Chapter 29: Time Flies/Graduation from Ninja Academy
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Becoming a Jinchūriki posed no harm to Sasuke. In this world, it was only a matter of time before someone would have to bear the burden of being a Jinchūriki. Better he take control of the situation rather than leave it in someone else's hands.
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''Narrow valley, Hidden Cloud Village.''
The Fourth Raikage, his face dark with anger, stood atop the Cloud Thunder Gorge, silent and fuming. The Anbu around him remained still, too intimidated to speak. Nearby, Killer Bee, looking like he'd just been scolded, crouched on the ground like a scolded child, muttering under his breath.
"How could you let two intruders into Narrow valley and fail to notice until they had already captured Yugito?!" the Raikage roared, grabbing Killer Bee by the collar.
Killer Bee, unbothered, nodded, "Yeah, big bro... they got past me, but it ain't like I didn't try..."
The Raikage's patience snapped, and he sent Killer Bee flying with a punch. Turning to the surrounding shinobi, he barked, "Find out who did this! We can't lose a Jinchūriki like this!"
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Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Sasuke was training in the forest. He was practicing his shuriken techniques, trying to infuse them with his Fire Style and Lightning Style chakra. He even managed to cover his shuriken in the black flames of Amaterasu.
Three shurikens appeared in Sasuke's hand, cloaked in the black and blue flames. He threw them, and a moment later, a large tree was reduced to ashes.
Sasuke was pleased with the power of the move, thinking that if he covered it with Amaterasu, it would be even more devastating.
Hidden in the shadows, a figure watched Sasuke with ill intent. Orochimaru, having recently defected from Akatsuki after failing to take over Shisui's body, now had his sights set on Sasuke. His eyes glowed with a dark, lustful desire as he admired Sasuke's growing strength.
"What a perfect, energetic body!" Orochimaru thought, drooling slightly at the sight.
Suddenly, Sasuke sensed the sinister presence. Without hesitation, he threw two "Blue Fire Shurikens" toward Orochimaru's hiding place. The flames scorched the bushes, but Orochimaru emerged unscathed, stepping through the fire like it was nothing.
Orochimaru, his pale face framed by long, dark hair, smiled at Sasuke. "Such a genius little boy..."
Sasuke's instincts screamed danger. He had never seen Orochimaru before, but the threat was clear. Orochimaru smiled again, seemingly pleased by Sasuke's wariness.
"Sasuke-kun, don't be afraid. I have no ill intentions. I simply want to take you as my disciple."
Sasuke kept his guard up, his mind racing. Why was Orochimaru approaching him now? The man was clearly dangerous, but getting closer to him could provide Sasuke with the power he craved.
"Why should I become your disciple?" Sasuke demanded.
Orochimaru smiled, his voice smooth and persuasive. "There's no need to rush your decision, Sasuke-kun. I'll be back."
With that, Orochimaru turned into a puddle of water and vanished, leaving Sasuke deep in thought. Could Orochimaru really dare to harass him with his entire family still alive? Yet, the allure of what Orochimaru offered was undeniable.
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Time passed, and Sasuke was now nine years old. This year, he would graduate from the Ninja Academy and officially become a genin. He glanced at his status panel.
''[Host: Uchiha Sasuke]''
''[Age: 9 years old]''
''[Special Abilities: Chakra Affinity, Reincarnation of Indra, Perfect Two-Tails Jinchūriki]''
''[Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (Mangekyō Sharingan)]''
''[Eye Techniques: Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi]''
''[Chakra Attributes: Lightning, Fire]''
Sasuke had become the perfect Jinchūriki for the Two-Tails, and the beast had fully accepted him. Only he, Fugaku, Itachi, and Obito knew about this secret. In the meantime, Orochimaru had approached Sasuke twice more, each time offering to make him his disciple, but Sasuke had refused.
The day after tomorrow was the graduation exam. The students only needed to master the Three Basic Jutsu—Substitution, Clone, and Transformation—to pass and become genin.
The Three Basic Jutsu were far too simple for Sasuke, who found the exam a little outdated. But as a student, he had no choice but to follow the rules.
That night, Orochimaru returned to Sasuke, this time in the form of a small white snake that slithered into the Uchiha clan's compound under the moonlight. The snake's head twisted and morphed into Orochimaru's face.
"Sasuke-kun, we meet again," Orochimaru hissed. "Do you know that today, your friend Uzumaki Naruto signed a contract with the toads of Mount Myoboku? If you become my disciple, I can offer you my Ten Thousand Snakes!"
Orochimaru's offer was enticing, but Sasuke had his own agenda. "I've heard you're skilled with curse seals. If you can unlock the one I'm interested in, I'll consider becoming your disciple."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest as he listened to Sasuke's words. A smile spread across his face as he realized that the young Uchiha was finally taking the bait.