Emulation of Apathy
Chapter XI
"His Body"
…
Rays of light streamed through the cluttered leaves overhead, and the boy squinted in attempt to block the sudden onslaught. He lifted his hand to shield his eyes, before pushing himself to a sitting position, his back to the large oak tree. It was always such a nuisance when the sun emerged from behind the clouds. Not even the shade of the tree or pressing his eyes shut would block it.
"Sasuke."
He averted his dark eyes to rest on the figure approaching him. A young girl, with short brown hair and a nervous smile across her face, was running toward him, a large book tucked under her arm. Her face was flushed, and she was out of breath, but her eyes were bright with eagerness.
"Did you find him?" the Uchiha asked, as the girl came to a stop and knelt in the grass beside him.
"Yes," she nodded her head in response, and lifted her index finger. She pointed at the line of trees in front of them, as she explained, "He's that way. There's a stream, and he stopped by it just a minute ago."
"Okay," Sasuke's expression shifted to one of determination, and he pushed himself to his feet. Reaching into the pouch at his side, he retrieved a kunai, and then gestured to her. As she rose beside him, he focused his black irises on the tree line and said, "Let's go, Tamaki."
"Right," she hurried after him, clutching tighter to her book and glancing to either side, a crease in her brow.
When Sasuke glanced over at her, he awarded the girl a confused look. "What?"
"Oh, I'm…just a little nervous," Tamaki mumbled.
The Uchiha titled his head to one side. "Why?"
"Well…we've never tried going after one this big without Itachi-senpai," the girl explained, her brown eyes falling to the ground. "I just…I mean…are you sure it's alright? Maybe we should just wait for your brother."
"What?" Sasuke crossed his arms in front of him with a slight pout. "But that's the point. I want to catch this one and do it myself, that way I can show Nii-san how far I've come."
"Yes, but…a tiger, Sasuke?" Tamaki bit her bottom lip. "Don't you think that…well, maybe we could go after something easier? At least until Itachi-senpai-"
"No!" Sasuke turned and continued his way to the forest. "I can do this myself, and you're coming with me."
Tamaki quickened her pace, ducking beneath a low branch and then rushing to his side. "But, Sasuke-"
"Shh!" the boy gave her a pointed look as he held a finger to his mouth. He then dropped to one knee and narrowed his eyes, inspecting the area around them, before beckoning Tamaki to follow suit. As she fell to eye-level with him, Sasuke whispered, "Which way's the stream?"
"That way," Tamaki lifted her hand and pointed to their right. "Just a few yards. But…are you sure-"
"Look," the Uchiha rolled his eyes, but he nevertheless awarded her a softer expression, "if you're worried about getting hurt, don't be. I won't let him near you."
Before the girl had a chance to utter another word, Sasuke vanished from her side, sweeping through the undergrowth until he came to a stop just short of the stream. Narrowing his dark eyes, the Uchiha spotted an inconsistency, the dark orange and subtle black lines clashing against his otherwise emerald surroundings.
The child readied his stance, tightening his hold on the kunai in hand, and then taking a quiet breath.
…
"Sasuke-kun!"
A sharp pain shot through his side. It lasted only a moment, and then faded. Well, that was odd. However, within a second, it had returned. And then again. It was a repetitive, stabbing pain, that shot through his ribcage. What the hell was that? He furrowed his brow, releasing a groan and burying his face in his pillow. There was something so very annoying about it.
"Sasuke-kun!"
What the hell was it with that voice? It sounded familiar. What was it about it that sounded so damn familiar? And why did it make the whole situation that much more annoying? And that pain continued. It was really was very bothersome. Whose voice was that?
Oh. Right.
"Kabuto!"
In one swift movement, Sasuke reached his hand out and grabbed the idiot by the ankle, causing the Genin to almost lose his balance altogether. As it turned out, Kabuto had been kicking him. However, the matter of why remained entirely open to question.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun," the moron smiled down at him, that condescending smile from which he had been relieved for the past few days now in place, as he lifted his hand to push his glasses up the brim of his nose. "As you see, I have recovered."
Oh, he saw that. Plain as day. He would have to be a complete idiot to overlook that fact.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sasuke demanded.
"Orochimaru-sama sent me to wake you up," Kabuto explained. "He says it's time to begin your training today. And, I, for one, believe you spend far too much time in bed. It's really quite unhealthy."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes into a glare. "I'm in bed just as long as either of you. The only difference is that I fall asleep later."
"Well, then perhaps you should go to sleep with the rest of us," the Genin suggested, his smile broadening. "I've told you time and again, you should try to match our schedule."
The idiot had never once mentioned such a thing, and his delusional presence was more obnoxious than usual. Perhaps it was because of his extended absence. Oh hell, why could that illness had not done them all a favor and just taken the idiot to his grave? Sasuke released Kabuto's ankle with a rough push and then buried his face back in his pillow.
"Now, now, Sasuke-kun," Kabuto tsked him. "You really do need to get up. Orochimaru-sama sent me specifically for this purpose."
"I don't give a damn," Sasuke mumbled into his pillow.
In that moment, he felt that distinct pain again, and, when Kabuto kicked him a second time, he grabbed that idiot Genin's foot.
"Kabuto," a restrained hostility now laced his tone, "even if Orochimaru sent you to wake me up, why the hell are you kicking me?"
"Well, I find it's the most effective means to rouse a person," Kabuto replied, pulling his leg away from the Uchiha and then straightening himself. "Seeing as I have far more experience in this matter than you, I would strongly suggest you trust my judgment."
Sasuke offered no response. It took all his willpower not to lash out at this moron and make life a better place for everyone.
"Ahem, honestly, Sasuke-kun," Kabuto readjusted his glasses. "You need to get up."
The hell if he was going to listen to Kabuto, of all people. He turned over in bed once more, his face in his pillow, as he mumbled, "I'm going back to sleep."
"Fine," the Genin's voice continued, dripping with self-satisfaction, "don't get any better." There was a brief pause, before he added, "Don't surpass your brother."
As Sasuke snapped up, his hand already clenched in a fist, he barely managed to catch sight of Kabuto's silver head retreating through the open doorway.
That damn, spineless bastard. Why the hell did he have to recover? He was so sick of this moron. If only Orochimaru would send him away, to stay at some remote hideout, as far away from them as possible. All he would do now was interrupt their training and annoy Sasuke every chance he got. But, of course, Orochimaru would never send Kabuto away. He was much too fond of the idiot. Hell, he thought he was a genius. A brilliant strategist, a marvelous cook, the greatest medic, and the perfect costume designer.
If only the two were not a damn package deal.
Sasuke threw his blanket off with an irritable shove, before crossing his room and heading into the connected bathroom. He stopped in front of the mirror, his mouth turned in a scowl, and he stared into his reflection dully. He ran a hand through his unruly hair, pulling a strand down, but, as always, it persistently stood back up. The boy gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. At least it was easier to manage this way.
Reaching down and pressing his hand against his side, his black eyes narrowed into a glare. Those damn kicks actually hurt more than he had initially suspected. That stupid Genin.
And for once he had actually been enjoying his dream.
"Damnit, Kabuto!"
The boy threw the empty carton of milk at the older shinobi's feet, and Kabuto's eyebrows raised in a start. They were currently standing in the kitchen, Sasuke in front of the fridge, and Kabuto at the stove. The idiot had just finished preparing breakfast for Orochimaru and himself.
"How many times do I have to tell you to throw it out when you finish it?!" Sasuke snapped.
"How many?" Kabuto arched a brow at him. "Including this instance? Twelve. If you can even call this fit you're throwing such a thing."
"You're such a damn moron!" Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed into a glare. "Obviously, it was a rhetorical question! And why the hell is it so damn hard for you to remember everything?!"
"Don't be absurd, Sasuke-kun," the Genin pushed his glasses up the brim of his nose. "I remember everything. After all, you didn't remember it had been twelve times that you had told me, did you?"
"Why the hell did I have to tell you twelve times?!" the Uchiha demanded.
This idiot clearly had selective memory. He heard only what he wanted to hear. He remembered only what he wanted to remember. What was strange, however, was that he always managed to remember the most insignificant, absurd, minute facts as opposed to anything of actual value.
Kabuto only smiled in response to Sasuke's words. It was a sickening, sweet smile, that made him want to beat the living shit out of the idiot.
"Kabuto," Orochimaru called from the table, glancing up from a book he was reading, "is that breakfast ready yet?"
"Of course, Orochimaru-sama," the young man turned his attention to his master as he proceeded to carry the plates across the kitchen, his smiling countenance immediately turning sincere. He set the Sannin's meal in front of him and then assumed the seat directly beside him. "There you are."
"Thank you, Kabuto," the Snake Master nodded his head to him, before averting his yellow snake eyes to the boy beside the fridge. "Sasuke-kun, I must say, you're up earlier than expected."
Sasuke furrowed his brow at this remark. Were they just trying to mess with him, now?
"You sent Kabuto to wake me up."
"I don't recall such a request," Orochimaru glanced back at the medic beside him. "Kabuto, did I ask you to do that?"
"Oh," Kabuto lifted his hand and rubbed his nose with his index finger, "I just thought you would both like the opportunity to get started with your training early this morning. After all, Sasuke-kun's training is of the utmost importance."
"Ah, you're quite right," the Sannin smiled fondly at the young man. "Excellent thinking, Kabuto."
Kabuto looked quite pleased with himself, quite pleased with Orochimaru's praise, and he lowered his hand to instead take a bite of his meal.
"Are you saying…," Sasuke could feel his eye twitching, as he clenched his hands at his sides, "that you did not send Kabuto in to wake me, and that he was kicking me this morning for no reason at all?"
Orochimaru's eyes widened a fraction, and he turned his stare on his assistant. "Kabuto, were you kicking Sasuke-kun?"
"Well, I thought it was an effective means to wake him," Kabuto replied, smiling up at his master. "You remember how it worked so well on that last experiment?"
"Yes, Kabuto, but that was an experiment," the Sannin pointed out with a slight shake of his head. "That was a very different context. As effective as it may be, I must ask you not to kick Sasuke-kun in the future. After all, he's important, and I can't have anyone injuring his body."
"Of course, Orochimaru-sama," the younger ninja conceded. "I will remember."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted.
They all knew that was utter bullshit. Kabuto could not remember a damn thing, and he especially seemed to have difficulty remembering anything where Sasuke was concerned. Besides, the Uchiha had begun to notice a certain pattern, and the Genin seemed to get a sort of sick thrill out of kicking his victims. No matter who they were.
As Sasuke turned to grab an apple out of the fridge, he remarked, "You forgot to pick up the milk and throw it away, you dumb-ass."
"Oh," Kabuto turned his gaze to the carton still lying on the floor. "Someone really ought to pick that up, oughtn't they?"
"Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru turned his eerie smile on the boy, "would you like to pick that up?"
"No," Sasuke drawled, slamming the refrigerator door shut and then crossing the room to take the seat at the table as far from those idiots as possible. "Tell Kabuto to pick it up."
"You are the one who threw it on the floor, Sasuke-kun," the Sannin pointed out, his eyes widening in enthrallment.
"I'm not picking it up," the Uchiha stated dryly. "Pick it up your damn self."
Orochimaru paused, his snake eyes still engrossed by the boy in front of him, before extending his tongue from his mouth and licking his lips. Sasuke rolled his eyes, the look of disgust crossing his features, as it always seemed to when he was in the presence of this maniac.
"I can't possibly do that," Orochimaru replied.
"And why the hell not?" Sasuke arched an annoyed brow at him.
"Because, I had nothing to do with it," the man stated.
"Well, I'm not picking it up," the boy gave a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.
There was a brief pause again, in which the two merely stared at each other in silence, clearly at an impasse. After a moment, however, the Sannin turned his attention to the medic-nin with a pleasant smile. "Dear Kabuto, throw that away, won't you?"
"Oh, of course, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto rose to his feet promptly.
As the idiot made his way across the room to lift the carton off the floor and then drop it into the trashcan, Sasuke found himself actually fighting a smirk. There was a certain pleasure he felt at the sight of Kabuto succumbing to Orochimaru's order. True, it was sickening at times how much he seemed to worship the very ground the Sannin walked on, but, other times, it was quite convenient, having someone keep the idiot in line. In fact, it was as if he turned into a servant. And the sight was so very satisfying.
That was the third Chidori.
His chakra was now entirely depleted. He leaned against the wall for support, trying to control his breathing, but it came out in an obnoxious panting. That would be all they could do for the day. It was an inconvenience, but such was the case with that particular power. He lifted his dark gaze to rest on the Sannin, who he found staring at him with that same, unnerving gaze that seemed almost longing.
He opted to ignore the look, however, and simply asked, "Are we calling it a day?"
Orochimaru only smiled, his sharp teeth revealing themselves, and Sasuke resisted the disgusted expression he could already feel fighting its way to his face. "Quite the contrary, Sasuke-kun," the man stated.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke furrowed his brow in perplexity.
The Sannin chuckled, his usual throaty chuckle, as he began to pace in front of the boy, though he never once removed his unnerving stare from him. "If I may draw your attention to something," Orochimaru began, "I would have you know that, for the past five days, the cursed seal has not even once emerged when you are low on chakra. Not in the slightest. And now, here you are, your chakra utterly depleted, and the seal is still not emerging."
The Uchiha's dark eyes wandered to rest on his shoulder and he lifted his hand to feel the mark. As it turned out, the Snake Master was correct. The seal was not activating this time, he could not even feel the slightest trace of its pull. It was odd, really. He knew he was empty of chakra. He could feel it. Yet, even so, that thing was not festering under his skin, trying to take over.
"And?" Sasuke brought his gaze back to Orochimaru. "What exactly does that mean?"
"It means," Orochimaru paused to wipe his saliva-ridden tongue across his lips, "that we are finished with this stage."
Sasuke blinked twice. "We are?"
"Yes, Sasuke-kun," the Sannin replied with a soft chuckle. "You now have complete control of your own chakra, without the seal's interference." He extended a hand and directed it at the boy in front of him, as he announced, "The time has come to begin the third stage. You are going to begin calling the seal at your own convenience."
The boy's mouth turned in a smirk, and he pushed himself away from the wall, a newfound excitement filling him. "Alright," he gave the man a nod. "I'm ready."
"As always, of course," Orochimaru agreed, his eyes widening a fraction. "This is perfect. Since you have no chakra of your own left, it is an excellent opportunity to feel the full effects of your new power. Now then, since the Chidori uses such a significant amount of chakra, it is an ideal technique for this process. Once you call up the power of the seal, release as many Chidori strikes as it will allow."
"Understood," Sasuke gave a firm nod of his head, pressing his eyes shut and focusing on that burning feeling in his shoulder. The last time he had called it forth was during his fight with Naruto. And even then, that was during a time of duress. It was strange, trying to let it actually take over, after all of the time spent suppressing it.
He took a slow breath, and, as he released it, he could feel that burning sensation spreading over his body.
"Orochimaru-sama! Sasuke-kun!"
The voice was muffled, but he knew what was coming. The training door flew open not a moment later, and, as he let his eyes open, he caught sight of the idiot stumbling into the room, an excitedly determined expression in place. He came to a stop a few feet from the pair of them and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"I have some information," the Genin stated.
"Oh?" Orochimaru asked.
Sasuke glanced over at the Sannin, and he noticed a strangely different expression on his face than usual. At least, where Kabuto was concerned. He was always so fond of this idiot, and there was a praising smile directed at the younger shinobi. Now, however, his pleasant tone seemed almost forced, and there was something behind that blank expression that radiated…could it be annoyance?
Then again, maybe he was only imagining it. Perhaps Kabuto was simply annoying him more than usual that he was now seeing it others' faces, as well.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto nodded his head.
"Well…," the Snake Sannin gestured a hand at the medic. "What is this information that was so important?"
"Well, you see, there was a bee in my room," the Genin began, fixing his glasses again. There was a slight pause, in which Orochimaru and Sasuke merely stared at him blankly, awaiting his elaboration. However, when he did, all he said was, "And I killed it."
Sasuke could feel his eye twitch.
"You interrupted us…for that?" he asked, straining to fight the hostility in his voice. But, the longer he stared at Kabuto's condescending face, he could not seem to contain it. "Are you fucking kidding me?!"
"Honestly, Sasuke-kun, watch your mouth," Kabuto tsked him with a slight shake of his head.
"Oh, shut-up!" Sasuke yelled at the egotistical bastard. "Just shut the hell up, you dumb-ass! No one gives a damn what you have to say, or that you killed a stupid bee! Why the hell would you interrupt our training for something as ridiculous as that?! I am so sick of you! Why don't you just do us all a favor and throw yourself off the side of the mountain?!"
Kabuto's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in befuddlement. He shook his head again and cleared his throat, before insisting, "Sasuke-kun, I suggest you get your temper under control. You will not speak to me that way. Need I constantly remind you of your unimportance to our cause?"
"Kabuto," the Sannin spoke, and they both turned to find him glaring at the younger man. "How dare you interrupt his training. It was completely unnecessary for you to come tell us that you killed a bee in your bedroom. I have told you countless times that Sasuke-kun's training takes precedence over everything. It is of the utmost importance."
The Uchiha stared at the older shinobi in surprise. He had never once seen Orochimaru displeased with his idiotic assistant. Perhaps he truly was growing as annoyed with him as Sasuke was.
"O-Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto stammered, bowing his head. "Are you suggesting what I had to say was-"
"Unimportant? Without cause? Completely insignificant?" Orochimaru snapped. "Yes, Kabuto, I am. Sasuke-kun is everything. I thought I had said enough on the matter this morning, but clearly you have proven me wrong." He pointed a threatening finger at the medic and then pointed at the door. "Come with me. There is something important I must discuss with you."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," the Genin glanced up briefly to shoot a glare in Sasuke's direction, before taking a turn and leading the way to the open doorway.
As the Snake Master pulled the door shut, he was saying, "Need I remind you just how important Sasuke-kun is to us?"
Before the Uchiha could hear another word, however, the door closed behind them and their voices faded.
A silence fell in the large training room, and the boy found himself staring at the door, his dark eyes narrowing in suspicion. What was it exactly that was so important Orochimaru had to discuss with Kabuto? So important that it was enough to make Kabuto lose his usual self-satisfied demeanor and actually glare at him? So important that the idiot had actually shut his damn mouth?
Something that concerned him.
Sasuke hesitated only a moment, before quietly crossing the room and coming to a stop in front of the door. He drew a silent breath, before pulling it open, but only enough for a small slit, to which he pressed his ear. From the sound of their voices, they were still in the hallway, a short distance from the room itself. Thankfully, they were far enough away, or perhaps simply too stupid to notice the slight squeak the door had made when the Uchiha had opened it.
"But, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto was saying, "I didn't mean anything-"
"Kabuto, I've tried to be patient with you," Orochimaru's raspy voice interrupted. "I'm growing very tired of your treatment of Sasuke-kun. It's very disrespectful—to him, and me."
"No, I would never disrespect you, Orochimaru-sama."
"Oh, but you have, Kabuto," the Sannin disagreed. "By disrespecting him, you disrespect me. You say he is unimportant to our cause, but you fail to see how pivotal the child truly is. Surely, you understand what I mean. Without him, I have nothing. I require the power he possesses."
"I understand, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto assured him. "After falling short of obtaining his brother's body, you want Sasuke-kun. You need the Sharingan to face Akatsuki."
"Not only Akatsuki," the Snake Master's voice was laced with irritation. "I need it to destroy Konoha once and for all. Our operation failed last time, Kabuto! It failed because I did not have enough power. But this boy is the key. We will bide our time, allowing Akatsuki and Konoha to slowly destroy the other, and then we shall make our move. And, once I have that boy's body, I will be able to stand against all of them. That is why his training is so very important. Do you not see? If I do not spend this time preparing his body, empowering him, I will not be able to make my move as soon as these three years are over."
"In a way, I suppose it's convenient you lost your chance to take his body four months ago, and that you had to settle for Gen'yuumaru's body," the Genin mused.
"Yes, it is rather funny how things turn out," Orochimaru released a soft chuckle. "But you must understand something, Kabuto. That is why his training is so important to us. I must teach him as much as possible, build up his natural powers, his Chidori, his bloodline limit. That way, when I combine all of my power with his, I will be invincible."
"Of course, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto replied. "With Sasuke-kun, you will have enough power to eliminate all of your enemies."
"Precisely," the Sannin snapped. "That is why you cannot continue to interrupt our training. Do you not realize that we progressed much farther than could ever have been expected in one week alone simply because you were bedridden?"
"I-I…Orochimaru-sama…what are you saying?"
"I am saying that this needs to stop. Sasuke-kun is advancing much faster than I ever thought possible, and you cannot keep hindering our progress."
"It was completely unintentional, I assure you. If I had known what a nuisance I was being to you-"
"Yes, well, that is why I am telling you now. So, from this point onward, I expect significant improvement in your behavior. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," the idiot sounded dejected.
"Excellent. I am glad we understand one another, Kabuto. Now, back to your room, and stop reporting every little thing to me. You can file it in that damn report of yours at week's end."
The Genin released a heavy sigh, before muttering, "Yes, Orochimaru-sama. I apologize. I won't interrupt you anymore."
There was a shuffling of feet, and all fell silent.
Sasuke backed away from the door, his onyx gaze fixed on the ground beneath him and his brow furrowed in perplexity. It was only a moment before the Snake Sannin reentered the room, but Sasuke kept his back to him and did not respond to the man's apologies on behalf of his idiot medic. However, when he announced that they could resume their training, the Uchiha adopted an expressionless façade and glanced over his shoulder to address the older shinobi.
"That's enough for today," he stated dryly.
Orochimaru tilted his head to one side in confusion. "Are you certain, Sasuke-kun? I do believe this is a rare opportunity, which-"
"Which I can do tomorrow," Sasuke drawled. "After three Chidori strikes, we'll have the same result. Like I said," he turned to face Orochimaru and cast him a dark scowl, "that's enough for today."
He did not wait for a response. He proceeded to simply walk past the Sannin and pull the door open, which he shut behind him, and then made his way down the long, dark hallway. He walked beside the wall, his hand extended and tracing the subtle indentions in the stone, his dark eyes staring straight ahead of him. It did not take long before he reached the hideout entrance and was stepping out into the snow.
The young Uchiha pulled his shirt tighter around him and then wrapped his arms around his torso for warmth. He pressed his eyes shut and took a few deep breaths to steady himself, before the thoughts finally flooded his mind.
The chosen one.
Suddenly, it was not such a laughable concept. This was the reason the Legendary Sannin had come to him, had offered the invitation. Why he had come to him, specifically. He wanted to take possession of his body. When he had first left Konoha, this was why Orochimaru had sent his Sound Ninja to acquire him. The Snake Master had intended to take his body then, as soon as he had arrived at the hideout. But he had missed his chance.
Which meant there was a time limit on the technique. From what they had said, the time limit must be three years. So, because of Konoha, because they had been stalled, Orochimaru had missed his opportunity, and now he was stuck training him for the next three years, until he could seize his chance.
And he had tried to take Itachi's body.
Sasuke scowled bitterly at the thought. 'Of course he wanted Itachi. Everyone always wants Itachi. So, he's just settling for me, his younger brother, because he couldn't get the great prodigy.'
Even Orochimaru viewed him as nothing more than a replacement for his brother.
Perhaps the Fifth Hokage had known about this all along. Perhaps that was why she was so insistent on sending the ninja after him to begin with, to bring him back to Konoha. And perhaps, just perhaps, they had been right. Perhaps staying with Orochimaru like this was pointless, pointless for his goal, if all the Sannin truly desired was obtaining his body.
But then, if Itachi had managed to resist it, then that meant there must be some way to counteract the technique. And if Itachi could do it, then why was it so inconceivable that he could, as well? He would train these remaining years and surpass Itachi. And if, at the end of his training, he was not capable of repelling Orochimaru, then it meant he would not have been capable of defeating Itachi as it was. Which meant that was as far as he would have been able to rise, and the vengeance he desired would not even have been possible.
If Orochimaru was his teacher, though, that meant Orochimaru would know every technique he possessed, and perhaps he would prepare something himself to counter them. That certainly would not do. He would have to train himself in secret, developing his own techniques, out of the Sannin's knowledge, to catch the man off guard.
Sasuke opened his eyes and gave a decisive nod of his head. This changed nothing. He would become stronger and surpass his master, and he would defeat him before Orochimaru ever got the chance to try to take his body. He would have to keep both Orochimaru and Kabuto in check. And he would have to remain persistently aware of the time. At present, he had two years and eight months before the Sannin would make his move.
He still had time. He would remain as he had been. He would continue his training. He would stay with Orochimaru and learn as much as he could from him until the time came. And when it did, he would kill that disturbing Snake bastard. And, if all went well, perhaps he would even take Kabuto with him.
Sasuke smirked at the thought.
Well, at the very least, he had one advantage in all this. Orochimaru had no idea that the young Uchiha was now aware of his plan.