Chapter 42: Marked.

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 13-15 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 53 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 55-57

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Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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[Arata Takeshi - POV.]

I watched as Orochimaru stood there for a moment, gazing at Anko, his eyes narrowing slightly, before he turned his gaze back to me, a predatory smile spreading across his face.

"Takeshi-kun, did you know the reality of humanity? It's quite sad, really… Humans are such fragile creatures," he began, his voice smooth and almost hypnotic. "We live such short lives, constantly struggling against our limitations, constantly suffering at the hands of fate. I hate this flawed design created to make us fail. I seek to change that. I seek to create a world where we are not bound by our mortal coils, where we can transcend our human fragility."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. I could feel Teresa's presence urging me to stay calm, but the cold and predatory aura emanating from Orochimaru made it difficult, especially because I was almost sure he was about to betray the village, starting with Anko and me.

"Power," Orochimaru continued, taking a step closer to me. "True power lies in understanding and overcoming our weaknesses. It lies in pushing beyond the boundaries of what is considered possible."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with a twisted kind of excitement. "You, Takeshi, possess a potential that is rare. A potential that could be molded into something extraordinary."

I clenched my fists, flexing my legs a little in order to be ready to move at any given moment. "You'll have to excuse me, but… what do you want from me? This conversation is starting to reach the point where I feel I need a responsible adult present."

He chuckled softly, the sound sending another shiver down my spine. "Kukuku~ All I want from you, Takeshi-kun, is to help you realize your potential, to guide you toward greatness. You have a strength within you that is unique, a strength that can be harnessed and refined."

"Lord Orochimaru?" Anko asked, her tone sounding almost betrayed, perhaps thinking that her sensei was trying to replace her with me.

Orochimaru's gaze shifted briefly to Anko, his smile fading slightly. "My sweet little student, how unfortunate… that despite all my efforts and yours, you turned out to be nothing but a disappointment."

"Lord Orochimaru…" Anko whispered, her voice faltering, breaking at the end. I felt a pang of sympathy for her. It had to be painful to hear your mentor disown you in such a way.

He turned his gaze back to me, ignoring how much he was hurting Anko with his words, his serpentine eyes boring into mine. "But you, Takeshi, are different. You have the potential to surpass even my expectations. You have the potential to become something truly remarkable."

"I'm flattered you think so much of my potential," I replied, taking a step back. "However, I am not interested in your help."

"Kukuku~" Orochimaru chuckled, taking a step forward. "The pursuit of power is the pursuit of understanding, Takeshi-kun. Understanding the true nature of life, of death, and everything in between. It is the only way to break free from the chains that bind us."

"You do that," I replied, offering him a faint smile as I took another step back. "I will do my own thing."

He stepped closer, his unsettling chakra looming over me. "I can help you," he said, his voice almost seductive. "I know you want more power; I can show you the path to true power, to a world where you are not bound by your limitations. All you have to do is trust me."

Well, it seems there's no avoiding this… so I might as well be honest.

"With all due respect, I would rather cut my own head off than take anything from you," I replied.

The corners of Orochimaru's mouth twitched upwards, as if my refusal was merely expected, a part of his elaborate game of cat and mouse. "Indeed, Takeshi-kun," he said, his voice low and layered with an insidious sort of amusement. "Such amusing words, but I do wonder... what part of what I said gave you the impression your consent was a factor?"

I said nothing, just getting into position to fight. As much as I knew I would lose, I didn't have much of a choice. He had slowly positioned himself in a way that he could intercept me with ease, effectively blocking any escape attempt.

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with twisted amusement, realizing I was getting ready to fight him. He licked his own face with his unnaturally long tongue, the sight making my skin crawl. "Nevertheless, I suppose this time, you do have a choice," he murmured, his voice dripping with false regret. "Certain things made it so that I didn't have more time to finish my gift for you, Takeshi-kun~"

Glaring at him, I took another step back, readying my Claymore to fight. But just as I thought Orochimaru was going to attack me, his gaze turned to Anko, a predatory smile spreading across his face.

"However," he continued, his voice silky smooth, "I do have something for you, my dear little failure."

Anko's eyes widened at this, first in hope and then in fear as Orochimaru's neck began to extend, elongating like a snake until his neck was longer than his body. His head twisted in the air as his eyes locked onto hers with a chilling intensity. "Despite being a disappointment," he hissed, "I have a gift for you. Something to make you... worthy." At this, his head shot forward, undulating towards Anko at high speed.

Anko tried to move, to get away, but her body seemed frozen in place, paralyzed by fear. Orochimaru's mouth opened wide, revealing sharp fangs as he moved closer, his snake-like neck extending ever further.

As time around me seemed to slow down at the sight of the scene in front of me, I found myself facing two choices here. I could take this chance to run and leave Anko to her fate at the hands of Orochimaru, or I could stand my ground in a battle I knew was beyond futile. But deep down, I knew there was no decision to make. A lifetime of silent vows and unspoken promises twisted their weighty tendrils around my heart, tethering me to this moment in time, and before I knew it, I was moving to intercept the snake.

I wouldn't say Anko was my friend or someone I loved, but I had promised myself after the Nine Tails attack that I would not stand back next time something happened.

Wasting no time, I moved swiftly, intercepting Orochimaru before he could do whatever he was trying to do to Anko. My body collided with his head, knocking him off course.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed in surprise, but then his predatory smile returned. "Ah, Takeshi-kun, such bravery," he purred. "But do you truly think you can stop me?"

I glared at him, tapping into 10% of my Yoki. "No, but I will have to do for now."

Orochimaru chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with twisted delight. "How interesting," he murmured. "Very well, if you wish to protect her, let's see if you can."

With a flick of his wrist, Orochimaru sent me flying backward, his speed far beyond anything I had dealt with so far. I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me. As I struggled to get up, Orochimaru turned his attention back to Anko.

But before he could move any closer, I was on my feet again, my determination unwavering. I launched myself at him, my Claymore aimed at his serpentine neck. He dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and inhuman in nature.

"Kukuku~ Such spirit, such talent," Orochimaru said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But you are out of your depth, Takeshi-kun."

I gritted my teeth, refusing to back down, tapping into 20% of my Yoki. I knew I was more than outclassed and that more Yoki wouldn't make the difference I hoped it would make, but I couldn't just give up. I had to protect Anko, as a fellow shinobi of Konoha and my training partner. I would not let Orochimaru do this.

If I made enough noise, it was only a matter of time before this place was swarmed with Shinobi. I just had to entertain him long enough for that to happen. I wasn't so blind not to know that the only thing keeping me alive right now was how amusing Orochimaru found me, nothing more, nothing less.

"Well, Takeshi-kun, as fun as this is, I'm running on a tight schedule here," Orochimaru's voice was suddenly cold, his eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. "So, I will have to put an end to our little playdate."

Before I could react, he moved with blinding speed, his fangs sinking into my neck. A searing pain shot through my body as his chakra flared through me, the feeling dark and malevolent. I could feel the black mark spreading across my skin, the sinister pattern burning into my flesh.

"That gift was supposed to be Anko's. I made it to work specifically for her," Orochimaru whispered, his voice filled with satisfaction. "But I have a feeling your body will adapt to my gift, even if it wasn't meant for you. Take solace in the fact that in a way, you stopped me from doing what I wanted, depriving Anko of my gift, kukuku~ Though in the end, you still failed."

Unable to deal with the overwhelming amount of pain, I collapsed to my knees, my body wracked with agony. But even in my current state, I could see Orochimaru staring at me, his eyes gleaming with twisted delight as he watched me struggle.

"Remember, Takeshi-kun," he murmured, his voice low and layered with insidious amusement. "The path to true power is fraught with sacrifice. You cannot achieve greatness without paying the price."

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Anko's voice cut through Orochimaru's, as she hurled a roaring ball of flame toward her former sensei.

The man barely glanced over his shoulder, smirking as he nimbly evaded the attack. "A commendable effort, Anko-chan~" he drawled, smiling at her condescendingly.

"S-stay away from him!" Anko stammered, her voice shaking with emotion and barely concealed fear. She stood her ground nonetheless, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth as she glared at Orochimaru with unyielding defiance. It seemed she had bitten her own lip to snap out of her frozen state. "As a s-shinobi of the h-hidden leaf, I c-can't allow you to hurt a fellow s-shinobi!"

Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "I'm impressed, Anko-chan~ Your loyalty to Konoha is admirable, if misplaced. I might have disregarded you far too soon, kukuku~ How about it, Anko-chan? Do you want to come with me? There's still a lot I haven't taught you."

I gritted my teeth, struggling with the pain that pulsated throughout my entire body, starting from my neck.

"No!" Anko's response was quick and filled with conviction. "I don't understand what's happening, but I know enough to know you are betraying the village!"

Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance flashing across his face. "Then it appears I don't have any use for you." At this, his killing intent grew, encompassing the entire area, forcing Anko to shake in a trembling display.

He was going to kill her.

As I lay there, the pain searing through me, watching Orochimaru walk slowly toward Anko with a twisted smile, I noticed something strange. The curse mark's energy felt oddly familiar, almost like my own Yoki… Despite the agony the mark was forcing me to feel, I focused on that feeling, on that similarity, trying to draw the energy inwards as I had done with my Yoki before.

To my surprise, the pain began to subside, the mark's influence over my chakra flow weakening as I took control. I forced myself to stand, grabbing my Claymore.

Orochimaru's eyes widened in surprise as he saw me move. "Impossible," he muttered, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "You shouldn't be able to move, not yet."

Ignoring his words, I stepped between him and Anko once more, my gaze steady. "I'm full of surprises, what can I say?"

Orochimaru's surprise turned into amusement. "Very impressive, Takeshi-kun. It seems you truly are something special, to think you would adapt to a mark not made for you, so… soon~" He watched me for a moment, a calculating look in his eyes, almost as if debating whether to attack us again or not, before eventually smiling. "Such potential... I look forward to seeing what you become."

With that said, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone with the unconscious Anko, who I hadn't noticed had lost consciousness until now. It seemed Orochimaru's killing intent had been far too much for her to handle, and I couldn't blame her, honestly. If I hadn't felt firsthand the Nine Tails' presence and his killing intent that fateful night, Orochimaru's presence might have had a different effect today.

Touching my neck in a hesitant manner, I turned to Anko, letting out a sigh. "I better let someone know what happened… and take Anko to the hospital."

I sighed, cracking my neck. It felt… stiff, but otherwise, I felt mostly fine. As soon as I realized the similarities between the mark and my power, getting rid of the side effects had been relatively easy, all things considered.