The aftermath of the wager and a probe in the corridor

Gorō Satoru rested his chin on his hand, observing with great interest the ever-changing expressions on the faces of these people.

Those Azure eyes also curved into smiles.

Why are you so surprised?

It doesn't seem to have reached that point. Aren't ninjas supposed to have hearts as hard as iron?

The other examinees stared at his bewildered expression, their molars practically grinding together.

Who's so surprised that Naruto won?

She was clearly thinking about that bet, and her mind was in turmoil.

I wonder what conditions this guy will ask for?

That said, why did they impulsively make a bet with a ninja from another village?

Especially the boy in front of me, dressed like a ghost, exuded an eerie aura.

If it weren't for his young age and lack of strength, coupled with his clean aura, they would have almost thought he was some S-rank missing-nin had sneaked in, just based on his attire.

Clad in a black robe, exuding a sinister aura, with pale bandages tightly wrapped around his face—what kind of bizarre aesthetic sense could produce such an effect?

Gorō Satoru cleared his throat, a bright smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"If I remember correctly, we just made a bet, right?"

Everyone scratched their heads and nodded reluctantly.

Why did they agree so readily? Were they possessed?

"You said it." Rock Lee raised his arm and shouted enthusiastically.

"Since I've agreed, I will definitely do it."

"This is the promise of youth."

His eyes burned as he stared straight at him.

The others followed his gaze and focused their attention on Gorō Satoru had already assumed a fighting stance.

What kind of conditions will this kid ask for?

Gorō Satoru's lips curled up an inch as he smiled and said.

"I haven't decided yet. I'll contact you guys after all the exams are over."

Seeing his relaxed and playful demeanor, a chill inexplicably ran down everyone's spine.

I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong.

However, they didn't have time to linger there for long, as the competition continued, and a new round of battles erupted in the examination hall.

Gorō Satoru rested his chin on his hand and looked around for a while, then his gaze drifted towards the outside of the examination hall.

That's strange. Orochimaru, who was disguised as a ninja, disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.

What was he up to?

Gorō Satoru's gaze stretched far and wide as he silently considered his next plans.

Dealing with Orochimaru was just a convenient matter; it wasn't his final move.

Without this snake, other cats will be attracted by the smell and come eyeing the Uchiha's Sharingan.

So his plan for this trip to Konoha wasn't really to take down Orochimaru.

He just wanted to come and see Sasuke, and incidentally ask Konoha for an explanation—you need to give an account of the Uchiha Clan matter.

With just a few words, they joined forces and wiped out the Uchiha clan?

This doesn't make sense.

The conflict has escalated to its current size, and it has never been a one-sided issue.

In Konoha, especially for Danzo, the responsibility he carries cannot be shirked.

They were only focused on wiping out the Uchiha, without even bothering to investigate what was really going on behind the scenes. This kind of shortcut would infuriate anyone.

Gorō Satoru's eyes grew increasingly somber.

Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan?

For him, it was actually a pretty good excuse.

At the same time that the Chunin Preliminaries were in full swing, a conversation completely unrelated to the competition was taking place in another corner of Konoha.

Orochimaru stood at one end of the corridor, Kabuto Yakushi had previously withdrawn from the exam, stood at the other end.

"What's happening now is the preliminary round of the third exam; the official competition will be starting soon." Kabuto Yakushi looked over unhurriedly.

At that point, it was about time for him to make his move.

Orochimaru, at the other end of the corridor, leaned against a wooden pillar with his arms crossed, his breath as if covered in a thin layer of ice.

"But it's so quiet here, no, I mean the country has become a little too peaceful."

Other countries are busy throwing money and manpower into military buildup.

If things continue like this, we might get caught up in war one day and end up with nothing but ashes.

interesting.

"Now you should be able to get it, right?" Kabuto Yakushi's words carried a hidden meaning.

"Ah, although I don't know if it would be worth it to take that old man's head off." Orochimaru turned his head and looked into the distance, his eyes growing increasingly dark.

"Is that so?" A cold glint flashed across Kabuto Yakushi's metal-framed glasses. "I think you're still hesitating."

The forces of the various ninja villages will clash fiercely and for a long time.

"The Otogakure is also among them."

"You want to be the trigger."

"And he is the ammunition you prepared for this fuse."

Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses, his gaze falling on Orochimaru, who had remained silent to the side.

"His name is Sasuke Uchiha, right?"

"As for that other guy named Gorō Satoru, he's not on your list."

Although Orochimaru later sent him to keep an eye on Gorō Satoru, to be honest, that person was never written into any part of the plan from the beginning.

They were probably just kids they bumped into on the street and thought were a bit interesting.

Orochimaru probably didn't anticipate that someone like this would appear.

Right now, the one I truly hold in my grasp is still Sasuke Uchiha.

"You see things too clearly, it makes me a little uncomfortable," Orochimaru said coldly, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

"No way." Kabuto Yakushi's laughter was restrained, but his voice carried a chill and distance.

"I don't know anything about Dosu Zaku and King."

"You overestimate me."

"It seems you haven't placed all your trust in me yet."

Orochimaru on the other side didn't take it seriously, his tone as cold as a knife cutting through ice.

"What happens to that kind of person isn't worth reporting to you, their right-hand man."

"This is precisely the proof that I believe you."

"So, I'm leaving Sasuke's matter to you."

"I hope you can bring him to me before the darkness in his heart completely dissipates."

"This isn't like you at all; you're getting a bit hasty," Kabuto Yakushi said slowly.

"Because there's something that's been bothering me." Orochimaru's tone was shrouded in an indescribable tension.

"Is it Gorō Satoru?" Kabuto Yakushi pondered for a moment, then pressed for an answer.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed sharply.

This Kabuto Yakushi is truly amazing!

He slowly raised his eyes to look at the person in front of him.

Sasuke is an avenger who survived only because he wanted to send his brother Itachi to hell.

"He won't let himself die until he gets this done."

"But when he fought me, his confidence wavered."

Knowing full well they couldn't beat me, they were still prepared to charge in and fight to the death.

"I originally thought he was someone who valued his life."

"However, according to the information you provided, Sasuke's goals and thoughts only changed after he came into contact with that kid named Gorō Satoru."

"His influence on Sasuke is so great that they need to be separated as soon as possible."

"I want Sasuke to be in my grasp as soon as possible."

"Or you could just bring them both together."

Upon hearing this, Kabuto Yakushi opposite him, paused for a moment, his face blank.

He hadn't expected Orochimaru to say those words.

Get them together?

Based on Orochimaru's past practices, he would never agree to choose this solution.

Since Gorō Satoru could Sasuke's plans, he should have been a variable that was bypassed or eliminated.

Orochimaru is actually tolerating him now.

Just how much does he value this kid?!

Perhaps I really should go and find out more about him.

Kabuto Yakushi was secretly making plans in his mind.

After a while, he decided to turn around and leave.

Just then, Orochimaru's voice suddenly came from behind.

"Well, Dou, listen carefully."

"If you want to stop me, there's only one way—kill Sasuke right now."

"As for you, you can't kill me."

"Even if you're quite skilled, you're at most on Kakashi's level."

At the same time, a bead of cold sweat silently slid down Kabuto Yakushi's forehead, and his feet were rooted to the spot.

What does that mean?

Is he doubting himself?

Or have you finally seen through the wavering in your own heart?

Orochimaru carefully observed the ever-changing expression on Kabuto Yakushi's face.

What lies hidden beneath that face?

He finally spoke first.

"Just kidding, alright, you can go now."

"I believe you."