Chapter 69

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Chapter 69: The Third Preliminaries - The Difference Between The Two Worlds Grows

Orochimaru laughed, "Haha, it seems that I guessed right. It really is!"

Whether it's Sasuke from this world or the golden Sasuke from the parallel world, despite the clear differences in character, talent, and strength,

they both yearn for revenge.

They both long for a force powerful enough to enact that revenge.

Since they have this desire, they cannot refuse a deal with themselves.

Uchiha Fugaku exclaimed, "Orochimaru, you bloody bastard! What the hell is that curse mark doing to Sasuke?!"

Orochimaru smirked, "It's just a small gift for Sasuke. I believe he will like it."

Jiraiya said, "When it comes to the curse seal, Mitarashi Anko, Orochimaru's disciple, was also given one. Although it hasn't been eliminated, no serious side effects have emerged for many years.

But Orochimaru is not the type to do meaningless things!

There must be a hidden secret in that curse seal."

Hatake Kakashi added, "Sasuke has been given a curse seal on our side, but I have already sealed it. It should not affect him normally."

Jiraiya warned, "Kakashi, don't underestimate it! Dealing with Orochimaru's stuff is never that simple!"

Orochimaru continued, "Jiraiya, you know me well. The seal I placed on Sasuke is the Seal of Heaven. The curse seal was developed based on a physique that can utilize natural energy. While the curse seal of the earth can bring powerful power, it erodes the body with natural energy. The celestial seal also includes fragments of my soul! If the cursed person's chakra is greatly consumed, those soul fragments could take over the host's body, allowing me to reincarnate. So far, I've only bestowed the Celestial Seal on Mitarashi Anko and Uchiha Sasuke. They could serve as my backup for resurrection. If Double Sasuke from another world accepts my curse seal, the outcome will be the same. The seal may bring power, but it also risks possession."

Onogi questioned, "Will Uchiha Sasuke make a deal with Orochimaru?"

Senju Tobirama replied, "It all hinges on his thirst for revenge. If it's overwhelming, he might accept the offer."

On the screen, Sasuke fell into deep thought.

'Accepting the curse seal brings power, that much is likely true. Orochimaru wouldn't have lied about that.

But there will be unforeseen side effects... and they must serve Orochimaru's purpose.

Furthermore, by making a deal, I could learn how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.'

Sasuke was tempted, especially feeling a growing hunger for power after recent emotional turmoil.

However, his capacity for calm analysis from a young age kept him alert.

'Orochimaru is not a fool, nor a kind person. The unknown side effect must be severe. I can't accept a deal without understanding it fully.'

"You can think it over. I'll be in Konoha for some time," said Yakushi Kabuto slowly. Noticing Karin's hostile stare, he added, "If you need to find me, you could use this girl named Karin, who must have awakened the Kagura Mind's Eye by now. Also, you may want to take this girl from the Whirlpool clan for yourself, right? Master Orochimaru can assist with that. He will silently dispatch all the ninjas from Hidden Grass Village who took part in this Chūnin exam, including their guide Jōnin. You won't have any more trouble from Hidden Grass Village."

"This is simply a gesture from Mr. Orochimaru. Whether you proceed is your choice."

Aside, Karin's eyes lit up.

'If those Hidden Grass Village nuisances are gone, no one will stand in the way of following Sasuke Celestial Man!'

She was delighted.

Nara Shikamaru noted, "All the participants, including the guide Jōnin, are dead. The parallel world will be too preoccupied to care about one missing girl."

Uzumaki Kushina agreed, "It's a good outcome for the girl. She won't need to return to Grass Village, and there's no more covetousness from Lord Daime and Danzo."

Uchiha Fugaku muttered, "Orochimaru talks of kindness, but he's luring Sasuke into a trap!"

After Kabuto left, Sasuke was once again deep in thought.

'What's critical now is understanding Orochimaru's curse seal better. Maybe Mr. Kakashi knows something.'

Karin said cautiously, "Sasuke-sama, I don't know what you're contemplating, but you don't need to worry about me."

Sasuke smiled at Karin, "Huh? Oh, it has nothing to do with you. My thoughts won't affect you. You can probably rest easy from now on, but still, be cautious living in Konoha."

"Yes! Master Sasuke!" Xiang Phosphorus exclaimed excitedly, thrilled at the thought of accompanying Sasuke all the time.

'Oh, if only Master Sasuke would be a bit more assertive with me...'

The next day.

Five days had passed and the second exam of the Chūnin tests was over. Those who had collected all the scrolls reached the central tower. Those who didn't make it by the deadline might have died or been slow – that was normal for the exam. With many candidates left, there was a need for preliminaries before the third test.

A group of people arrived at the examination room for the qualifiers. Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen came on stage and began his speech. He spoke at length, which might have seemed like nonsense to some. However, fortunately, Sasuke had already gotten used to it. When he was in the ninja school, the Third Hokage often visited to give speeches, promoting his will of fire: "Where the leaves fly, the fire is always alive. The fire will illuminate the village and let new leaves sprout. Young people are the hope of the future, and the older generation should trust and guard them. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless, but will inspire the young to become the pillars of the future!"

For this, Sasuke could only laugh. Who would believe such nonsense? Cheat a fool! However, there was no other way. The average intelligence of people in the ninja world was so low, and none of them liked to read or think. They were always led by the nose without realizing it. As a result, a group of Konoha Shinobi had been brainwashed by the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Is that how Uchiha Sasuke sees his speech?!"

Senju Hashirama: "Damn it! The will of fire is just empty talk!"

Senju Tobirama: "This brat has been rebellious since he was a child!"

Onoki: "Isn't it? What do you say about the older generation guarding the young, but it seems in Konoha it's always the young who die, while you, Sarutobi, have been living well. In Iwagakure, we have no successors, and Deidara, the only one I had my eye on, has run away! But Konoha is different. The White Fang, Sannin, Gold Glitter! Excellent juniors appeared one after another, but in the end, it was the old guy Sarutobi who served as Hokage."

Fourth Raikage: "In terms of brainwashing ability, no one in the ninja world can compare to the Third Hokage!"

It had been a long time, and Sasuke felt that he was almost falling asleep from listening. The examiner of the qualifiers, Moonlight Hayate, finally appeared and announced the start of the exam: "Ahem... This qualifier is an individual battle. Those whose names are displayed on the screen... come to the stage one by one to fight, cough..."

Moonlight Hayate had dark circles under his eyes and spoke intermittently because of his coughing.

In the stands, Sasuke frowned. Could this kind of person really serve as an examiner? In front of a group of ninjas from other villages, this kind of examiner, who didn't even know if he could live to the next month, was completely ruining Konoha's image.

The exam would start soon. It was Naruto's turn in the first match! His opponent was Naruto's best friend from ninja school, Inuzuka Kiba.

Inuzuka Kiba saw that his opponent was Naruto and heaved a sigh of relief. This Chunin exam was full of guys he felt were dangerous—if he had met them, he would be in trouble. Fortunately, the opponent was Naruto, whom he knew. He still had confidence in defeating Naruto.

Sasuke looked at Inuzuka Kiba, then at Naruto, and said, "Naruto, be careful for a while, don't get carried away."

With the power of Naruto's Rasengan, it was no problem to knock down a wall. If it hit Kiba, it could be fatal! Inuzuka Kiba was also his friend from ninja school; if Kiba were accidentally killed or seriously injured, it would not be a good situation.

"You don't need to remind me of this kind of thing, I know it," Naruto replied with a sneer.

"Sasuke, you underestimate me, don't you? Am I no match for Naruto in your eyes?!" Inuzuka Kiba, hearing this, was very dissatisfied. Sasuke was strong. He was convincing even though they had fought many times in ninja school. However, Naruto thinking he could beat him?

"Sasuke, don't underestimate my student; Kiba is very strong," Yuhi Kurenai snorted and said.

"Of course, your..." Sarutobi Asuma came over and said flatteringly to Kurenai Yuhi. However, she interrupted him, "Asuma, please stay away from me." Yuhi Kurenai looked at Sarutobi Asuma with a disgusted expression. Asuma didn't know what the matter was; his words were becoming more and more off-putting. He wondered where he had learned it from; his words made her feel sick.

Asuma wanted to cry. Why was this happening? He had listened to Sasuke's words, read the entire series of 'Intimate Paradise', and studied it seriously! Why did Kurenai hate him even more? Did he learn something wrong? How could Sasuke make several girls live together peacefully after watching it?

Sarutobi Asuma lamented, "The red from the parallel world seems to hate me more and more... Asshole Uchiha Sasuke!"

Orochimaru retorted, "Who told you to learn the stuff written by Jiraiya, a single dog? After you learn it, you will be single like Jiraiya until you're 50 years old."

The match between Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba was about to start. Inuzuka Kiba had been very dismissive of Naruto at first. When they were in ninja school, he fought against Naruto many times, and he knew Naruto's capabilities well. Naruto's Taijutsu was mediocre at best!

However, as soon as the fight started, Inuzuka Kiba's expression changed. Naruto's speed and strength, as well as his combat experience, had improved significantly. He and his dog Akamaru teamed up but were still at a disadvantage. What was going on? Was this the same Naruto he knew?

In the end, Naruto forced Inuzuka Kiba to use his full strength, and both he and Akamaru were easily brought down by Naruto's Rasengan. They couldn't get up again.

"The winner, Uzumaki Naruto," Moonlight Hayate announced.

"Heh," Naruto looked very proud. He had tried his best to hold back; the Rasengan was only the size of a ball, but he still won the match easily.

Inuzuka Kiba lay there in disbelief, "I actually lost to Naruto, and lost so badly?!"

Aburame Shino commented, "Did you just notice Naruto's progress?"

Nara Shikamaru reflected, "Although only Sasuke has changed in the parallel world at first, the changes in Sasuke will gradually affect those around him. If this continues, the difference between the two worlds will grow larger and larger."