As Sasuke looked at the empty crater where Utatane Koharu had stood moments before, his lips slowly spread into a grin, and he finally burst into unrestrained laughter.
"Hahaha... haha..." Sasuke's laughter was filled with satisfaction.
Just then, the ground a short distance in front of Sasuke cracked open with a sharp crunch. Orochimaru's head shot out of the fissure, his mouth open as he lunged straight for Sasuke's neck.
Sasuke's crimson Sharingan spun, immediately spotting Orochimaru's attack.
With a thought, two dark red tails of tailed beast chakra sprang out, instantly wrapping Sasuke into a dark red ball.
Seeing this, Neji lowered his outstretched hand and dispersed the repulsive force he had been preparing to unleash.
Orochimaru bit straight into the red chakra. His ambush thwarted, he withdrew and emerged from underground several dozen meters away, staring grimly at Sasuke. "Tailed beast chakra? My dear Sasuke, how did you come to possess tailed beast chakra?"
Sasuke's crimson Sharingan stared coldly at the great snake that had appeared. "Orochimaru!? What a revolting form!"
Feeling Orochimaru's greedy gaze, Sasuke looked at the great snake with displeasure and sneered, "Things that crawl out of filthy sewers really are disgusting!"
"Sasuke-kun, come over to my side. I'll help you take your revenge and give you the power to do it." Orochimaru seemed unconcerned by Sasuke's words. He even extended an invitation.
"Hahahaha..." Sasuke burst out laughing, looking at Orochimaru with amusement. "Didn't you just see how strong I am? What makes you think you're stronger than me?"
"Sasuke-kun, since you don't believe me, allow me to demonstrate a little of my power!" Orochimaru gave a sinister chuckle.
He formed hand seals, slammed his hands onto the ground, and called out in a low voice, "Summoning Technique!"
Suddenly, Neji's gaze sharpened. The seals Orochimaru