"Hokage-sama, it looks like they all qualify, right?" Kakashi stood in the Hokage's office with a group of jōnin.
"Very well—let's begin."
"Kakashi-sensei, you came to me about the Chūnin Exams, right? Don't worry. With my current strength, there won't be any problem," Sasuke said with confidence.
"That's not what I meant. I'm saying someone in this exam will come for you."
"Trouble?"
"Yeah. His strength surpasses mine. He's one of the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru."
"One of the Sannin?"
"Mm. Be mentally prepared. He's after your Sharingan—but not to rip out your eyes. He wants to transfer his soul into your body and take it over. Everything that's yours will become his."
Sasuke swallowed. "So… I'm doomed?"
"Not necessarily. He needs to perform *Fushi Tensei (Living Corpse Reincarnation)*. It's not simple. As long as your Sharingan remains yours, he can't succeed. So he'll prey on your thirst for power to control you."
"But I don't crave power like before."
"True—but he *will* grant you new power. Use that. Don't worry—I won't let you die."
"Fine. What do I do?"
"When you encounter him, act terrified. I'll signal you when it's time. Take this—use the radio to contact me. And don't tell Naruto or Sakura."
"Got it," Sasuke nodded.
"Everyone! I'm the examiner for the second test, Anko. I'll explain the rules. Each squad will be assigned either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll at random. You must reach that iron tower within three days with *both* Heaven and Earth scrolls—in other words, a scroll battle royale. Behind me is your testing area—the Forest of Death. You get it. Scroll distribution begins in fifteen minutes."
"Oi, Kakashi, I've been looking for you forever. You told me to come and no one met me. I lost face out here," Zabuza grumbled at Kakashi.
"Ah, sorry. The Chūnin Exam prep's been a lot."
"What do you want me to do?" Zabuza was unimpressed.
"Besides fighting, can you do anything else?"
"You want me to rough someone up? Fine. But if you can't beat 'em, why send me to get thrashed?" Zabuza huffed.
"You're not wrong. We'll rough him up *together*—just not yet. For now, I'll show you the venue."
At that moment, Sasuke's team entered the Forest of Death. "Hey, how are we supposed to snag the Earth Scroll?" Naruto muttered, frowning as they walked.
"We set a code. When I ask 'Nin song, nin base,' you answer 'stay alert at all times.' When the enemy relaxes, we strike. Remember it?" Sasuke said coolly, mind still on Orochimaru.
"Mm," Sakura nodded.
"And you, Naruto?"
"'Course I remember," Naruto said a bit too quickly.
Sasuke had just nodded when a wave of sound slammed toward them like a missile. Time passed. Sasuke lay prone in the brush. Sakura stepped out. "Sasuke…" "Nin song, nin base." "…'Stay alert at all times.'" She answered exactly as told. "Sakura—where's Naruto?"
"I'm here." Naruto stood on a trunk.
"Nin song, nin base."
Naruto answered word for word as well. He walked toward Sasuke—and a kunai flashed from Sasuke's hand. "H-hey! Sasuke, what the hell? I'm the real one—I answered the code!"
"The code was right, but could Naruto actually remember it? You don't know him at all. And the way you dodged my kunai—too clean. Naruto can't do that. Judging by your movement, you're not a mere genin, are you?" Sasuke frowned.
"Heh. As expected of the Uchiha genius—you saw through me so quickly. I'm impressed."
"What's your goal? Show your true face." Sasuke's heart pounded. *Is it too soon? Is this the one Kakashi warned me about—Orochimaru?* "Oh? Very well, I'll let you see." The fake Naruto's face twisted into a ghastly grin. "Sasuke, show me the power of the Uchiha." A killing intent surged from Orochimaru that iced the air. Despite Kakashi's promise to intervene, fear crawled up Sasuke's spine. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru, huh? I've heard of you." Sasuke's voice stayed steady—Kakashi's guarantee helped. He followed Kakashi's script, baiting Orochimaru—and soon the fangs sank in: the *Ten no Juin (Heavenly Curse Mark)* branded his neck. After one violent flare of the mark, Sasuke suppressed it and their team pushed through the Forest of Death.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, what's this curse mark even do? It just hurts. Otherwise, nothing," Sasuke grumbled. Not only did it fail to empower him, it suppressed his chakra.
"Don't worry. Not yet. After the prelims, I'll seal it. During the prelims, you may *not* use the Sharingan—or even regular ninjutsu. If you force it, the mark will surge. It could kill you—but I'll stop it. Orochimaru is still here, but with me around, you're safe."
The prelims began. First match: Sasuke versus Yoroi—the one who could absorb chakra. Sasuke was quickly cornered.
"Come on, Sasuke! What's with you today? You're pathetic! How can you bear the Uchiha name?!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke glanced at the bushy-browed kid beside Naruto. "Hn, that's Lee. Right… I can use *that*."
Yoroi sneered. "Still looking away?"
He lunged. Sasuke kept slipping past him—then vanished. "Gah!" Yoroi yelped as Sasuke's kick launched him skyward. Sasuke flashed up behind him. "This is my original combo. It ends here." Yoroi's eyes widened. "*Kage Buyō (Shadow of the Dancing Leaf)?*" The mark on Sasuke's neck began to writhe, but he crushed it down with will alone. In the gallery, Orochimaru chuckled with delight. "Sasuke… splendid." "Take this." Sasuke's kick slammed in. "Too naïve." Yoroi blocked—"Hn. I'm not done." Sasuke spun, chaining rapid midair kicks—*Shishi Rendan (Lion Barrage).* The finishing blow sent Yoroi crashing down.
"All right. Sasuke, with me." Kakashi led him away and began painting formulae over the mark. "This'll hurt. Bear it. *Fūja Hōin (Evil Sealing Method).*" "Aaagh!" Sasuke screamed—then slumped, the seal complete.
A chilling voice slithered out from the shadows. "So you've learned fūinjutsu… You've improved, Kakashi. Long time no see." Orochimaru stepped from the darkness.
"Orochimaru. You're here for your tedious ambition, aren't you?"
"You're right. Sasuke needs power. He's a true avenger."
"If he doesn't trust his own strength, even this seal can't suppress the mark. But he isn't so easily swayed. And you're after the Sharingan."
"Oh? You know that too. You've gotten it—yet I have not." Orochimaru drifted toward Sasuke.
"Stop. You think you can just walk by?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. Chakra shrieked in Kakashi's palm. "*Raikiri (Lightning Cutter).*" The thunder cried. "Even if I can't kill you, you won't take anything from me. Through my eye, your techniques are null."
Orochimaru paused, then smirked. "How strong have you become, Kakashi? No matter. Sasuke will come to me." And with that, he was gone.
Kakashi looked into the darkness where he'd vanished. "Next time will be ugly for you. See you in the finals, Orochimaru."
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