[NTU] [ARC-24] Chapter : 325

After leaving his older brother's home, Sasuke wandered aimlessly through the streets of Konoha, the cool afternoon breeze brushing past as his thoughts drifted.

He couldn’t stop thinking about Naruto.

Back in the Ninja Academy, Naruto had been average at best—barely able to perform a simple clone jutsu, scraping the bottom of every written exam. And yet now... he had become a force to be reckoned with.

How had that happened?
Was it really just that month of special training?

He recalled Kakashi setting aside time to train Naruto before the Chunin Exams. During one of their fights, Naruto had even bragged about finding a better trainer.

A member of the Legendary Sannin.

Could that be the key to his explosive progress?

Sasuke’s mind raced.

"Should I try to find Tsunade?"
He remembered the name—one of the three legendary ninjas. Jiraiya was out of the question, which left only Tsunade.

But… she was a woman, a medical ninja. Someone of her stature wouldn’t have time for personal training, especially not for someone like him.

"If not her... then maybe the Hokage."

He had often overheard his father and Itachi discussing the current Hokage. Sasuke knew one thing: they respected him. A warrior strong enough to defeat the Raikage brothers and even confront the Nine-Tails head-on—his accomplishments spoke volumes.

Still, Sasuke wasn’t sure.
Would someone like that even consider training me?

"Sasuke-kun? Is that you? It’s been a while~"

A smooth, familiar voice broke his train of thought. Turning around, Sasuke saw a figure approaching with a soft smile.

"Congratulations on making Chunin! I haven’t had the chance to say that yet."

"Kabuto-senpai?"

Unlike the original timeline, this year’s Chunin Exams had yielded nearly twenty graduates across several villages—Konoha desperately needed new talent.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his smile never fading.
"You seem troubled, Sasuke-kun."

His tone was light, almost teasing.

"Thanks for the concern, Kabuto-senpai," Sasuke replied coolly. "But this isn’t something you can help with."

Kabuto wore a plain ninja uniform, his face unremarkable and demeanor modest—on the surface, the picture of a humble and helpful senior.

But something about him never sat right with Sasuke. That eagerness, that constant smile—it all felt… off.

He didn’t trust him.

Something deep within warned him: This man has ulterior motives.

Kabuto’s smile curved slightly, an amused glint in his eye.
"Oh dear, it seems you’ve misjudged me. That won’t do, Sasuke-kun."

He glanced around casually. The street had gone quiet. No witnesses. No distractions.

Perfect.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"What are you planning?"

Kabuto’s gaze sharpened, the friendly pretense vanishing.
His voice dropped into a cold, emotionless register.
"Let’s fix that arrogance of yours."

Before Sasuke could react, a fist slammed into his stomach.

Bang!
"Ugh!"

The air rushed from his lungs as he doubled over, crumpling to the ground.

"Still think you can look down on me?"
Kabuto stood over him, eyes devoid of warmth.

Gone was the affable senpai—what remained was something much darker.

Sasuke winced, clutching his abdomen, trying to regain control. Kabuto hadn’t struck to kill—his precision suggested medical expertise. Even so, the power behind the hit stunned him.

"How... how were you that fast?"

The man before him wasn’t just some forgettable upperclassman. Kabuto’s speed was unlike anything Sasuke had seen from a typical Genin—or even most Chunin. The brief moment of contact revealed something more: calculated power, hidden behind a mask.

And then it clicked.

"Who are you really?"

He hadn’t noticed it during the exams. Kabuto had played his role well, suppressing his abilities, pretending to be average.

But Sasuke wasn’t a fool. Not anymore.

There was something very wrong with this man.

A spy?

As an Uchiha, Sasuke's first instinct was to classify him as one. The stranger’s behavior, his words—it all screamed espionage.

But Kabuto raised a hand casually, as if reading his thoughts.

"No need to be so cautious. I’m not here to harm you."

His posture remained relaxed, his voice devoid of hostility. Kabuto had no intention of sparking a full-on confrontation—not here, not within Konoha's walls. If the Fifth Hokage caught wind that he’d threatened an Uchiha, his fate would be sealed.

"I serve Lord Orochimaru," he said simply. "I’ve come to offer you an opportunity—to grow stronger."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

Orochimaru.
He knew that name well. One of the legendary Sannin, once mentioned in the same breath as Jiraiya.

But Sasuke wasn’t a fool.

No one offers power for free.
"Why me?"

Kabuto smirked.
"Because if you truly want to surpass Naruto... Lord Orochimaru is your best hope."

Timing was everything, and Kabuto knew it. Sasuke’s recent loss still lingered like a fresh wound. What better time to strike than when pride had been shaken?

"You don’t have to decide now," Kabuto added smoothly.
"But when your hunger for strength becomes unbearable, come find me."

He spoke with quiet confidence. Someone like Sasuke—driven, prideful—would never sit idly after a defeat like that. It was only a matter of time.

Sasuke stood slowly, his posture guarded but alert. His hand drifted instinctively toward the scroll Kabuto had left him.

"How exactly does Orochimaru plan to help me grow stronger?"
"And what’s the price?"

Kabuto’s smile returned, thin and enigmatic.

"He’ll train you with everything he has—no restraints, no favoritism. As for the price..."
He shrugged.
"You’ll know when it matters. For now, just think it over."

Sasuke frowned.
He had other options—his father, his brother, even the Hokage if he was bold enough to ask. But deep down, he doubted they’d push him hard enough. They cared too much. They’d always hold back, even when pretending not to.

But this man—Orochimaru wouldn’t hold back.

The only problem was whether the Hokage would step in.

"Intense training, without restraint..."

It was tempting.

Still, he wasn’t naive. Kabuto might be telling the truth—or he could be luring him into a trap. And Sasuke wasn’t about to walk into one blindly.

Kabuto, sensing the hesitation, didn’t press. Instead, he pulled a small scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Sasuke.

"This scroll will show you where to find us—if you choose to."

With that, he turned. His figure flickered, vanished. A few silent blinks and he was gone, like a shadow melting into the evening.

Sasuke remained still.

That speed...
He hadn’t shown it earlier. It was deliberate—a parting message.

I’m not someone you can ignore.

Sasuke’s fingers tightened around the scroll.

"This jutsu..." he muttered, lowering his gaze to the parchment.
His brow furrowed, thoughts tangled. He hadn’t agreed to anything—but Kabuto hadn’t given him the option to say no either.

The scroll was in his hand.
The seed had been planted.

And deep down, Sasuke knew—the temptation was already growing.