Jirobo raced through the forest with a wooden barrel strapped to his back.
Just then, the black curse markings on the barrel began flashing, and dull thuds kept coming from inside.
Thud!
Thud!
Jirobo's expression changed as he abruptly stopped.
"Awake?"
He set the barrel on the ground.
The next instant, the barrel shuddered violently.
Crack!
A fissure burst across the barrel, and the black curse markings instantly scattered.
Then came a boom—
The entire barrel exploded.
Wooden shards flew in every direction, followed by rolling black mist pouring out.
Sasuke stepped out of the black mist. The Cursed Seal patterns on his body gradually receded, and his face was terrifyingly cold.
At that moment, a distant branch suddenly swayed.
Naruto had caught up.
He landed on a branch, and his eyes widened the instant he saw Sasuke.
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke glanced up at him and gave a cold snort.
Jirobo stepped in front of Sasuke, trying to block Naruto.
"Don't meddle in this. This is between him and me."
Sasuke spoke coldly. Then he pushed off with his foot and shot straight into the depths of the forest.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
Naruto gritted his teeth and chased after him.
The two figures darted through the woods, one after the other.
The shadows of trees streamed past them.
Naruto panted, his eyes fixed firmly on Sasuke ahead.
"Sasuke! Where the hell are you going?!"
Sasuke did not look back.
Naruto sped up again.
"Are you really going to Orochimaru? That guy only wants your body!"
Sasuke finally paused.
He stood on a branch ahead and turned his face slightly.
"So what?"
Naruto froze.
Sasuke looked at him coldly.
"As long as it gives me power, nothing else matters."
Naruto's fists clenched tightly.
"You bastard!"
Sasuke turned and continued rushing forward.