Just as Sasuke stood dazed and torn over what to do, a familiar, chilling chuckle drifted over.
"Heh heh... It seems you've managed to settle everything."
Tall and slender, with deathly pale skin and long hair swaying, Orochimaru slowly emerged after a long absence.
Seeing Orochimaru appear out of nowhere, Sasuke's gaze instantly turned cold. He instinctively clenched his fists, his tone detached and wary.
"Orochimaru? What are you doing here?"
Orochimaru leisurely surveyed the scene, his gaze settling on Kabuto Yakushi as he offered a calm explanation.
"I came to find this lost assistant of mine."
With that, Orochimaru turned to Sasuke, whose eyes were clouded with confusion and whose thoughts remained unsettled.
Sasuke suddenly looked up, his expression serious as he spoke with utmost gravity.
"Orochimaru, there's something I need your help with."
Orochimaru raised an intrigued eyebrow and agreed with a smile.
The two then set off together, heading toward Konoha.
Along the way, they rescued Karin from captivity.
The instant Karin saw Orochimaru, all her pent-up hurt and resentment burst forth. Pointing at the silent Sasuke beside him, she launched into an accusation on the spot!
"Lord Orochimaru! Just look at him! He went too far! Back on that bridge, he stabbed me with his Chidori Sharp Spear and nearly killed me! You have to teach him a lesson!"
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she became. Her eyes reddened, her heart aching from being betrayed by the person she trusted most.
Yet after hearing Karin's accusations, Orochimaru wasn't angry at all. Instead, he gave a soft chuckle, his tone tinged with amused resignation.
"What a coincidence... Back then, he ran me through without a moment's hesitation, too."
Those words brought everyone to a sudden realization.
During his descent into darkness, Sasuke had seen nothing