Provocation

Seeing Naruto about to hit the ground, Sakura threw a shuriken through his clothes. The shuriken struck a tree trunk, leaving Naruto hanging from it as he swayed back and forth a few times before going still.

"What's wrong? Naruto may be an idiot, but at least he isn't a coward! Right, Sasuke?"

Coward.

Hearing those three words, Sasuke saw a certain man's blood-red eyes rise in his mind.

"My foolish little brother, if you want to kill me, then hate me, resent me, and cling to your miserable life. Run, run, and desperately seize every chance to stay alive."

Sasuke suddenly raised his head, and two tomoe slowly emerged in his blood-red eyes.

To defeat my brother, I have to stay alive. That was what I had always believed.

But it seemed I was the real idiot. Naruto, Sakura—how could someone unwilling to risk his life and fight here ever accomplish revenge and kill that man?

There was nothing left to fear!

Orochimaru revealed a satisfied expression. As expected of the Uchiha clan—his blood had begun to stir, hadn't it?

The desire for battle, the thirst for blood. Come, show it all to me!

Just as the two were about to begin fighting, a giant Cangying descended in a gust of wild wind, thoroughly ruining the mood. With a bang, white smoke dispersed, and the giant eagle vanished.

Shiraishi Shingoro, Kawai Keigen, and Senju Geng Hua landed on the tree branch, their gazes fixed on Orochimaru with obvious hostility.

Shingoro was the first to sneer. "Hey, you're at least a famous shinobi in the Shinobi World, yet you're bullying the weak here? Orochimaru, the title of Sannin is weeping for you!"

To Orochimaru, that tone sounded exactly like that bastard Shiraishi Yoshijo!

No, Shiraishi Yoshijo had already reached an