"So, what is your decision, Sasuke?" Orochimaru asked with a grin.
He could see his words had an impact on Sasuke's young mind. While Fujin undoubtedly had a greater potential, he couldn't compete with Orochimaru's experience in this aspect.
Sasuke entered into a deep thought, 'Should I accept his offer? Is it worth it?'
Unlike the original story, there were two aspects for Sasuke to consider. The first was obviously his hatred for Itachi and his thirst for revenge. However, Sasuke also shouldered the responsibility of leading and protecting the remaining Uchiha kids. They looked up to Sasuke and idolized him. Unlike Fujin, who rarely attached himself to anyone, Sasuke deeply cared about them.
Sasuke analyzed, 'If I go with him, I may not be able to lead the Uchiha clan and rebuild it. No, I definitely won't be able to do it. He wants my body. I'm not sure if I'll live, let alone have any control over my body.
However, that could allow me, or my body, to take revenge on Itachi. Is it worth it to sacrifice myself to get revenge on Itachi?'
Sasuke didn't need to think much to know his answer to that question. His desire to kill Itachi vastly exceeded every other dream of his. It was important to note that Sasuke's dream in the original story wasn't just to kill Itachi but also to rebuild the Uchiha clan. As the last surviving member of the Uchiha clan, the onus was on him to rebuild it. Yet, he decided to abandon that goal and went to Orochimaru even if it meant that the Uchiha clan could go extinct!
Sasuke thought, 'Even though I'm older than them, there isn't much I can do to guide them. Their training is taken care of by the village. Even without me, the village will look after them. They can rebuild the Uchiha clan irrespective of my presence. The only question now is, is Orochimaru my best bet to kill Itachi?'
Unlike his previous decisiveness, Sasuke hesitated. Much like how Kakashi's image had deteriorated in his eyes, Orochimaru had fallen too. Sasuke thought, 'He lost against Fujin, he lost against Third and he even ran away from his village. I even overheard Naruto saying that Orochimaru ran away from Fifth! Can someone like him really defeat Itachi? And, can I trust him to defeat Itachi after he takes over my body?'
While Sasuke couldn't know for sure whether Orochimaru could defeat Itachi, he had no reason to trust Orochimaru. He couldn't help but think, 'Fujin, Third and Fifth, all gained their strength by training in Konoha. Even Itachi gained his strength the same way. Why can't I gain strength similarly?
If Fujin can defeat Orochimaru despite being only 4 years older than me, there's no reason for me to not grow strong enough to kill Itachi in a few years. Instead of placing all my bets on someone as untrustworthy as Orochimaru, I'd rather trust myself!'
The answer had formed in Sasuke's heart. Once it took root, it gripped him even tighter, increasing his belief every moment. He grabbed his kunai even tighter and prepared himself for a battle as he answered with conviction and belief in himself, "I don't need your help, Orochimaru! I'll kill Itachi myse…"
He suddenly stopped speaking as he felt a pain in the back of his neck. Before he could understand what was happening, he collapsed unconscious in front of Orochimaru. Orochimaru's expression was a mixture of amusement and disappointment. He thought, 'Tsk, I never expected Fujin's words to come true. For such a stripling to look down on me… My reputation is down in the gutters.
That said, did he really think I'd give him a choice? It'd have been simpler if he cooperated, but either way is fine. His body will be mine…'
Orochimaru's pale palm landed on Sasuke's curse seal, making Sasuke writhe in pain despite being unconscious. Several marks spread around his body. At the same time, Orochimaru opened a large scroll. Carefully, he extracted some of Sasuke's chakra with the help of his curse seal as well as some of his blood and imprinted both on the large scroll.
He thought, 'Unlike the reverse summoning done by summoning tribes who hold contracts, reverse summoning among ninjas has several restrictions. The basic requirement is for a temporary contract to be signed. It requires a ninja's blood, chakra as well as consent. However, since Sasuke bears my curse seal, I have sufficient control over his chakra to form consent irrespective of whether he wants to give it or not.
Another major obstacle is that the ninja can resist the reverse summoning conducted through such temporary contracts. While there are ways to side-step that as well, it's just easier to knock Sasuke out instead... Huh?'
A frown appeared on his face as he sensed several figures approaching him at a fast speed. He thought, 'This speed, it must be the Anbu. How were they warned? I carefully killed everyone without letting them send a signal…'
Suddenly, Orochimaru recalled the burning black tag and wondered, 'Was it due to that? No matter. They're too late.'
——
In a hidden base in the Land of Hot Water, Jugo and several other ninjas became alert. Jugo observed, 'A new name appeared on this contract. Uchiha Sasuke… Orochimaru-sama succeeded!'
——
Within moments, 9 Anbu squads appeared along with Kakashi and Eagle's clone. Their eyes widened in shock on seeing Orochimaru crouching over Sasuke, who was lying on the ground, occasionally writhing in pain.
Without a second's hesitation, Kakashi raised his headband and opened his left eye. Flaring his chakra, Kakashi asked, "Orochimaru, what are you doing here?"
Under normal circumstances, they would have attacked right away but Sasuke's presence complicated things. Kakashi, in particular, was very careful. He glanced towards a few Anbu squads, who quickly flickered and surrounded Orochimaru from all sides.
Orochimaru chuckled, "You fellows burned down my entire village. My soul was so sorrowful that it needed a new house."
The sound of hundreds of bird chirping buzzed in everyone's ears as Kakashi prepared his Chidori and replied, "Did you forget you were the one who attacked first? I'm surprised you dared to return here in your state."
Kakashi was informed of Orochimaru's state and hence never expected Orochimaru to show up here. He was so surprised by the sight that he wondered, 'Has Orochimaru healed his injured Soul so quickly? Or, has he made any other arrangements for him to be so calm?'
Knowing Orochimaru, Kakashi prepared himself for several hidden traps and possible ambushes. Suddenly, his eye widened as Sasuke disappeared in a puff of smoke! Kakashi immediately realized, 'Shit! The Reverse Summoning jutsu! However, when did Sasuke sign a contract? And, where did he take Sasuke?'
With Sasuke no longer in the way, Kakashi ran straight towards Orochimaru at blinding speed. At the same time, the nearby Anbu ninjas attacked as well.
Orochimaru dodged their attacks while retreating from Kakashi and said, "In my current state, taking you on will be quite a challenge."
Kakashi didn't care for Orochimaru's words. He followed him with precise movements, giving Orochimaru quite a difficult time. A few sparks hit Orochimaru, burning his skin on contact. Orochimaru observed, 'This Lightning style… He's infusing Yin chakra like his father once did. He's far from his level, but this is remarkable progress in such a short time…'
"Where did you take Sasuke?" Kakashi asked as more Lightning sparks hit Orochimaru, despite him evading Kakashi's main attack.
'Lightning Release: Lightning Hound jutsu!'
Unable to stab Orochimaru with his Chidori despite assistance from the remaining Anbu ninjas, Kakashi transformed the lightning on his hand into a hound and launched it at Orochimaru.
Concentrating his chakra on to his right foot, Orochimaru stamped the ground with all his might as he continued retreating.
'Earth Release: Sand Rift Surge jutsu'
Deep cracks spread along the ground with Orochimaru's foot as the epicenter. As the cracks grew, sand rushed out through them moving forward at a very rapid speed.
The nearby Anbu ninjas immediately flickered out of the way as the sand slicked through everything in its path. Despite Lightning having an advantage over Earth, the Lightning Hound was slowed down and dispersed by a continuous barrage of sand blades. Even Kakashi was forced to retreat.
Orochimaru successfully reset the momentum, even getting an upper hand momentarily. Yet, he didn't press on the advantage. He stood at the same spot thinking, 'I'm still not used to this new body. My calculations of healing my soul using this body's original soul were off too. My arms still haven't healed completely.
I won't be able to last much longer. If I keep this up, I might lose to Kakashi even if he doesn't get any reinforcements. That would drag whatever reputation I still have left even more through the mud! Time to end this…'
The counterattack Kakashi and the rest expected never came. Instead, Orochimaru said, "I didn't come here to fight with you, Kakashi. Tell Sensei that I remember the humiliation Konoha inflicted on me. Sooner or later, I shall settle the scores..."
Orochimaru's voice lingered in the air as he disappeared from the training ground just like Sasuke did a few moments ago.
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