Chapter 72 – No. 8 Fakes Defeat and Falls Early
An endless forest stretched out before them.
Sasuke stayed on guard, eyes sweeping the surroundings.
He was confident, but not so arrogant as to underestimate everything.
Much the same could be said of Sakura.
After Kakashi's special training she was noticeably stronger than in the original story, yet still far behind her two teammates.
So her goal was simple: don't hold them back.
"Someone's there."
Sakura spoke softly, "Behind us."
Sasuke glanced at her in mild surprise—she'd spotted the enemy almost as quickly as he had.
Even without the Sharingan, it showed her talent wasn't bad.
Without a word he snapped a Kunai through the air.
A black flash cut the darkness.
An instant later a cry of pain rang out.
A boy wearing a Hidden Rain forehead protector tumbled to the ground.
Sasuke's Kunai had pierced his heart with pinpoint accuracy.
He'd never seen it coming.
"Looks like only one."
Sasuke stepped forward, searching the corpse—no scroll.
Nor were the other two teammates anywhere in sight.
"Too bad."
Sakura looked around. "He must've gotten separated. Should we wait here?"
"No point wasting time."
Sasuke rose. "We keep moving—we'll run into other teams soon enough."
The deeper they went, the more dangerous it became.
Besides enemy Ninja, there were wild beasts.
But before Naruto could even act, Sasuke and Sakura had already handled it.
Especially Sakura, who was fired up.
After several fights she'd realized that, compared with her two inhuman teammates, she was actually pretty capable.
And with the boy she liked watching, her spirits soared.
Naruto suddenly stopped.
"Fighting up ahead—two squads clashing."
He raised an eyebrow. "Sasuke, go break it up."
Sasuke drew the thunder fire sword.
"I'm coming too!"
Sakura hurried after him.
Naruto's lips curled in anticipation of a good show.
He'd sensed a presence both familiar and strange.
Karin.
In the original story a bear had attacked her and Sasuke happened to save her.
Sasuke's Sharingan spun as he gave a soft grunt of surprise.
One person's Chakra was far beyond what he'd expected.
He didn't bother to hide; he simply stepped into plain view before the four survivors.
Two squads, six original members, two now dead.
Three were Rain Ninja; the one who'd caught his eye, a Grass kunoichi, was surrounded and in deadly peril.
"Who—oh, just a couple of brats."
Seeing how young Sasuke looked, they relaxed.
Among low-ranked Genin, age usually decided the outcome.
Greater Chakra, greater experience than any fresh graduate.
Too bad Sasuke was no ordinary Genin.
"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"
Sakura snorted and formed the seals.
The three Rain Ninja had no defense and dropped into the genjutsu.
Their worst nightmares blossomed before their eyes.
Before they could even scream, Sasuke's thunder fire sword ripped through their throats.
Blood sprayed the air.
Karin stared, stunned.
So fast!
So cool!
Sasuke scooped up an earth scroll. "You're lucky."
With a full set now, there was no need to kill her.
"Thank you."
Karin came back to herself. "I'm Karin, a Ninja of the Grass Hidden Village—what's your name?"
Sasuke gave her a flat glance. "Uchiha Sasuke."
Sakura immediately stepped between them, hands on hips. "Since Sasuke's letting you live, get lost before we change our minds."
Naruto arrived late.
Seeing the classic love-triangle tableau, he chuckled.
Then, feigning surprise, he pointed at Karin's crimson hair. "That red hair—are you from the Uzumaki Clan?"
Karin spun around, eyes wide. "How do you know that?"
"Because I am too."
Naruto pulled a Kunai and sliced his arm; the cut healed before the blood could even drip.
"If you don't believe me, well… you can bite me."
Karin's heart skipped.
She'd never expected to meet another of her clan.
Her mother had told her the Uzumaki were gone.
Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a look.
What kind of turn was this?
A random family-reunion switch had been flipped.
"Your squad's dead—stick with us," Narutosuggested.
"O-okay."
Karin nodded hesitantly.
Without teammates she was effectively out of the exam.
But meeting a clansman made her stay.
Sakura frowned, a flicker of instinctive jealousy rising, yet she couldn't overrule Naruto.
The four pressed on.
Naruto asked what scroll Karin carried, then lost interest.
It was Sasuke who first sensed trouble.
Karin's fiery temper clashed with Sakura's at every turn.
And the cause was inevitably him.
Sasuke felt like he'd been screwed by a husky.
They'd bickered at the academy, and even the exam couldn't spare him.
What the hell, little bro?
He shot Naruto a look.
How did it come to this?
Naruto shrugged.
My fault?
Clearly it's your problem.
After their silent exchange Naruto suddenly turned.
A cold presence drifted through the forest.
She—no, he—was here.
The beautiful snake auntie.
"Quiet."
Sasuke's Sharingan flared.
He sensed danger.
Sakura and Karin fell silent at once.
"Show yourself!"
Sasuke spun, thunder fire sword crackling with lightning.
From the shadows stepped a young man.
"Sasuke-kun, what a delightful surprise you've given me!"
Orochimaru ran his tongue slowly around his lips.
Even while suppressing his presence, Sasuke had detected him—proof the boy's skill far outstripped a Genin's.
Excellent!
The stronger Sasuke became, the more thrilled Orochimaru felt.
The more Sasuke resisted, the greater his joy.
"You know me?"
Sasuke was repulsed by that long tongue.
"Of course."
Orochimaru smiled with interest. "I saw your dear big brother just recently."
"What did you say?"
At the mention of his brother Sasuke lost composure. "Tell me where he is!"
"Tsk, patience—play with me first."
Orochimaru's eyes raked over him. "Beat me and I'll tell you."
Sasuke's brow creased.
That gaze was disgusting.
Defeat this creep?
He turned dead serious.
Tremendous Chakra surged into crackling lightning.
His long sword blazed, brilliant and deadly.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
Embedding Kakashi's Chidori in the blade showed Chakra control of the highest order.
He was more pleased by the second.
In the next instant Orochimaru's eyes sharpened.
Boundless killing intent erupted like a volcano.
Karin and Sakura were slammed to the ground, shaking.
Even Sasuke reeled; sparks on his thunder fire sword guttered out as if the weapon had lost power.
Impossible!
How could anyone possess such dense killing intent?!
Stronger even than the Demon of the Bloody Mist Zabuza.
In that moment of shock Naruto too collapsed.
"???"
What's your problem?
Sasuke was dumbstruck.
I'm still standing and you're down?
No. 8 fakes defeat and falls early?