(To the reader: Hey y'all, quick announcement. I won't be updating for a while again since my university's second semester about to start once again. I'll be handling school-related stuff yet again so yeah, I might not be able to update in a while yet again, unfortunately... Although, rest assured that I am preparing the framework for the upcoming chapters so there's that. I'll try my best to make those when I can. Welp, that's all and on to the story! ^^)
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (A SNAKE IN THE GRASS, EARNS YOU A BITE ON YOUR ASS!)
Ch.73 - The Chunin Exams: The Second Trial!
[Day3B: Long Time, No Sssssee]
- Continuation -
"How cute..." the woman mused from atop her massive serpent, her voice dripping with cruel amusement. She looked down at Naruto, who stood hunched and gasping for air, his breaths ragged as sweat dripped from his brow.
"It's adorable to see 'prey' scramble so desperately for their lives," she said, her words cutting like knives. With a single motion, the serpent beneath her lunged forward again, its massive tail whipping through the air at an astonishing speed.
Naruto barely had time to register the movement. The tail didn't strike him directly but instead smashed upward, obliterating the branch he stood on with a deafening crack. The branch shattered into splinters, and Naruto was sent hurtling through the air like a ragdoll.
The force propelled him upward, his body smashing through one branch after another. Each impact jarred him violently, his back absorbing the brutal punishment. Finally, his momentum slowed as he slammed against the underside of a thick branch. A sickening thud echoed through the forest as the breath was driven from his lungs.
Naruto's mouth opened in a gasp, blood spurting from his lips. Pain flared through his body, sharp and all-consuming. Gravity claimed him next, his limp figure falling in a helpless descent toward the forest floor.
The woman watched his plummeting form with a smirk, her eyes alight with sadistic delight. "Devour him," she commanded her snake, her voice cold and decisive. The enormous serpent hissed in acknowledgment, opening its cavernous maw as it surged toward the falling boy.
For Naruto, the world had dimmed, the edges of his vision fading to black. Pain throbbed in every fiber of his being, and he felt consciousness slipping away.
But then, something stirred deep within him—a primal, malevolent force clawing its way to the surface.
His eyes snapped open, but they were no longer the familiar, piercing blue. They burned with an unholy crimson glow, slit pupils radiating a feral intensity. A guttural growl escaped his throat as his body twitched, his mind now overwhelmed with fury and an insatiable thirst for vengeance.
Out of nowhere, Naruto seemed to surge with newfound energy, his body coursing with an almost feral strength. Mid-air, he twisted and delivered a powerful heel kick to the snake's massive head, eliciting a guttural hiss of pain from the beast. Though it staggered slightly, the serpent remained steadfast, its size and resilience an overwhelming barrier. Undeterred, Naruto roared and unleashed a flurry of devastating punches, each blow reverberating with enough force to send shockwaves through the surrounding area.
The woman's previously amused expression shifted to one of genuine intrigue. "Oh?... I didn't expect this brat to wield such control over it," she thought to herself, her interest piqued by the fiery determination in his movements.
Naruto's relentless assault didn't stop there. Using the snake's head as a foothold, he propelled himself into the air, his hands moving in a blur as he formed a sequence of seals: Snake - Ram - Monkey - Boar - Horse - Tiger. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball)" he bellowed, spewing a massive fireball straight at the woman.
She remained unfazed, standing calmly atop her serpent. As the inferno closed in, she moved with startling precision, extinguishing the fireball with a single effortless swipe of her hand. The sheer ease of her action left both Naruto and Sasuke stunned, the blonde realizing in that moment just how far outclassed they truly were.
But Naruto refused to back down. Landing on a tree trunk, he used its surface to launch himself forward, his feral features contorted in fury. "I'm not finished!" he roared, surging through the air once more, determined to strike.
The woman's smirk deepened as she casually reached into her pocket, retrieving a fine off-white powder that she poured onto her palm. With practiced ease, she performed a one-handed seal, a gesture so smooth it startled Naruto. "Katon: Enhōsen (Fire Release: Fire Fan)," she said calmly.
A stream of fire erupted from her lips, its shape spreading wide like a fan. As it engulfed the powder, the flames shifted to a menacing green hue, crackling with unnatural energy.
Naruto's instincts screamed at him to shield himself, but it wasn't the fire that posed the real danger—it was the fumes. As the green flames consumed him, he inhaled deeply, unable to avoid the toxic smoke. His body seized up immediately, his muscles locking as though he'd turned to stone.
Falling limp, Naruto plummeted through the trees, crashing through branches one after another. His body finally came to rest on a thick trunk with a sickening thud, motionless and unresponsive.
The woman observed his fall, satisfaction evident in her expression. "I guess that's settled," she said coldly, turning her attention away from the blonde.
"N-Naruto..." Sasuke thought, his mind trembling with disbelief as he stared at his fallen comrade.
The woman's smirk returned as she fixed her gaze on Sasuke once more. "Now... Where were we?..." she purred, her serpent shifting its focus to the lone Uchiha.
"What will you do now, Uchiha Sasuke?..." she taunted as her serpent lunged forward, its immense body cutting through the forest like a missile. Chakra flared beneath her feet, keeping her firmly planted atop its head despite the creature's blinding speed.
Sasuke stood frozen, his mind racing but his body unresponsive. Every instinct screamed at him to act, but fear paralyzed him. As the monstrous serpent closed the distance, Sasuke's options seemed to dwindle, the shadow of his demise looming closer with every passing second.
CRASH!
A shimako (frost-steel) kunai and a regular one were embedded deep in the snake's head, blood pouring rapidly from the wounds. The forest floor was littered with moss and shattered wood from the chaos. The colossal serpent had come to a sudden stop, its enormous body lying motionless just inches away from the stunned Uchiha.
Standing in front of the slain beast was none other than Uzumaki Naruto, his breath heavy and his posture tense. He had single-handedly stopped the serpent, saving Sasuke in the process. Both Sasuke and the woman stared in disbelief. Naruto looked up at Sasuke, a shaky smirk spreading across his face.
"Who's the coward now, Sasuke?..." he said, his voice trembling but defiant.
Sasuke remained silent; his eyes fixed on Naruto's face. The feral features, the intense expression—what unsettled him most was Naruto's eyes. They had changed. The familiar blue was gone, replaced by a haunting shade of red and black, eerily similar to his own Sharingan.
"Don't look at me like that," Naruto snapped, frustration lacing his words. "I told you—I won't let a comrade of mine die on my watch..."
Naruto's anger was palpable, but Sasuke didn't respond. His gaze lingered on Naruto's unsettling transformation, a mix of confusion and unease clouding his thoughts. Suddenly, a long tongue shot out from the shadows, wrapping itself tightly around Naruto's body.
Naruto's eyes widened as the tongue constricted him, lifting him effortlessly into the air. He dangled helplessly, swaying like bait on a hook as the unseen predator revealed itself.
The tongue constricted tighter around Naruto's body, pinning his arms and preventing him from fighting back. He squirmed with all his might, thrashing in desperation. "Damn it! Let go of me! I said, let go of me, you stupid snake lady!" he shouted, his voice raw with frustration and rage.
Unfazed by his protests, the woman pulled Naruto closer, her cold, calculating eyes scanning him from head to toe.
"Impressive indeed... To think this brat survived all of that," she mused aloud, a sinister edge to her tone. Her hands moved deliberately as she prepared to cast another jutsu, the air around her growing heavy with malice.
Naruto's eyes widened as her piercing gaze locked onto his. "It seems," she began, her voice laced with mockery, "that when you experience intense emotions or are pushed to your limits, the nine-tail's power trickles out... Fascinating... However, let's see how you fare against this..." A menacing purple flame flickered to life at her fingertips.
The tongue lifted Naruto's shirt, exposing his stomach. "Oi! What the hell do you think you're doing, you stupid snake lady?! Stop it! Let go of me!" he yelled, struggling even harder, but the woman ignored him entirely.
"Just as I suspected," she muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing at the seal etched on Naruto's stomach.
Naruto gritted his teeth, still writhing against his bonds, as he noticed her preparing to do something. His gut told him it wasn't good.
"Gogyō Fūin! (Five-Pronged Seal)" she bellowed, slamming her palm onto Naruto's stomach. The impact forced a gasp of pain from him as steam erupted from the point of contact. Naruto clenched his jaw, his face twisted in agony, as a searing sensation tore through his abdomen. When the steam cleared, a new seal had overlaid the old one, its sinister design etched into his skin.
The woman's lips curled into a satisfied smirk as she watched the crimson, rage-filled hue of Naruto's eyes slowly fade, reverting to their original blue. The power that had surged through him moments ago now seemed extinguished. Naruto's strength gave out completely, and his body went limp, unconscious.
"Thirteen years since the seal was placed... Naruto's chakra and the nine-tails' chakra are beginning to synchronize. Interesting..." the woman remarked, her tone dripping with indifference. "However, I'm not interested in you, and you're simply in my way... Perhaps another time, I'll revisit this."
With that, she discarded Naruto's unconscious body as if it were nothing more than refuse. His limp form sailed through the air before colliding with a tangle of vines. By sheer luck, the vines caught him, preventing a hard fall to the ground.
Meanwhile, Sasuke stood frozen, his body unwilling to move as he watched the horrifying scene unfold. Fear gripped his chest like a vice, his breathing shallow and erratic.
The woman turned her attention back to Sasuke, her menacing smile returning. "Now then, how about we resume where we left off, ne... Sasuke?" she said, her voice dripping with malice.
Sasuke's legs trembled, and his heart pounded in his chest. The weight of fear bore down on him, threatening to crush his resolve. But then, amidst the chaos in his mind, a familiar voice echoed from deep within, breaking through the haze.
- In Sasuke's Mind -
"Foolish little brother... If your goal is to kill me..." the voice echoed, cold and taunting.
"Resent me..." it continued, dripping with venom.
"Hate me..." it added, the words cutting deeper into Sasuke's mind.
"And continue to live your pathetic life..."
"Shut up," Sasuke thought as he tried his best to push the voice away.
"Run..."
"Flee..."
"And cling to your life..."
"Shut up! Shut up!" Sasuke's thoughts screamed as he fought against the overwhelming tide of emotions.
"Maybe then..." the voice concluded, its tone both mocking and ominous, "you'd be able to face me once more..."
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Sasuke screamed within the confines of his mind, the roar of his emotions drowning out everything else.
His teeth clenched tightly, his entire body trembling with the intensity of his resolve. As he opened his eyes, the Sharingan (Copy/Mirror Wheel Eye) flared to life with a brilliance that felt almost palpable. But something was different this time—his eyes had changed. The crimson orbs now bore two tomoes (巴), spinning with a menacing clarity. The change was subtle yet undeniable, a sign of his growth through pain and desperation.
The Uchiha locked his gaze onto the strange woman before him, his renewed determination burning through every fiber of his being. No longer was he paralyzed by fear. He stood tall, his presence commanding as he met her gaze head-on.
The woman's lips curled into a sinister smirk; her thoughts alive with intrigue. "As expected... The Uchiha blood within him has begun to stir," she mused silently, her fascination evident.
"Now then... We can finally get things started..." the woman mused, her voice low and sinister. She weaved another series of hand signs, deactivating her previous jutsu. Moments later, the massive snake beneath her dissolved into thin air, leaving only the faint rustle of disturbed leaves in its wake. With a fluid motion, she leapt to a nearby tree branch, her movements graceful yet predatory, and perched there to observe Sasuke from above.
The tension in the air was palpable. Neither combatant moved, though for entirely different reasons. Sasuke stood his ground, his muscles coiled like a spring, ready to explode into action. He knew better than to act hastily; one wrong move could mean his end. The woman, on the other hand, seemed content to wait, her sharp gaze dissecting Sasuke's every breath and twitch. The stillness worked to her advantage—it gave her precious moments to assess the young Uchiha standing before her, his newfound power clearly piquing her interest.
- (Naruto OST: Strong and Strike) -
"Perhaps I should take my time to confirm his true potential..." the woman thought, her lips curling into a sly smirk. She shifted into a fighting stance, extending one arm outward and beckoning Sasuke with a taunting gesture, daring him to attack.
Sasuke wasted no time. He swiftly drew another kunai from his holster, gripping it tightly between his teeth as he adjusted and tightened his hitai-ate.
"You're right, Naruto... I was being stupid for surrendering earlier," Sasuke thought to himself, his resolve hardening. "I have to live so I can kill my older brother... That much I know. How can someone who can't fight until the very end ever hope to beat that man?!" His crimson eyes locked onto the woman, burning with determination.
Without hesitation, Sasuke sprang into action, rushing toward the woman with blinding speed. The forest blurred around him as he closed the distance. The woman, however, remained unfazed, standing perfectly still. Then, with a subtle motion, she flexed her chakra, releasing a wave of energy that sent a powerful gust of wind outward. Dust and debris swirled around her, creating an almost ethereal shroud.
Sasuke, his doujutsu tracking her every move, countered by leaping into the air. Twisting mid-flight, he hurled two kunai from his pouch, followed quickly by the one clenched between his teeth. The blades whistled through the air with deadly precision. But the woman sidestepped effortlessly, her movements fluid and unhurried, as if she was merely toying with him.
Sasuke landed against the trunk of a nearby tree, using it as a springboard to launch himself toward her once more. This time, he let out a fierce yell, pouring his determination into the attack. His first kick came in fast and precise, followed by another in quick succession. Yet, the woman met his strikes head-on, blocking both with the back of her forearms.
Not missing a beat, Sasuke shifted his momentum. Using her arms as leverage, he vaulted upward, twisting through the air to reposition himself. Landing on solid ground, he immediately executed a graceful backflip, putting distance between them.
Sasuke skidded backward, his feet grinding against the wooden surface as he struggled to regain balance. His eyes widened as he saw the woman rushing toward him with such speed that she left afterimages in her wake. Determined not to let her control the flow of the battle, Sasuke surged forward as well, channeling chakra into his legs in an attempt to keep up with her blistering pace.
He leapt into the air, delivering a powerful kick aimed at her head. However, the woman blocked it with ease, forcing Sasuke to backflip away and land safely. She retaliated with a sweeping leg kick meant to unbalance him, but Sasuke dodged by stepping backward. Seizing the opening, he threw a right hook, which was blocked again. The woman countered with a right hook of her own, but Sasuke intercepted it with his forearm. Twisting his body, he spun into a windmill kick, only for her to evade it effortlessly. She responded with a heel drop kick aimed at his head, but Sasuke jumped back just in time to avoid the crushing blow.
The fight intensified. The woman swung her arm in a wide arc, but Sasuke ducked beneath the strike. Her left jab came next, but he caught her wrist before it could connect. She followed with another right hook, only for the Uchiha to sidestep it once more.
Amidst the relentless exchange of blows, Sasuke found himself astonished by his newfound clarity. "I can see..." he thought, marveling at the way his doujutsu allowed him to track her every move.
The woman lashed out with a high kick, but Sasuke tilted his head just enough to evade it. He spun on his heel, using the momentum to deliver a spinning kick. She leapt high into the air, gracefully dodging his attack before landing behind him. Sasuke whirled around, but she was already gone, vanishing into the forest with a speed that defied logic, leaving only a faint trail of dust in her wake.
Quickly scanning his surroundings, Sasuke relied on his enhanced vision to track her down. His visual prowess caught her darting through the trees with a serpentine fluidity, her movements unnervingly precise, as if her body lacked bones.
Despite her incredible speed, Sasuke realized he could follow her every move. "I can see!" he thought, his confidence growing.
But his elation was short-lived. The woman used a tree trunk as a springboard, launching herself forward with incredible force. She glided through the air, aiming a devastating strike at Sasuke. Reacting just in time, he jumped upward, narrowly avoiding her blow. The impact of her attack splintered the branch beneath her, sending shards of wood and a cloud of dust into the air.
Landing safely from a distance, Sasuke wasted no time. He weaved a rapid series of hand seals, determination etched onto his face. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball)" he bellowed, unleashing a massive stream of fire that scorched everything in its path. Flames roared to life, consuming the air with intense heat. Refusing to let up, Sasuke poured more chakra into the technique, amplifying its size and ferocity until it became an inferno blazing with unrelenting power.
Suddenly, the roaring inferno dissipated, vanishing as if snuffed out by an unseen force. A faint cracking sound followed, drawing Sasuke's attention to the tree branch beneath him. Its surface splintered and cracked, spreading rapidly as though something alive was burrowing through it. The movement was swift, deliberate, and eerily serpentine, racing toward Sasuke with a sinister purpose.
Realizing the danger, Sasuke leapt back just as the cracks reached him. The woman burst forth from the branch, her clawed hand swiping at the spot where he had stood mere moments before. Sasuke landed gracefully on a distant tree branch; his crimson eyes locked onto her figure with unwavering focus.
The woman straightened her posture, her movements fluid yet deliberate as she studied him intently. Despite her stillness, the tension in the air was palpable. A faint smile played at her lips as her thoughts raced. "Impressive. He predicted my movements... and his attacks are precise. He can see my moves, can't he?..."
The two combatants remained locked in a tense standoff, the forest around them silent save for the creaking branches and the faint rustle of leaves, as if nature itself held its breath in anticipation of their next move.
- Somewhere in Shi no Mori -
The afternoon sun hung low on the western horizon, casting the sky in hues of deep orange and gold. A lone figure darted through the dense forest, leaping from branch to branch with remarkable speed. It was Anko, her focus unwavering and her movements precise as she pursued her target—someone tied to a past she could never forget.
Determined not to waste another moment, she funneled chakra into her legs, boosting her speed even further. With a powerful leap, she launched herself off one branch, soaring through the air before grabbing another with expert precision. Using the branch's momentum, she swung herself upward into a flawless flip, landing lightly on a higher perch.
Pausing briefly, Anko scanned her surroundings, her sharp eyes noting the lengthening shadows of the trees. The sun was dipping lower, its golden light growing dim.
"It's almost getting dark... I need to find them quickly," she thought, her jaw tightening.
The encroaching darkness only added urgency to her mission. "Once night falls, it'll make tracking them even harder."
Her thoughts drifted momentarily to the mystery of her target's return. Why had they come back to the Leaf? But as quickly as the question surfaced, she dismissed it.
"It doesn't matter why you returned. You're here now, and it's up to me to finish this. Once and for all."
With renewed resolve, Anko launched herself forward again, the branches blurring past as she pressed on, her silhouette a fleeting shadow against the twilight-painted sky.
- With Sasuke -
The woman finished weaving another set of hand seals.
"Fūton: Toppa (Wind Release: Breakthrough)," she intoned, exhaling a powerful gust of wind that hurtled toward Sasuke with ferocious speed. The Uchiha's reflexes kicked in as he sprang to the side, narrowly avoiding the torrent of air. The blast collided with a distant branch, the impact splintering it apart with a deafening crack. Gravity claimed the branch, dragging it down with a groan before it crashed onto the forest floor below.
Sasuke, mid-air, twisted his body into a nimble flip, landing on the underside of a nearby branch. The soles of his feet clung to the surface as he coiled his legs, channeling chakra to launch himself forward. In an instant, he became a blur of motion, closing the distance between him and his opponent with incredible speed.
He tackled the woman with a forceful grip around her torso, dragging them both from their precarious height. The woman let out a startled scream, thrashing in an attempt to break free, but Sasuke held on with unrelenting determination. As they plummeted, he twisted his body to position her head-first toward the oncoming impact.
"It's over!" Sasuke thought, his mind steeled with resolve.
Seconds later, they collided with a thick branch. The woman's head struck the solid surface with a sickening thud, the force cracking the branch and sending splinters and dust into the air. Her body convulsed violently before going limp, arms and legs dangling lifelessly.
Sasuke leapt away, landing deftly on another branch as he turned to survey his work. He stared at the woman's face—her eyes unblinking, her body unnervingly still. He exhaled a shaky sigh of relief, convinced the battle was over.
But then he heard it—a sickening crunch.
Sasuke's eyes snapped back to the woman. Her head began to twist unnaturally, the movements jerky and grotesque. Her mouth fell open in an unnatural gape, and her once-sharp eyes rolled back, turning pure white.
Suddenly, the woman's form collapsed, liquefying into thick, viscous mud that oozed over the tree branch.
"A substitution?!" Sasuke thought, his mind edged with disbelief.
Before he could react further, a kunai whizzed past his face, barely missing his cheek. Sasuke's instincts flared, and he sprang into motion, twisting and flipping to evade a volley of deadly projectiles. Mid-air, he reached into his pouch, pulling out a coil of ninja wire. As he descended, he threw the wire with precision, wrapping it tightly around a sturdy branch.
Sasuke tugged hard to secure the line, his body swinging wide through the air. The wire hissed under the strain, friction burning smoke into the air. With a practiced motion, he released the line at the perfect moment, landing gracefully on a distant tree.
He scanned the area, his sharp eyes searching for his opponent. The forest loomed around him, silent but for the faint rustle of leaves. Suddenly, the woman emerged from the shadows, a blur of speed.
Her punch struck Sasuke square in the face before he could react, his head snapping back violently. Dazed, he barely registered the second blow—a brutal hit to his abdomen that drove the air from his lungs. Sasuke doubled over, only for the woman to seize a handful of his hair and ram her knee into his jaw. The impact sent him stumbling backward, leaving him defenseless against the spinning kick that crashed into his torso.
Sasuke was launched into the air, skidding across the forest floor before coming to a painful halt. Groaning, he clutched his side, his body wracked with pain.
The woman approached leisurely, her movements exuding cruel confidence. She looked down at Sasuke with a smirk, savoring his defeat.
"Hmmm… That was disappointing..." she taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. "Pathetic..."
Sasuke gritted his teeth, his anger bubbling beneath the surface.
"Still," the woman continued, "I suppose I can amuse myself a little longer before I end you..."
She reached out to grab him, but her smug expression twisted into shock as a series of small explosions erupted from her back. The force sent her stumbling forward, dropping to her knees.
Sasuke sprang into action, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. During their brawl, he had discreetly planted miniature explosives on her clothing—a move she had failed to notice.
Leaping high into the air, Sasuke hurled a flurry of shuriken, each trailing a gleaming line of ninja wire. The blades fanned out, slicing through the air with precision, their sharp edges glinting in the dappled sunlight as they raced toward their target.
The woman's eyes narrowed as she recognized the technique—a maneuver she had seen before. Her confidence flickered but did not waver.
Sasuke landed at a safe distance; his movements calculated. With a sharp yank on the wires, the shuriken changed direction mid-flight, curving back toward the woman like a swarm of metallic wasps. The wires coiled around her with deadly precision, binding her tightly against a massive tree trunk. The restraints left her immobilized, her struggles only tightening the grip.
With his target subdued, Sasuke seized the opportunity. He formed a sequence of hand seals: Snake - Dragon - Rabbit - Tiger.
"Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique)" he shouted, exhaling a torrent of fire.
The flames roared to life, rushing along the wires like liquid sunlight. They erupted into a blazing inferno, engulfing the woman entirely. The heat distorted the air, and the sound of crackling flames filled the forest.
Even from his vantage point, Sasuke could hear the woman's cries of pain, her voice cutting through the chaos. The fire consumed the tree trunk, leaving it charred and splintered, a testament to the sheer power of Sasuke's jutsu.
As the flames finally subsided, the aftermath became clear. Smoke curled upward from the blackened remnants of the trunk. The woman's once-pristine attire was now singed and tattered, her body marred with soot and burns. Wisps of smoke rose from her form, and portions of her exposed skin bore the angry red marks of severe burns.
Sasuke knelt, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His Sharingan flickered slightly, the exertion taking its toll. For a moment, a fragile silence hung in the air, and Sasuke dared to hope the battle was over.
But the faint sound of snapping wires shattered that hope, sending a chill down his spine.
But before he could react, Sasuke's body suddenly seized up, his muscles locked in place. He strained against the invisible force, his breath hitching as he realized the Kanashibari no Jutsu (Temporary Paralysis Technique) was at work. His eyes darted toward the source, locking onto the woman—or rather, the entity that had taken her place.
"Astounding…" the figure said, its voice lower and more serpentine than before. "I did not expect you to wield the Sharingan with such prowess at your age."
The words sent a chill through Sasuke's spine, but he gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over.
"It seems I underestimated you," the figure continued. "You truly are a member of the Uchiha clan… I do want you, after all..."
Sasuke growled, his muscles straining against the jutsu's grip. With a guttural scream, he fought to regain control, veins standing out against his pale skin.
"There's no mistaking it," the figure mused, as if lost in thought. "You are his brother… Your eyes… They hold even greater potential than Itachi's..."
The mention of that name was like a dagger to Sasuke's heart. His crimson eyes locked onto the figure with a mix of fury and shock.
"Who the hell are you?!" Sasuke barked, his voice trembling with anger. "And how do you know that name?!"
"My name…" the figure said, its voice curling with malice, "is Orochimaru..."
Orochimaru's smile widened, utterly ignoring Sasuke's demand for answers.
"If you wish to understand, come find me... Claw your way to the top of this test... Defeat the Otogakure genin under my command, and perhaps… We will meet again..."
"You're insane! There's no way I'd want to see you again!" Sasuke snapped, but Orochimaru's laughter echoed through the forest, sharp and cold.
"Oh, you will," Orochimaru replied, his voice laced with dark certainty. "Allow me to grant you a taste of power as a token for our inevitable reunion."
Without warning, Orochimaru formed a single hand seal. His neck elongated grotesquely, stretching and twisting like a serpent until his fanged mouth hovered above Sasuke's paralyzed form.
Sasuke's eyes widened in horror. "What the—?!"
Orochimaru struck, his fangs sinking deep into the left side of Sasuke's neck. A sharp, searing pain erupted from the bite, sending waves of agony through the young Uchiha's body. He winced, a strangled cry escaping his lips.
When Orochimaru's neck retracted, the faint sound of snapping vertebrae accompanied the grotesque motion. Two puncture marks remained on Sasuke's neck, but the transformation was not over.
Dark, jagged markings began to spread outward from the bite, crawling across his skin like living tattoos. Blood oozed from the punctures, mingling with the black seal that now etched itself onto his body. The pain intensified, and Sasuke's world blurred as his consciousness began to waver.
Suddenly, an intense, searing pain erupted from the side of Sasuke's neck. His hand shot up instinctively, clutching at the spot where Orochimaru had bitten him. The black markings continued to writhe and spread across his skin, pulsating with an unnatural heat.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ME?!" Sasuke yelled, his voice raw with anger and agony.
Orochimaru's mocking laughter echoed through the forest, chilling and unrelenting. "I've made you stronger, Sasuke…" he said, his tone dripping with sinister satisfaction. "This is a gift—one you will come to embrace. And when you do, you'll thank me..."
Sasuke's glare burned with hatred, but his body betrayed him, trembling from the unbearable pain. His breath was ragged, his knees threatening to buckle beneath him.
"For now," Orochimaru continued, his golden, serpentine eyes glinting with malice, "I've enjoyed our little encounter. Until we meet again, Uchiha Sasuke…"
With that, Orochimaru's form began to sink into the forest floor as though the ground itself were swallowing him whole. The shadows rippled, and in a matter of seconds, he vanished completely, leaving no trace of his presence.
Sasuke collapsed to one knee, his hand still gripping his neck as the pain continued to surge through him like fire. His mind raced with confusion and fury, but one thought burned brighter than the rest: What kind of power had Orochimaru cursed him with?
Sasuke gritted his teeth, forcing himself to rise despite the searing pain radiating from the bite mark. His legs trembled as he managed to push himself onto one knee, sweat pouring down his face. For a moment, he thought he could steady himself—but then the cursed mark flared to life again, sending a fresh wave of agony coursing through his body.
A guttural scream tore from Sasuke's throat, echoing through the dense forest. The sound was raw, primal, and filled with suffering, enough to send nearby birds scattering from the treetops in a flurry of wings and cries.
- With Anko -
Anko raced through the forest with unrelenting speed, the wind whipping past her as she leapt from branch to branch. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her focus remained sharp. She could feel his presence growing stronger with every stride, a sensation that made her push harder. Channeling more chakra to her legs, she surged forward, her speed almost blurring her figure against the darkened forest backdrop.
"He's close... I can feel it," she thought, her determination driving her forward.
Reaching a high branch, Anko launched herself into the air, soaring gracefully for a moment before gravity pulled her downward. With practiced precision, she drew a kunai from her holster and plunged it into the side of a tree trunk, slowing her descent. The blade left a deep, jagged mark as she slid down, the resistance allowing her to control her fall.
When she reached a manageable height, Anko wrenched the kunai free and used the trunk as a springboard to propel herself forward. She flipped mid-air and landed fluidly on another branch, her movements seamless as she closed the distance between herself and her target.
Then she saw him. He was phasing through the bark of a massive tree, his form distorted, his disguise unraveling. Painful memories clawed at the edges of her mind, but she pushed them aside, her resolve unwavering.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Anko hurled her kunai with precision. The blade cut through the air like a silver streak, heading straight for him.
The target's eyes widened as he caught the kunai between two fingers, its tip mere inches from his face. Slowly, he turned his gaze to meet hers. His expression shifted, and his voice carried an unsettling mix of familiarity and amusement.
"It's been a while... Anko," he said, his tone almost welcoming.
Anko didn't flinch. Her voice was steady, filled with purpose. "Save your breath. You're an S-Class criminal—one of the most dangerous individuals in the bingo book."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smile. "I appreciate the compliment. However, flattery won't get you anywhere."
"Let's stop wasting each other's time," she snapped. "You already know why I'm here... As your former student, it's my duty to end this. Even if it costs me my life..."
His smile widened, and his eyes gleamed with twisted delight. "I see... If that's how you feel, then I suppose it's only fair I reciprocate. As your former sensei, your final lesson begins now."
With that, Orochimaru's grotesquely long tongue shot from his mouth, whipping through the air at lightning speed.
Anko leapt upward, narrowly avoiding the strike. The tongue smashed into the branch she had stood on, splintering it with such force that the entire tree trembled.
Grabbing hold of a higher branch, Anko swung herself upward and landed in a crouch. But the tongue wasn't finished. It coiled around the trunk like a serpent, pursuing her relentlessly.
Reacting quickly, Anko retrieved a handful of poison-laced senbons from her pouch and flung them at the tongue. The sharp projectiles streaked through the air, but the monstrous appendage dodged them with unnatural agility, continuing its advance.
With no other options, Anko sprinted along the length of her branch and leapt into the air. As she soared, she formed a series of hand seals.
"Sen'ei Jashu! (Striking Shadow Snakes)" she declared, and snakes shot out from her sleeves, their fangs bared. The serpents latched onto a distant branch, allowing her to swing forward.
As she landed on another tree, Anko's eyes darted around, searching for Orochimaru. The eerie silence of the forest amplified her wariness.
A sudden rustling sound from above drew Anko's attention. Her gaze snapped upward, and she spotted dozens of serpents slithering down toward her, their fangs glinting ominously in the dim light. With no space to reposition, she braced herself to face the onslaught head-on.
Moving swiftly, Anko began weaving a series of hand signs. "Uwabami no Goei (Uwabami's Defense)," she intoned, and two serpents emerged from the surface beneath her feet. The snakes coiled tightly around her, forming a protective barrier against the descending mass. From within her shield, she could hear the hissing of countless snakes just beyond the writhing defense.
Without hesitation, Anko prepared her counterattack. She executed another sequence of hand signs: Dog - Horse - Tiger. "Katon: Onidōrō (Fire Release: Demon Lantern)," she called out, summoning ghostly balls of flame that floated around her. Disabling the protective barrier, she revealed herself, and the fiery orbs immediately launched toward the surrounding snakes, incinerating them on contact. The smell of burning scales filled the air as the snakes hissed one last time before crumbling into ash.
While Anko dealt with the serpents, Orochimaru seized the opening. His tongue shot out with a sickening speed, extending toward her like a striking whip.
Focused on dispatching a lunging snake, Anko slashed it cleanly with her kunai. Twisting mid-movement, she stabbed another that dared to close the distance. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something darting toward her—Orochimaru's tongue. Reacting in an instant, she dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding it. But the tongue lashed out again, redirected with precision.
This time, Anko stood her ground. She tracked the incoming attack and waited until the last possible moment. With practiced skill, she twisted her body and caught Orochimaru's tongue mid-strike. Her grip tightened as she yanked hard, pulling the surprised Orochimaru off balance. Without missing a beat, she jumped from her perch, using his tongue like a rope to swing forward. Landing back on the same branch, she wasted no time tying his tongue into a tight knot. For good measure, she drew another kunai and drove it through the knotted tongue, pinning it firmly to the branch.
Orochimaru writhed, struggling to free himself, but his efforts were in vain. Seeing her enemy momentarily restrained, Anko seized the chance to unleash her next attack. She repeated her earlier jutsu, her voice sharp and commanding. "Sen'ei Jashu! (Striking Shadow Snakes)" A swarm of snakes erupted from her sleeve, hissing as they surged toward her immobilized target.
Seeing Anko's attack closing in, Orochimaru acted with ruthless precision. He opened his mouth unnaturally wide and bit down hard, severing his own tongue to escape. Despite this desperate maneuver, Anko's snakes reached him, coiling tightly around his body. Their fangs sank deep into his flesh, locking him in place.
Anko smirked at the success of her jutsu and yanked her arm back sharply. Orochimaru's restrained body lifted into the air, swinging helplessly as Anko slammed him through multiple tree trunks. The cracking wood echoed through the forest as his body absorbed the brutal impacts. Finally, he collided with a sturdier tree, the impact producing a sickening crunch.
But Anko wasn't done. With another powerful pull, she dragged Orochimaru's limp form toward her. He hurtled through the air, only to meet her waiting fist, which connected squarely with his face. The blow sent him crashing to the ground, flat on his back. Seizing the moment, Anko followed up with a double leg sweep that struck his head with precision.
Springing into the air, Anko performed another jutsu. "Sen'ei Tajashu! (Multiple Striking Shadow Snakes)" she yelled, and a multitude of serpents burst from both her sleeves. The snakes shot forward, anchoring themselves to the branch where Orochimaru lay, their sharp fangs embedding deeply into the bark.
With a mighty pull, Anko used the snakes like a slingshot. She propelled herself forward, her knee aimed directly at Orochimaru's abdomen. In a blur of motion, she closed the distance in an instant. Her knee struck true, but instead of Orochimaru groaning in pain, his body dissolved into a writhing cluster of snakes.
Anko's eyes narrowed as her teeth clenched. "Tch..." she muttered under her breath, realizing she had been deceived.
Orochimaru's mocking laughter echoed around her. "You've grown... Yet you're still as predictable as ever," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You couldn't have possibly believed it would be that easy... You'll need to do far more if you truly want to defeat me..."
Fury boiled within Anko as she scanned her surroundings, her sharp eyes darting across the forest. Every shadow and rustle seemed to taunt her. She clenched her fists tightly, determined to find her elusive foe.
Suddenly, a searing pain flared on her neck. Anko winced, her breathing quickening as the burning sensation intensified. Gritting her teeth, she fought against the pain that now threatened to overwhelm her.
"Damnit... Not right now..." she thought bitterly, her resolve strained but unbroken.
Orochimaru's eyes flicked toward Anko, noticing her discomfort. A sly grin spread across his face. "Oh?... And here I thought the gift I gave you had either receded or been removed... But it seems you've been putting it to good use, no?... That does put a smile on my face," he said, his tone mocking.
"Shut up! I'd have this damn thing removed in a heartbeat if I could!" Anko shot back, her voice laced with defiance.
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "And yet, there it is. I can tell you've been using it from time to time—hence why it's acting up now. I should know... After all, I'm the one who made it."
Anko's jaw tightened, her silence betraying the truth in his words.
"It seems you have nothing to say," Orochimaru continued, his voice dripping with condescension. "You can pretend to be tough all you want, Anko... But deep down, you know very well that to stand a chance against me... You have no choice but to use it..."
Anko could practically hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears, each beat faster than the last. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and focused. The mark on her neck began to spread, black lines crawling across the left side of her body like dark vines. When she opened her eyes, the sclera of her left eye had turned pitch black, with her pupil now a vibrant yellow slit.
A chuckle echoed around her, dripping with amusement. "I take it that you're ready to take things seriously now?..." Orochimaru taunted.
Anko didn't reply. Instead, she dropped into a fighting stance, her movements deliberate and composed.
The forest around her fell silent, though Orochimaru's oppressive presence lingered, circling like a predator waiting to strike. If she was going to use the curse mark, she decided she might as well take it further. Rolling up her right sleeve, she revealed a familiar marking etched into her skin—the same one Orochimaru had used earlier against Sasuke.
Biting her thumb, she drew a straight line of blood along the length of the marking. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)," she declared, slamming her palm onto the surface beneath her.
Moments later, two serpents emerged from her sleeve. Unlike the ones she had summoned before, these snakes were unique. One was an albino python with scales like ivory, while the other was a brown rattlesnake with menacing patterns across its body. Both slithered out, coiling tightly around her arms.
"Itsssss been a while, Anko-chan..." the albino python hissed, its tone soft but unsettling.
"Itsssss so nice to sssssee you again... I wasssss starting to think that you didn't need usssss anymore," added the rattlesnake, its voice sharp and rasping.
"Now's not the time to catch up..." Anko said curtly, her focus unshaken.
"Oh, I sssssee..." the python replied, its voice trailing off as it detected something. Its tone shifted, laced with a mix of recognition and dread. "He'sssss here..."
Anko nodded, her expression grim.
"Hoka, you know what to do," she commanded. The rattlesnake uncoiled from her arm, slithering to the ground. Its movements were precise as it attuned itself to the vibrations around them, sensing every tremor in the earth.
Suddenly, Hoka tensed. "Anko-chan! Behind you!" the snake warned.
Without hesitation, Anko strafed to her left, narrowly dodging Orochimaru's serpentine lunge. His attack passed by her in a blur, missing its mark by inches.
Orochimaru's hand was mere inches from Anko's face, his eyes momentarily widening in shock at the speed of her reaction. If not for her summon's timely warning and the power boost from her activated curse mark, she wouldn't have evaded in time.
In one swift and fluid motion, Anko twisted her body, the serpents coiling around Orochimaru's lower body with precision. "Hoka! Kiyohime!" she called out. At her command, her summons tightened their grip, their muscular coils locking him in place. The serpents sank their fangs into him, "Dokuga/Honō Kiba (Venom Fang Strike/Searing Fang Strike)" both serpents said in unison as Hoka's bites heated up with scorching intensity, while Kiyohime injected venom into her target.
Orochimaru groaned, his usual calm demeanor cracking under the pain. Anko didn't hesitate. Pulling back with all her might, she spun on her heel and hurled him into the air.
Not letting up, Anko leapt into the air, her momentum carrying her toward Orochimaru. Using her snakes as whips, she struck him repeatedly, each blow connecting with a resounding crack. With her free hand, she slashed him with a kunai, cutting through his robes and drawing blood. As they spun mid-air, she delivered two solid kicks to his torso, sending him higher into the sky.
"Sen'ei Tajashu! (Multiple Striking Shadow Snakes)" she shouted, sending another swarm of vipers shooting from her other sleeve. They struck Orochimaru relentlessly, their bites tearing into him from all directions.
"Take this! Saigo no Geki! (Final Fang)" Anko bellowed. Both Hoka and Kiyohime extended from her arms, launching themselves with blinding speed. Hoka veered left, while Kiyohime darted right, their movements synchronized. With razor-sharp fangs, they struck Orochimaru simultaneously.
The force of the attack was decisive—Orochimaru's body split cleanly in two, severed at the waist as though by an impossibly sharp blade. Anko's serpents returned to her side, coiling protectively around her arms. But her victory was short-lived.
As Orochimaru's body plummeted, snakes erupted from both halves, slithering toward each other. The serpents bit down, stitching his body together. In mere moments, he was whole again, landing effortlessly on a distant tree branch.
Without hesitation, Orochimaru counterattacked. His lower body morphed into a snake's tail, propelling him forward at unnatural speed. Before Anko could react, he was upon her.
Orochimaru's right hand lashed out in a sweeping motion. Anko raised her forearms to block, saving her face but earning deep gashes along her arms. She stumbled back, gasping in pain. Orochimaru's left fist shot forward, slamming into her abdomen. The blow knocked the wind out of her, leaving her vulnerable.
A second punch from his right followed immediately, his precision merciless. Spinning with fluid grace, Orochimaru delivered two powerful kicks that sent Anko doubling over. He leapt into the air, spinning again to deliver another pair of devastating kicks that struck her with bone-jarring force.
Anko lost her footing, stumbling backward. Orochimaru didn't let up, twirling as he performed a familiar jutsu. "Sen'ei Jashu (Striking Shadow Snakes)," he intoned, sending a torrent of serpents hurtling toward her.
The snakes sank their fangs into Anko, each bite drawing blood. But the attack didn't end there. The serpents merged, forming a massive serpent whose jaws opened wide. From its maw, Orochimaru emerged, his face twisted in triumph as he lunged, ready to strike her once more.
"Suffer!" Orochimaru roared, launching himself from the serpent's gaping maw. His fist collided with Anko's hastily raised arms as she crossed them to block. The impact reverberated through her body, sending her skidding across the branch. The force of the blow left her forearms numb, her stance faltering as she struggled to recover.
"Sen'ei Tajashu (Multiple Striking Shadow Snakes)," Orochimaru continued, his arm snapping forward to unleash another torrent of snakes. Hoka and Kiyohime lunged into action, their fangs sinking into as many of Orochimaru's serpents as they could manage. Yet the sheer number overwhelmed them. The snakes coiled around Anko, biting into her flesh, and Orochimaru yanked her toward him with a sharp tug.
Twisting as she hurtled toward him, Orochimaru spun with a cruel grace. "Sen'ei Tajashu (Multiple Striking Shadow Snakes)," he intoned, releasing yet more snakes from both sleeves. They whipped Anko relentlessly as Orochimaru's body became a blur of motion, each strike landing with vicious precision before he hurled her into the air.
As she ascended, Orochimaru clapped his hands together and opened his mouth unnaturally wide. "Kamishini no Yari (God-Killing Spear)," he declared, and a blade extended from his throat with lightning speed. The sword pierced Anko repeatedly midair, each strike drawing cries of agony as blood sprayed and rained down onto the forest floor.
When gravity reclaimed her, Anko crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, her body crumpling amid the dirt and leaves. Orochimaru retracted the sword to a manageable length, pulling it fully from his mouth. With predatory ease, he leapt to the ground and strode toward her, his face a picture of sinister satisfaction.
"It seems the experiments I performed on you weren't in vain after all, Anko..." Orochimaru's voice dripped with mockery as he towered over her broken form.
Anko writhed in pain, her vision swimming. The agony was almost too much to bear, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to show further weakness. Orochimaru, savoring the moment, licked the blade of his sword, a cruel smile stretching across his face.
"You've done well for your final lesson..." he said, his tone almost congratulatory. "For that, I'll grant you a swift death." Orochimaru raised his blade high, poised to deliver the killing blow.
"Any last words?..." he taunted.
"Yeah..." Anko's voice was hoarse, but defiant. "See you in hell..."
In that instant, Orochimaru's eyes widened as Anko completed a sequence of hand seals, her fingers working even as she lay crumpled on the ground.
Suddenly, four jagged earthen spikes erupted from the ground with a thunderous crack, impaling Orochimaru from multiple directions and pinning him in place. Anko had used the Doton: Dosekidake (Earth Release: Earth and Stone Bamboo Shoot).
"What—?!" Orochimaru hissed, thrashing against the restraints.
Anko pushed through the pain, forcing herself to move. "Kanashibari no Jutsu! (Temporary Paralysis Technique)" she cried, weaving another sign. Orochimaru's body stiffened further, his movements halting as the paralysis took hold.
"Hoka! Kiyohime!" Anko commanded, her summons shooting forward like arrows. They wrapped tightly around Orochimaru, adding another unyielding layer of binds. Kiyohime sank her fangs into him once more, injecting a potent venom that left him paralyzed.
Anko staggered to her feet, her breath ragged as she grabbed Orochimaru's immobilized hand. Using his fingers, she began forming a series of seals, ignoring his attempts to speak.
Orochimaru's eyes filled with a rare flicker of fear. "That jutsu..." he muttered, his voice low but panicked.
"That's right," Anko growled, tightening her grip on his hand. "You and I are going to die right here, right now..."
The determination in her voice was unshakable as she completed the seals. "Ninpo: Sōjasōsai no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Twin Snakes Mutual Death Technique)," she whispered, her gaze locking onto Orochimaru's.
- (Naruto OST: Orochimaru's Theme) -
"So, you intend to commit suicide then, Anko?..." Orochimaru's voice echoed, smooth and mocking.
Anko's eyes widened in horror. She turned her head sharply, and there he stood behind her, unscathed and smug. Spinning back toward the Orochimaru she had attacked, she watched as his form crumbled into a formless pile of mud.
Her breathing hitched, frustration boiling in her chest. Again. She had fallen for his deception again. Gritting her teeth, she turned fully to face her former sensei. Despite the relentless punishment she had inflicted earlier, Orochimaru appeared completely unharmed, his composure unshaken. Meanwhile, her own body bore the brutal evidence of their fight. Bite marks littered her skin, her abdomen still bled profusely from the multiple stabs inflicted by his sword, and it was nothing short of a miracle she could even stand.
Orochimaru's laughter cut through the air, a sinister melody reveling in her failure. "Just because I taught you that jutsu," he sneered, "doesn't mean you should be using it so recklessly, Anko..."
Anko remained silent, her jaw clenched tight. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a reply. Then, without warning, a sharp, searing pain erupted from the mark on her neck. She cried out involuntarily, clutching the left side of her neck and shoulder as the agony radiated through her body.
"Shit... Not now..." she thought bitterly, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
The dark markings that had spread across her left side began to recede, slithering back into the cursed seal. Her left eye returned to its normal color, the curse mark's empowering influence fading with it.
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he performed a single hand seal. Anko's body froze instantly, every muscle locking into place. Hoka and Kiyohime tensed and collapsed as well, powerless against Orochimaru's hold.
Anko dropped to her knees, gasping for air. The weight of her injuries and the absence of the curse mark's boost pressed down on her like a mountain.
"W-Why did you even come back here now...?" she rasped, her voice heavy with strain.
Orochimaru stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You're awfully cold to me, Anko," he mused. "Is that really how you greet an old teacher after so long?..."
Anko glared at him through the pain, refusing to show the fear that churned in her stomach. "Let me guess... You're here to kill Hokage-sama?..."
Orochimaru chuckled, the sound low and sinister. "Is that what you think?..." he asked, tilting his head in mock curiosity. "No, no. You misunderstand. The truth is far more... Pragmatic..."
His tone shifted, as though he were discussing something mundane. "I'm not yet prepared for such an undertaking. My true purpose here is simpler: I'm here to observe the exceptional individuals participating in these exams. To see their potential... and perhaps, to claim them before anyone else does."
The weight of his words settled over Anko like a suffocating fog. Even in her weakened state, her mind raced. Orochimaru wasn't here for mere destruction—he was hunting, seeking prey for his twisted ambitions.
Anko winced, coughing up blood as the pain surged through her battered body. Orochimaru crouched down to her level, a twisted smile curling his lips. "Quite frankly," he began, his voice laced with malice, "I gave that same mark as a present not too long ago..."
Anko glared at him, though the effort strained her.
"There's a boy I have my eye on at the moment," Orochimaru continued, his tone almost conversational.
"Tch... Selfish as always, you damn bastard," Anko spat with all her remaining strength. "That kid will die..."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through the forest. "There is truth in what you say. After all, the odds are nine in ten that he will die," he admitted, almost casually. "However... He may just survive. Much like you did..."
He leaned in closer, his golden eyes gleaming with sinister delight. "Just imagine the possibilities. Take yourself as an example, Anko. You've wielded your mark well, haven't you?..."
Anko scoffed weakly, blood staining her lips. "Heh... Seems like you really like him, huh?..."
"Oh? Is that jealousy I sense?..." Orochimaru teased as he reached out and caressed her left cheek with a cold, almost affectionate touch.
Anko froze, her body betraying her will.
"Are you still holding a grudge, my dear Anko?..." Orochimaru whispered, his voice like poison.
"For deceiving you?..."
"For discarding you?"..."
"For me using you?..."
She didn't respond, her jaw tightening as she fought back the wave of rage and humiliation his words stirred.
"You did well, Anko," he said, his voice softening mockingly. "But your best simply isn't enough... Unlike you, this one will excel, will reach far greater heights. After all," He paused, his eyes narrowing with wicked glee. "He inherited the Uchiha's most prized possession..."
Orochimaru stood, his form towering over her as his voice grew darker. "He'll make a perfect vessel... My heir. If he survives, that's when the fun truly begins..."
As the tension hung heavy in the air, Orochimaru's tone shifted again, carrying a subtle threat. "Be sure not to cancel this test."
He took a few steps back, his gaze never leaving Anko. "Not only that," he added, his voice laced with malice, "there are three shinobi from my village under your care. I trust they're in good hands..."
Before she could muster a response, Orochimaru's form began to dissipate, a shroud of purple smoke marking his departure. Yet his voice lingered, echoing through the forest like a curse.
"If something were to happen that deprives me of my fun... Consider it the end of this village."
As silence reclaimed the forest, moonlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating Anko's battered form. Her breathing was ragged and uneven, each breath a struggle.
Moments later, her summons stirred, freed from Orochimaru's binding jutsu. Hoka and Kiyohime slithered closer, their concern evident in their movements. Anko weakly tried to sit up, only to collapse back to the ground with a pained groan.
"Ssssstay still, Anko-chan..." Hoka chided, her voice firm but caring.
Kiyohime coiled around Anko protectively, her fangs gently sinking into Anko's shoulder. This time, the venom coursing through her veins wasn't meant to harm. Instead, it carried a soothing warmth, its healing properties gradually easing Anko's pain.
"I have to report this to the hokage..." Anko thought as she exhaled shakily, her eyelids heavy as the venom worked its magic. In the quiet of the forest, she resolved to survive—Orochimaru's parting words a bitter reminder of the dangers still to come.
- Half an Hour Later -
While Anko remained seated against a tree, her breathing ragged and shallow, Hoka kept a vigilant watch over their surroundings. The snake coiled protectively beside her, its eyes scanning for any threats. A few tense minutes passed; the silence broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.
Then Hoka sensed it—vibrations reverberating through the ground. Her muscles tensed, and she raised her head, her tail beginning to rattle ominously. Fangs bared; she faced the source of the disturbance with a fierce determination to defend her companion.
Anko, noticing Hoka's reaction, turned her gaze toward the approaching figures. Four ANBU shinobi emerged from the shadows, their masks and attire unmistakable in the dim light.
"There you are. We've been searching for you," one of them said, their voice steady but tinged with urgency.
Anko's lips curled into a grimace. "Tch... Took you long enough. Why even bother showing up?.." she snapped, her frustration palpable.
"Don't be that way, in our defense, we had to ensure no one else got hurt while making our way here," the leader replied calmly.
"Yeah, right... No one got hurt... Except me!" Anko's voice rose as she gestured toward her injuries. "What the hell took you so long?!"
Her frustration boiled over, but a sharp pang radiating from the curse mark on her neck cut her outburst short. She clutched at the mark, teeth gritted against the pain.
"Anko-chan, that's enough," Kiyohime interjected gently. Her voice carried an undeniable authority, and Anko reluctantly settled back down, exhaling shakily.
One of the ANBU stepped closer, their voice dropping into a grave tone. "Are you al—wait... Is that?..." Their eyes widened as realization dawned. "Don't tell me. Was it Orochimaru?!..."
Anko didn't meet their gaze but gave a solemn nod. "Yeah. He got away..."
The leader of the group clenched their fists. "I see... You three, look around and see if you can find any trails or traces left behind," the leader ordered his men to which they nodded and left in an instant. If that's the case, we need to report to Hokage-sama immediately. I'll escort you—"
"No!" Anko cut him off, her voice firm despite her weakened state. "Take me to the tower!"
The leader blinked in disbelief. "Huh?... What are you talking about?!... The moment Orochimaru enters this village, protocol demands we issue a strict alert! This is more urgent than continuing the exams—"
"You don't understand," Anko interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. She struggled to her feet, determination etched into her features despite the pain coursing through her. "The exams must go on. I need to speak with the Hokage. I'll explain everything to him myself..."
Her unwavering resolve left the ANBU momentarily stunned. Though they clearly didn't agree, the leader finally nodded, understanding the urgency in her tone.
"Fine. Let's go."
The group prepared to move, both Hoka and Kiyohime slithering close to Anko's side as they all disappeared in a shunshin (body flicker).
(A/N: Well, there you go, Anko V.S. Orochimaru completed. Snake man was rather busy, no? Fought three battles back-to-back-to-back, although two of those fights were against genins. But still, one genin is a jinchuriki and the other was an Uchiha so yeah. Anyway, I've got to say, I'd like to think I was able to breathe new life into Anko's character as a whole. Her battle with Orochimaru in the anime was quite short and it left me wanting more. I took some inspiration from an Anko Mitarashi mod for Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, as well as Orochimaru's moveset from the game as well. I made her use her curse mark albeit not the version two of it. My thought process behind that was because it was a primitive version of the curse mark as it was in its early stages of being developed. And since this was a primitive version of it, it would also mean that Sasuke's curse mark is superior to hers. I also gave Anko a cool summon if I do say so myself, one rattlesnake and an albino python. I especially like the albino python's name, Kiyohime haha. Additionally, I took inspiration from Ichimaru Gin's move in Bleach, "Kamishini no Yari" sound cold as hell! Moreover, I kinda hate how incompetent they seem here, I'll probably tweak it when I come up with a better alternative. Regardless, this was a long one and I hope y'all enjoyed it. Thanks, love y'all, and take care! Cheers ^^)