Watching Katsuo sigh and lament, Orochimaru offered a rare word of comfort:
"Katsuo-kun, there's no need to be too anxious. Although your body is unwell, it won't cause any major problems in the short term. As long as you stop overworking yourself, you'll be fine for the next three to five years!"
"Besides, the Chunin Exams are just around the corner. Katsuo-kun should adjust his mindset and deal with them properly!"
Orochimaru had actually used the word "deal with" here. Clearly, he considered Katsuo's promotion to chunin an effortless certainty!
"Mm, got it!"
Katsuo nodded helplessly, picked up the cup of sake Orochimaru had filled for him, and drained it in one gulp.
Late at night.
A gentle breeze drifted through the air, accompanied by the chirping of insects. Most of the Uchiha Clan had long since gone to sleep, leaving the clan compound especially deserted.
In an unfamiliar courtyard, a black shadow appeared soundlessly, like a ghost!
As clouds obscured the moonlight in the night, a pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan glimmering with a concealed red light silently emerged from the darkness!
The owner of this courtyard was named Uchiha Kari, while the owner of those Sharingan was Uchiha Katsuo. Tonight, he had come to collect a debt!
"I'll collect a little interest first!"
He murmured softly, then flashed a sinister smile and slipped back into the darkness alone!
Inside the house, Uchiha Kari slept deeply. He had possessed decent talent and awakened his Sharingan early, even advancing them to Double Tomoe. Originally, he should have been one of the clan's key trainees.
Unfortunately, during one mission, an enemy had sliced off four fingers from one of his hands. Disabled, he had been forced into early "retirement" and assigned by the clan to office work, where he