Finally, he's about to execute his first task for the Root. But to carry out this task, he has to defect and leave Konoha. The time with Team 7 will be the only warmth he can covet in the future.
But...
He must leave Team 7.
Jiraiya tasked him with monitoring Orochimaru, while also learning beside him. Only by defeating Orochimaru can he kill Uchiha Itachi!
Additionally, there is a group of Uchiha clan members in Root. He cannot continue to indulge here, as he has a deep-seated grudge that will only be wasted by staying with Team 7!
Outside Konoha Village.
Jiraiya left with the Root Ninja.
Orochimaru arrived in Konoha with the Sound Four.
"You go and test Sasuke's strength!"
Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to infiltrate Konoha: "I've left the Curse Seal of Heaven on him. I want to see how that little guy has grown. If his strength isn't noteworthy, just take him away."
"Yes!"
The Sound Four instantly infiltrated Konoha Village!
Given the curse seal bestowed by Orochimaru, the Sound Four always believed their strength was formidable. When working together, they could easily annihilate a Jonin!
This time...
The Sound Four hit a snag.
Uchiha Sasuke had just quarreled with Naruto Uzumaki. When he saw the Sound Four, he thought they were there to help him defect from Konoha and forcibly suppressed his anger: "Are you Orochimaru's people? Here to take me away from Konoha?"
"No, we need to see your strength first..."
Sakon and Ukon grinned, twisting their hand, seemingly unconvinced: "Let me see why Orochimaru-sama granted you the Curse Seal of Heaven..."
"Beat him up first!"
Kidomaru looked down at Uchiha Sasuke and chuckled: "Let him be more compliant..."
The remaining two, Jirobo and Tayuya, saw their companions wanted to torment Uchiha Sasuke and didn't choose to stop them; they even considered helping. Their task was to test Uchiha Sasuke's strength.
"A bunch of bastards!"
Uchiha Sasuke, already irked, looked at these oddly shaped ninjas and decided not to restrain his anger any longer!
In Uchiha Sasuke's hand appeared a Kunai, engraved with a fan-like Flying Thunder God Mark, and he raised his hand to throw it at Sakon and Ukon!
"Is this all you have?"
Sakon and Ukon disdainfully tilted their heads to dodge the Kunai!
However...
In the next moment!
Sakon and Ukon's expression changed!
Because as they had just avoided the Kunai, Uchiha Sasuke suddenly disappeared from their sight, and the other Sound Four's expressions changed too!
"Careful!"
The warning from their companions came too late!
Uchiha Sasuke instantly teleported next to Sakon and Ukon, grabbing the Kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God Mark and pressing it against their throat!
This is a unique skill taught by two skilled Flying Thunder God Users!
Compared to other Flying Thunder God Users...
Uchiha Sasuke might be the one most suited for Flying Thunder God!
Because Uchiha Sasuke possesses the Sharingan, the perfect dynamic vision allows him to maintain perfect coordination of sight and movement even after teleportation!
"What a joke..."
Kidomaru felt the difficulty of the task as he saw Sakon and Ukon being subdued: "Couldn't even track this guy's movements..."
"I haven't lost yet!"
Sakon and Ukon squinted.
This guy has two heads and even two minds.
Strictly speaking, Sakon and Ukon are two people; one head is named Sakon, and the other sleeping head is named Ukon, forming a conjoined entity!
During battle, the two heads will fully awaken and collaborate to fight, and can even unleash more magical powers!
"Uchiha Sasuke..."
"Seems I've underestimated you..."
Sakon twisted his arm casually, paying no heed to the Kunai against his throat, while the other head Ukon also awoke!
"Let's go all together..."
Sound Four's Jirobo sensed the situation was complex, worrying their mission might face complications: "Felt like his teleportation wasn't so simple..."
In the next moment!
The Sound Four launched their respective attacks!
However, Uchiha Sasuke's movements were so swift that they could hardly trace them, single-handedly using a Flying Thunder God Kunai combined with Lighting Release: Chidori, crushing the Sound Four utterly!
If considered seriously...
The current Uchiha Sasuke's combat prowess might even surpass a twelve-year-old Kakashi Hatake's, as he can perfectly combine Chidori and the Flying Thunder God!
"Is this all those Orochimaru trained can do?"
Uchiha Sasuke looked at the defeated Sound Four, each carrying a fearsome injury and gazing at him in terror!
"Because they're the worst of the batch..."
A long serpent slithered in the trees and slowly revealed Orochimaru's figure.
"Orochimaru!"
Uchiha Sasuke's pupils instantly narrowed.
Though tense, Uchiha Sasuke quickly suppressed it. He was already prepared to defect, surprised that Orochimaru personally came to Konoha to lure him!
"Sasuke, you have become more remarkable..."
Orochimaru watched everything closely, seeing how Uchiha Sasuke used the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to defeat the Sound Four. His greed and desire were nearly uncontrollable: "It's not that they're too weak, it's that you've become stronger..."
Indeed, it's the Flying Thunder God Jutsu!
Even if Uchiha Sasuke uses Lighting Release: Chidori, it poses no significant threat to the Sound Four. But once Sasuke combines it with the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, his combat power rises dramatically, even making Orochimaru find it troublesome!
"Sasuke."
Orochimaru raised a finger, smiling and asking: "Now you've spread your wings like a bird ready to soar to the heights; isn't it time you stop nesting on a tree? Would you like to come see the broader world with me?"
"What can you teach me?"
Uchiha Sasuke furrowed his brows, somewhat disdainful of Orochimaru.
If not for fulfilling Jiraiya's task or wanting to use Orochimaru to hone his skills, Sasuke wouldn't choose to be with Orochimaru!
"Everything."
Orochimaru grinned.
"Then let me see a bit..."
Uchiha Sasuke fixed his gaze on Orochimaru, and the Chidori in his hand chirped again. Having defeated the Sound Four, he wants to test his strength against Orochimaru!
If he could defeat Orochimaru now...
Maybe he could use this chance to defect from Konoha and seek revenge against Uchiha Itachi!
"So naive..."
Orochimaru smiled, watching Sasuke ready for battle while feeling an appreciation: "The Flying Thunder God Jutsu only changes your battle style but doesn't change the substantial power gap..."
Evening.
Ichiraku Ramen shop.
Naruto Uzumaki and Jiraiya were still talking about recent misgivings about Sasuke's odd behavior, with their arguments escalating.
"..."
Jiraiya watched his disciple, smiling and nodding. He too had gone through the phase Naruto Uzumaki is in, with endless squabbles with a teammate...
In the future...
These will be their most cherished memories.
"Naruto! Naruto!"
But as they were eating, Haruno Sakura hurried over, covered in scrapes and full of panic as she begged for help!
"Naruto, Orochimaru took Sasuke and left the village..."
"Sasuke!"
Naruto Uzumaki's chopsticks froze!
"Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya's chopsticks slammed onto the table!