Chapter 73 – The Legal Loli
Naruto struggled to put on a terrified, pained expression.
It was eerily lifelike, as if he'd lived through it himself.
Sasuke stared, utterly dumbfounded.
Don't tell me you sneaked off to take acting lessons behind my back?
Naruto blinked.
Jealous? Courtesy of your big brother.
He'd simply replayed the scene where a Shadow Clone was tortured by Uchiha Itachi.
But Sasuke didn't know that, and he had no time to ask.
Because Orochimaru's Kunai was already at his throat.
Shaking off the murderous intent, he leapt back.
Sasuke's current strength meant he no longer needed self-mutilation.
Three Kunai thudded into the ground.
One landed right between Naruto's legs.
You did that on purpose, didn't you?
Naruto shot Sasuke a glare.
Luckily he'd reacted fast—otherwise his happiness might have… no, wait, his defense was maxed; a Kunai couldn't pierce it.
Still, Sasuke's prank was unforgivable.
He mentally jotted it down: pay him back someday.
Orochimaru's eyes were glued to Sasuke, missing Naruto's little act.
After all, he was only a Genin.
He wouldn't interfere with the bonding session between him and Sasuke.
Seeing Naruto's reaction, Sasuke felt smug.
The next instant he was sent flying by Orochimaru's kick.
Never show off.
Naruto smiled in satisfaction.
He was throwing the fight to avoid alerting the enemy.
Orochimaru handling Sasuke was acceptable.
Without the Mangekyo Sharingan, Sasuke's power was within tolerable limits.
Had his current body not been temporarily irreplaceable, he'd have happily snatched Sasukeand taken it over.
He might even have to thank Naruto for raising Sasuke so plump and tender.
Provided Naruto stayed out of the way.
After weighing the options,
Naruto decided he could only play the actor.
Kicked once, Sasuke ignored Naruto and focused on the enemy ahead.
Strong.
Apart from Naruto, this was the strongest opponent he'd ever faced.
And still just a Genin.
It thrilled him.
Fighting someone this powerful was exactly what he'd dreamed of.
Now he realized Naruto staying out suited him perfectly.
The two clashed fiercely.
Mindful of Sakura and Karin, Sasuke shifted the battlefield farther away.
Once they were out of sight, Naruto kipped up in a single motion.
"Naruto, you…"
Sakura froze at how lively he looked.
Sorry, I'm an actor.
"Sasuke and I were afraid you'd get caught in the cross-fire, so we agreed he'd lure that guy away first."
He spoke casually while warm Chakra poured into the girls, dispelling the murderous aura.
"Stay inside this circle and don't move till we're back."
He drew the ring with Kurama's Chakra.
Ordinary beasts or Ninja animals wouldn't dare approach.
If a Genin could break Kurama's defense, he'd admit defeat.
Besides, he wouldn't be far.
With that, Naruto headed for the battlefield of Sasuke and Orochimaru.
They collided again and again.
Sasuke's Three-Tomoe Sharingan tracked Orochimaru's speed perfectly.
His lightning flash longsword slashed through the air repeatedly.
Orochimaru barely evaded, retreating to gain distance.
He smiled, tears of joy slipping from the corners of his mouth.
Splendid!
Sasuke before him was the perfect vessel.
Only slightly inferior to his brother Uchiha Itachi.
But he was still young.
Orochimaru tossed the Kunai away and, out of habit, moved a hand toward his mouth, then stopped.
Remembering he no longer stuffed things in there, he flicked his wrist and the kusanagi swordsprouted from his palm.
Sasuke's eyes sharpened.
The man's style was too bizarre.
Every Ninjutsu or Taijutsu resembled a slippery snake.
Impossible to pin down.
"Sasuke-kun, be careful."
Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth.
Sasuke's strength exceeded his expectations.
He had to get serious, or he might flip the boat.
Invisible senses expanded.
His body vanished; the kusanagi sword flashed above Sasuke's head.
So fast!
Sasuke jerked, swinging his thunder fire sword up just in time.
Blade met blade.
From Orochimaru's sleeve sprang several green snakes that raced along the sword toward him.
Sasuke's heart clenched; he arched back, using youthful core strength to dodge.
But then Orochimaru opened his mouth and another white snake struck.
Sasuke kicked off the ground, spiraling through the air; his thunder fire sword chirped like birds, sharp lightning severing the serpent.
Orochimaru stood still as his neck shot forward, head chasing Sasuke with a ghastly grin.
What the hell?
Sasuke dived and weaved, evading the flying head at top speed.
Seeing this, Orochimaru retracted his neck and returned to normal.
"Sasuke-kun, I'd prepared a little greeting gift for you."
His gaze roamed over Sasuke, pondering where to bite.
"I don't want your gift."
Sasuke felt a chill.
A creepy uncle saying he'll bite you as a present?
I'm not stupid.
"Why refuse? It could let you beat Uchiha Itachi."
Orochimaru coaxed.
Sasuke didn't believe a word.
From their fight so far, Orochimaru was definitely weaker than his brother.
"Your face…"
He suddenly noticed Orochimaru's peeling skin and was startled.
"Oh, seems it can't handle such intense combat."
Orochimaru felt the torn skin, unsurprised; he grabbed and ripped it away, revealing his true form.
Sasuke's jaw dropped.
What the heck was this?
The Ninja Orochimaru had impersonated had been a tall young man, well over 180 cm.
Now he was only 160 cm.
A height change he could understand.
But what stood before him was a cute little girl.
Long black hair to her waist, a cyan robe similar to his own, slender legs in white over-knee socks.
"???"
Sasuke had never faced anything like this.
He couldn't comprehend it.
Naruto, seeing the Orochimaru who matched his memory, could only sigh: "Shadow Clone, forever god-tier!"
The clone had carefully crafted Orochimaru after Uchiha Izumi's appearance.
Orochimaru licked the corner of his lips and cooed, "Let's formally meet. You can call me White Snake Lady; your brother addresses me that way too."
Where licking his lips earlier had been creepy-uncle level, now… Sasuke fell silent.
Should he keep fighting?
He could tell this wasn't a real loli; though cute, her features looked mature.
Probably around twenty.
In that instant of hesitation Orochimaru appeared behind him, bit his neck, leaving three tomoe-shaped curse seals.
"As expected, you two are real brothers."
Orochimaru breathed against his ear, "Live well."
He quickly retreated, dodging Sasuke's wildly swung thunder fire sword.
Sasuke howled in agony as the curse seal took effect.
His thunder fire sword-work lost all precision.
Smiling, Orochimaru withdrew.
His goal achieved, he only needed to wait for the plan to unfold.
Who is Xu Xian? No need to spell it out—it definitely wasn't the Shadow Clone.