Chunin Exams III

"This is hard to say. Let's fight." Sasuke spotted Orochimaru. "Hmm? Only two of you left? You seem to have known I was coming?" Orochimaru asked curiously. It was best that he was willing to talk; they could stall for time. "So you're the danger I sensed. Then how did you track us? There shouldn't be any mark planted on me. Oh, right, you tracked Naruto, didn't you? You picked up and returned that Kunai stained with Naruto's blood so you could track us, correct?"

"Ha ha, not bad, not bad. I'm becoming more and more interested in you," Orochimaru cackled strangely. "What? So that's how he found us? What a despicable bastard." Naruto's reaction could be completely ignored. Since when did ninjas care about being despicable?

"Interested in me? We shouldn't have met before, so why would you be interested in me? What interests you should be the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. Oh, I get it. There's one other Uchiha Clan member—you must have met him. Itachi Uchiha, right? What, did you suffer at his hands and come to take revenge on his younger brother?"

"No, no, no. You and he are enemies. Why would I seek you out for revenge? I'm here to help you. Don't you want to kill him? I can give you power. As long as you possess the power I give you, you can take your revenge."

"Ha ha ha, that's hilarious. You must have lost to Itachi Uchiha, or you wouldn't be interested in me. A loser wants to teach me how to defeat him? Are you stupid, or do you think I'm stupid?"

"Heh heh, looks like I'll have to use some methods. Only when you experience the power for yourself will you understand how intoxicating it is," Orochimaru said with a sinister grin.

"Naruto, be careful." Sasuke took out a Kunai and prepared to fight. Naruto became tense as well, though he had no idea what the two were talking about.

By then, Sakura had already arrived at the tower. There were many doors here, each marked with the character for "Leisure." She opened one and entered, but there was no one inside—only a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall opposite her.

"Is anyone there? Help!... Is anyone there?" No one answered Sakura's calls, and she began to panic. However, after glancing at the calligraphy on the wall, Sakura, being the academic ace she was, immediately took out a scroll and tore it open.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to be so fast. Huh? Why are you alone?" Iruka appeared.

"Sensei, don't ask questions. Hurry and call for help! Sasuke and Naruto are in danger. A powerful outsider ninja has infiltrated the area, and they're fighting him right now. Sasuke told me to come find Kakashi-sensei, and we need to bring more people. The enemy is very strong." At that moment, loud booms rang out from Sasuke's location. Iruka did not hesitate. He immediately trusted his student and took Sakura upstairs to find Anko Mitarashi.

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. Orochimaru rapidly closed in and used his signature technique. Sasuke used the Substitution Technique. It was difficult to counter, and getting into close combat with Orochimaru was not wise. "Shuriken! Shadow Clone Technique!" Sasuke threw several Shuriken, then used ninjutsu to multiply them into dozens. Orochimaru was struck directly, but it was only a clone. The hit clone turned into a pile of dirt.

Hmm? When did he use a clone? No, he must have used it from the very beginning. Otherwise, he couldn't have escaped my Sharingan. Looks like the Sharingan scared him badly—he even prepared in advance before fighting me. Sasuke leaped as he thought. He had to change position now. Just as he left, a hand reached up from underground. Good thing he had moved quickly. Orochimaru slowly crawled out of the earth.

Several Kunai flew toward him. It was Naruto's attack. Naruto had been watching the situation the entire time, and now it was finally his turn. After launching his Shuriken, Naruto used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and surrounded Orochimaru. Sasuke seized the opportunity and used the Shadow Clone Technique as well. Shadow Clones could keep him safe now, but he absolutely could not remain in the safest spot. So he left one clone behind while his real body and several clones joined the assault.

The most infuriating thing about Orochimaru was that he simply could not be killed. Just how afraid of death was this guy? He had been killed more times than anyone in Naruto, yet he just would not die. What could anyone do about that? Or perhaps only the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan could kill him? Why hadn't that damned Itachi killed Orochimaru?

Using Naruto's clones as cover, Sasuke and his clones continually ambushed Orochimaru. Whenever they found an opening, they unleashed a series of close-range strikes before retreating. He did not have as much Chakra as Naruto. Once Naruto's clones were used up, he could let Naruto launch another wave.

Boom! Sasuke's ambush struck Orochimaru, but it was still just a clone. Where had the real body gone? Sasuke pretended to search, knowing the bait he had left behind was about to work. Sure enough, Orochimaru appeared behind the clone. "Heh heh, trying to use a clone to hold me back? I have to say, you're far too naive. Accept the power I offer you." He bit down. To bestow a Cursed Mark, he had to bite the real body—so Orochimaru would not be able to run now. All the clones began forming hand seals at once, while the clone he had grabbed vanished after being bitten.

"What?" Orochimaru froze. He had not expected Sasuke to leave behind ten clones while the real body joined the attack. Once the clone vanished, only several Exploding Tags remained on the ground. Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions rang out one after another. "Fire Release! Great Fire Annihilation!" Sasuke did not have many clones, but every one of them could use this A-rank ninjutsu. Once their Chakra was exhausted, the clones vanished. Sasuke was not foolish enough to remain there, though. Since his real body had been exposed, Orochimaru would definitely attack him. He did not think his attack could kill the enemy.

He immediately used the Substitution Technique. Boom! The spot where he had just been standing was attacked. Orochimaru appeared there, his entire body battered and torn.

"No way, that still didn't kill him?" Naruto shouted in astonishment. "Heh heh, you've truly surprised me, Sasuke-kun. You excite me more and more. You're such excellent material." As Orochimaru spoke, he began shedding his skin. The sight was utterly revolting, like changing clothes—once they were damaged, he simply discarded them.

"I have to say, you're really disgusting. What kind of messed-up ninjutsu is that?" Sasuke could not help complaining.

"This is the technique of immortality. Want to learn it? I can teach you. That way, you can live forever," Orochimaru tempted him.

"Heh heh, I don't think so. My understanding of immortality is different from yours. Only by breaking through human limits can one reach a higher realm. It takes talent, perseverance, and opportunity. I don't consider what you've become to be immortality."

"I truly didn't expect Sasuke-kun to have such insight into immortality. But it seems our time is up. Some annoying people are coming. Then I'll see you next time. I look forward to your growth, heh heh." Orochimaru began to melt. It was some kind of escape technique, as if he had melted into the earth and become one with the soil.