Rock Village Allied Forces, Orochimaru's Probing

Dawn arrived.

The tolling of bells echoed throughout Konoha.

Bright sunlight bathed the playground of the Konoha Academy.

The entrance was crowded with parents who had come to drop off their children for the first day of school.

The scene appeared incredibly heartwarming.

Yet, two figures cast shadows against one another as they arrived at the school alone.

In front of Sasuke, a young boy with yellow hair appeared, carrying a tattered schoolbag.

Just like him, no one had come to see him off today.

Sasuke was alone because his parents were too busy.

Chuan Yu was not around either.

And as for this little boy...

It was a long story.

They both curled their lips and walked into the school together.

It seemed that neither was willing to yield to the other.

They had only just met...

And already it was like this...

The one who found it most headache-inducing was Iruka.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"

"My dream is to one day become the Hokage!"

After entering the classroom, Naruto introduced himself briefly under Iruka's direction.

However, the vow regarding his so-called dream drew laughter from everyone.

Iruka shook his head helplessly.

He assumed Naruto was simply too young.

How could one take the words of a child seriously?

At the same time, he felt unable to accept Naruto.

Because just yesterday, Naruto had taken a paint bucket and climbed onto the Hokage Rock to perform some reckless "art."

And as it happened, Iruka had appeared to stop him.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi learned of the incident, he sought out Iruka.

He knew that Iruka's parents had died at the hands of the Nine-Tails.

But it was not Naruto who had killed his parents.

Hiruzen Sarutobi hoped that Iruka could accept Naruto.

The primary reason was to prevent Naruto from turning to darkness.

For within Naruto's body resided a power that made the ninja world tremble.

Yet, at the same time, if it could be utilized properly, it would be a fine asset.

If anyone was to blame, it was Danzō, who had incessantly spread rumors throughout the village that Naruto was the reincarnation of the demon fox.

Iruka was hesitant.

Although he knew Naruto was not the culprit, the Nine-Tails was sealed within him.

Because of this, he ran into Kakashi.

And Kakashi told him that the only person who could help Naruto was Iruka.

If only he could accept Naruto.

It also meant that the hatred in his heart had been resolved.

In that case.

Iruka would be able to place greater importance on Naruto's existence.

Having just regained his composure, Iruka prepared to present the class with their back-to-school gifts.

Suddenly.

A commotion broke out in the classroom.

Upon closer inspection.

He was absolutely shocked to his core.

On top of a desk.

Naruto and Sasuke were kissing mouth-to-mouth.

The new students, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino, clutched their heads in agony.

Sasuke and Naruto scrambled apart in a panic.

They hurriedly covered their mouths and began to cough.

"You dead-last!"

"I'll kill you with my own hands given the chance!"

After five years of tempering.

Itachi's departure.

Chuan Yu's indifference.

Sasuke was no longer the naive little brat he once was.

His burning gaze now held a hint of sharp, exposed edge.

"Bring it on!"

"Let's fight right now!"

"Who's afraid of who!"

The two glared at each other.

"Tch!"

"Tch!"

They crossed their arms and turned away once more.

Neither would pay the other any mind.

Iruka rubbed his hair in frustration.

It's tough...

In a forest within Konoha.

High in the treetops.

Kakashi was reading a copy of Icha Icha Paradise.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before him.

The person snatched the book right out of his hands.

Chuan Yu began to read it with a sullen expression.

"Chuan Yu?"

"Long time no see..."

Once Kakashi collected his thoughts.

Only then did he see the person before him.

"I need a favor."

Chuan Yu flipped through the book a few times before tossing it back to Kakashi.

Catching the book, Kakashi let out a lazy yawn.

"What else could you possibly need my help with..."

Because on the night Danzō died.

Kakashi had chosen to cooperate with Chuan Yu.

Consequently, after much deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Decided to have Kakashi withdraw from the Anbu.

He was casually reassigned to the academy.

The hope was that there wouldn't be any more trouble in the future.

"Help me look after Sasuke."

Chuan Yu said indifferently.

Over these past five years, Kakashi and Chuan Yu had grown familiar with one another.

He knew quite a few things.

When it came to Sasuke, Chuan Yu was now notoriously strict.

"Isn't he already at the academy?"

Kakashi did not understand what Chuan Yu meant.

"I hope that after he graduates, he can become your student."

Chuan Yu voiced his thoughts.

He did not want Sasuke to get involved in Itachi's affairs.

At the same time, he hoped Kakashi could help him.

After so many things had happened, Chuan Yu was truly afraid of triggering some butterfly effect.

"Ah... as for that matter..."

"Leave it to me."

"What about you? How have you been lately?"

Kakashi flipped up to his feet.

Both of them descended from the tree at the same time.

"The Rock Village is restless."

"I imagine it won't be long before they launch an attack on Konoha."

Chuan Yu had already joined Root.

As the faith and hope of his entire clan, he had naturally been appointed to the position of captain.

He let out a deep sigh.

Kakashi's face was full of melancholy.

"Hearing about this kind of thing now just feels like a hassle..."

"It's better to stay at the academy..."

"Carefree..."

"I still have to thank you for that back then..."

Kakashi waved his hand with his back to Chuan Yu.

The two parted ways there.

Upon returning to Root, Chuan Yu received new intelligence.

"The Rock Village will launch its first attack on Konoha tonight."

"I heard that the Rock Village's forces have been joined by an allied army this time."

"Based on reconnaissance, it should be the Sand Village."

Five years had passed.

Karin had grown into a budding beauty.

She had also become the most important sensory ninja under Chuan Yu's command.

This information had been gathered by Karin.

There was no need to verify its authenticity.

Chuan Yu had absolute trust and confidence in Karin.

However, the one thing Chuan Yu could not figure out was the Rock Village's allied forces.

The Sand Village.

At this critical juncture, Chuan Yu could only think of one possibility.

Orochimaru.

Calculating the time.

Orochimaru should have already made contact with the Fourth Kazekage by now.

It won't be long.

Orochimaru will launch his assault on Konoha.

But should this be considered a probing attack before the war?

Ever since returning from Ryuchi Cave.

Uchiha Chuanyu had not seen Orochimaru once.

However, there was one thing Uchiha Chuanyu remembered clearly.

During the final trial at Ryuchi Cave.

When he had produced the Kusanagi Sword.

The White Snake Sage had recognized the weapon.

When Uchiha Chuanyu asked if Orochimaru had been there.

The White Snake Sage had nodded.

Furthermore, she told Uchiha Chuanyu.

That Orochimaru was fundamentally unable to cultivate senjutsu due to his body.

The constant changing of bodies.

Resulted in him being unable to withstand the power of senjutsu.

Yet, the multitude of snake genes within his body had earned him the White Snake Sage's approval.

But in the end, he had only managed to sign a summoning contract with Manda of Ryuchi Cave.

Therefore.

The fact that Orochimaru told him he had never been to Ryuchi Cave was a complete lie.

He vaguely remembered the words Orochimaru said when they first met.

It was obvious he had taken a liking to his body.

Is he planning to seize my body after I obtain senjutsu?

Heh...

Orochimaru...

We shall meet again very soon...

Late at night.

Konoha Village was silent.

Suddenly.

With a black cloak obscuring his face.

A man darted rapidly across the eaves of the street corners.

After slipping past the guards of the Uchiha compound.

The cloaked man finally stopped in front of Uchiha Fugaku's house.

At this moment.

Uchiha Chuanyu, who had been fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.

He pushed open his door and walked out slowly.

Uchiha Chuanyu looked at the man before him with an expressionless face.

Beneath the cloak.

A pale glint reflected in the moonlight.

The man's lips curled upward slightly.

He adjusted his glasses inadvertently.

"Uchiha Chuanyu..."

"Lord Orochimaru is very eager to see you right now..."