Chapter 128: Luring the Tiger Away from the Mountain

Rear Mountain of the Uchiha Compound

The soft moonlight illuminated the forest on the rear mountain. A figure stood in the woods: white hair, round-rimmed glasses, and a gentle smile. He looked completely harmless.

Kabuto had received the message in the late afternoon that Sasuke had opened the scroll. Kabuto couldn't help but feel smug. It seemed Sasuke couldn't resist the temptation after all. This meant the mission was as good as complete. As long as he brought Sasuke back to Orochimaru's production, Sasuke wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

The sound of footsteps approached, "tap, tap," growing louder. A figure gradually drew closer to Kabuto in the moonlight.

The figure stopped behind Kabuto.

"Heh, it seems you've made your decision?" Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses and turning around. Sasuke stood there, right behind him.

"I can go with you, but you have to give me the forbidden jutsu, Edo Tensei," Sasuke said, holding onto a sliver of hope.

"I can't do that. That jutsu is Lord Orochimaru's forbidden technique; it's not generally given to subordinates like us," Kabuto paused, then continued, "But you're different. I believe that once you're with Lord Orochimaru, he'll definitely give you what you want."

"Tch, let's go then," Sasuke said, somewhat disappointed.

"In that case, please take the Mind Awakening Pill. I'll prepare the sealing jutsu. You'll fall asleep, and when you wake up, you'll be there," Kabuto suggested.

Having Sasuke enter Cursed Seal Level Two was also to allow Orochimaru to better adapt to Sasuke's body. It would take quite some time to travel from the Land of Fire to the Land of Rice Fields, so entering Cursed Seal Level Two during the journey would be ideal.

"No, this is fine. Take me to Orochimaru," Sasuke refused.

"No, no, no. I advise you to take the Mind Awakening Pill. You'll truly experience the power Lord Orochimaru has given you," Kabuto said, taking out a scroll and placing it on the ground. He performed a summoning jutsu, and a wooden barrel appeared, just the right size to fit Sasuke.

"I don't need his power. I will obtain my own power," Sasuke refused again. Sasuke didn't dislike the idea of gaining power, but he was now wary of Orochimaru, and he certainly wouldn't do as Kabuto said.

Kabuto stood up, adjusted his glasses, and stared at Sasuke for a while before saying, "I advise you to do as I say. I have no intention of harming you."

Kabuto was now suspicious. Why was Sasuke refusing him repeatedly? This was completely unlike someone who wanted to join Orochimaru. Years of experience as a spy put Kabuto on high alert.

Sakura was puzzled. Why was Kabuto so insistent on Sasuke entering Cursed Seal Level Two? Couldn't Orochimaru possess him if he didn't enter that state? It shouldn't be the case...

But Sakura knew she couldn't wait any longer. Kabuto was already on guard. Any further delay would ruin the chance for a surprise attack.

She extended her finger, and a white laser beam shot out. The white beam pierced the darkness, directly penetrating Kabuto's heart.

However, Kabuto didn't seem to feel anything, though his gaze towards Sasuke turned surprised.

"A Storm Release ninja from the Cloud Village?" Kabuto said, looking at the Storm Release beam still lodged in his chest. "Since when did Konoha and the Cloud Village become so friendly?"

Sakura didn't answer Kabuto's question. She continued to release the Storm Release beam from her finger, steadily consuming her chakra. Although it was a significant drain, it wasn't necessary. She flicked her finger to the left, and half of Kabuto's body was severed, falling to the ground motionless.

Sakura rushed forward to examine him. Kabuto was truly dead, dead as a doornail. But Sakura felt something was off.

Examining Kabuto's body, Sakura discovered that there were suture marks on his face and neck.

"Tch, I've been tricked. It was just a substitute," Sakura realized, immediately becoming vigilant. Kabuto might still be nearby.

"Could you tell me who you are? Why are you impersonating Sasuke?" A voice came from behind Sakura.

Sakura quickly turned around, aiming her finger at the suddenly appearing Kabuto. "Hmph, not even daring to show your true form?"

"Because you're too dangerous. I had to resort to this," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses. "Are you a ninja from the Cloud Village?"

"Do you think I am?" Sakura, still transformed, teased.

"As far as I know, the only village in the ninja world with the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai is the Cloud Village," Kabuto said calmly. "And since you've transformed into Sasuke's appearance and are aware of the deal with Sasuke, then you must not be a Cloud ninja."

If it were truly a Cloud ninja attacking Sasuke, it would make sense, but why would they transform into Sasuke's appearance and come here to meet with Kabuto? So Kabuto had a guess, and although his face remained calm, he was shocked inside...

"Cut the crap," Sakura suddenly felt like Kabuto was stalling for time. He was talking too much. Without further hesitation, she raised her hand and fired a beam at Kabuto's clone. The clone disappeared with a "poof."

Sakura then immediately rushed down the mountain, heading towards Sasuke's house. Sakura hadn't brought Sasuke with her because she didn't want to take any risks. Everything was different from what Sakura knew; who knew how things would unfold.

When Sakura arrived at Sasuke's house, she saw a man standing in the courtyard. Sasuke's house was a mess, with bones scattered on the floor.

She looked at the man standing in the courtyard. He had a handsome face, but his eyes were fierce. He had long white hair and wore a white robe, with a butterfly knot tied behind him.

Sakura no longer hid herself, dispelling the transformation jutsu and asking, "Where's Sasuke?"

"Sasuke doesn't belong here. He belongs only to Lord Orochimaru," the man replied, answering a question with a non-answer.

"I asked you!! Where's Sasuke!!!" Sakura didn't have time to waste with him. She fired a laser beam from her hand, aiming at Kimimaro.

Kimimaro dodged to the side, avoiding Sakura's beam. But unexpectedly, the beam turned around behind Kimimaro and pierced his knee.

Kimimaro hadn't expected the beam to be able to turn. His knee pierced, he immediately half-knelt before Sakura.

Sakura continued to use Storm Release, piercing Kimimaro's other knee. With both knees pierced, Kimimaro knelt on the ground, unable to move.

Without another word, Sakura made two shadow clones. One clone went home to find Karin, and the other headed directly for the Hokage's office.

The situation was now clear. Kabuto had a backup plan. She had fallen for Kabuto's diversion tactic. The Kimimaro in front of her was here to intercept her.

Kabuto had probably already left Konoha with Sasuke. But at what point had she been exposed? Sakura couldn't figure it out. Had Kabuto noticed her when she came to find Sasuke? Or had Sasuke been under Kabuto's surveillance since lunch when he came to find her?

Just a moment later, Kimimaro stood up again. The pierced kneecap bones had been repaired in an instant. The Shikotsumyaku was truly something.

But it didn't matter. Both shadow clones had already run off. Karin knew Sasuke's chakra. Lady Tsunade, the Third Hokage, and Jiraiya-sama were all in the village. As long as Karin could track him, Sasuke wouldn't be taken away by Kabuto. In Konoha, Sakura only trusted Karin's sensory abilities.

Looking at Kimimaro, whose bones were already protruding from his body, Sakura felt goosebumps all over. It was truly an ability that made one feel pain just by looking at it, a masterclass in mental torment...

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