Things had reached this point, and Gaara was at the end of his rope.
His own chakra was exhausted, and Shukaku had been beaten back inside him, unable to emerge for the time being.
Since there was no point in staying any longer, Sasuke simply headed back to Konoha first.
But on his way back, he kept thinking about the battle just now. He had been like an outsider.
At first, he had still been able to exchange a few moves with Gaara, but once Gaara grew stronger, all he could do was take a beating.
In the end, he had even needed Naruto to rescue him, or he would have died there.
"Damn it! What am I even staying in Konoha for? I can't grow stronger quickly here, and people who used to be weaker than me have surpassed me!"
Sasuke punched a nearby tree, but the movement aggravated his injuries.
"Hiss!"
Sasuke began to feel a desire to explore the outside world. Perhaps he could improve more by leaving the village.
"It's Orochimaru! He's still fighting Lord Hokage!"
Sasuke was shocked. Was Orochimaru really that strong?
He touched the Cursed Seal on his neck. When it flared up, it did affect his strength, but the boost it provided was indeed substantial.
It could even multiply Sasuke's strength in an instant. After gaining the Cursed Seal's power, Sasuke had been able to defeat the Sound Ninja trio whom even Rock Lee could not beat.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Orochimaru exhaled, unleashing a storm that could destroy everything!
"Orochimaru really is powerful. When others use Great Breakthrough, it's merely a gale, but his Great Breakthrough is a storm!"
Jiraiya spoke with his feet firmly stuck to the rooftop.
"That still doesn't mean we can let him keep running wild!"
Hiruzen