As soon as Sasuke stepped out of the Chunin Selection Hall's gate, he noticed the light reflecting from afar. He didn't even need to look back; he already knew who it was.
Just as he was about to turn his head, he saw Naruto running towards him in a lively way.
"Sasuke, why are you walking so fast? Why don't we go home together?"
"Naruto."
"There's still a month until the last exam. Let's cultivate together during this time!"
Naruto put his hands behind his head and strolled casually under the green tree-lined path. The sunlight shone on his sky-blue eyes as he smiled brightly.
Feeling the eager presence behind him, Sasuke explained it to Naruto.
"Naruto, I still have some things to do. You go back first."
"Huh?! What things do you have? Why don't I know about them? And just now, Itachi Aniki clearly wanted to talk to you, but you've been so cold recently. You're so weird!"
"Naruto, you're not a kid anymore. Don't always stick to me all day. I have very important things to do."
Naruto stopped in his tracks, his fists clenched tightly. He looked at Sasuke's back as he walked ahead alone, somewhat dim and unclear on the shaded path.
He was always like this. He was always so mysterious, never telling him anything and always wanting to solve all the problems alone. Even though they lived so close to each other, it always felt like Sasuke's heart was far away from him...
Especially after the encounter with Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, he became even more secretive and it was hard to tell what he was planning. Now Sasuke gave him an illusion that he seemed to be about to disappear and leave him far behind.
"No!"
Sasuke in front didn't notice Naruto's little tantrum. When he looked back, he saw Naruto standing still and staring fixedly at him.
Sasuke sighed helplessly. What he was thinking in his heart was that if he didn't coax Naruto well at this time, maybe Naruto would stick to him every step of the way during the one month before the third exam.
"Naruto, can we discuss the detailed cultivation plan after I finish my current business and go back?"
Sasuke softened his tone and spoke to him in a consultative way.
"What the hell are you busy with? Can't you tell me? I'm really worried!"
"Naruto, trust me! We're friends, right!"
Sasuke didn't directly ask Naruto to leave. He knew that Naruto definitely wouldn't agree in this way. Instead, he had to go along with him.
He stretched out his fist, and Naruto, understanding what Sasuke meant, also stretched out his fist for a fist-bump.
"Okay, of course I trust you! Then I'll wait for you to come back at home!"
"Yeah! Go quickly. And please go to the hospital to see Rock Lee on my behalf. After all, they helped us in the Forest of Death."
"Okay! Then come back quickly!"
Naruto watched the figure waving goodbye to him. Even though he was reluctant, he still obediently left. Seeing this, Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief.
A cold and sarcastic voice came from behind his ear.
"So, have you finally coaxed the little kid home?"
Sasuke slowly turned his head and looked at Kabuto emerging from the corner. His eyes were cold, nothing like the gentle and delicate look when he was coaxing Naruto just now.
"Your attitude sure changed quickly! You didn't look so fierce when you were soothing that kid just now!"
"Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru sent you to find me, didn't he?"
Kabuto stepped out from the dark corner and walked side by side with Sasuke on the shaded path.
"As expected of the target chosen by Lord Orochimaru. You don't seem surprised to see me at all."
"What does Orochimaru want from me? I've already said that if he wants to talk to me, he has to come in person!"
"So arrogant!"
Sasuke ignored Kabuto's comment and remained expressionless.
"If he doesn't come to talk to me in person, then I don't see any point in talking to you."
After saying that, Sasuke didn't want to chat with Kabuto any longer. Just as he was about to leave, Kabuto's expression suddenly turned sinister. He silently approached Sasuke from behind, gathering Chakra in his hand and attacking with his signature Chakra Scalpel.
He stepped forward quietly and made a swift backhand slash. Just as he thought he was about to sever Sasuke's head from his body, Sasuke suddenly disappeared right in front of his eyes.
He looked around in disbelief at the increasingly strange space. The trees and terrain were distorted, and his body was tightly wrapped by the spreading branches. He desperately used his moves to hack at the vines on his body.
But no matter how many vines he cut, new ones would grow back. He was deeply trapped in the Genjutsu and couldn't break free.
"Release!"
A cold voice came, and he finally heaved a sigh of relief as he walked out of the Genjutsu maze. He was sweating profusely, his eyes wide with fear. He gasped for breath and fell to his knees, his legs too weak to support him.
He looked up at Sasuke, whose eyes were filled with nothing but icy coldness. Only then did he realize the huge gap between himself and Sasuke! He didn't even know when he had been caught in the Genjutsu.
This was the power of the Uchiha clan, the power that Lord Orochimaru had his eyes on. However, a slight sense of worry welled up in his heart. Could Lord Orochimaru really be confident in controlling such a powerful power?
Sasuke's eyes were like those of a falcon eyeing its prey. Making eye contact with him for just a second made Kabuto feel as if he was about to be devoured. This young boy had an air of authority and wisdom far beyond his age.
"Go back and tell Orochimaru that the Chunin Exams a month later will be his last chance."
After saying that, Sasuke ignored Kabuto, who still wanted to say something, and walked away.
He knew that given Orochimaru's cunning and suspicious nature, he must be secretly watching from the shadows. Since he wanted to watch, let him watch his fill!
However, Orochimaru, don't let me down!
...............
"What do you think of the new vessel I've chosen, Kabuto?"
A sinister voice came from the overlapping shadows in the forest. Kabuto, who was sitting on the ground recovering his strength, turned around and quickly bowed respectfully.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
"That kid is quite full of personality and mystery. I'm sure he has something important to tell me. Right now, he's like a hunter who has set a trap and put out bait, waiting for me to take the bait."
Orochimaru watched the disappearing back of the young boy, sticking out his twin - pronged tongue and licking his lips, extremely covetous.
Sasuke Uchiha? The mysteries and power within him are truly fascinating.
"No way, Lord Orochimaru! That kid is too dangerous! It's impossible to fathom what's going on in his mind! I think we'd better not have too much contact with him!"
"Hey, Kabuto~ Have you ever heard this saying?"
"What?"
"If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't catch the tiger cubs! (a Chinese idiom meaning you have to take risks to achieve something)"
Kabuto looked at Orochimaru, his eyes filled with a blazing fire. He knew that Orochimaru couldn't be dissuaded in this state!
................
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