Chapter 855 : A Choice! (Patreon)

“Huh?”
“What was that?”
Two Anbu ninjas became alert and looked to their left. Without wasting any time, both flickered towards the source of the noise.

However, while they were in the middle of flickering, a kunai pierced through the heart of one of them! The eyes of the last Anbu ninjas widened. He stopped his Body Flicker jutsu and thought in disbelief, ‘He was killed while he was flickering? Who the hell…?’

Terror appeared behind his rhino mask as his eyes finally fell on the attacker. He immediately flickered backwards, abandoning his dead teammate and escaping towards the village. At the same time, a kunai with an explosive tag attached to it appeared in his right hand.

Unfortunately, before he could throw it, he was beheaded too. At the same time, Lightning sparks hit the explosive tag, disarming it. As the Anbu's head floated, his last sight was the killer’s pale, serpentine face and golden, slit-pupil eyes gleamed faintly in the moonlight, exuding an eerie, predatory calm.

‘Hmm?’ Orochimaru's eyes fell on the dead Anbu's waist. A black paper attached to his belt was burning. Orochimaru immediately doused it and thought, ‘Weird, what's this tag?’

He observed it for a few seconds but didn't understand. He thought, ‘Oh well, it doesn't matter, but I should hurry.’

Sasuke, who was still training, stopped and looked around. He frowned thinking, ‘What was that sound? Who fell…?’

His eyes suddenly widened as a familiar figure appeared before him. He immediately grabbed his kunai and muttered, “Orochimaru… What are you doing here?”

——

In the Anbu Headquarters, Eagle was sitting in his office. Though he was added to the council, he didn't receive any additional duties. After all, he was already the commander of the Anbu and was looking after the affairs of the Sarutobi clan. His hands were full.

It was a normal day for him when one of the tags in his room began burning. His eyes immediately moved the tag and he realized, ‘The Uchiha clan… Strange, I didn't expect any incident right now. What could have happened?’

Two Shadow Clones appeared next to him. One flickered towards the Hokage's office while the other got hold of four nearby Anbu squads to go to the Uchiha Clan compounds.

——

“Kakashi, this is your next mission. The Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water has…” Tsunade stopped speaking and her eyes moved towards Eagle's Shadow Clone.

Without wasting any time, the Shadow Clone immediately reported, “Lady Tsunade, there seems to be a mishap near the Uchiha Clan Compounds. One of the Anbu I stationed there lit the black communication tag. My other clone is assembling the Anbu ninjas in headquarters and should be leaving any moment now.”

Tsunade was aware of the communication tags created by Fujin. Though it hadn't spread much yet, Konoha's leadership used it to its fullest extent. A frown appeared on her face as she wondered, ‘The Uchiha clan? Does this have something to do with Sensei telling me the truth? Or, is this unrelated?’

Having learnt the truth behind the Uchiha massacre just a few days ago, her mind immediately thought in that direction. She cursed, ‘If those old geezers are still up to something after having committed what they did, I won't forgive them!’

She commanded, “Kakashi, go with them and check what this is about. I'll send more reinforcements soon.”

Kakashi nodded and flickered.

——

Orochimaru smirked as he saw Sasuke’s defiance, his golden, snake-like eyes gleaming with malicious intent. His voice was soft but menacing, “Still as sharp as ever, Sasuke-kun. I see the fire in your eyes hasn’t diminished. But I wonder... How far has that fire taken you? Have you grown strong enough to face your brother yet? To make him suffer the way he made you suffer?”

Sasuke tightened his grip on his kunai, his Sharingan flaring to life, and asked, “What do you want, Orochimaru? I don’t have time for your games.”

Chuckling, Orochimaru tilted his head and said, “What I want? Oh, Sasuke-kun, it’s not about what I want. It’s about what you want. I know the hatred that burns in your heart. The thirst for vengeance against Itachi. And I also know... you’re not strong enough to defeat him yet.”

Sasuke’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing. Orochimaru took a step closer, his voice turning almost seductive as he continued, “You’ve realized it, haven’t you? No matter how hard you train, no matter how much you push yourself, the gap between you and Itachi is insurmountable. You’ll never reach him on your own. But with me... I can give you the power you crave. The power to crush him.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and icyly asked, “And what would you get in return?”

Orochimaru tilted his head, his expression a mix of amusement and malice. He answered, “Your body… your talent… your potential. I could help you become a vessel of unparalleled power. All I ask is that you come with me, and I will unlock your full potential and help you take revenge for everything your brother has stolen from you.”

His answer immediately angered Sasuke. Holding his rage back as much as he could, he asked, “So that’s your plan? To take my body and use me like one of your experiments?”

Orochimaru let out a soft laugh, his tone almost mocking. He asked in return, “And if I did, would it matter? You’d have your revenge, wouldn’t you? Itachi would die, and the Uchiha name would live on, stronger than ever.”
He leaned in slightly, his golden eyes boring into Sasuke’s. “Think carefully, Sasuke-kun. Are you really going to let your pride stand in the way of ultimate power?”

Sasuke took a step back, his anger replaced by a smirk. He prepared himself for a battle as he countered, “You’re pathetic, Orochimaru. You lost everything, and now you’re grasping at straws. You’re not worthy of being my teacher.”

For the first time, Orochimaru’s smile faltered. Sasuke continued, his voice filled with scorn, “There’s someone stronger than you in the village, someone who’s beaten you and destroyed everything you built. Tell me, why shouldn't I seek guidance from him instead of following a loser like you?”

Orochimaru's expression darkened for a moment as he recalled a memory he hadn't given much importance to. It was Fujin advising Orochimaru to give up his life and die at his hands so that he could maintain his reputation and no one would learn how disappointing Orochimaru was.

Back then, Orochimaru didn't take Fujin's words seriously as he knew Fujin was simply trying to get into his head. However, the sight of Sasuke looking down on him suddenly brought back those memories. Orochimaru never expected such words to turn into reality!

Orochimaru removed those thoughts from his mind. His dark expression disappeared as quickly. Orochimaru quickly composed himself, his unsettling grin returning. He muttered “Ah, Fujin-kun… He did surpass my expectations by a large degree. I won't lie, his strength is ridiculous, especially for his age. However, what of it?

He can't make you stronger like I can. He has no idea of how to explore your true potential. Even if he agreed to guide you, you'll never become strong enough to kill Itachi. Of course, you could ask Fujin to kill Itachi and take revenge for you. I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to do that.

Is that what you want, Sasuke-kun? To stay back like a weak little coward while others fight your battles for you? Surely my eyes haven't deceived me, have they?”

Sasuke's smirk disappeared, replaced by a frown. Orochimaru's words hit where it hurt the most. Sasuke had approached Fujin once, but was sent flying before he could say anything. After he was released from the hospital, Sasuke tried several times to meet with Fujin. However, he never succeeded in even seeing his face, let alone talk to him.

Whether Fujin could train Sasuke to become as strong as him was secondary, Sasuke wasn't even sure whether he could get Fujin to train him. From Sasuke's perspective, Fujin had no reason to train him. There was nothing Sasuke could offer him. The only hope he had was that Fujin had guided Naruto for no apparent reason, but it was a distant hope. As such, Orochimaru’s offer was far more tempting. Though Sasuke understood he could lose his body and perhaps himself, his safety wasn't high on his priority list.

——

“Who is missing?” Eagle's clone asked impatiently.

Along with the Shadow Clone, 16 Anbu ninjas and Kakashi had appeared near the Uchiha Clan compounds and met with the Anbu Captain stationed there. Following his orders, the Anbu Captain recalled all patrolling units to check who had lit the black communication tag.

As soon as everyone returned, the Anbu Captain reported, “Rhino's squad is missing. They were looking over Uchiha Sasuke!”

Kakashi's right eye widened. He immediately said, “Lead the way to him!”
Eagle's clone added, “Half of the patrol units stay here. Rest come with us!”

Without wasting any more time, most of the Anbu ninjas flickered!

——

Orochimaru asked, “So, what is your decision, Sasuke?”