The Improved Cursed Seal

"Hehehehe, Josuke, what you said almost moved me to tears."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes fixed on Josuke, making him feel as though he'd been plunged into an ice cave.

Josuke was taking a gamble, betting that Orochimaru would agree to his terms.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, was considering things. Josuke seemed just as suitable as Sasuke to become his future vessel—and even more talented. That meant that after using the Reincarnation Technique—

After taking over Sasuke's body, he could take over Josuke's, too. Hehehe.

When he thought about it, he was coming out ahead.

But Josuke was still too young. Maybe when he was fifteen or sixteen, he'd be ready.

Then—

Orochimaru smiled.

"All right, Josuke. I can see your sincerity, and I've decided to show you mine."

With that,

Orochimaru retracted his neck, then bit into Josuke's. A Cursed Seal identical to Sasuke's appeared on Josuke's neck.

It happened so quickly that Josuke hadn't seen it coming. Damn it, Orochimaru, you really are inhuman.

Josuke felt a surge of immense power, but it came with excruciating pain. The agony nearly made him pass out.

Orochimaru smiled, looking at Josuke with satisfaction.

He muttered to himself,

"Looks like the improved Cursed Seal is a success."

But half a minute later, the seal on Josuke's neck disappeared. He could still feel its power, though.

Josuke said coldly,

"What did you give me? Is it the same thing Sasuke has?"

Orochimaru shook his head.

"You guessed wrong, Josuke. I wouldn't give you something so crude. What I gave you is an improved Cursed Seal, much stronger than the ordinary kind, and with next to no side effects.

"Unlike a Cursed Seal, it doesn't consume your life force. It consumes your vitality.

(Author's note: Vitality is an invisible energy stored in the human body. You gain it through eating, growing, sleeping, exercising, and so on. You won't die if you run out, but you'll feel weak. Vitality can also be replenished, and exercise is one way to increase your reserves.)

"It won't kill you. So, what do you think? Are you satisfied with this gift?"

After hearing Orochimaru's explanation, Josuke finally calmed down. So that was it. He could now feel the powerful effect emanating from the Cursed Seal hidden in his neck.

"Then, does it have any other drawbacks or side effects?"

Josuke felt his neck, but couldn't find any trace of the seal.

Orochimaru gave a cold laugh.

"You can't feel it. The improved Cursed Seal is hidden. As for the side effects, you need to maintain sufficient vitality. Its drawback is that your Chakra reserves must reach Chunin level by the time you're twelve for the seal to take hold.

"So I was really gambling just now—betting that you'd reached Chunin level, Josuke. I'm glad I won. Hehehe."

Josuke broke out in a cold sweat. What a mad scientist.

Orochimaru had actually been gambling. If Josuke hadn't had Chunin-level Chakra reserves, wouldn't he have died?

Damn it.

"I can't go with you right now," Josuke said.

Orochimaru stared at Josuke,

as if asking, If you've accepted my Cursed Seal, why won't you come with me?

Before Orochimaru could ask, Josuke explained,

"Now isn't the right time. Give me three years. I promise I'll go with you then. Is that all right?"

Three years?

Orochimaru thought it over, then shook his head.

"Why?"

"There are still some things I need to take care of over the next three years. I promised him." (Actually, he hadn't. Josuke was just bluffing.)

So that was it. He still had bonds he couldn't sever—just like Orochimaru himself, one of Konoha's Three Sannin.

Orochimaru nodded, accepting Josuke's explanation. Then, without lingering, he said,

"Three years, then. Come find me when the time comes."

Orochimaru tossed him two scrolls.

One was a tracking scroll that could show Orochimaru's location. The other was a Ninjutsu scroll containing two Fire Release techniques: Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet and Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique.

Damn, that was my Orochimaru for you—he didn't do things by halves.

Orochimaru wasn't afraid Josuke would hand the tracking scroll over to Konoha. He was brimming with confidence now. If one person from Konoha came, he'd kill them. If a whole group came, he'd wipe them all out.

And if he couldn't beat them, he could always use Impure World Reincarnation. He had nothing to fear.

After giving Josuke the two scrolls, Orochimaru disappeared into the dense woods.

"Phew."

Josuke let out a long breath. He was a Rogue Ninja now, too.

He straightened his clothes a little and made sure the Cursed Seal really was invisible before finally leaving.

While Josuke had been away, things had unfolded just as they had in the original story.

The Sound Ninja trio had found Team 7 with only Sakura able to fight, so they'd decided to steal Team 7's scroll.

And that was how the incident began.

By the time Josuke arrived, Ino's Team 10 had come to help.

But the Sound Ninja trio had easily defeated them. Choji had been knocked to the ground and couldn't move.

Six Paths Tos—no,

Tos sneered. "Looks like our luck's turned! Kin, Zaku, let's take them out together!"

With that, he prepared to charge.

"Let's see you try!"

The voice startled everyone present.

Shikamaru, Ino, and Sakura recognized the familiar voice and were delighted.

Josuke made his dazzling entrance.

"Bang!"

As the dust cleared, three Shadow Clones stood before the Sound Ninja.

Josuke jumped down from a tree and walked over to Ino.

"Sorry I'm late."

Ino's cheeks turned a little red. How could anyone be so handsome?

After confirming that everyone present was safe, Josuke turned to face the three of them.

"Are you the ones who hurt my friends?"

Six Paths Tos still hadn't realized how serious the situation was. He replied scornfully, "So what if we are? What are you going to do about it?"

Then he charged at Josuke.

Josuke smiled. Three Shuriken appeared in his hand, and he hurled them at Tos.

He pushed off backward, then shot toward Tos like a missile.

Tos was startled. He hurriedly shifted his position to dodge the Shuriken, then looked toward Josuke—but Josuke was nowhere to be seen.

"Behind you."

Tos whipped around. Josuke had appeared behind him without him noticing. So fast!

Tos didn't even have time to react before Josuke kicked him flying.

"Front Lotus!"

Green Chakra flared around Josuke. He was best at beating up weaklings. He couldn't handle Orochimaru, but someone this small-time was a piece of cake.

As Tos flew off, Josuke immediately used Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!

Mist filled the area. His three waiting Shadow Clones moved at the same time, using Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire! on Kin and Zaku.

Though Kin and Zaku were surrounded by mist, they could hardly miss the light of the fireballs. They hurriedly dodged, only to find that Wind Walls had already risen around them.

The two were shocked. When had those Wind Walls gone up? Josuke had performed the Ninjutsu without them noticing.

It was Wind Style: Wind Wall. By using high-pressure air, it formed a barrier of compressed air. Anyone who touched it would be cut by the powerful currents.

With the Phoenix Sage Fire flying toward them, Kin and Zaku were at their wits' end...