May 4th 2002:

Shadows stretched across every visible nook and cranny of the expansive plains of the Forest-Of-Death. Bushes were rustled from the presence of the cold wind. Ginormous trees towered over the area.

Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Ryomen Sukuna had concealed themselves in some type of small clearing amidst the many bushes. Seated on the grass, Naruto propped his knuckles beneath his chin.

Arms crossed in contemplation, Sasuke had leaned himself against the trunk of a much smaller tree in comparison to the other ones in the forest. Sukuna had cupped his chin in hopes of creating a decent plan.

"Huh." Sukuna blinked his four crimson eyes. "Shouldn't we make some sort of password so that we can identify each other?"

Sasuke glanced at his friend in approval. "That is a good idea." He conceded. "People could transform into us and steal our scroll…"

Cutting into the discussion, Naruto said. "How about the three of us make the password — 'Naruto Uzumaki is the best and greatest'?!"

"That statement can be proven very wrong." Sasuke scoffed, unamused. "I vote for a short password so it's easier for us to say."

"I don't know." Sukuna kept his chin cupped in one hand. "It should be short, yeah, but I feel like a password too short will be kinda obvious."

"What do you think?" Sukuna looked at Sasuke in mild curiosity. "I can't make a good password and Naruto's one is pretty shit, ain't it?"

"How about the phrase — 'look underneath the underneath'?" Sasuke suggested to his teammates. "It is one of Kakashi's favourite quotes."

Nodding in response, Sukuna spoke. "That sounds good to me. It's better than anything I could've thought of. What about you, Naruto?"

"I still think my password is leagues better than yours!" Naruto huffed, then sighed at them. "Whatever, I'll agree to your dumb password."

"Smarter than anything you could think of." Sasuke scowled a little. "We have to find a team who has an Earth-Scroll soon, though…"

Sukuna patted his pouch that had their Heaven-Scroll. "We have five days to find one—so I'm not worried about wasting or losing time."

Naruto rose to his feet, popping the muscles in his arms. "Let's get moving, you two!" He then paused. "Wait, what the hell do we do about food and water?"

Tapping a pale palm onto his pouches, Sasuke smirked. "I have plenty of storage-scrolls that have food and water. Unlike you, I'm prepared."

"You suck, you smug bastard." Naruto turned his head towards the entrance of the clearing they were in. "Time to get going, I guess…"

(-)

Twenty minutes had passed in focused silence for team seven. Naruto's blue eyes darted across the darkness, checking for any suspicious activity or any suspicious individuals close to them.

Sasuke had activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, intent on scoping out for potential opponents who had an Earth-Scroll. Sukuna was less tense than his friends, four eyes blinking at the animals they saw.

"Man!" Naruto leaped onto a third tree-branch, voice annoyed. "It's like we're the only ones in this dumb forest—where's everyone else, huh!"

"Pipe down, would you?" Sasuke rolled his Sharingan-accentuated eyes. "They're either in a separate part of the forest or hiding from us."

"I wouldn't blame them for hiding." Sukuna snorted. "Naruto's lack of IQ must be so scary it's put everyone else around us into hiding."

Index finger pointed at Sukuna in annoyance, Naruto grunted. "I bet they're hiding from us because you're the stupid one here, not me!"

"You're both idiotic." Sasuke sighed at the two of them. "How about that? Stop arguing, we still have to retrieve an Earth-Scroll to pass."

During their argument, Sasuke's Sharingan had noticed the inundation of Kunai hurled in their general direction. Hands angled into a hand-sign, Sasuke opened his mouth and conjured a wall of flames.

Naruto and Sukuna had managed to jump off of the tree-branch they were on, descending to the ground and scanning their surroundings. Sasuke cut off his Jutsu once he was sure there were no more Kunai.

Sukuna waited in clear anticipation. "I wonder who our first set of opponents in this exam will be. I hope they're strong enough for us."

Smoke had been summoned from the aftermath of Sasuke's Jutsu. Naruto mixed his hands into a hand-sign in preparation. Sukuna had his arms folded, crimson eyes glowing brighter in pure impatience.

Sasuke landed next to his friends. "I was able to stop the first onslaught—but I'm not sure if they have more Kunai to throw at us."

"Who cares?" Naruto bit back in excitement. "They'll regret trying to take our Heaven-scroll from us, that much I can tell you. Bring it on!"

(-)

Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka had concealed themselves in the uncomfortable space of a hollowed-out tree in the east section of the Forest-Of-Death. They were drinking their water.

Sleeve positioned on her mouth, Ino groaned. "I can't believe we have to stay in this dreary forest for five days! Is being Chunin worth it?"

"Of course it is." Choji had unsealed a pack of crisps from his storage-scroll. "We'll get higher ranked missions and more money!"

"Money that you'll spend on food, I betcha." Shikamaru had one of his eyes opened. "I don't really care much about becoming a Chunin…"

"Let's try and narrow down the competition." Ino rubbed her chin. "Do you think we should target Hinata, Kiba, and Shino for their scroll?"

"And have Akamaru maul us for it?" Shikamaru had joked. "Maybe. I'm sure you and Choji can immobilize them long enough to steal their scroll."

"You're acting like you wouldn't have to help." Ino rolled her vibrant eyes at her lazy teammate. "How about we target Sasuke's team?"

Mouth parted in feigned shock, Shikamaru snorted. "You can ignore your crush on him? You've surprised me a whole lot today, Ino."

"I'm not sure about that." Choji shook his head. "All of our egos aside, isn't the strongest one in our class Sasuke? Our chances are low."

"I'm sure I can land my Mind-Transfer-Jutsu on him." Ino dismissed Choji's concerns. "He's the strongest, though, no doubt about that."

"Don't forget about Sukuna." Shikamaru said. "He was the first one to beat Sasuke in a spar. He just skipped the academy's classes a lot."

"The one covered in tattoos?" Ino flipped her blonde hair. "I'm not worried about him. I'm confident you two together can handle him."

In a somewhat tired tone, Shikamaru responded. "Fight him yourself. Also, you've forgotten about Naruto—I doubt he's been slacking off."

"Yeah." Choji mumbled to himself. "Naruto used to be dead last back in the academy. But he got better around our second year, didn't he?"

"So what?" Ino adjusted her position on the leaves in the hollowed-out tree. "You're talking like we haven't also been training for the exams."

"I doubt you trained as much as Naruto." Shikamaru shrugged. "When that moron gets fired up about something, nothing will ever stop him."

"Our chances are better if we target a team from outside the village." Choji had interrupted them. "How about the three from the Sound?"

Scoffing at her teammate, Ino replied. "That new village Kabuto told us about? No, you have a point. I doubt its Shinobi are that powerful…"

"Good." Shikamaru folded his hands behind his head. "I'd rather fight those three no-bodies than fight Sasuke and his crazy teammates."

(-)

Blood was splattered over the bushes, tree trunks, and grass of a secluded section in the Forest-Of-Death. Two unconscious bodies were piled up on each other, lacerations evident on their collar-bones.

Sasuke held the neck of the final Genin in his calloused hand, Sharingan glowing an ominous crimson beneath a veil of shadows. Naruto was seated on a smooth-surfaced rock, picking at his ear.

Sukuna had checked the unconscious Shinobi for their scrolls—but his search had turned out fruitless. Staring into the eyes of his opponent, Sasuke said. "Will you tell me what scroll you have and where it is?"

Coughing out some saliva, the Genin gasped. "No, I'm sorry! We lost our scroll a while ago! We thought we could take yours for ourselves!"

"Damn it." Sasuke's Sharingan spun, casting a weak Genjutsu to knock the random Genin out cold. "These three were useless to us."

"Like I said!" Naruto banged his knuckles together. "The three of us are going to pulverize the competition! We're gonna become Chunin!"

Sukuna blinked down at his two unconscious opponents. "I thought they would be more powerful than that. They were pretty weak…"

Sasuke dropped the person in his hand. "Let's keep moving." He grunted. "And we still don't know how many Earth-Scrolls are left."

Mouth morphed into a wide grin, Naruto chuckled. "We'll be fine! I'm sure there are plenty of people who still have that stupid scroll!"

They resumed their journey, leaping from one tree-branch to another tree-branch in unnatural flashes of vicious speed. Sukuna maintained his nonchalant attitude—but kept an eye out for any more opponents.

Having deactivated his Sharingan to conserve energy, Sasuke touched his feet down on the next tree-branch in front of him. Naruto enjoyed the sensation of wind in his blond hair, smiling to himself.

Despite their vigilance, another twenty minutes had passed in silence and team seven had not encountered any new foes. Sukuna was beginning to grow bored and had accelerated his overall speed.

All of a sudden, they were intercepted by an incredible gale of violent wind. Both Sasuke and Sukuna had raised their fore-arms to defend themselves in time. However, Naruto had not reacted fast enough.

Smaller trees were toppled from the unexpected burst of wind. Numerous clouds of dust had been formed in the air. Sukuna repositioned himself on a lower tree-branch, arms somewhat bruised.

"What the hell." Sukuna squinted his four red eyes in concentration. "That was a powerful wind-style technique. Where did it come from?"

(-)

Numerous snakes crawled out from one of the masses of darkness in the Forest-Of-Death. Behind them, Kabuto Yakushi analyzed his immediate surroundings and then glanced off into the distance.

Upon feeling a substantial burst of wind, Kabuto smiled to himself. "I suppose lord Orochimaru has initiated the first stage of his plan."

Having separated from his teammates—Misumi Tsurugi and Yoroi Akado—for the time being, Kabuto ventured deeper into the huge forest to see if there was a person who was able to rouse his interest.

Swatting away the multitude of bugs that clung to his face, Kabuto emerged from the other end of a series of bushes and was caught in a trap. Faking some concern, Kabuto furrowed his brows and wriggled.

"Hah, gotcha!" Kiba Inuzuka fell down from his perch on a branch. "Hey, wait a second! Ain't you that Shinobi-Skill-Card dude—Kabuto?!"

Bound in spools of Kunai wire, Kabuto laughed. "I'm honoured you remember someone as forgettable as me! Yes, you are indeed right."

Akamaru barked at him while Kiba blinked. "Shit! You're also from the Hidden-Leaf. I'd kind of feel like an asshole if I took your scroll."

Shino Aburame walked out from the shadows. "Compassion will get you nowhere in these exams, Kiba. Kabuto, what scroll do you have?"

"None!" Kabuto wiggled around in the trap he had been caught in. "My teammates kept the scroll and didn't even tell me the one we had!"

A blue bug of some kind flew onto Shino's finger. "My bug tells me there are no signs of dishonesty in his voice or body-language, Kiba."

Hinata Hyuga had also approached her teammates. "I can't sense nor see anyone else close to us. Kabuto is on his own, no doubt about it."

"Damn it!" Kiba kicked at the soil, freed Kabuto from their trap, and scowled. "There's no point in keeping him! Get outta here, Kabuto!"

Tipping his head down at the members of team eight, Kabuto said. "Thank you for your courtesy. I hope the three of you will pass this."

"What dull individuals." Kabuto thought to himself. "I'm much more interested in Sasuke Uchiha and Ryomen Sukuna's potential…"

Leaving the area team eight was stationed in, Kabuto hummed. "Lord Orochimaru doesn't even know of Ryomen Sukuna's bloodline limit…"

An enormous salamander lunged at Kabuto—but it was killed by two slashes of a scalpel. "Mutated chakra—how fascinating it is!"

"I'm lucky the Third Hokage had unsealed his medical records." Kabuto huffed. "Otherwise I could have never snuck a look at them!"

Climbing over the corpse of the humongous lizard, Kabuto grinned. "What type of physiology does mutated chakra give him, I wonder!"

Kabuto threw his arms up, sliding off of the salamander's corpse. "I do hope Ryomen Sukuna and Naruto Uzumaki can impress him!"

(-)

Naruto had been blown away by the vicious gale of wind directed at him and his two other teammates. Crashing into the bushes, Naruto rolled across the soil, skidded against some stones, and groaned.

Unlike Sukuna and Sasuke, Naruto had not protected himself against the unexpected onslaught of wind in time. Caked in a small amount of grime, Naruto spat out the dust in his mouth and rose to his feet.

No major damage had been dealt to his body. Naruto wasn't worried much about injuries, though—he healed faster than most people. Sweeping his blue eyes over his surroundings, Naruto then scowled.

Who had been the one to cast that powerful Jutsu? Naruto flipped onto one of the thick tree-branches above him before his senses were hit by a dull influx of malign chakra. Someone was approaching him.

Naruto moved towards the direction he had sensed the chakra—until a hiss entered his left ear. "Impressive, you detected my chakra…"

Separating himself from the source of the somewhat pleased voice, Naruto clenched his teeth in concentration. He recognized the person who stood away from him—it was the Shinobi from the Grass-Village.

"You know." The feminine—but masculine—voice said in a casual tone. "I was hoping to test out your other two teammates instead."

In an instant, the Genin from Kusagakure appeared behind him. "But, then, I remembered your infamous status as the nine-tails Jinchuriki."

Naruto wasn't given the chance to speak. Both of his blue eyes widened in unprecedented terror at the venomous sensation that the Genin from the Grass-Village had unleashed upon him. He grunted.

Dozens of images flashed in Naruto's head—of him being decapitated, burned to death, stabbed to death, electrocuted to death, and drowning to his demise. Sweat soaked his body in mere seconds.

"How disappointing." The Shinobi shook his head. "I thought you would have a stronger mental fortitude than that, what a shame."

Palm planted on Naruto's shoulder, he whispered. "I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? Call me Orochimaru—the great snake."

Orochimaru's lips curved up. "I did leave your teammates a little hurdle to overcome, though. I hope they aren't as disappointing."

"Damn it." Naruto clicked his teeth, feeling the bloodlust Orochimaru transmitted towards him. "Why the hell am I so affected by this crap?"

"Can you even use the nine-tails' chakra?" Orochimaru asked him. "You should be able to at least use a small portion of it by now…"

Grinning, Orochimaru said. "If I knew you'd be such a bore, then I would have tested out Sasuke Uchiha and Ryomen Sukuna instead."

"Maybe I'll even kill them—!"

A clawed punch had buried itself into Orochimaru's nose and hurtled him off of the thick tree-branch he had stood on. Naruto's teeth had grown into fangs while his thin whiskers had thickened themselves.

Clawed hands clenched in outrage, Naruto descended upon Orochimaru in a vermillion streak of unnatural speed. Pleased beyond comprehension, Orochimaru then noticed Naruto appear behind him.

Foot digging into the surface underneath them, Naruto kicked a humongous chunk of solid soil into the back of Orochimaru's body. Orochimaru endured all of this, laughing like an absolute lunatic.

"Yes!" Orochimaru widened his vibrant eyes in delight. "Present more of this delicious chakra of yours to me, nine-tails! Entertain me!"

Pressing his knuckles into Naruto's whiskered cheek, Orochimaru flung him into the distance and followed after him. Travelling like a rapid snake, Orochimaru approached Naruto and kicked his head.

Spinning across the air and crashing into the huge roots of a tree, Naruto grunted in annoyance. Bubbles of red chakra escaped his body, healing his wounds and helping him maintain his overall energy.

Small bursts of concentrated wind slapped Orochimaru's face, bruising his left and right cheeks.

"The chakra of the nine-tails also increases the potency of your Jutsu!" Orochimaru told him. "How fascinating! I must see more from you!"

Having risen to his feet, Naruto scowled. "I've landed some good attacks on him—so why the hell does it feel like he's not trying…?"

"Most impressive, nine-tails." Orochimaru cast two hand-signs. "But, I must say, it looks to me that you are squandering your true potential."

Index and middle finger pointed at Naruto, Orochimaru hissed out. "Oh, well. Who am I to judge you? Now, let's see if you can keep up."

Bullets of compressed wind were shot towards Naruto's shoulders. Harnessing his unnatural agility, Naruto disappeared. Orochimaru took great pleasure in his resistance, creating more and more wind-based projectiles.

From the rows of bushes behind the sadistic man, a crimson outline of speed tackled him and shouldered him into a ginormous tree. Orochimaru stepped out from the cracked tree trunk, rather delighted.

"Truly, you are a worthy test subject." Orochimaru told him. "I have had fun testing out your capabilities—but there is much more for me to do."

Ten snakes slithered out from the shadows ahead of Naruto, coiling themselves around his whole body and restraining him. Orochimaru walked up to the blue-eyed boy, lifting up his shirt.

"What the hell?!" Naruto's body felt like it was paralyzed. "I can't move at all! What did this freaky bastard do to me?! Damnit, I feel tired…"

"The seal of the Fourth Hokage." Orochimaru chortled. "At first, I intended to use the Five-Pronged-Seal and layer it over this one."

All five of Orochimaru's fingers touched the seal on Naruto's stomach. "That would have stopped you from accessing the nine-tails' chakra."

"But I've changed my mind." Orochimaru said to him. "You must understand, this is my first time witnessing such a perfect seal…"

"My skill in the art of seals is somewhat lacking." Orochimaru proclaimed. "But this is one seal I've been working on in particular…"

"The Synchronization-Seal!" Orochimaru then knocked Naruto out. "Let us see what kind of effect such a seal will have on a Jinchuriki…"

Once he had applied the Synchronization-Seal onto Naruto's abdomen and ensured it had worked as he intended, the man adjusted the Kasa-styled hat on his head and vanished in a blur.

(-)

Sasuke and Sukuna leaped from tree-branch to tree-branch, taking the occasional glance at the enormous snake that chased after them. Sasuke performed five hand-signs, clasping his hands together.

A straight line of intense heat materialized from Sasuke's closed palms, slamming into the humongous scales of the snake. No amount of damage was able to stop the animal in its pursuit for both of them.

Despite its massive proportions, the snake slithered across the Forest-Of-Death as though it were an expert at navigation. Sukuna observed its behavioral patterns and body language, looking for any weaknesses.

Matching Sasuke in speed, Sukuna hopped onto another tree-branch before he whirled around and launched several Dismantles into the snake's eyes. It paused for a moment, hissing at them in annoyance.

"Even if we obscure its vision." Sukuna flipped onto a larger tree-branch. "I'm sure this snake still has the ability to track us down."

"My Flame-Stream was useless against it!" Sasuke responded. "It's not an issue of whether we can hurt it—the snake is too durable!"

Directing several more Dismantles towards the creature, Sukuna snorted. "I'm more curious about where the hell it came from."

Enduring each of the Dismantles that hit its massive scales, the snake hissed for the umpteenth time and raised its head. Sasuke and Sukuna had very different reactions—Sasuke's eyes had widened.

Sukuna's mouth had been twisted into an excited grin. Bashing its ginormous head downwards at them, the snake cracked a multitude of giant tree-branches in the area. Splinters of wood flew everywhere.

"That was a close one." Sukuna had landed on the head of the snake, knuckles placed underneath his chin. "You're a strong snake, huh?"

Patting the head of the creature he had seated himself on, Sukuna activated Cleave on its head and opened up multiple lacerations. Blood trickled out from every cut on the creature's head, riling it up.

"You know." Sukuna spoke to the snake in a nonchalant voice. "I don't have much time to waste against you—so I'll have to cut this short."

"Orochi…"

All of the shadows around the snake somehow shimmered. Orochi had formed itself out from these masses of darkness, hissing and sticking its tongue out in aggression. Sukuna smiled at his snake.

The serpentine Shikigami was somewhat smaller than the humongous snake Sukuna had been pitted against—but its striking speed was superior. Sukuna glanced off into the distance, contemplative.

Sasuke had been launched elsewhere by the snake's earlier attack—so he wouldn't see Sukuna summon his Shikigami. For Sukuna, this was perfect—the Ten-Shadows would remain a secret.

Hands inserted into his pockets, Sukuna hopped onto the head of his snake-themed Shikigami and nodded down at it. Understanding his intentions, Orochi tackled its opponent and pushed it backwards.

"Good." Sukuna smiled to himself. "This is my first time using one of my Shikigami on a proper foe. I didn't expect to be using Orochi first, though."

Moving his hand out from his pocket and flicking it downwards, Sukuna embedded twenty Dismantles into the durable snake and watched it stagger away. The combined attacks from Sukuna and his Shikigami had worn it down.

Treating the entire battle like it was a walk in the park, Sukuna descended upon the snake and lashed both of his hands out. Slapping his palms onto the scales of its head, he activated numerous Cleaves on it.

Scales cracked beneath the influence of Sukuna's palms. Orochi also contributed to the fight, tackling the snake again and again. Much to Sukuna's surprise, the enormous snake vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"Huh?" Sukuna was caught by Orochi after the other snake had disappeared. "Doesn't that mean the snake was summoned here?"

"Thanks for the help, Orochi." Sukuna patted his Shikigami. "Sorry about keeping you and the others on the sidelines for so long."

Pleased, Orochi hissed before Sukuna dispelled it into the shadows. Landing on the grass of the section of the Forest-Of-Death he was in, Sukuna rolled his shoulders and checked out his surroundings.

"Where the hell did Sasuke get thrown?" Sukuna's four eyes glanced around the area in curiosity. "I don't even know where Naruto is…"

Sukuna disappeared in a vicious flash of speed, scoured his immediate vicinity for his blond-haired friend, and found him unconscious above a pile of leaves, broken twigs, and stones.

However, Sukuna also noticed that Naruto's shirt had been lifted up and saw the seal illustrated onto his abdomen. Interest replaced Sukuna's brief bout of confusion. "Is that the seal holding Kurama?"

Not one to waste any time whatsoever, Sukuna slapped Naruto's face three times until he lurched up from his unconscious state. Shaking his head and blinking his blue eyes, Naruto glared at his friend.

"Look underneath the underneath." Sukuna said to ease Naruto's concerns. "I'm the real one."

"Sukuna?" Naruto recognized his teammate, realizing he was not the man who had knocked him out. "Where the hell is the other bastard?!"

Shrugging at the Uzumaki, Sukuna responded. "No clue. Can you believe that we got ambushed by this giant snake? It was sick."

"I got attacked by this creep who had a bunch of snakes!" Naruto rubbed his head in annoyance. "Man, my memories are muddled up!"

"Just be glad that I have our Heaven-Scroll." Sukuna tapped his pouch. "I wonder who the hell was able to knock him unconscious."

"Gaara and his siblings, maybe?" Sukuna pondered to himself. "I wouldn't be surprised if Lee and his team ran into Naruto here."

Nudging Sukuna on the shoulder, Naruto scoffed. "Stop day-dreaming about random crap so much. We still have to find the smug bastard."

"I got separated from Sasuke because of the snake." Sukuna replied. "I'm sure he's left some clues to help us find where he is, though."

(-)

Orochimaru had been rather pleased to discover that Sasuke had been separated from Sukuna because of his summoned snake. Hidden in the darkness of the forest, Orochimaru observed him.

Each foot-step Sasuke took across the soil-covered surface was silent and careful. Orochimaru shivered in excitement after Sasuke's Two-Tomoe Sharingan was activated—but then he calmed himself.

Naruto had been nothing more than a source of entertainment for the twisted man and Sukuna was someone Orochimaru intended to test out later. The real prize of team seven for Orochimaru was the Uchiha.

"What a well developed Sharingan." Orochimaru adjusted the Kasa-styled hat on his head. "Just how skilled is he at using it?"

Much to Orochimaru's content, Sasuke spoke to the air. "You can come out now. I know you've been watching me for a few minutes."

A small chuckle escaped Orochimaru's parted mouth. "My apologies for intruding on your privacy, Sasuke Uchiha. I hope you'll forgive me."

"Heh." Sasuke grunted, both of his Sharingan-accentuated eyes staring at the deranged man. "Tell me, do you have a heaven or earth scroll?"

Face buried into his hands, Orochimaru coughed out his Earth-Scroll. "I assume that you have a Heaven-Scroll? This makes things easier."

Orochimaru swallowed the Earth-Scroll a moment later. "You will have to entertain me long enough! If you can, then my scroll shall be—!"

Dismantle was buried into the back of Orochimaru's shoulder and launched him towards Sasuke—who recovered from his surprise fast enough to upper-cut him in the jaw. Orochimaru just smiled.

Head snapped back at an awkward angle, Orochimaru popped it back into place and gandered at the origin of the slash-based attack. Both Sukuna and Naruto had arrived in time. Sasuke smirked at his team.

"Wait a second!" Naruto had crouched down on his tree-branch. "That's the bastard who attacked me! I remember his stupid face!"

"What was that attack?" Orochimaru glanced at his shoulder. "It was like an invisible pulsation of destruction—I couldn't sense it at all!"

Sukuna looked down at the unhinged man. "He feels different from anyone else I've fought up until now. Who the heck is this person?"

"What was your name again?" Naruto scratched his head. "Yeah, now I remember! You called yourself Orochimaru—the great snake, right?!"

Orochimaru chuckled in response, eyes amused. "I'm impressed, Naruto. You woke up faster than I had anticipated from that seal."

"And, yes." Orochimaru grinned at the shocked recognition on Sasuke's features. "I am Orochimaru—indeed. It is a true pleasure…"

"Now, please!" Orochimaru laughed. "Make sure to entertain me!"

Sukuna entered a stance of combat. "What type of situation is this supposed to be, huh?"

He sighed.


A/N: Thanks for reading this chapter.