" Sakura asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Nothing—just some records related to the Uchiha."
Sasuke had no intention of revealing his real thoughts. He knew Kakashi would almost certainly oppose him becoming a Jinchūriki.
So he would hide the information, then find an opportunity to ask Natsuki for help. With Natsuki's power, subduing the Three-Tails wouldn't be a problem. All Sasuke needed was to learn proper sealing techniques—whether he could seal the Three-Tails and draw on its power would depend entirely on himself.
"It's a shame the Three-Tails specializes in Water Release… doesn't suit me. But for now, this is my only option."
He could live with that. At this stage, gaining the Three-Tails' power at all would be a rare chance—he couldn't afford to be picky.
Sai, meanwhile, after a short search, seemed not to have found what he wanted. "Sorry, I had my own mission. Just took a bit of time—hope you're not mad?"
"What do you think?"
Sakura's face darkened—she was one step away from punching this pale-faced guy.
Kakashi intervened. "Enough. If you're done, let's keep moving. Natsuki still hasn't sent word—he might be searching in the wrong place. We could run into him at any moment. We need to find Orochimaru and eliminate him. If he escapes, the consequences will be unacceptable!"
This snake had been lurking in a neighboring country long enough to keep Konoha on edge. Letting him slip away again would make it impossible to sleep at night.
The four resumed their advance—and perhaps luck was with them, because they ran straight into Orochimaru in the corridor.
Hands bound in bandages, his pale face twisted into a cold smile. "Heh heh heh… So that's why my base has suddenly gotten noisy—it's Konoha's friends. Sasuke-kun, have you come to offer me your body willingly? I know it's still two years before my next reincarnation, but I wouldn't mind taking you early."
His answer came in the form of Sasuke's drawn blade.
"If you want my body," Sasuke said coldly, "you can try. But today will be your death day."
He lunged, the three-tomoe Sharingan spinning, his Lightning Body Flicker faster than before—bringing his blade to Orochimaru's head in the blink of an eye.
Clang!
Steel met steel, sparks flying.
Orochimaru had already performed his snake-sword technique, biting down on a blade to parry.
Even without the use of his hands, he kept pace with Sasuke's attacks, not yielding an inch—proof of why he was one of the Legendary Sannin.
Kakashi drew a kunai, reluctantly pushing up his headband to reveal his Sharingan. "I can't tell if we're lucky or cursed to run into Orochimaru like this… Why couldn't Natsuki be the one to find him? And with Tenten not here—how am I supposed to signal for backup?"
Even as he spoke, he shifted into position, ready to strike at any moment. But the narrow corridor made coordinated attacks difficult.
He slipped into the earth with Earth Release, reappearing behind Orochimaru to block his retreat.
Sakura, on the other hand, quickly backed away—too close and she'd only be an easy target. With her current strength, she knew she'd just be a liability.
Once again, I can't do anything. I can only stand by until someone's injured, and even my medical ninjutsu is barely average—I can't heal serious wounds. I'm useless. I want to help Sasuke-kun, I want to get stronger… but what should I do? Should I ask Tsunade-sama to take me as a student? But with my talent, would she even accept me?
It wasn't self-pity—Sakura genuinely had nothing going for her. In the academy, she had good written test scores, but as a shinobi, her only strength was chakra control. Even among girls her age, she lagged in every other way. And most damning—she still clung to her squad-romance daydreams.
She said she wanted to grow stronger, but had never truly committed to it.
With that kind of wavering resolve, someone like Tsunade would never take her on as a disciple.
At the front, Sasuke's White Fang swordsmanship seemed to be gaining the upper hand—but he still couldn't finish Orochimaru.
He knew perfectly well—if Orochimaru had the use of his hands, Sasuke wouldn't have been able to push him this far.
Still, this was a rare chance. With Natsuki not yet here, defeating Orochimaru himself would be no small achievement.
He moved to press the advantage. "Shunshin Gen'ei!" (Flicker Phantom)
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Three afterimages split from his body, sealing off both ends of the corridor along with his true self.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]