Since Anya had revealed his true feelings, Minato fell silent. Anya's ideal was different from his own. As he himself put it, Anya's gaze stretched far beyond borders, while Minato's heart held only one homeland—Konoha.
Was I wrong? Minato repeatedly pondered. Indeed, this ninja world nurtures hatred and thus gives rise to wars, but who can guarantee that the world will become better after change? However, if they don't try, it will forever remain the same. Perhaps, Anya is actually right.
As Minato was deep in thought, Anya said, "Your beloved son has been swallowed by a snake."
"What?" Minato was horrified, instantly vanishing with a [Shunshin].
"So impressive. Even in a puppet body, that [Shifting Body Technique] surpasses ordinary capabilities. Ah, the gifted ones really are in a league of their own," teased Anya, leaping onto a tall tree.
Down below, Orochimaru had already locked his killing intent onto Sasuke and Sakura. The pressure of a Kage-level presence was far beyond what two Genin could withstand. That oppressive force froze them in place, like deer caught in a predator's shadow.
It seemed the Serpent Master was testing Sasuke's ability. If he proved too weak, Orochimaru would surely abandon him—after all, an ordinary Sharingan holds no value to him when he can claim one anytime he chooses.
Just as Orochimaru was about to strike them down, Sasuke stabbed himself with a Kunai, finally breaking free from the pressure. Cradling Sakura in his arms, he swiftly jumped away to hide.
Orochimaru, missing his target, gave a sharp glance and disappeared from sight as well.
When they reappeared, Orochimaru stood beside Anya.
Orochimaru showed no surprise at Anya's arrival, speaking in a detached tone, "You've come. Do you intend to stop my test of this boy?"
Anya smiled slightly and replied, "Uncle, it's merely a Two-tomoe Sharingan. You're interested too?"
"The boy is raw jade now. After proper cultivation, those eyes might reveal terrifying abilities. This power deserves my study."
"Study... or possess?"
Orochimaru's gaze darkened and his expression grew heavy. He sidestepped the question, asking instead, "What's the difference?"
Anya mused aloud, "I recall you once claimed you'd found the perfect flower. Now it seems you've given up."
"Ah." Rarely sighing, Orochimaru murmured, "That flower is about to wilt."
"Can't you even save it back with your abilities?" Anya asked, somewhat surprised.
"He suffers from a bloodline disease similar to yours. As strength increases, the illness intensifies and settles deep into the marrow, incurable unless... he, like you, undergoes reincarnation."
At this, Orochimaru's look toward Anya turned greedy.
Naturally noticing this gaze, Anya sighed, saying, "Uncle, you're going down the wrong path. Let me talk to Sasuke. If he truly needs power, I won't stand in your way."
Orochimaru pondered briefly, then assented with a single word: "Fine."
Sasuke, hiding with his hand over Sakura's mouth, felt immense fear. Orochimaru's sudden appearance overwhelmed him with a crushing sense of pressure—it wasn't simply a gap in strength, but a fundamental difference in their very life essence, like an ant facing a lion, utterly helpless.
"We need to escape quickly. He'll find us soon. But how?" Trembling, Sasuke desperately searched his mind for answers.
"If you keep covering her mouth like that, she's going to suffocate."
A sudden voice spoke up behind them.
Startled, Sasuke instinctively flung a shuriken behind him.
Anya slightly spread her fingers and easily caught the shuriken between two.
"It's you."
Recognizing the masked Anya, Sasuke wore an expression of shock.
Sakura pulled out a shuriken and stood on guard.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to fight you." Anya tossed the shuriken aside, signaling she meant no harm. With a serious tone, she asked Sasuke, "Sasuke, I know you carry hatred in your heart. You desire power. So tell me, how far are you willing to go to gain strength?"
Sasuke didn't answer. He just shot back, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Anya answered plainly, "Your older brother is powerful. It will be hard to defeat him."
"That guy..." Hatred surged inside Sasuke, and he asked one word at a time, "Who exactly are you, and why do you know so much about me?"
"It's not difficult to learn about you. Tell me, if a great power is placed before you, but you must risk your life to claim it, and even then you might only have a chance to defeat your brother in the future, would you still dare to face death?"
Sasuke firmly declared, "Of course. To kill him, I am willing to sacrifice everything."
Hearing their conversation, Sakura was shocked. She never expected that the person Sasuke hated the most was actually his very own older brother.
"Good. I understand. Then do your best, young man."
After speaking these words, Anya vanished like a breeze.
Still thinking deeply about Anya's words, Sasuke was abruptly alerted by Sakura.
"Sasuke, watch out! There's a snake!"
Orochimaru's new trial had begun.
Anya used [Spirit Transformation Technique] and boredly spied around the forest.
Sasori had already found Tenten and silently followed her. It seemed this guy had truly fallen for Tenten, even neglecting his old mentor like this.
Minato found Naruto but didn't immediately act. Instead, he used his sensor ability to understand Naruto's physical condition. He wouldn't step in unless Naruto was in real danger. This approach made sense—after all, if someone chose to become a ninja, they had to face challenges to grow. Otherwise, aspiring to become Hokage would remain just an empty dream.
"Hmm, interesting. Is this the new generation of Ino–Shika–Cho?" Anya's spirit noticed an intriguing scene within the examination hall.
The trio had unexpectedly encountered Neji.
Among this year's Chunin Exams, excluding Gaara, who was a Jinchuriki, Neji appeared to be the strongest contender. It wasn't just the Genin he could overpower; even some Chunin would have a hard time beating him. Would they end up fighting?
Anya became curious about the outcome. The Ino–Shika–Cho trio was known for their ability to fight beyond their rank. It would be hard to predict who would win.
Ino's move totally blew Anya away.
With her golden hair flowing, she tried to flirt her way with Neji.
But that was like throwing her charms at a wall—he didn't budge.
Not that it did absolutely nothing. Neji simply turned around, abandoning his attempt to seize the trio's Scroll.
"Just stealing Scrolls from trash like you," Neji said, "would only make me the laughingstock of the village. Scram."
The mocked Ino-Shika-Cho trio didn't hesitate—they vanished into the bushes in an instant.
"Hehe, interesting."
Anya suddenly took an interest in Neji and stepped forward on purpose.
"It's you. Get lost." Neji's Byakugan clearly detected this person's Chakra—it was nearly undetectable. Plus, before entering the Death Forest, he'd already handed the Scroll over to his teammate. This guy held absolutely no value worth defeating—he despised even bothering.
Unaffected by Neji's attitude, Anya politely asked instead, "Young man, can I take a look at your bird? Oh, if I'm not mistaken, its full name should be [Caged Bird Seal]."
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