Orochimaru let out a chilling laugh, licking the blood from Sasuke's neck.
"Delicious… Can't have Naruto? Then collecting an Uchiha isn't bad either.
And not just any Uchiha—he's the younger brother of That Guy.
Absolutely perfect."
Sasuke felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine.
Hearing Orochimaru mention Itachi, Sasuke ignored his bleeding neck and demanded:
"You know my brother? Where is he?!"
Orochimaru only smirked wickedly and disappeared into the shade of the trees without answering.
As for Sakura, he hadn't even spared her a glance.
"Damn it!"
Sasuke slammed his fist into the nearest tree.
Sakura struggled to her feet and hurried to his side, concern all over her face.
"Sasuke, are you okay?! You're still bleeding!"
Through Kagura's Mind Eye, Naruto could clearly see that Sasuke had been branded with the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
Sakura gently wiped the blood from his neck, but the sight of those three tomoe-shaped seal marks made her deeply uneasy.
"Sasuke… that creepy woman must've placed some kind of seal on you.
Shouldn't we ask Naruto? He probably knows what it is—he's good with this kind of stuff."
Sasuke actually agreed.
—
After the second stage of the Chūnin Exam ended, the nine Konoha rookies gathered outside the Forest of Death.
In a rare moment of urgency, even Sakura didn't hesitate to approach Naruto.
"Naruto! Look at Sasuke's neck—what is that?! Some shady woman just bit him and left a weird mark!"
"Quit yapping."
Naruto shoved Sakura's face aside with one hand.
She froze for a moment—
Surprised that being treated so dismissively… actually didn't make her angry?
In fact, it made her feel… pleased?
Ashamed of this reaction, her face flushed bright red.
Naruto activated Transparent World and scanned Sasuke's neck.
It was the same cursed seal Anko had—that meant it wasn't immediately dangerous.
"Small issue," Naruto said calmly.
"It's a form of power. I can remove it if you want—but that depends on you."
"Power? What kind of power?"
Hearing that keyword, Sasuke leaned forward eagerly.
"It's a cursed mark. If activated, it lets you enter a transformation state that grants you temporary boosts in strength."
Sasuke didn't hesitate at all.
"If it grants power—then I don't need it removed."
Sakura, still anxious, interjected:
"But… there might be hidden risks! That woman looked totally sinister!"
"No need to say more," Sasuke said firmly.
"If it gives me strength, I welcome it—whatever the source."
Naruto shrugged and didn't press further.
—
With the second test over, there would be a one-month break before the final stage.
Naruto decided to remain in Konoha for the time being.
That night, he instinctively returned to the small home he'd lived in for years.
But as he climbed the stairs, he found someone already waiting at the door.
Kakashi Hatake, white-haired and leaning against the wall, held a familiar Icha Icha Paradise in one hand, absorbed in its pages.
At this point, the book's cover was so worn, Naruto suspected he'd read it hundreds of times.
When Naruto approached, Kakashi closed the book and looked at him with a complicated expression.
Without the burden of his Sharingan, Kakashi's condition had improved significantly—
Even his chakra reserves had increased.
Naruto studied him for a moment.
If this guy had abandoned the Sharingan earlier and focused on the Hatake sword style and Lightning Release...
He might've become a fusion of White Fang and the Fourth Raikage.
He'd be one of the stronger Kage-level shinobi.
"Yo, Naruto. Long time no see," Kakashi greeted.
These days, Kakashi had finally come to understand the reasons behind Naruto's past actions.
As the student of Minato Namikaze, he didn't feel qualified to criticize Naruto.
Naruto approached, calm as ever.
"You looking for me?"
Kakashi smiled faintly beneath his mask.
"Come with me. Technically, I'm taking you to your real home."
Naruto raised a brow but didn't object.
He followed Kakashi to a secluded compound.
Compared to his old apartment, this place was a literal mansion.
Kakashi's eyes clouded with memories.
He, and another late comrade had often been invited here by Kushina.
She wasn't the best cook, but she'd always given them warmth and care.
"If only they were still alive…"
Naruto noticed the change in Kakashi's expression but said nothing.
"Come on, let's go inside."
Kakashi stepped into the yard first.
Naruto didn't follow immediately.
Although the chance Kakashi was leading him into a trap was low, he activated Transparent World to sweep the premises—just in case.
Once he was sure there were no ambushes or traps, he entered.
Kakashi noticed the caution and felt a pang of sadness.
'Only thirteen… and already this vigilant.
Is that a good thing, Sensei? Or a tragedy?'
Inside, the courtyard was surprisingly well-kept—
Clearly someone had been tending to it over the years.
Kakashi opened the door, and the two stepped into the house.
The furnishings were tidy. Clothes and furniture remained untouched.
Naruto spotted a half-knitted blue scarf, lying quietly on a shelf.
Kakashi also noticed it, and the weight in his chest deepened.
'That was something Kushina was knitting during her pregnancy,
for Naruto to wear once he was born.'
She even joked that she'd knit Kakashi one too.
…It was the last time she ever spoke to him.
Kakashi's eyes stung.
Naruto, too, stood silently for a moment.
He had never lived with Minato or Kushina, but they were still his real parents.
He'd been too focused on surviving to think about it before…
But now, surrounded by traces of their life, a quiet rage kindled in his chest.
"Obito… you backstabbing bastard… putting heat packs on your face like a creep.
Just wait."
Unknowingly, Kakashi's good intentions had planted the seed for his old friend's future downfall.
"This is your father Minato Namikaze's home," Kakashi said at last.
"You can live here from now on."
He handed Naruto the house deed and key.