Is This What They Mean by Clever People Overthinking Things?

"This should not become a sword that pierces oneself, but rather a testament to one's determination to hone oneself."

Hagoromo patted Sasuke's head and said softly, "Our training has never been about anyone surpassing anyone else."

"It's about enabling you to become each other's most trusted partners in the future."

"So that when you are each facing your own enemies, you can confidently entrust your backs to each other."

Sasuke let out a deep breath. To be honest, he understood all of this, but it was easy to get stuck in a dead end.

With Hagoromo's persuasion, he felt somewhat relieved.

Hagoromo patted Sasuke on the shoulder. "Go down, Naruto is healed."

After saying that, he picked Sasuke up and turned to walk towards the door behind him.

"Go and have a good talk. The second exam will be over after tomorrow."

As Hagoromo closed the tower's doors, Sasuke pouted and slowly walked down.

Arriving at the number marked where they had passed the test, Sasuke open the door and entered. Naruto's familiar voice came from inside the room.

Shikamaru and the others were also inside, and they all turned around when they heard the door open.

"Yo! Sasuke, you're back!"

Naruto's eyes lit up, and he gestured for Sasuke to come in.

"Are you feeling better?" Sasuke asked, looking at Naruto's hands, which were now re-bandaged.

"Hehe, this little injury is nothing."

Naruto, meanwhile, was wiping his nose and waving his hands.

Sasuke frowned upon seeing this, and was about to say something when Naruto interrupted him.

"Idiot Sasuke! Don't think so much!"

"I just didn't want you to get hurt, because you're a friend I consider a friend!"

The most direct words, devoid of any concern, actually made Sasuke stunned, before a smirk appeared on his lips.

"Ah, next time we run into that guy, let's beat him to a pulp!"

Naruto's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded, saying, "That's right, we absolutely have to beat him to a pulp!"

Count me in!

Choji put down the bag of potato chips he was holding and said with a serious expression.

"No problem!"

"Ha ha..."

Shikamaru, Hinata, Ino, and the others all burst into laughter upon seeing this.

At the top of the tower, Hagoromo looked at the silent Forest of Death, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

Orochimaru...

This guy, he kept avoiding me even when I was looking for him, I never expected him to take advantage of the moment when I wasn't paying attention to attack Naruto and the others.

According to Shikamaru, Orochimaru's target is still Sasuke.

"Since you made the first move, it's not unreasonable for me to retaliate."

Before she could finish speaking, Hagoromo's entire figure vanished from the spot.

--

"Hey, it's already this late, where did you go just now?"

Behind him, Kabuto Yakushi's teammate, Orochimaru had also sent Genin, asked a question.

In his eyes, they were all Orochimaru's subordinates, so why was Kabuto Yakushi able to command them?

Upon hearing this, Kabuto Yakushi, who had been walking ahead, stopped in his tracks.

"Is there a problem?"

It was a simple sentence, but the aura emanating from Kabuto Yakushi at that moment made the genin Genin swallow hard.

"If this interferes with Lord Orochimaru's plans, what will you do then!"

Perhaps feeling ashamed, the Genin shouted angrily.

However, his words implied a lack of confidence.

"Don't worry, it won't happen." Kabuto Yakushi withdrew his gaze and said calmly.

"The Heaven and Earth Scrolls have been collected; now we just need to head straight to the Highland Tower."

As he spoke, he lifted his foot to walk forward, but the next moment...

Boom--

A figure appeared directly in front of Kabuto Yakushi, and a kick landed squarely on him.

"Ho--!"

Kabuto Yakushi coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face filled with disbelief, and his figure flew backward.

Rumble--

Countless giant trees fell as a result, the silent forest was awakened, and countless birds flew away in panic.

"This..."

The Kabuto Yakushi Genin, along with another, were now frozen in place, their hands and feet ice-cold.

Clatter

Hagoromo passed by the two without stopping.

Swish--

Under the moonlight, two streams of blood spurted out, followed by a dull thud as someone collapsed to the ground.

Hagoromo's expression remained unchanged as he walked towards Kabuto Yakushi, who was clutching his abdomen not far away.

"Heh... heh... Lord Hagoromo, what are you doing..."

Kabuto Yakushi looked as if he had been wronged, his face full of disbelief, and asked Hagoromo with great grievance.

Stop pretending.

With light, deliberate steps, Hagoromo approached Kabuto Yakushi.

His calm words sent a jolt through Kabuto Yakushi's heart, but he maintained his composure.

"Pretend? I don't quite understand, Lady Hagoromo Yi."

"You smell of herbs, so Orochimaru must be injured too."

Hagoromo crouched down, looking calmly at Kabuto Yakushi.

!!!

Kabuto Yakushi taken aback, then couldn't help coughing. The disorder in his breathing had made it impossible for him to suppress his injuries for the time being.

Hagoromo reached out and grabbed Kabuto Yakushi by the neck, lifting him up.

"Tell me, where is he now?"

"You know, I've been looking for him for a long time, but there's nothing I can do, he's just too slippery."

Hagoromo truly couldn't understand why Orochimaru was able to go to such lengths.

Their escape skills are simply exceptional.

"I don't understand what you're talking about! Lady Hagoromo! Even if you are an elder of Konoha, you can't wrong someone like this!"

Kabuto Yakushi struggled desperately, trying to escape, while one of his hands reached towards his chest.

"No need. I've already taken away the thing you were carrying to escape."

Seeing Kabuto Yakushi's actions, Hagoromo spoke directly.

These words immediately froze Kabuto Yakushi in his tracks, and then...

"Hehehe... I see, I understand now."

"So you haven't made a move all this time just to use me as a whetstone for your apprentices?"

It was only at this moment that Kabuto Yakushi realized why Hagoromo was in that strange state.

"It was indeed my turn to do it, but Lord Orochimaru wants to personally test whether Sasuke is a suitable candidate."

"Although you were injured as a result, your apprentice is probably dead too, right?"

Kabuto Yakushi burst into laughter and revealed his thoughts.

Only this possibility could have made Hagoromo, who had been holding back from making a move, so furious now.

That's right, in Kabuto Yakushi, Hagoromo's current appearance is one of rage.

The reason this could have happened is undoubtedly because his disciple died because of Orochimaru.

"Has no one ever told you that you're pathetic?"

Hagoromo twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling utterly helpless at the Kabuto Yakushi spouting nonsense in front of him.

Is this why so-called smart people overthink?

Um?

Hearing this, Kabuto Yakushi looked up at Hagoromo with some surprise. "What do you mean?"