The Snipe and the Clam Fight

She had waited here all night, and her own mother hadn't even noticed her!

Pain and suffering had consumed her, and she couldn't pull herself free. Then, at just that moment, Orochimaru from the future arrived.

Looking at the tree Sarada Uchiha had punched in half, Orochimaru chuckled.

He'd known Li Ke wouldn't agree. For Sarada Uchiha to get what she wanted, she'd have to go through a few twists and turns.

Besides, he'd promised to help her obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan, so of course he'd lend a hand.

"You're too impatient, Sarada."

Orochimaru spoke softly. When Sarada turned around, he continued.

"You need to put on a bit of an act. If you simply ask, he won't agree. You should make your wish known in a way that makes Li Ke willing to accept it. For instance, you could ask him to revive the people your uncle killed, or to improve your and your mother's standing in the Uchiha Clan, so your uncle can be brought back to life. Of course, you have to be sincere."

Sarada frowned and couldn't help looking at Orochimaru.

"Are you sure this will make him agree? And what are you after?"

Sarada knew Orochimaru had an ulterior motive, of course. But she figured that as long as she knew what he was after, it wouldn't be a problem.

"My goal?"

Orochimaru smiled.

"I like things that move, and aren't you trying to ride the wind? You have something you want, and I want to get what I want from Li Ke by helping you get what you want. We're on the same side."

Sarada narrowed her eyes and watched Orochimaru with her Three-Tomoe Sharingan. In the end, she nodded.

"Looks like Li Ke was right. You really are a scheming bastard. But it