The knockout stages officially began, with Sasuke entering the ring first.
Suffering from the torment of the cursed seal, his condition was terrible. Kakashi noticed this and warned Sasuke beforehand not to use the Sharingan—if the cursed seal activated, it could cost him his life.
Orochimaru, disguised as a Sound Ninja instructor, observed from above. With the Sharingan unusable and even Ninjutsu off-limits, Sasuke found himself in a desperate situation. How could he possibly turn things around?
Anya, already knowing the outcome, lost interest. She drifted like a ghost, circling a familiar figure on the second floor.
"My girl, you've really grown up!"
There stood Kurenai Yuhi with her long black hair reaching her shoulders, standing behind her three students and intently watching Sasuke's match below. As their sensei, she needed to analyze other Genin's weaknesses, figure out solutions, and help her students advance to Chunin—completely unaware of a soul watching her closely.
"I guess it makes sense to call her Master Kurenai now. But how should I greet her? After being away for so long, suddenly returning feels awkward and makes me strangely distant and guilty."
"Ugh, headache. Better just watch the match for now."
[Lightning Flash Lion Combo] ended the first round in no time. Even in such a desperate situation, he still managed to win through Taijutsu alone—truly worthy of his genius title.
Kakashi took Sasuke into a secret chamber mid-match to seal away the cursed seal within him. Orochimaru vanished almost immediately. Anya hesitated for just a moment before slipping after them.
Kakashi used his own blood to draw numerous symbols across the floor, forming a sealing array (ancient mystical formation). Sasuke removed his shirt and sat cross-legged at the very center. After performing a complex series of hand seals, the Evil Sealing Method was successfully activated.
As the markings on the ground flowed into Sasuke's body, the already weakened boy screamed in pain and fainted outright.
"I didn't expect you had mastered even this sealing technique too. You've certainly grown, Kakashi."
Orochimaru stepped forward with an air of calm confidence, smiling as always.
After initial shock, Kakashi quickly regained composure, attempting to extract intelligence.
Unfazed, Orochimaru openly revealed everything without hesitation.
Hatred filled Kakashi's heart. A short blade appeared in his hand as he took a battle-ready stance.
"Even if you are one of the Legendary Sannin, I'm confident I can take you down with me today."
Seeing the blade, Orochimaru's once-smiling face darkened. "The White Fang Blade? I wonder… how much of your father's sword techniques did you learn, or was it actually passed down directly by that man?"
"I don't owe you any explanations. I warn you—stay away from Sasuke." Kakashi held the tanto firmly, his aura completely changed. He grew calm and restrained. His killing intent was subtle, but the pressure around him kept rising.
"Fascinating—he actually taught you his sword techniques," Orochimaru turned, continuing calmly, "But you're not him. This isn't enough. As for Sasuke, he is a vengeful soul who will inevitably come seeking me out eventually. The power of the Uchiha Clan surpasses even what you can imagine."
With those final words, Orochimaru vanished into the shadows.
Anya's soul saw Kakashi holding a tanto, and he looked just like his former master. However, judging from how Kakashi held the blade, he hadn't practiced sword techniques for very long and couldn't have possibly mastered all Eight Great Sword Techniques—most likely, he'd only learned one or two as secret techniques. The previous opening move was clearly the Draw Technique.
Seeing Orochimaru disappear, Kakashi sheathed the White Fang Blade. That was when he realized his back was drenched in cold sweat. After a long pause, he smiled bitterly to himself, muttering, "So many years have passed already. Where exactly have you gone? I don't believe you would simply vanish without reason."
Watching Kakashi from midair, Anya ultimately gave up the idea of revealing himself and quietly slipped away.
The elimination matches at the training ground continued. This match was between Shino Aburame and one of the Sound Ninja. Using superb insect controlling techniques, he claimed victory without drawing blood—he probably didn't even use half of his actual strength.
Seeing him reminded Anya of another person. His soul entered Sasori's puppet body and asked, "How is that guy doing now?"
Sasori and Anya shared great understanding. Seeing what was happening in the arena, Sasori immediately knew who Anya meant and replied promptly: "He's been quiet. Always staying alone in my base, spending every day working with insects without ever going out or causing trouble—he's cut himself off from the world. Sometimes, I even feel like he isn't human, just a human-shaped insect."
Anya chuckled softly, saying, "That's just how people from his clan are—it's normal. You're also right in that description."
"I actually took time to talk with him once. He told me what he wanted to achieve."
"Oh? What were they?" Anya expressed some curiosity.
"He wants to develop an insect capable of consuming all poisons, completely erasing the Deathly Poison Valley from this world." Sasori confirmed, "He has carried guilt over using Kekkaijin: Pot of Poison Jutsu back then."
After a pause, Anya asked, "What do you think? Do you believe he can accomplish it?"
Sasori sneered, "If one day he really does create such an insect, I'll kill him immediately. The Deathly Poison Valley should exist. In fact, if you eventually fail in changing the world, Big Brother Kurotsuchi, then this world itself no longer deserves existence—there could be nothing but deathly poison valleys everywhere."
Understanding the implications behind Sasori's words, Anya pressed further, "Tell me, besides creating your Mechanical Army, what else have you done these years?"
"The Deathly Poison Valley has been regularly cleared annually by Five-Great-Countries—and even some smaller ones—but the number of toxins there hasn't decreased; instead, they've grown year after year. That was all me," Sasori spoke openly toward Anya. "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, unlike that man's ideas, mine are quite opposite. I want to develop the most insurmountable toxin in the world—something surpassing even Kekkaijin: Pot of Poison Jutsu in toxic range. It'll serve as the Zero Organization's final trump card so you never again face a situation where you're alone against more than twenty thousand Allied Forces."
After hearing that, Anya felt deeply moved beyond words. After a moment, he broke into a bright smile, saying, "Sasori, meeting you was truly my fortune."
Sasori smiled too: "Mine too."
"Alright, it's about time for you to head onto the battlefield," Anya teased. "After all, giving the Sunagakure Village puppeteer a bit of face here wouldn't hurt. Don't go too hard on him."
Sasori gave a light smile: "I'll fight with nothing but a Genin's chakra."
In the training field, examiner Genma Shiranui, who had a senbon tucked between his lips, said, "This round will be Kankuro versus Red Spider."
Kankuro, with bold facial markings, carried a puppet completely wrapped in bandages. Eagerly stepping into the center of the arena, he slammed the puppet down onto the ground and turned to face Sasori, who was striding toward him. "You actually have the nerve to use that name? After I'm done with you, you'll beg to know what regret feels like."
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