Orochimaru stared straight at Uchiha Sen and spoke in a low voice, each word deliberate, giving the most uncompromising answer.
"I won't make a deal."
"I only want to... kill you."
Boom!
The instant those words fell, the auras of both powerful shinobi erupted at once!
Violent winds swept through the dark Dense Forest. Stones flew and vegetation snapped as two terrifying chakra auras collided!
The murderous intent Orochimaru had suppressed for years burst forth in full.
He had not fought in years, but that did not mean he was weak.
Neither wasted another word. They lunged into battle!
But just as their fierce battle reached its height, with both unleashing killing moves and victory about to be decided!
They froze almost simultaneously, reining in their attacks and abruptly stopping!
A second later, both turned in unison toward the same spot in the Dense Forest!
The air there rippled slightly, and three figures slowly emerged from the shadows, their expressions impossibly conflicted.
They were Naruto, Sasuke, and Sarada!
Using some unknown covert method, the three had silently tracked Orochimaru here, concealing their presence the entire way without anyone noticing.
And they had heard every single word of the conversation between Orochimaru and Uchiha Sen!
Naruto stood at the front, his lips pressed tightly together. His usual optimistic smile had vanished, leaving only shock and turmoil.
Beside him, Sasuke stared fixedly at the two men, murderous intent nearly spilling from his eyes and his aura frighteningly cold.
But the most distressed and conflicted of all was Sarada, standing between them.
Her entire body was rigid. She stared blankly at Orochimaru, then at Uchiha Sen's cold, stern face, her mind utterly empty.
The five faced one another in the forest. The wind stilled, and leaves fell without a sound.
Orochimaru looked at