Don't Let the Past Hold You Back

His second brother both stopped him and questioned him, Sasuke stunned.

He turned his face slightly away, pretending to be nonchalant.

That profile, still a little chubby, revealed a hint of defiance.

That's not the case at all.

They were no match for the ninja on the other side from the very beginning.

Hand over the Heaven Scroll, find the scroll in another location, and the quest will still be completed.

He hasn't avenged his second brother yet; he can't afford to die here.

Sasuke clenched his fists tightly, and the color in his eyes darkened.

The plan they just devised had a very low chance of success; there was a 90% chance the other side wouldn't let them go.

We had to try, no matter what, otherwise all four of us would perish here.

Wu Chiwu his hands together and looked at the silent Sasuke with a smile.

He's still just a kid.

"Don't worry." Wu Chiwu leaped to Sasuke's side.

"Thinking too much will turn you into a decrepit old man like Itachi sooner or later."

He reached out his right hand and gave Sasuke's head a good rub.

Those Azure eyes curved into crescent moons.

"Let go." Sasuke silently turned his head away.

His eyes never left Orochimaru for even an inch.

Second brother, what's going on in your head?

This is no time for jokes.

Aren't you afraid you won't be able to get revenge?

And that person's name, how could you say it so casually?

Wu Chiwu dropped his previous nonchalant attitude and became much more serious.

If you let the past easily bind your hands and feet, you won't be able to take a step forward.

Sasuke's expression froze for a moment when those words came in.

What?

Is my second brother coming for me?

I've been trapped by the memories of the past, and I've lost the courage to take a gamble.

Is that what you mean?

He went through the events of that period in his mind.

My abilities are indeed much weaker than before, and I'm much slower now.

Sasuke finally let out a muffled sigh and said, word by word.

"Okay, I understand."

In order to kill that older brother, I had to survive; I always thought so.

But now it seems that I was the real fool.

How could someone who wouldn't even risk their life here possibly defeat that guy, Uchiha Itachi?

Thinking of this, the light in his eyes began to pierce.

Orochimaru was on the other side, saw this scene and let out a strange laugh.

That's a good eye.

It seems that the white-haired ninja from earlier was someone you had on your mind.

My blood immediately started to boil.

Let's start with him.

Without real skills, you can't protect your companions.

I'll teach you this lesson myself.

His gaze shifted, Wu Chiwu standing to the side.

"Everyone, you got it right."

"Scrolls are something we can just kill you and then steal from you."

In the blink of an eye, a despairing murderous aura exploded from him.

His pupils also gleamed with a cold, serpentine light.

Wu Chiwu, on the other side, reacted extremely quickly and immediately sensed the change in Orochimaru's eyes.

Are they targeting me?

Could it be that you're after the bandage on my arm?

He puffed out his cheeks and sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

Is today Mercury retrograde?

After all that fuss, why is this guy targeting me again?

That's really bad luck.

It seems I'd better not let this disguise fall off, or things will get ugly.

He gently tightened the bandage on his arm.

The Snake Den, along with the suit it was wearing, was completely out of his league; he refused to join that bizarre organization.

He let out a long breath, his Azure eyes remaining completely calm.

Sasuke took in all of these seemingly insignificant movements.

Something's not right.

What's wrong with my second brother?

I don't think I've ever seen him like this before.

Was the ninja on the other side more troublesome than he had anticipated?

That's why my second brother is so insecure?

With this in mind, Sasuke's gaze toward Orochimaru became increasingly wary.

He had to get his idiot second brother, Naruto, and Sakura out of this place safe and sound.

In an instant, he felt an immense weight pressing down on his shoulders.

Before anyone could see clearly, Orochimaru Wu Chiwu, a swarm of venomous snakes leaping from his sleeves.

Wu Chiwu up to dodge the attack, then flung out countless Kunai, pinning the snakes to the ground.

Orochimaru watched his nimble movements, and a slow smirk crept onto his face.

"Not bad."

To withstand his killing intent, to precisely dodge his attacks, and to wipe out the swarm of snakes in such a short time—that's quite impressive for an ordinary ninja.

However, based on this alone, it's far from enough.

In that instant, Orochimaru's face contorted into an exaggerated expression, his skin practically falling off.

He stretched his arm into a whip and continued to Wu Chiwu, his long tongue also curling up a Kunai.

What's this, a live version of The Phantom of the Opera?

Wu Chiwu stared at Orochimaru, which had changed in a second, and his lips twitched.

A fight with a bonus horror movie scene? Can I please not get this deal?

Or is this a new attack tactic, a psychological attack?

Wu Chiwu while pondering to himself.

If that's the case, should I learn a few tricks myself?

Shisui Uchiha, thousands of miles away, never imagined that Wu Chiwu was having such a frightening thought in his mind; he was still diligently approving documents on the other end.

"Kid, you're interesting." Orochimaru watched with interest as Wu Chiwu kept dodging his attacks.

His eyes grew brighter and brighter, and a smile appeared on his lips.

To reach this level at this age is truly impressive; even among ordinary people, he'd be considered a genius.

Unfortunately, this world is not kind to ordinary people.

Let me end this wretched world for him.

He will become the best nourishment for Sasuke Uchiha, and his Sharingan will likely reach an even higher level.

Orochimaru's eyes suddenly flashed with a chilling killing intent.

Sasuke Uchiha was standing nearby, hadn't been idle at all, keeping a close eye on the commotion.

The dazzling array of moves made it impossible for him to see them clearly at first glance.

That speed.

That's fast.

He watched their movements intently, his eyes reddening.

The Sharingan has awakened.

I saw it.

Everything became crystal clear.

At the same time, outside the examination hall.

"Meatballs have to be eaten with Anko, that's the perfect combination." Mitarashi Anko was squatting on the roof, enjoying her meal immensely.

"After I finish this bowl, I'll go inside the tower and wait for the little devils who have passed the trials."

"By now, someone should have finished the wilderness survival part, right?"

She smiled, her eyes narrowed, and casually tossed the bamboo skewer up the tree.

"Konoha symbol, done."

At the Root the large tree, bamboo skewers were neatly stuck into a Konoha pattern.

Just then, a ninja, trailing white smoke, stood in front of her.

"Something terrible has happened, Lady Anko!" the ninja exclaimed, his face flushed red.

"Hmm? Why did you rush over so quickly? What's wrong?" Anko's tone was quite relaxed.

"Three corpses were discovered." The ninja's voice was low and somber.

"Hmm?" Anko's eyes twitched.

"And something's not right, you should come and take a look." The ninja's forehead was already beaded with sweat.

After listening, Anko rested a finger on her chin and pondered for a while.

Something's not right.

The two quickly arrived at the scene of the crime.

The ninja, his face wrapped in white bandages, crossed his arms and spoke in a low voice.

"Judging from his personal belongings and identification, he is Kusagakure who has officially registered to participate in the Chunin Exams."

"You can see for yourself."

Following her words, Mitarashi Anko looked at the three corpses on the ground.

This is?

Her pupils suddenly shrank to pinpoints.

"My face is gone..."

The ninja nearby also let out a sigh.

"Yes, it's like something melted away; my whole face is flat."

Anko stared at the corpse on the ground, her right hand unconsciously touching the Cursed Seal on her neck.

No need to guess, this technique belongs to that guy.

What's that guy doing here taking the exam?

She suppressed her memories and turned to look at the ninja beside her.

"Show me the photos of those three Kusagakure ninjas, they're on the application form, right?"

The ninja next to her immediately handed the application form to Mitarashi Anko.

Anko took it and checked it carefully.

Isn't this the long-haired woman I met at the exam hall?

Could it be that Orochimaru had already switched her out back then?

She turned around and swiftly gave orders to the ninjas beside her.

"This is a huge mess! You need to report this to the Lord Hokage immediately."

"Immediately request the deployment of two Anbu units into the Forest of Death."

"I'm going to chase after these guys right now, understand?"