Morino Ibiki announced the end of the written exam and congratulated the remaining candidates.
When Naruto learned he had passed the first round, he let out a long breath of relief.
The pressure had been immense.
After all, if even one member failed, the entire team would be eliminated.
As Ibiki collected the papers one by one, he paused at Naruto's desk.
A blank sheet?
And he passed?
Uzumaki Naruto… how interesting.
Orochimaru's Real Objective
When the Chūnin Exams began, Tsunade had suggested that Akihito accompany her to request an examiner's post from the Third Hokage—just for fun.
Akihito wasn't interested.
Genin and chūnin-level scuffles bored him.
What he truly looked forward to—
Was the clash between two Kage-level monsters:
Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Orochimaru, having infiltrated Konoha, moved about boldly, as if strolling through his own garden.
This visit had two purposes:
Kill his former teacher.Select a suitable new vessel.
His forbidden technique, Living Corpse Reincarnation, granted longevity—but required periodic body replacement.
His first choice, Kimimaro, was terminally ill.
Thus, he needed a substitute.
And Orochimaru had refined tastes.
Only rare bloodline users qualified.
The Sharingan…
That was perfection.
After observing Konoha, he set his sights on:
Uchiha Sasuke.
If Itachi had severed his arm, then Itachi's younger brother must also possess extraordinary potential.
The Uchiha clan had once produced Madara Uchiha.
A divine existence.
Sasuke was a prize worth claiming.
But there was a problem.
Uchiha Akihito.
Sasuke was already his disciple.
Would Akihito stand aside?
Unlikely.
A Risky Test
Orochimaru hesitated.
He feared Akihito.
Yet he could not abandon such a vessel easily.
After careful thought—
He decided to test him.
That night.
Akihito, exhausted from a full day of shopping with Tsunade and Kurenai, prepared to rest.
A white snake entered his sensory range.
Having stepped into the God Realm, Akihito's perception rivaled that of the Yamanaka clan head.
Orochimaru's stealth was laughable by comparison.
Akihito sensed him long ago.
But did nothing.
Strictly speaking, they bore no deep grudge.
During the Third Shinobi War, they had once fought back-to-back.
Orochimaru's obsession was not personal—
It was genetic.
The Sharingan.
He had once lost to Akihito.
That defeat was bearable.
But losing an arm to Itachi—
A mere youth—
That humiliation festered.
Claiming Sasuke's body was not only practical.
It was revenge in preparation.
The Confrontation
Orochimaru slipped into Akihito's villa like a thief.
Akihito inwardly scoffed.
A legendary Sannin behaving like a burglar.
At least Jiraiya and Tsunade visited openly.
As Orochimaru ascended the stairs—
The lights flicked on.
Akihito's voice rang calmly.
"Since you're here, have a seat."
Orochimaru stiffened.
You are the Hokage's Advisor.
I am a missing-nin.
And you welcome me in your home?
Akihito felt no burden.
Compared to Danzo, he was practically conservative.
Orochimaru spoke cautiously:
"I have certain plans for Konoha. You won't interfere… will you?"
Akihito sipped his tea.
Silence.
Under that gaze, Orochimaru felt pressure mounting.
He continued:
"You and the Third Hokage are not close. If I remove him, wouldn't that benefit you?"
Careful words.
Uncharacteristically restrained.
Because he faced the "Flame Demon of Konoha."
Orochimaru knew something others did not:
The true power in Konoha was not Hiruzen.
It was Akihito and Tsunade.
Akihito controlled influence.
Tsunade controlled the ANBU.
The Hokage's title meant little without strength.
Why Akihito tolerated Hiruzen remained a mystery to Orochimaru.
If it were him—
He would have seized the seat long ago.
But Akihito had his reasons.
Hiruzen was flawed, yes.
But he was not Danzo.
Not a mortal enemy of the Uchiha.
Akihito did not crave the Hokage's throne.
If Hiruzen fell—
He would likely elevate Tsunade.
He preferred freedom.
Not a crown.
Finally, Akihito spoke.
"I have no interest in your grudge with the Third Hokage."
Pause.
"But do not set your sights on the Uchiha."
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
He wanted both.
Hiruzen's death—
And Sasuke's body.
Years had passed.
His confidence had grown.
He had mastered forbidden arts.
He had glimpsed immortality.
Perhaps—
Just perhaps—
He could now stand against Akihito.
At worst—
He would not be utterly helpless.
Akihito saw the flicker of ambition in his eyes.
And sighed.
It seems some have forgotten the terror of the Flame Demon.
Absolute Supremacy
Akihito's eyes sharpened.
Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
Orochimaru froze mid-motion.
Before he could form a seal—
Genjutsu seized him.
A single instant.
In battle, that was death.
Cold sweat formed on Orochimaru's back.
The ocular power…
It was overwhelming.
He had overestimated himself.
Underestimated Akihito.
Akihito had already crossed into the God Realm.
He had even touched the threshold of Yin–Yang Release.
Black chakra surged faintly around him.
Not yet forming Susanoo—
But enough to suffocate the air itself.
Akihito's voice was cold.
"Listen carefully."
"I can dispose of you effortlessly."
"I spare you today out of old ties."
"Do not target the Uchiha."
"Or I will not show mercy again."
Orochimaru's mind raced.
Sasuke…
A perfect vessel.
Abandoning him stung.
But challenging Akihito here?
Suicide.
Orochimaru was prideful—
But not foolish.
There would be other vessels.
Other opportunities.
Revenge could wait.
After a moment, he smiled thinly.
"Very well."
"Until next time, Akihito-kun."
He retreated.
Akihito did not stop him.
As long as he remained strong—
No storm could rise beneath his gaze.
Orochimaru was powerful.
Feared.
A legend.
But now—
He was no longer qualified to challenge Uchiha Akihito.
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