Naruto: Satoru Uchiha

Faced with Satoru's interference and Naruto's scolding, Sasuke froze momentarily. He turned his head slightly, pretending not to care, though the slight puff of his cheeks betrayed his frustration.

They don't understand.

They couldn't beat the ninja on the other side, and Sasuke knew it. Sacrificing the Heaven Scroll and finding another was the best way to complete the task and survive. He couldn't let them all die here—not with his family revenge still unfinished.

Sasuke clenched his fists tightly, his dark eyes narrowing with resolve. Though he knew his plan was flawed, and Orochimaru likely wouldn't spare them even if he surrendered the scroll, he felt it was their only chance.

At least I tried, Sasuke thought bitterly. If we do nothing, all of us will die here.

Satoru's Guidance

Satoru folded his arms, observing Sasuke's silence with a knowing smile. Still just a kid, he thought.

"Relax." Satoru leapt down from his perch, landing lightly beside Sasuke.

"If you overthink things, you'll end up like Itachi—an old man trapped in his past." He ruffled Sasuke's hair playfully, a mischievous glint in his pale blue eyes.

"Hey, let go!" Sasuke protested, turning his head away. But his gaze remained locked on Orochimaru, who stood motionless, exuding an unsettling presence.

What is Second Brother thinking? Sasuke wondered. Now's not the time for jokes. Doesn't he care about revenge anymore? How can he say that name so casually?

Satoru's expression shifted, his tone suddenly serious. "If you let the past hold you back, you'll never move forward."

Sasuke blinked, startled. His second brother's words struck a chord.

Was he talking about me?

Sasuke thought back to his recent struggles. Had his obsession with the past stunted his growth? He lowered his head, reflecting.

Finally, he sighed, his voice steady but firm. "Okay, I get it."

He realized he'd been a fool. To defeat his brother, Uchiha Itachi, he couldn't afford to fear death. Hesitating here would only prove his own weakness.

Sasuke's eyes sharpened with determination. "I'll fight."

Orochimaru's Amusement

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he observed the interaction.

So this white-haired ninja is important to you, Sasuke?

A predatory smile spread across his face. Good. I'll start with him. Let me teach you a lesson—if you lack strength, you can't protect anyone.

His gaze locked onto Satoru. "Fine, then," Orochimaru hissed. "Forget the scroll. I'll kill you all and take it anyway."

The murderous aura around Orochimaru intensified, suffocating in its intensity. His slit pupils glowed coldly as he surged toward Satoru at an almost imperceptible speed. Snakes erupted from his sleeves, fangs bared.

Satoru dodged nimbly, leaping into the air. He swung his kunai with precision, slicing through the attacking snakes. Orochimaru's movements were fluid and relentless, but Satoru kept pace, his agility unmatched.

"Not bad," Orochimaru muttered, his smile widening.

In the blink of an eye, his face contorted grotesquely, skin peeling away to reveal a distorted visage. His arm extended like a whip, striking at Satoru while his tongue curled around a kunai, ready to strike.

A Strange Battle

"What is this, Phantom of the Opera?" Satoru muttered, dodging the whip-like arm.

The corners of his mouth twitched in disbelief as Orochimaru's face transformed into something straight out of a horror film. "Is this some kind of psychic attack? Or are you just trying to traumatize me?"

Despite his sarcastic remarks, Satoru moved deftly, evading each strike.

Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "You're quite skilled for your age," he admitted. "But this world isn't kind to those without power. Let me end your suffering."

His murderous aura thickened, oppressive and relentless.

Sasuke, standing on the sidelines, watched the battle with wide eyes. The speed and ferocity of their movements made it hard to follow.

Then, his Sharingan activated, and everything became clear.

Outside the Exam Room

Meanwhile, Mitarashi Anko sat on the roof of a nearby building, savoring her favorite treat—a skewer of dumplings paired with red bean soup.

"Nothing beats this," she said cheerfully, throwing a bamboo stick onto the ground. "After this, I'll head to the tower and wait for the survivors. Looks like some are already close to finishing the survival phase."

She smiled, but her lighthearted moment was interrupted by a puff of white smoke. A ninja appeared before her, looking grim.

"Anko-sama, we have a problem," the ninja said urgently.

"Hmm?" Anko tilted her head, still relaxed. "What's going on?"

"Three bodies have been discovered," the ninja replied, his tone heavy. "And the situation is… unusual."

Anko's expression darkened as she stood. "Unusual how?"

A Disturbing Discovery

Anko arrived at the scene moments later. Three corpses lay sprawled on the forest floor. A ninja wearing a bandage over his face gestured toward them.

"Based on their identification and gear, they were Grass Village shinobi officially registered for the Chūnin Exams," he said calmly. "But as you can see..."

Anko's pupils narrowed as she examined the bodies. Her voice dropped.

"They're… faceless."

The ninja beside her nodded grimly. "Yes. It looks as though something dissolved their faces completely, leaving them smooth and featureless."

Anko unconsciously touched the curse mark on her neck, her fingers trembling slightly. This can only be his work.

Why had Orochimaru come to the exams? What was he after?

Her mind raced as she turned to the ninja beside her. "Show me the photos of the Grass Village participants. Are they the same as the ones in the application?"

The ninja quickly handed over the application forms. Anko's eyes scanned the images. Her suspicion was confirmed.

"It's her," she muttered, recognizing the long-haired kunoichi she had seen in the exam hall earlier. "Orochimaru must have replaced her before the exam even began."

Anko's expression hardened. "This is serious. Report this to the Hokage immediately. Request reinforcements from the ANBU Black Ops and have them secure the Forest of Death."

"What about you?" the ninja asked.

"I'm going after them," Anko said firmly. "Orochimaru is mine."

With that, she disappeared into the forest, leaving only a trace of her fierce determination behind.

>>>>>

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