I didn't expect to see you so soon, Sasuke Uchiha!
In a shadowy corner, Orochimaru, disguised as a Mist Ninja, smiled at Sasuke. He was about to make his move, but his gaze suddenly landed on Naruto. After a moment's thought, he quietly turned into a blur and swiftly retreated.
As soon as he left, Karin, standing on a branch, let out a deep breath. "Thank goodness."
"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
"Sasuke, someone's been watching us from the shadows this whole time. Luckily, he didn't attack." Remembering her earlier encounter with Rock Lee's team and Gaara, Karin still felt shaken.
"Someone's lurking nearby?"
Naruto was startled. "Really? I didn't sense anything."
"Maybe it's not a good thing that he left."
Sasuke said gravely, "He probably went to find his companions. We can't stay here any longer. We have to move as soon as possible!"
Karin realized he was right and hurried to help Naruto up. Sasuke came over to help, reluctantly supporting Naruto on the other side. Then they quickly left.
Night had grown deeper, and the lush canopy chopped the moonlight into pieces, leaving the world beneath the trees dim and hazy.
Naruto and the others traveled for two hours before they finally ran out of steam and found a tree hollow to rest in.
The night passed without incident.
At dawn the next morning, a venomous snake slowly slithered along a tree trunk wide enough for several people to wrap their arms around. It raised its head and flicked its tongue at the three sleeping soundly inside the tree hollow, then slowly crawled in.
Thwip!
The next instant, a Kunai shot from Sasuke's hand and cleanly pinned the snake to the hollow's inner wall.
"Naruto, Karin, it's time to go." Sasuke woke them, reflecting on how he