If Sasuke Doesn't Make It, You'll Be the First One I Kill

"Orochimaru? Heaven's Curse Mark? Earth Seal?" Sakura looked utterly confused. She stared deeply at Sasuke's chest and saw three crescent-shaped curse mark patterns appear there. Then she noticed three tomoe-shaped curse mark patterns on the back of his neck.

I'm screwed! Naruto really wanted to slap himself. He had not wanted Sakura to know, yet he had accidentally let it slip.

Playing dumb, Naruto said, "That female ninja from Kusagakure we met before said her name was Orochimaru. But Sakura, you were already unconscious then, so you didn't know about any of this."

"Then what are the Heaven's Curse Mark and the Earth Seal?" Sakura pressed.

"..." Naruto broke out in a cold sweat, unsure how to answer.

"Ah—" Sasuke suddenly cried out, startling both Naruto and Sakura.

"Sasuke—" Sakura rushed over with a worried look, staying by Sasuke's side as her anxious eyes fixed on him.

Naruto thought, Sasuke, I never expected you to do me such a huge favor while unconscious. That scream came at exactly the right time.

Sasuke was in terrible condition. His eyes were tightly shut, his hands clenched into fists, and his entire body convulsed. His face had turned livid, and he gritted his teeth as though enduring unbearable pain.

Within Sasuke's consciousness, he was still fighting Orochimaru. Orochimaru was a terrifying opponent. Even after using every trick he had, Sasuke could not harm a single hair on him. Orochimaru clung to Sasuke like a nightmare, haunting him without respite.

In Sasuke's dream, a massive snake with a human face coiled itself into the shape of a mountain. Its face resembled Orochimaru's, and merely looking at it filled him with fear.

Sasuke panted heavily. The enemy before him was simply too powerful. Even after awakening his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, he still could not defeat this formidable foe.

"Sasuke!" The human-faced snake flicked its tongue as it spoke. "The survival rate of the Heaven's Curse Mark is one in ten. I once planted the Heaven's Curse Mark in my most beloved disciple. After seeing Naruto, I decided to plant both the Heaven's Curse Mark and the Earth Seal in you."

"What?!" Sasuke snapped. "What does Naruto have to do with me?"

"Naruto is far too exceptional. And as my vessel, Sasuke, you can only become even more exceptional. You must surpass Naruto."

"..." Sasuke clenched his teeth. He knew Naruto was strong, and he knew Naruto was outstanding, but his powerful pride drove him to hurl a kunai at the human-faced snake.

The kunai struck the human-faced snake, yet did not harm it in the slightest. The snake mocked, "Is this all you can do? Compared to Naruto, you're far too inferior."

"Damn it!" Sasuke desperately craved power. He wanted to surpass Naruto and defeat every genius from every ninja village. Gaara, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee—every one of them was an opponent he wanted to defeat.

There were so many powerful opponents in this world. If he could not defeat them, then how could he kill that hateful man—Itachi Uchiha!

"Sasuke! I know the desires in your heart!" The human-faced snake opened its huge mouth, and a long-haired man actually slid out from within. The bizarre sight left Sasuke dumbfounded.

The long-haired man who had slid from the snake's mouth slowly stood up. He was Orochimaru. His entire body was covered in snake slime, making him nauseating to look at.

"And I can fulfill your desires!" Orochimaru walked up to Sasuke, extending his slender fingers to gently stroke Sasuke's cheek.

"This feeling is truly wonderful. It feels as though I'm touching my own face." Orochimaru caressed Sasuke's face while saying it felt like he was touching his own.

Sasuke's expression changed in shock. He grabbed his kunai and viciously slashed at Orochimaru.

"Hehehehe..." Orochimaru let out a strange laugh and extended his long tongue. It was incredibly nimble, instantly wrapping around Sasuke's hand holding the kunai.

Under Sasuke's horrified gaze, Orochimaru bit into his chest, planting the Earth Seal within him.

"Ah—" Sasuke felt as though his chest were about to explode. He collapsed to the ground, clutching tightly at his chest.

Sakura's expression grew increasingly anxious as Sasuke's condition worsened. At a complete loss, she could only plead with Naruto, "Naruto, hurry and save Sasuke. You must have a way."

Naruto stared at the two curse marks on Sasuke's body, unable to recover for a long while. After Sakura reminded him, he cursed inwardly, Orochimaru, you've gone too far. The survival rate for one curse mark is only one in ten, yet you were greedy enough to plant two on Sasuke. Doesn't that mean Sasuke's survival rate is only one percent?!

Orochimaru! You actually did something like this! What makes you think Sasuke can survive it? If Sasuke doesn't make it, you'll be the first one I kill!

"Naruto! Hurry and save Sasuke..." Sakura was on the verge of tears.

Naruto quickly took out the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll, unsealed them both at the same time, then tossed the two scrolls aside. Thick white smoke poured from the scrolls, and a person appeared within it.

"Long time no see, Naruto." Iruka emerged from the white smoke and said proudly, "Looks like you've suffered quite a bit. Congratulations on passing the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams."

Iruka's full name was Umino Iruka. He was an instructor at the Ninja Academy and Naruto's first teacher. Kakashi was Naruto's second teacher.

Iruka could be considered Naruto's mentor. Under his guidance, Naruto had successfully graduated from the Ninja Academy and taken his first step toward becoming a Genin.

"Iruka-sensei, there's no time to catch up." Naruto hurriedly said, "Something's wrong with Sasuke. We need to take him to Kakashi quickly."

"Sasuke does look a little strange." Iruka asked, "Why did you take Sasuke's clothes off?"

"That isn't important, okay?" Naruto urged. "If we don't hurry, Sasuke will die."

Iruka looked troubled. "But I'm the messenger. My duty requires me to explain the purpose of this exam and tell you about the next stage."

"There's no need to explain!" Naruto shouted. "None of that matters!"

"Naruto, you're talking nonsense again. Then tell me, what exactly was the purpose of the second round?"

"Iruka-sensei! I'm not joking with you! Sasuke's condition really can't wait!"

Only then did Iruka realize how serious the situation was. He hurriedly picked up Sasuke and went to find Kakashi.

Before leaving, Iruka did not forget to instruct him, "Naruto, stay here and don't go anywhere. After I take Sasuke to Kakashi, I'll come back for you. If you can't tell me the purpose of the second round, then prepare to be punished." With that, Iruka left with Sasuke.

Naruto wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and comforted Sakura. "With Kakashi-sensei there, Sasuke will be fine. Don't worry."