#54 - Chapter 54: Conflicts among the Alternative Teams
Orochimaru watched Naruto and Sasuke's conversation the entire time.
After hearing their exchange, Orochimaru found his interest in Naruto growing even stronger.
How strong would a child be who even Sasuke Uchiha trusted?
Although he was still very fixated on the power of the Sharingan, a genius like Naruto might also become one of his future vessels!
In short – a backup plan!
“Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!”
Orochimaru waved his hand, sending several small snakes flying from his sleeves towards Sasuke, but Sasuke swung his Executioner's Blade and knocked them away.
Then Sasuke leaped high into the air, delivering a Thunderclap Half-Moon to Orochimaru!
Boom!
The Executioner's Blade struck the ground with a dull thud, cracking the entire ground like a spider web!
“Decent power, but too slow,” Orochimaru said mockingly, appearing next to Sasuke after dodging the attack.
Sasuke's heart trembled, and he quickly reacted. Gritting his teeth, he dragged the Executioner's Blade and jumped back, creating distance between himself and Orochimaru.
He plunged the Executioner's Blade into the ground, then rapidly formed hand seals.
“Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!”
A fireball shot from Sasuke's mouth, but it didn't hit Orochimaru!
Orochimaru, who had dodged, reappeared not far from Sasuke, chuckling as he teased, “Your ninjutsu mastery is not bad, but with your current strength, the Executioner's Blade must be quite a burden, right?”
“Shut up!”
Sasuke roared, pulling out the Executioner's Blade and slashing at Orochimaru again, but Orochimaru easily dodged it.
“As Itachi Uchiha's younger brother, is this all you've got? I'm truly disappointed,” Orochimaru said, continuing to provoke Sasuke while effortlessly evading.
Hearing Itachi Uchiha's name, Sasuke's expression faltered, and he questioned Orochimaru, “Who exactly are you?”
Orochimaru chuckled softly, not answering Sasuke.
This made the already furious Sasuke even angrier!
He dropped the Executioner's Blade and charged towards Orochimaru with a kunai in hand!
Through the previous battle, Sasuke realized that using the Executioner's Blade against Orochimaru was not advantageous.
His speed was already inferior to Orochimaru's, and being burdened by the Executioner's Blade made it impossible to keep up!
Sasuke closed the distance with Orochimaru, engaging in close-quarters taijutsu!
Relying on his fully activated Two-Tomoe Sharingan, Sasuke temporarily fought Orochimaru to a standstill.
Of course, this was the result of Orochimaru holding back!
Although Orochimaru was not known for his taijutsu, he shouldn't have struggled so much against a mere genin!
After a dozen or so exchanges, Orochimaru broke away from Sasuke.
He stood on a tree, scrutinizing Sasuke, a hint of appreciation finally appearing in his eyes, “Your Sharingan usage is not bad; you can even keep up with my speed. But that's not enough!”
“Summoning Jutsu!”
Orochimaru summoned several large snakes to attack Sasuke, while he stood on one of the snakes, continuing to tease Sasuke and test his strength!
He had two goals in coming to Konoha this time.
One was to destroy Konoha, and the other was to take Sasuke Uchiha away!
However, before taking Sasuke Uchiha away, he needed to determine if Sasuke was qualified to be taken!
This qualification was not just based on how many tomoe Sasuke's Sharingan had opened, but also on Sasuke's personal talent!
There were many members of the Uchiha clan, but few actually awakened the Sharingan, and even fewer brought those eyes to their full potential!
Orochimaru coveted the power of the Sharingan, so naturally he wasn't just aiming for a simple Two-Tomoe Sharingan!
He needed to confirm that Sasuke's body had the potential to unlock a higher-level Sharingan!
The encirclement of several large snakes left Sasuke struggling to cope.
Kunai were useless against these large snakes, and even C-rank Fire Style ninjutsu were difficult to burn these massive creatures!
This forced him to run around constantly!
Watching Sasuke getting further and further away, Naruto frowned slightly.
“This isn't good.”
Although he had agreed to let Sasuke continue fighting Orochimaru, he wasn't going to completely ignore him!
If Sasuke faced a life-or-death crisis, or if Orochimaru tried to place a Cursed Seal on him, he would step in to help!
This wasn't because he was Sasuke's dad, but because he had a duty to protect his teammates during the mission!
He extended his finger, preparing to shoot and kill the snake pursuing Sasuke.
But at that moment, Sasuke seemed to notice his movements and immediately shouted, “This is my fight; I don't need your help!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he was distracted and slammed into a tree by one of the snakes, falling to the ground and spitting out blood!
Naruto: “......”
Do you enjoy being abused that much?
Watching the snake slowly approaching Sasuke, Naruto hesitated whether to save Sasuke or not.
If he saved him, the kid wouldn't appreciate it.
If he didn't save him... would Orochimaru really kill him?
He remembered that one of the elimination rules in the second round of the Chunin Exams was the death of a teammate......
“Naruto, please save Sasuke!” At that moment, Sakura suddenly grabbed Naruto's sleeve and pleaded.
“It's not that I don't want to save him, but Sasuke won't let me,” Naruto said calmly.
“But... but......”
Looking at Sakura who was already crying, Naruto felt a little helpless.
He would offend someone either way, and he really couldn't let Sasuke die here.
He still needed Sasuke to help him pass the Chunin Exams!
He saw the laser in his hand light up, instantly firing!
Several lasers struck Orochimaru and the snakes beside him!
The snakes died!
Orochimaru turned into mud and melted away again......
“Is that really a Substitution Jutsu?” Naruto wondered.
Once is ability, twice is coincidence, if there is a third time...... then it means that the Orochimaru in front of him is not his main body at all, but a clone!
Then where is his main body?
Hiding in the dark and peeking?
Naruto was lost in thought.
At this time, Sasuke's physical condition slowly recovered, and he got up from the ground.
Looking at Orochimaru and the snake that were casually shot to death by Naruto, he felt no gratitude in his heart, only endless humiliation!
Am I always going to be saved by Naruto?
Damn it!
Sasuke angrily punched the ground, drawing blood from his fist!
“Instead of being angry there, you should calm down and fight; I will only help you twice more,” Naruto said calmly, appearing next to Sasuke with Sakura.
Looking at Naruto in front of him, Sasuke's eyes were cold, “I don't need your help!”
Naruto frowned, looking at Sasuke who went to find Orochimaru to continue fighting on his own, and couldn't help but feel a little angry.
If it wasn't necessary for the exam, he would have left Sasuke here to be eaten by snakes!
He didn't think he owed Sasuke anything!
“Sasuke......”
Looking at Sasuke who was gradually moving away, Sakura didn't know why she felt a little flustered.
She always felt like she would be separated from Sasuke one day.
Looking at Naruto again, she found Naruto frowning, seemingly dissatisfied with Sasuke.
What's wrong with everyone...?
