Chapter 17: The Serpent’s Shadow

The scent of damp stone and old blood lingered in the air.Deep beneath the surface of the Land of Sound, where sunlight had never once touched, silence was rarely pure. The flicker of torches along winding corridors painted erratic shadows, as if the hideout itself were breathing. Breathing… and watching.Sasuke Uchiha moved down one such corridor, his footsteps silent but heavy with purpose. His black cloak fluttered faintly behind him, the metal clasp at his collar shaped like a coiled serpent. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—those eyes—reflected the same storm that had never settled within him.His hand brushed against the wall as he turned a corner, fingers trailing over uneven stone, and he entered the central training chamber.The room was circular and vast, its dome-like ceiling layered with seals and chakra-absorbing stones. Broken training dummies and scorched marks from lightning jutsu littered the floor. The space reeked of combat and repetition.Kabuto stood on the far end, clipboard in hand, his glasses gleaming in the torchlight. "You're early today," he noted, voice casual but laced with observation."I didn't sleep," Sasuke said flatly, removing his cloak and tossing it aside.Kabuto made a thoughtful noise. "Insomnia. Common among those with… trauma."Sasuke didn't dignify the comment with a response. His sword was already in his hand.⸻Training SequenceKabuto raised a hand and activated the summoning seal embedded in the stone floor. A large humanoid construct emerged—its body layered in chakra metal and reinforced hide, eyes glowing faintly blue. It had no voice, no fear, no hesitation. Just programming.The moment it moved, Sasuke blurred forward.Steel clanged as sword met alloyed arms. Sparks erupted. The clash echoed like thunder in the hollowed chamber.Kabuto watched, unmoving, scribbling notes even as the construct's arm flew across the room.Sasuke twisted low, spun with a kick, then released a pulse of lightning chakra through his blade. The impact blew the puppet's core apart in a burst of white-hot energy.Breathing slow and even, Sasuke stood over the smoldering remains. His Sharingan deactivated, fading back into darkness."You've grown stronger again," Kabuto commented, walking forward with the remains of his clipboard.Sasuke wiped the blade clean. "Not strong enough."Kabuto's eyes narrowed. "Still chasing shadows?"There was no reply.⸻Orochimaru's Laboratory – Hours LaterThe lab was a grotesque blend of precision and horror—sealed scrolls arranged beside jars of pickled organs, surgical tools gleaming under chakra-light, and books bound in leather that should never have existed.Orochimaru stood at the central table, examining a human heart pulsing weakly in a containment rune.He didn't look up when Sasuke entered."You're pushing yourself again," the Sannin said, voice smooth, his back still turned. "Even Kabuto mentioned it."Sasuke stood silently at the threshold.Orochimaru continued, "Your body has limits, you know. Even with that bloodline of yours.""It's not enough."Orochimaru finally turned. Those snake-like eyes fixed on him with interest—not warmth, not concern. Just curiosity. "Still haunted by your brother?"Sasuke didn't respond. He didn't need to.Orochimaru smiled. "You've surpassed what most prodigies your age could dream of. But that's not the question, is it? The question is whether you've surpassed him."Sasuke's eyes flickered, a ghost of red threatening to bloom.Orochimaru stepped closer, voice like velvet. "Do you wonder why I took you in, Sasuke-kun?""You wanted my body."A soft laugh."Well, yes. Eventually. But it's more than that. You have something special. Something not even Itachi possesses."He raised a hand and tapped Sasuke's forehead."You still have doubt."Sasuke's hand caught Orochimaru's wrist before the man could lower it.Their eyes locked."I'll surpass him," Sasuke said, his voice low and dangerous. "And when I do… I'll destroy everything that made me weak."Orochimaru's smile widened. "Good. Hate is a fire that never dies."⸻Later – Sasuke's QuartersThe walls of his room were bare stone, except for one—etched with countless small lines carved by blade. He didn't count them. He just added one after every completed week.He sat on the floor, surrounded by old scrolls and tactical reports Orochimaru had him study. Some were from years ago—describing Konoha's missions, alliances, and even old battles his father once fought in.He found himself tracing a name more often than he liked:Uzumaki Naruto.That idiot.He had heard rumors—filtered even through the Sound's veiled network—that Naruto was now leading diplomatic efforts for Konoha. That he had grown more powerful kow a full jonin, that he has surpassed his late master Jiraiya and is carrying on the legacy as the next toad sage.And worse… that he was being taken seriously.The thought made Sasuke's stomach twist.How could he—the boy who used to chase after him like a lost puppy—be regarded as Konoha's future?Was the gap closing?Had it already closed?"No," Sasuke whispered, gripping the scroll tighter. "He's still behind."But even he didn't fully believe it anymore.⸻Flashback – The Day It ChangedThe day Itachi returned acompanied by an S ranked missing nin from kiri, itachi came back this time not for sasuke not to finish what he started that night no he cane for naruto of all people.The day Sasuke watched from the shadows as Naruto, of all people, stood against him. Defied him. Wounded him.The day Sasuke realized something terrifying.Naruto didn't need vengeance to be strong.And that terrified him.⸻Near the Surface – Kabuto's Private StudyKabuto poured over chakra charts and biological data. A vial of Sasuke's blood swirled in a suspended containment orb.He spoke aloud, though no one was around."He's progressing faster than expected… but also more unstable. The more he learns, the more fractured he becomes."He glanced at a nearby file—one labeled: "Uzumaki Naruto – Field Observations.""Sooner or later, they'll meet again," Kabuto murmured. "And when they do, either Naruto will fall…"He pushed his glasses up with a glint."…Or Sasuke will break."⸻Orochimaru's Chamber-The doors opened with a hiss.Orochimaru turned from a giant scroll, hands laced behind his back. His expression was unreadable."There's word from the border," he said. "Your old teammates are moving. Especially the Uzumaki boy."Sasuke stood across the chamber, arms crossed."You'll cross paths soon enough," Orochimaru added. "Are you ready?"Sasuke's eyes lit crimson."I was born ready."Orochimaru chuckled."No, Sasuke-kun. You were born to decide."