Chapter 70: Orochimaru Returns

"Sasuke, if you have come here to test the gap between us..."

"Then there's no need for that."

"With your intelligence, you should understand that the difference between us is like an abyss which is impossible to cross."

Ryujiro spoke lightly.

He had no interest whatsoever in Sasuke right now. It seemed Sasuke could only pique his interest after unlocking the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.

Sasuke gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Even if Ryujiro didn't say it, he already knew the immense gap between him and Ryujiro.

It was a gap that seemed endless, so much so that right now for Sasuke, there was no hope of catching up to Ryujiro.

"Ryujiro, please help me to become stronger!"

"I want to have strength like yours!"

"Please!"

Sasuke blurted out his inner thoughts in one breath, his breath becoming rapid, his heart pounding wildly.

Ryujiro's expression shifted ever so slightly.

What did he mean?

Sasuke wanted him to help him become stronger.

It seemed that the plot had truly been altered by him. What surprised him more was that Sasuke had actually set aside his pride as an Uchiha to ask him for help.

Sasuke feared Ryujiro would refuse. If Ryujiro rejected him, Sasuke's remaining shreds of self-respect would be shattered.

"Why do you want to become stronger?"

Ryujiro asked lightly.

Sasuke lifted his head, his eyes filled with hatred. "To kill a man."

Sure enough, Sasuke's current desire to become strong was to kill Itachi.

Sasuke, you really don't understand Itachi's intentions.

Ryujiro had no interest in being anyone's teacher, nor did he have any good ninjutsu to teach Sasuke. However...

"Follow me."

Ryujiro said lightly.

Sasuke's face lit up, thinking Ryujiro had agreed to help him.

He quickly caught up with Ryujiro's pace.

They arrived at a relatively remote area from the village; there were no Anbu ninja in the vicinity, meaning no one was monitoring this area.

"Huff... huff... huff..."

Sasuke barely kept up with Ryujiro's speed, panting heavily when they arrived.

"I'm not interested in you, but there's someone here who might be suitable for you."

Sasuke furrowed his brow.

Someone suitable?

Did that mean Ryujiro intended to introduce someone else to help him become stronger?

"There's no need to hide any longer, Orochimaru."

Ryujiro's voice was indifferent.

"Heh heh, as expected of you, Ryujiro. It seems you've anticipated my resurrection."

Orochimaru, who had been previously killed by Ryujiro, reappeared before him, with Kabuto standing beside him.

It seemed Kabuto had assisted in Orochimaru's resurrection.

Even with Orochimaru's protection, Kabuto was still filled with fear towards Ryujiro.

Such power was simply not of the same dimension.

Initially, Ryujiro had no hesitation in killing Orochimaru.

Moreover, Orochimaru mentioned that Ryujiro seemed to know everything about the ninja world.

That was terrifying.

Just like how Ryujiro knew Orochimaru would be resurrected.

"It's you!" 

Sasuke's eyes shrank at the sight of Orochimaru, looking at him with some fear.

"Sasuke-kun, we meet again."

"It seems you've successfully integrated the power of the curse seal."

Orochimaru admired Sasuke.

Sasuke indeed didn't disappoint him. The Curse Seal of Heaven had a death process, and it seemed Sasuke had successfully overcome it.

This body...

Orochimaru greedily licked his lips.

Such an action made Sasuke feel a little scared.

Did Ryujiro really sell him out?

Was this guy the one he was talking about?

But considering the curse mark Orochimaru placed on his own neck, which significantly boosted his strength, perhaps following this guy would indeed make him stronger.

Orochimaru hadn't carefully sensed Ryujiro's aura before, but now as he scrutinized Ryujiro, his eyes couldn't help but shrink.

This feeling...

Senjutsu!

Although Orochimaru couldn't use Sage Mode right now, he could still sense natural energy, and he had also seen Jiraiya using Sage Mode.

While Ryujiro's current state was no different from usual, the feeling he gave off undeniably resembled Sage Mode.

His Sage Mode was active even when he was in normal state...

Orochimaru couldn't help but take in a sharp breath.

Eternal.

Ryujiro was able to maintain Eternal Sage Mode. Orochimaru's mind went blank.

He had underestimated Ryujiro's potential and abilities. There was definitely something hidden within him that he couldn't reveal.

"Ryujiro, it's only been a short time since we last met, but you've become even more terrifying."

Orochimaru looked at Ryujiro with fear.

Ryujiro chuckled lightly. "Orochimaru, it seems you've sensed it too."

Kabuto and Sasuke were utterly baffled. The two of them had no idea what Orochimaru and Ryujiro were talking about.

"I won't waste any more time on nonsense. My disappearance from the village for so long will raise suspicions."

"I'll leave Sasuke to you."

"I'll come find you in a while. I hope you won't disappoint me."

With that, Ryujiro's figure disappeared from the sight of Orochimaru and the others.

Not with Body Flicker Jutsu.

Orochimaru was slightly surprised once again by Ryujiro's displayed capabilities.

At this moment, Sasuke stood still.

Was he just sold out by Ryujiro like that?

Orochimaru looked at the now-confused Sasuke and said slowly, "Sasuke-kun, I don't like to make things difficult for others."

"The choice is yours."

Sasuke fell silent.

If Orochimaru was in collusion with the village's rogue ninjas, it meant he had to defect from Konoha too.

But if Orochimaru could make him stronger, then even if he had to defect from the village, he felt it was still worth it.

In the end, Sasuke followed Orochimaru.

Although Sasuke left on his own, with the power of Kyoka Suigetsu the village's elders, even Tsunade, were hypnotized by Ryujiro.

And one of the hypnotized ninja leaked information.

He saw Sasuke with Orochimaru.

This news shocked Tsunade. Wasn't Orochimaru killed by Ryujiro?

How could he reappear again?

Resurrection!

Could such a thing really be done?

In the end, the village's senior members issued a notice declaring Sasuke a rogue ninja of the Konoha village.

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