47- Orochimaru: You Don't Think Sasuke Can Turn Me Over, Do You?

[The group had been in the Land of Waves for about a month.]

[Finally, a response came from the other side.]

["This is the 35 million taels we've prepared, please check it," Haku said respectfully, handing over the cash box.]

["Why are you the only one here? Why didn't Zabuza come?" Sasuke squinted at Haku.]

[Haku smiled awkwardly. "Zabuza-sama's wounds haven't fully healed yet..."]

[In reality, Zabuza didn't come because he was afraid Sasuke might detain him once he had the money.]

[Plus...]

[The last battle had left Zabuza both physically and mentally scarred. He didn't want to face Sasuke again!]

[So Haku came alone to deliver the money.]

["Alright." Sasuke accepted the cash and handed over the beheading sword. "You still owe me 15 million taels, remember. You can use this sword temporarily, but it's still mine until you pay the rest."]

["Understood," Haku said with a humble nod.]

[Now, Haku and Zabuza would have to work even harder to earn the remaining money and settle their debt.]

["Honestly, I hope you decide to run away from the debt," Sasuke said, seeing Haku's inner thoughts. "That way, next time I see you, I can capture you and sell you to the black market without hesitation."]

[Haku's face paled, and he stammered, "N-no, Zabuza-sama and I will work hard to pay it back..."]

[After Haku left, Sasuke handed over 15 million taels to Kakashi.]

["Zabuza was captured by me, so his 20 million taels belong to me. The remaining 15 million from the ice ninja is for you," Sasuke said calmly.]

[Kakashi's eyelids twitched.]

[That's 15 million taels!]

[Sasuke was so generous!]

[Seeing how serious Sasuke was, Kakashi didn't argue much.]

["Alright, then the three of us will split the 15 million. Naruto, Sakura, you each get 5 million taels."]

[For an S-rank mission, the standard reward was around 1 million taels!]

[Receiving 5 million was an unimaginable fortune, especially for Naruto and Sakura.]

["Huh? We actually get that much?!" Naruto stood in shock.]

[5 million taels!]

[How many bowls of Ichiraku ramen could that buy?!]

[Sakura, however, accepted it gracefully and said sweetly to Sasuke, "Just deposit my share with you, Sasuke. You can use it however you need."]

[With the mission in the Land of Waves complete, Team 7 began their journey home.]

---

Zabuza Momochi: "Damn it!"

That was all his hard-earned money!

He and Haku had been saving for years, and now, not only had they lost 35 million taels, but they were also in debt by 15 million!

Haku: "At least Zabuza-sama survived in that world."

Uzumaki Naruto: "5 million! When am I ever gonna see that much money?!"

Inuzuka Kiba: "Man, I wanna be on Sasuke's team in that world!"

Rock Lee: "Though it might hurt emotionally to be Sasuke's teammate, the surprise of getting 5 million taels makes up for it!"

Akimichi Chōji: "I can't even imagine how long 5 million would last me."

Yūhi Kurenai: "Even for a jōnin, 5 million is a huge amount."

Nara Shikamaru: "To be fair, Sasuke from that world is pretty decent to his teammates. You just need strong mental fortitude to handle him."

---

[As the scene on the golden-framed screen faded, the silver-framed one displayed the events of the Chūnin Exams.]

[After their time in the Land of Waves, Team 7's strength had increased significantly, and they all entered the Chūnin Exams.]

[Before the first test, Sasuke faced a challenge from Rock Lee. He thought he could easily handle the fight, but quickly realized he couldn't keep up with Lee's speed.]

[After passing the first test, the team entered the Forest of Death, where they were attacked by Orochimaru!]

[Sasuke, nearly paralyzed by fear, was spurred into action by Naruto, mustering the courage to fight back. Despite his effort, Sasuke was defeated, cursed with Orochimaru's mark, and fell unconscious.]

[When the Sound Ninja trio later attacked, Sasuke unleashed the curse seal's power, defeating his opponents easily but nearly losing control of himself in the process.]

[In the preliminaries, Sasuke struggled but ultimately won, though the curse mark continued to be a looming threat.]

[Kakashi temporarily sealed the mark to help him regain control.]

---

Uchiha Fugaku: "Orochimaru?! Why target Sasuke?"

Orochimaru: "Hehe, Sasuke's potential is far too valuable to ignore."

Jiraiya: "Orochimaru, did you finish that Forbidden Technique?"

Uchiha Mikoto: "Can the curse mark be removed? I don't want Sasuke to be harmed!"

Onoki: "The contrast is astonishing. In one world, Sasuke easily captures enemies, but in this one, Orochimaru turns him into a target."

Hatake Kakashi: "You can't compare Orochimaru with Zabuza..."

Kakashi was reminded of how he, too, had once been intimidated by Orochimaru.

Zabuza Momochi: "Hehe, looks like Orochimaru's up next. Let's see if he messes up as badly as I did."

Sasori: "Orochimaru, don't embarrass yourself next."

Orochimaru: "Heh! Don't tell me you really think Sasuke could get the better of me?"

Orochimaru scoffed.

He admitted that Sasuke's strength was formidable, but to think Sasuke could actually turn the tables on him?

That was impossible. He was Orochimaru—one of the most notorious and powerful shinobi in the world! At best, Sasuke could surprise him with a brief display of power.

But to defeat him?

Not a chance.