Chapter 118 - Chapter 117: The Whirlpool Country Looks Forward to Your Joining!

"Chidori!"Blue lightning arcs crackled from Sasuke's palms—this was a jutsu born from the concentrated power of lightning-style chakra."Aaaah!!!"With the Chidori active, Sasuke's speed surged again. Without his Sharingan, even he wouldn't be able to follow his own movements at such velocity."It's useless," Kimimaro said coldly. "Your strength is meaningless to me."Just as Sasuke's Chidori was about to strike Kimimaro, a transformation took place. Black curse marks spread across Kimimaro's skin, resembling blood vessels pulsing with dark energy. This was the power of the Earth Curse Seal that Orochimaru had planted within him.As the seal activated, sharp bones erupted from Kimimaro's chest, forming a grotesque natural armor. At that moment, Sasuke's Chidori collided directly with the protruding bones.Boom!!!The impact exploded with noise, but it had no effect on Kimimaro. Worse yet—Sasuke's arm got stuck between the dense, unyielding white bones."Damn it…!" Sasuke struggled desperately to free his arm, but it was useless."Dance of the Larch!" Kimimaro intoned.His body began spinning rapidly, dragging Sasuke along in a vicious, bone-laced cyclone. With each rotation, the sharp protrusions cut deeper into Sasuke's body, ripping open fresh wounds.In mere seconds, Sasuke's body was covered in blood. He collapsed to his knees, his Sharingan flickering weakly before fading. He had been completely overwhelmed.This man... was far too powerful. Sasuke had no chance against him."How about it, Sasuke?" Kimimaro asked, his voice calm and persuasive. "Do you want to obtain the same kind of power as I have?"Kimimaro hadn't come to kill Sasuke. His true mission was to bring him back—to deliver him to Orochimaru. After Konoha's recent chaos, Orochimaru desperately needed a new vessel. Sasuke, with his Uchiha bloodline, was the perfect candidate."Power…" Sasuke muttered.Kimimaro's words hit the deepest part of his heart. After all, he had seen Naruto grow unimaginably strong, watched Gaara dominate the battlefield, witnessed the power of his brother Itachi, and now, Kimimaro's terrifying strength stood in front of him. Sasuke's desire to become stronger burned more fiercely than ever."Do you really have a way to make me stronger?" he asked."Of course," Kimimaro replied without hesitation. "Lord Orochimaru is the most powerful being. What I showed you was just the Earth Curse Seal. But what Orochimaru-sama will grant you… is the Heavenly Curse Seal.""Only those deemed most worthy receive Orochimaru-sama's Heavenly Seal," he continued, his voice full of reverence.Every time Kimimaro mentioned Orochimaru, a strange light shimmered in his eyes. In his mind, Orochimaru was not just a master—he was his purpose, his god.---Meanwhile, elsewhere…Jiraiya chuckled. "Kabuto, looks like you've got some competition. Who does Orochimaru favor more, I wonder?"Yakushi Kabuto blushed, quickly trying to clarify. "I-I respect Orochimaru-sama just as much as Kimimaro does! Also… now that Orochimaru-sama has lost the use of his hands, I'm the one who assists him with his needs…""Ahem! That's enough, Kabuto." Orochimaru interrupted. "You and Kimimaro are both my most treasured children.""Thank you, Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said with heartfelt gratitude. "I will serve you until death."---On the moon…High above the Earth, Kaguya Otsutsuki watched everything unfold through the cosmic void."Hmph… Foolish descendants," she muttered with a cold smile. "You have no idea of the true power that lies within the Yoruichi Clan. One day, when I reign over the ninja world again, all that will remain is the Yoruichi name."---Kimimaro's words had completely convinced Sasuke. He could no longer grow in Konoha—there were too many limits. Naruto had already surpassed him. If he continued training there, he would forever remain in Naruto's shadow.His only option was to seek strength elsewhere, even if it meant leaving everything behind."But… wasn't Orochimaru killed by Naruto?" Sasuke hesitated."No," Kimimaro answered calmly. "Lord Orochimaru is not so easily destroyed. He's alive and well, and he will strike back at Konoha when the time is right."That final assurance erased the last bit of doubt from Sasuke's heart. He clenched his fists and nodded. He had made up his mind.Kimimaro smiled in satisfaction. If Sasuke had refused, Kimimaro was prepared to break his limbs and drag him back. Fortunately, it hadn't come to that."Enter this barrel," Kimimaro instructed. "I'll take you out of Konoha."He summoned a large wooden barrel covered in sealing spells. Its design could block external chakra perception.Without hesitation, Sasuke stepped inside. He had no reason to suspect deception—Kimimaro's strength made any trickery unnecessary.After sealing the barrel, Kimimaro created four shadow clones and together they activated the Four Black Mist Formation, a barrier jutsu that would preserve Sasuke's current state inside the barrel.Even though Sasuke was seriously injured, this barrier would prevent blood loss or death until the seal was released.Kimimaro had planned meticulously for this mission.With everything in place, he hoisted the barrel onto his back and began his journey out of Konoha.Since the death of the Four Sound Ninjas, Kimimaro had to handle every aspect of the mission alone—every grueling, tiring step.The Uchiha compound was located on the outskirts of the village. Now that only Sasuke remained, there weren't many guards around, making escape relatively easy.Kimimaro avoided every detection point and quietly disappeared into the forest.---After a night of stealthy travel, he finally arrived at Orochimaru's hidden base—a cave concealed deep underground, nearly impossible to find.He entered without delay.Inside were rows of cages filled with emaciated prisoners—once humans, now nothing more than hollow shells. The base looked less like a laboratory and more like a torture dungeon from hell.Eventually, Kimimaro reached a large chamber at the back. Unlike the rest of the base, this room was clean and spacious.As he pushed open the door, a familiar voice greeted him."Kimimaro, it seems you've returned with Sasuke."Inside, Orochimaru lay on a bed, his body frail and gaunt.Kimimaro dropped to one knee and bowed deeply. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru. I have brought him."He placed the barrel gently on the ground and reached for the seal to open it—But Orochimaru raised a hand."No, Kimimaro. We have… another guest."Kimimaro froze. Before he could turn around, a voice spoke from behind him."Orochimaru… you're as sharp as ever."Kimimaro spun around.A blond-haired boy stood calmly at the doorway, arms crossed.Uzumaki Naruto."W-what…?" Kimimaro's eyes widened in disbelief. "When did he…? How did I not sense him?!"Naruto smiled coolly, completely at ease. "Thanks for leading the way, Kimimaro. I hope you'll consider joining the Whirlpool Country someday."