Kimimaro

"What, are you alone?"

Sasuke emerged from his hiding place, glanced at the ninja standing in front of him, and calmly said.

He was finally discovered by the Sound Ninja... His heart sank.

Although he didn't know why, Orochimaru coveted his Sharingan and body. He possessed the Reincarnation Technique, which allowed him to possess other people's bodies and achieve immortality. Kakashi Sasuke about this, so Sasuke was very clear about who was behind his current predicament.

That disgusting androgynous guy had encountered him during the Chunin Ninja Exams and left a Cursed Seal on him—a mark that gradually eroded Sasuke's body. Fortunately, Kakashi and Tsunade dealt with it, and the Cursed Seal didn't have any effect on him.

His thoughts are very different from those of Sasuke in the original work. Although both of them take revenge on Itachi and revitalize the Uchiha as their life goals, the latter is obviously greatly influenced by Orochimaru's Cursed Seal. His thoughts are dark and narrow. He only pursues power and craves revenge. He is easily swayed and cannot calm down. He is willing to betray the village and sever his bonds for power.

But this Sasuke that Sakura knows...

He knows what true power is.

Having embarked on his own Ninja Way, Sasuke has gained a clearer understanding of how to pursue power. His training path, with Lightning Release as its core, can lead him to the Kage Level. Combined with his Sharingan, becoming one of the best among the Kage Level is within reach. Surpassing Itachi is no longer just a pipe dream, but a goal that can be gradually touched by taking one step at a time.

Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, because it was sealed, never helped Sasuke gain significant power. Even if it had worked, Sasuke wouldn't consider it a necessary goal: having already mastered the path of Lightning Release in Konoha, why would he betray Orochimaru for a mere narrow path?

Putting aside the bonds between them, in terms of Sharingan and Lightning Release, Kakashi and Konoha clearly have more to teach him than Orochimaru... at least Orochimaru himself doesn't have more than ten years of experience using the Sharingan; and as for Lightning Release, the training notes left by Kakashi's father, White Fang of Konoha, are obviously more convincing.

Sasuke was very clear-headed; he wasn't the immature boy in the original story who was blinded by the flames of revenge. The option of Orochimaru Konoha crossed his mind.

Moreover, in his mind, "reviving the Uchiha" was still a goal on the same level as "avenging Itachi".

Although we don't yet know how to truly revive the Uchiha, at least we should start a family and have children like most ninjas...

It was Sakura Haruno who reminded him about getting married and having children.

It was during a casual chat in Team 7 that Sakura's words made him realize the real meaning of his goal to revive the Uchiha —before, he had only been shouting slogans and had no idea what he should actually do.

Of course, he would absolutely refuse the girl's next suggestion: to find a wife, and then find three, four, or five other women outside, to have many children, and bring them home for the first wife to raise.

That would be too contrary to his moral values, and what the hell is a seed-planting machine?! Sasuke blushed and complained to Sakura Haruno, but Sakura told him confidently that if they wanted to revive the Uchiha, having a large population was the top priority, and that three or four could significantly reduce the first wife's fertility pressure, blah blah blah!

Then, the latter kindly explained to him what a harem, a stallion, and taking all virgins were... Sasuke opened the door to a new world! No, no, no, he was ultimately not fooled by the girl's nonsense.

After all, ninjas practice monogamy. At the very least, an excellent woman, especially a female ninja, would never share a husband with another woman... And to continue the family bloodline, choosing a good girl as a wife is the most crucial thing.

Therefore, if he joined Orochimaru and became a missing-nin, he would obviously be unable to properly build a family and revitalize the Uchiha.

Let's get back to the main topic.

In short, Sasuke currently has no intention of joining Orochimaru, completely wasting all the tricks Orochimaru had played on him.

However, it seems Orochimaru still hasn't given up on him.

However, Sasuke couldn't sense Orochimaru's Chakra. Sasuke still vividly remembered that cold, damp feeling; if Orochimaru were present, he would definitely recognize him.

So, Orochimaru isn't here?

Sasuke couldn't think of any reason why Orochimaru would hide his Chakra and not appear at this time.

"Hmph, where's Orochimaru?"

Sasuke glanced around; apart from the handsome white-haired young man before him, there was no one else there.

He immediately felt relieved.

If he were only discovered by other Sound Ninja without attracting Orochimaru's attention, then his situation would obviously be much better than he imagined.

Do you think those incompetent Sound Ninja can catch him? He was only hiding because he was afraid of Orochimaru!

However, the young Sound Ninja who found him...

Sasuke activated his Sharingan. The handsome young man opposite him, simply standing there, exuded an aura of power.

... He seems to be more than just a simple person!

"Lord Orochimaru..." Sasuke noticed a fleeting glint in the young man's eyes as he spoke that name. "He's not here for now. But, I alone am enough to deal with you."

"Hmph!" Sasuke sneered, "You think you can take me on?"

Although the ninja on the other side looks strong, Sasuke, whose strength has been improving by leaps and bounds, is not an easy rookie ninja to deal with!

Sasuke, who recently rose to the Chunin, spends most of his time training, except for occasionally taking on missions outside the village to broaden his horizons.

However, besides guiding his training, Kakashi would also occasionally take on some challenging missions, teaming up with Sasuke and other ninjas to carry out these missions. These missions usually involved battles against enemy ninjas, and battles at the Jonin level were not uncommon. Therefore, recently, in addition to gaining more combat experience, Sasuke has also become much clearer about his own strength.

He's roughly at the level of a Jonin (Special Jonin -Jonin).

Regardless of experience or combat ability alone, he is definitely a Jonin- level ninja, and even among Jonin, his combat strength is considered quite good.

This was also acknowledged by Kakashi and the Konoha Ninja temporarily teamed up with them.

Of course, battles between ninjas aren't simply about placing their ranks on the ground and then expecting a Jonin- level ninja to necessarily defeat Special Jonin.

It's not a simple numerical comparison like, "Hmph, my combat power is 100, which is higher than your 98, so you've already lost!"

It is very complex, requiring comprehensive consideration of various battlefield conditions, the tactics used by each side, whether they possess various Secret Technique, and so on. It is difficult to reach a conclusion without actually fighting a battle.

However, Sasuke, with his Sharingan, clearly has more advantages in battles where the strength of the enemy and allies is unknown.

However, the other party doesn't seem like someone to be trifled with either!

"Yes, just me alone." The young man in the simple white kimono said calmly, "I'm sorry, Sasuke Uchiha, but you are Lord Orochimaru's most valued target. Even if it means breaking your arms and legs and severely injuring you, I must bring you back."

Sasuke a cold laugh.

The power of the Uchiha clan cannot be measured by a mere subordinate of Orochimaru.

"If you think you can do it, then go ahead and give it a try...!"

Three black Tomoe began to spin wildly in the red eyes.

However, even when facing the renowned Sharingan of the Shinobi World, the opponent remained calm and composed.

"Then, I am Kimimaro... Please take care of me."

Kimimaro took a bone spur from his palm.

(1/ ~Please recommend, comment, and add chapters~~)