(Naruto's POV)
Naruto woke up early that day, or rather, he was woken up early.
-Wake up, Naruto.- Kakashi's voice sounded from Naruto's window. Naruto, who sat up in shock, looked at the figure of his teacher sitting there reading the Ero-Sennin's book.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and pointed at Kakashi. -Kakashi-sensei! You want to give me a heart attack?! Can't you use the door?!
Kakashi ignored Naruto's shouts and spoke. -Have you forgotten what day it is, Naruto?
Naruto stopped, his mind rapidly connecting the dots. Right, today is the day of the Chunin Exam finals in Oto, which also means it's the day he goes to Otogakure to bring Sasuke back!
Naruto stopped shouting, straightened up, and clenched his fists.
-Don't put so much pressure on yourself, Naruto.- Kakashi finally closed the book, looking at the blond boy who seemed to be carrying a weight he shouldn't be carrying.
Kakashi felt like a terrible teacher for a moment, no, his life had been marked by terrible relationships, and everyone around him ended up suffering, one way or another.
-No, I'll bring him back, Kakashi-sensei.- Naruto promised, going to get ready.
Kakashi glanced at Naruto with his one eye and sighed, looking away. He disappeared from the window the next moment.
Half an hour later, Naruto met up with Tsunade and Kakashi in front of the village, along with Shizune and some Anbu.
Tsunade, as the only Kage who had Genin pass the exam, was the only one to attend the final exam. She was accompanied by her escort and Shizune, on their way back they would pass through the Valley of the End for the fight between Naruto and Sasuke.
Kakashi looked at the blond boy, who was so quiet it seemed abnormal, his heart heavy, but outwardly his only visible eye remained expressionless as always.
-Ready, Naruto?- Kakashi asked.
-Yes, let's go get Sasuke!- Naruto shouted, his spirit rising with strength.
Kakashi used his hand to hit Naruto on the head and said. -Idiot, we're going to watch the Chunin Exam finals, your fight can wait.
Naruto scratched his head and then smiled excitedly, looking forward to finally seeing his friends.
Tsunade and Shizune smiled seeing Naruto like that. -Let's go!- Tsunade shouted, leading the race.
Everyone followed her soon after.
//-//
(Orochimaru POV)
In one of the internal training grounds within Orochimaru's base, the man once again felt the desire for those eyes, seeing Sasuke facing dozens of werewolves at the same time, even though each of the werewolves was resistant to genjutsu, Sasuke didn't need it.
He didn't even use Ninjutsu, purely the three tomoe of his sword, he glided through the enclosure, cut after cut appearing on the werewolves that had entered their complete form mixed with cursed marks.
Each one of them could pose a problem for an elite Jonin, but Sasuke moved like a shadow, more and more werewolves falling into pools of blood, their healing unable to keep up with the blood loss.
Thirty seconds later, only Sasuke remained in the center of the training field.
His red eyes gleaming in the dark field, his swords stained with blood, the werewolves slowly reverting to their human forms, breathing heavily over pools of their own blood.
They groaned in pain as they healed, their skin pale from excessive blood loss.
Sasuke didn't look at them, but his eyes focused directly on Orochimaru, Orochimaru's tongue couldn't help but stick out and lick his lips.
Sasuke looked away, he knew Orochimaru wouldn't act against him, not without Jugo's permission.
-Sasuke-kun, it's truly amazing how much progress you've made in these years.- Orochimaru said, his voice cutting through the dark room.
Sasuke didn't answer, he swung his sword, wiping the blood from the blade, then sheathed it with one hand, turning to leave.
Even though his personality is much better than the previous version, it doesn't mean he would be as friendly with Orochimaru, the man's eyes clearly showed his desire for him.
Orochimaru didn't care, he merely watched Sasuke's figure leave, paying no attention to the werewolves groaning in pain. He turned and began to walk away.
It didn't take him long to reach a room where a man was already tied to a chair.
Orochimaru pursed his lips slightly, unhappy. -It's a pity, I would have loved to have a better specimen, but you'll have to do. Fortunately, helping Jugo-sama with the last experiment allowed me to make great progress, so be happy, your body will last much longer.
In front of him stood a man with black hair, Aburame Torune, but he looked very different from before.
Most of his body was pale white, and a pair of Sharingan eyes were fixed in his eye sockets.
-A consolation prize... but it's better than nothing.- Orochimaru sighed.
Suddenly, its mouth opened to an impossible size as a huge white snake emerged from within its empty skin.