Chapter 141: Orochimaru Predicted Everything
The Sound Village.
Of the Ninjas from the Sound Village who went to participate in the joint Chunin Exams and those used as muscle, the only ones who returned alive were a few of Orochimaru's most favored confidants.
Of course, Yakushi Kabuto, who had been a spy in Konoha for many years and was only slightly inferior to Orochimaru in medical Ninjutsu and scientific research, also completely abandoned his identity in Konoha to join the ranks of the Orochimaru he had long yearned for.
However, the situation inside the Sound Village at this time was somewhat different; almost all the Ninjas of the Sound Village were doing the same thing—relocating.
Yes, they were moving the Sound Village, packing up everything of value inside to take away.
As for where the future of the Sound Village lay, the Ninjas of the Sound Village weren't worried at all. Their leader and spiritual pillar, Orochimaru, was currently doing very well and seemed quite excited.
This inevitably caused jealousy among the Ninjas of the Sound Village who dreamed of becoming Orochimaru's vessel, because Uchiha Sasuke, a brat who didn't look very old, had easily obtained the opportunity to become Orochimaru's vessel.
Although Uchiha Sasuke did not take pride in this and even found the pathological thoughts of these Sound Village Ninjas difficult to understand, it was inevitable that he would encounter a wave of hostility as a newcomer.
"Heh, I want to see what makes a brat like you worthy of receiving the Cursed Seal of Heavenbestowed by Lord Orochimaru!"
A very enchanting woman walked over, and as she approached, the previously eager Tayuya and the others couldn't help but take a step back.
"Hmph, that brat Uchiha Sasuke is definitely going to suffer this time."
"Hehe, he might even die..."
"I feel that Guren's Crystal Style Bloodline Limitisn't weaker than the Uchiha's Sharingan. I don't know why Lord Orochimaru would go to such lengths for something else..."
"Jirobo, shut up!"
"Exactly, how can a glutton like you fathom Lord Orochimaru's wisdom!"
The spectating Sound Village Ninjas offered their evaluations, but most were not optimistic about Uchiha Sasuke. Aside from their lack of understanding of the Sharingan, this was mostly due to being misled by the news of the Uchihamassacre.
After all, if the Uchiha Clan were truly that powerful, it would have been impossible for them to be wiped out...
But Uchiha Sasuke's true strength remained to be seen through a contest. However, a red-haired girl pushed to the fringes had a different kind of confidence in Uchiha Sasuke at this moment.
"So such a good-looking boy is named Uchiha Sasuke?" Uzumaki Karin had a look of infatuation, "Even his name is so cool..."
"It seems you know nothing of the Uchiha's power." Uchiha Sasuke naturally wouldn't notice Uzumaki Karin in the corner; he was truly getting annoyed by the noise of these unruly Sound Ninjas. "A swarm of ignorant ants, come at me all at once!"
"Dammit!"
"Guren! Kill him!"
"Send this Uchiha scum to hell!"
"Those who talk big are usually the weakest, hehe..."
Guren held no weapons in her hands, and the surrounding clamor did not affect her. With a graceful pole vault, she jumped from the second-floor balcony down to the first-floor arena where Uchiha Sasuke stood. With a casual flick of her wrist, a Kunai made entirely of red crystal appeared in her hand.
"Shut up, you weaklings!" Guren's face showed a hint of anger after landing on the first floor. "I don't need you to tell me; I'll give this arrogant brat a proper lesson myself!"
"Hey! You, the Uchiha Sasuke brat over there, show me what you've got. What right do you have to become Lord Orochimaru's vessel!"
"As you wish!"
Uchiha Sasuke's gaze was ice-cold. As a newcomer, he naturally understood that establishing dominance through force was the only choice to quickly subdue these people. Even if they only submitted outwardly, it would be a good start.
At the very least, the scene wouldn't be this noisy, filled with all kinds of insults and doubts.
After speaking, Uchiha Sasuke took a heavy step forward with his left foot. The familiar Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū starting stance was revealed to everyone. Based solely on Uchiha Sasuke's solid swordsmanship fundamentals, the Sound Ninjas chose to watch in silence.
Guren didn't care about that. She threw the Kunaicondensed from red crystal at Uchiha Sasuke, and a half-moon curved blade attached to her arm suddenly appeared. Using the Kunai as temporary cover, she charged rapidly at Uchiha Sasuke.
The two-tomoe Sharingan suddenly appeared in Uchiha Sasuke's eyes. His right hand, gripping the hilt, suddenly exerted force. As a massive blade light blocked Guren's path of advancement, Uchiha Sasuke's second killing move followed in quick succession.
...
"Kabuto, how does it feel to be back home?"
Orochimaru sat on a chair in the laboratory, with Hyuga Hinata on his left and Yakushi Kabuto on his right.
"Not bad, it just feels like the world is changing a bit too fast." Yakushi Kabuto lowered his head and pushed the glasses on his nose, making it impossible to see the specific expression in his eyes. "I really couldn't have imagined that Naruto-kun would hide so deeply. I didn't notice a single clue when I was in Konoha."
"Naruto-kun is indeed a Genius, and a thorough conspirator." Orochimaru nodded, then turned to look at Hyuga Hinata. "Don't you want to go see your old friend? After all, he should be getting beaten up right now."
"Teacher... I haven't figured out how to face Sasukeyet." Hyuga Hinata's voice was a bit low as she replied. "And I won't allow you to evaluate Narutolike that! He is a very gentle person!"
"It seems that you, having stepped onto the path of evolution, have become stronger than before. What enviable talent and Bloodline!" Orochimaru sighed with emotion, his snake-like eyes staring intently at Hinata's Byakugan, which was even purer than before. "How is the lesson I taught you yesterday progressing?"
"It's already completed." Hyuga Hinata felt uneasy being stared at by Orochimaru's snake pupils, which made her miss the days when Naruto's main body or Clones were by her side.
"Kabuto, go see how Hinata's completion is going. While you're at it, remind those brainless fellows outside not to actually kill Uchiha Sasuke!"
"I understand, Lord Orochimaru."
Yakushi Kabuto knew Orochimaru was intentionally sending him away, but it didn't matter. As long as most of the Sound Village's affairs couldn't bypass him after his return, he believed he was still the most important person in Orochimaru's heart.
"Hinata, how has your teacher been to you?" After Yakushi Kabuto left, Orochimaru suddenly asked out of the blue.
"Teacher has been very good to me. Aside from occasionally liking to scare people and liking to disparage Naruto, everything else is beyond reproach." Hyuga Hinata answered Orochimaru's question honestly, with a matter-of-fact attitude.
"In that case, I have a request for you next. I hope Hinata can agree to it for her teacher."
"As long as it's not something that harms Naruto, I think I will agree, Teacher."
"Hehe, that fellow Naruto has you by his side; he can consider this life without regrets!" Orochimaruseemed to speak from the heart, but then his tone shifted. "When your Naruto-kun wants to kill me, will Hinata save her teacher's life?"
"Aren't you and Naruto cooperating very well, Teacher?!" Hyuga Hinata was a bit confused. "Naruto won't make a move against Teacher without reason, unless... unless you harm me!"
After saying this, Hyuga Hinata cautiously took a step back, her Byakugan showing signs of activating. She was still somewhat afraid that Orochimaru would set his sights on her.
"You are the only Disciple I truly recognize. It's not because of Naruto-kun that I haven't had any ill intentions toward you." Orochimaru lightly licked his lips. "Your pure heart reminds me of my former self. After all, when I first started my research, it was also with the intention of protecting others."
It was unknown whether Orochimaru had said so much to Hyuga Hinata today because he guessed Naruto would target him or if he truly felt emotional, but his display of genuine feeling today was not faked.
"However, after many things happened, my pursuit slowly changed..." At this point, Orochimaru's snake eyes dimmed for a moment, but he immediately masked it, and then he pulled the topic back. "Smart people want to have it all and won't allow uncontrollable factors to appear around them.
I knew from the beginning that I was an uncontrollable factor by Naruto-kun's side. I once chose to resist, but Naruto-kun's strength... as well as his appeal to my scientific research, has made me stall until today, and it has made Naruto-kunstall until today.
I have reason to believe that when Naruto-kuncomes to the Sound Village again, it will be time for him to make a move against me. After all, the matters in Konoha have come to an end.
Hinata, you will help Teacher when the time comes, right?"
"I... I..." Hyuga Hinata's heart was in turmoil. "I don't want either of you to get hurt... but... if I have to choose, I... I stand on Naruto's side!"
After speaking, Hyuga Hinata assumed a battle stance, and her partially evolved Byakuganinstantly opened. If one looked closely, deep within Hinata's Byakugan, there was a faint shimmer of azure blue.
[If you like this novel, please share it on Facebook. The author is deeply grateful.]