Chapter 296

Orochimaru looked at the three figures who had just landed, his expression filled with intrigue.

Sasuke Uchiha stood before him, different from the one he remembered. Although still handsome and proud, there was a noticeable difference, he didn't seem as cold or detached. This Sasuke appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, not much older than Reige.

However, what caught Orochimaru's attention most was Sasuke's attire. He wore the black uniform of the Uchiha clan from Konoha, with the iconic red-and-white fan symbol emblazoned on his back.

In other words, he was still Fugaku's son and hadn't defected from the village after all these years? If he had, he certainly wouldn't be wearing the Konoha Uchiha clan's uniform.

Well, it wasn't entirely surprising. In the original timeline, Orochimaru had been the one who orchestrated Sasuke's defection. But now, he had no interest in Sasuke, neither in his body nor his eye power. Without a reason to recruit him, there was no need for Sasuke to leave Konoha.

"What do I mean? Don't you understand? I just don't want you, an idiot, introducing my name!" Sasuke said nonchalantly, his tone tinged with disdain.

"What? If you've got the guts, say that again!" Naruto shot back, fuming.

"Fine. You're an idiot."

"You little—! That's it! I want a duel with you! Right now!" Naruto yelled, his anger boiling over.

The two glared at each other, sparks practically flying between their eyes.

"Alright, alright! Naruto, Sasuke, stop arguing!" Sakura, the pink-haired girl with the wide forehead, stepped between them, trying to defuse the situation. She let out a frustrated sigh. Why, even after all these years, did these two still bicker like children at every turn?

Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura… and a masked Jonin leading them, Kakashi Hatake. Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Ah, so this is the future Team 7, is it?"

"Well, well. Interesting."

"Wait, you… know about our Team 7? But… how? At this point in time, weren't we… not even born yet?" Naruto asked, utterly baffled.

Kakashi's eyes, usually calm, now held a hint of surprise as he looked at Orochimaru. How could he know? Even if he overheard their names, there was no way Orochimaru would know the composition of their team, let alone its leader.

Orochimaru, however, didn't bother explaining. "Although I'm surprised to see you all here and curious about your purpose, I have my own matters to attend to," he said smoothly before turning to his companion. "Kushina, let's go."

"Huh? Leave? Just like that? Ignore them?" Kushina was taken aback, her eyes briefly glancing toward her 'daughter.' Her expression betrayed her hesitation.

"They're from the future. If they learn too much about what's to come, it'll spoil all the fun," Orochimaru said with a cryptic smile, glancing at her meaningfully. "Don't you think?"

Without waiting for a reply, Orochimaru began walking toward Rōran. Despite the brief encounter, he had already gleaned plenty of information. To Kakashi and the others, these interactions might seem insignificant, but to Orochimaru, the discrepancies were glaring. The things he'd just learned were vastly different from his memories.

Kushina hesitated, but in the end, she followed Orochimaru. Though she yearned to speak with her 'daughter' and learn more about the future, Orochimaru's reasoning seemed sound. Knowing too much about the future could lead to unnecessary complications. Perhaps it really was better to leave things as they were.

But just as they were about to leave, a cold voice interrupted them.

"Orochimaru, wait!"

"Hm?" Orochimaru paused, though he didn't turn around.

"Sasuke…" Kakashi frowned. "What are you doing?"

"What's going on now?" Naruto and Sakura exchanged confused looks. Sasuke's serious tone, coupled with his boldness in directly addressing Orochimaru, left them stunned. Even Kakashi, usually composed, looked bewildered.

The only one who seemed entertained was Reige, who claimed to be Orochimaru's daughter. She stood to the side, a faint smirk playing on her lips, as though enjoying the show.

Orochimaru stopped but remained facing away. "What is it?"

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke began, his voice calm yet firm. "I wasn't planning to come here, but the moment I heard I might see you, I couldn't resist."

"And what of it?" Orochimaru replied, unimpressed.

"Then I'll make it clear—I challenge you."

"Don't be reckless, Sasuke!" Kakashi quickly intervened, reaching out to stop him. Despite everything, his wariness of Orochimaru hadn't lessened, no matter the timeline.

"Don't stop me," Sasuke said coldly, brushing Kakashi's hand aside. "This is the reason I came here. To fight him."

"You're no match for him!"

"Not his match?" Sasuke smirked confidently, unsheathing the ninja sword on his back. "We'll see about that."

"Come, Orochimaru. Let's settle this," he said, pointing the blade directly at his opponent.

"A fight?" Orochimaru chuckled, finally turning to face Sasuke. His golden eyes scanned him, taking in every detail. "Interesting. But tell me, what makes you think you're qualified?"

"Stop underestimating me!" Sasuke roared, darting forward in a blur. His speed was so great that Naruto and Sakura could barely keep up.

However, Orochimaru didn't move an inch.

Clang!

The ninja sword stopped mid-air, held firmly by Orochimaru's hand. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock.

"You came to challenge me without understanding anything about me?" Orochimaru said calmly.

Before Sasuke could react, Orochimaru flicked his wrist, sending the sword flying. It embedded itself with a sharp thunk into the wall nearby.

Sasuke, quick to recover, activated his Sharingan. The dark pupils shifted, turning scarlet with three tomoe spinning inside. Without hesitation, he raised his leg, aiming a kick at Orochimaru's face.

Orochimaru caught Sasuke's ankle effortlessly, his expression unchanging. From his sleeves, countless snakes slithered out, wrapping around Sasuke's leg and crawling upward.

"Damn it!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, forming hand seals. "Try this—Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi!"

The tomoe in his Sharingan spun rapidly, transforming into a six-pointed star. Black flames erupted from his chakra, scorching the snakes.

Orochimaru let go just in time, stepping back as the snakes burned to ash. Sasuke used the momentum to leap away, creating distance between them.

"Ah, the Mangekyo Sharingan," Orochimaru mused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "No wonder you're so confident. But do you really think that alone is enough?"

"Shut up!" Sasuke snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Purple chakra surged around him, condensing into the shape of a massive, armored warrior. The Susano'o stood tall, bow in hand, its arrow aimed squarely at Orochimaru.

"So, you've heard I possess the Sharingan as well," Orochimaru said, his tone still calm. "And now, you want to take my eyes for yourself?"

Before Sasuke could respond, his body was suddenly sent flying.

Boom!

He crashed into the wall with a loud impact, leaving a deep crater.

Everyone froze, stunned.

"What… just happened?" Naruto muttered, breaking the silence.

***

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