I ,Sasuke , Why Should I Defect To Konoha

Under the thick canopy of intertwined trees, a swift and agile figure darted gracefully through the crisscrossing branches. Anko Mitarashi, her sharp senses heightened, stopped abruptly and glanced around, her brows furrowed in concentration.

(I can sense a sinister chakra… It's close! Damn it, how could someone so dangerous infiltrate the Chunin Exams?)

Her fingers subconsciously grazed the curse mark on her neck, which throbbed ominously. Earlier, they had stumbled upon the corpse of a Yuyin shinobi, the face grotesquely erased with a technique that sent shivers down her spine. Memories of her former teacher came flooding back to her.

As Orochimaru's former student, Anko knew his methods better than most. A notorious S-rank criminal and one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru had once been her mentor, and now his presence was more threatening than ever.

"Anko, it's been a long time…"

The voice, smooth yet chilling, came from behind her. Instantly alert, Anko leapt forward, twisting in mid-air to face the intruder. Her eyes widened at the sight of the familiar figure.

"Orochimaru!"

The name escaped her lips like a hiss. Seeing him in person stirred a storm of emotions—anger, fear, and a bittersweet nostalgia.

"Why have you returned to Konoha? And as a wanted criminal, no less? Surely you didn't come here out of idle curiosity," Anko demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart.

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "Still as impulsive as ever, Anko. Do you truly think you can extract information from me like this? How naïve…"

His words stung, a reminder of why he had abandoned her as his disciple. To Orochimaru, Anko's directness and emotional nature were weaknesses, traits he deemed unfit for the treacherous ninja world.

"I don't need your lectures! If you won't talk, I'll beat the answers out of you!" Anko shot back. With a sharp motion, she extended her arm, summoning several snakes from her sleeve in a Hidden Shadow Snake Hands attack.

But Orochimaru merely stood there, unbothered, as the serpents coiled around him. For a fleeting moment, it seemed her attack had succeeded. Seizing the opportunity, Anko lunged forward and grabbed Orochimaru's hand, slamming a kunai through both their palms, pinning them to a tree.

"You're not going anywhere now," she said through gritted teeth. Sweat beaded on her brow as she prepared a jutsu that would ensure neither of them survived the encounter.

Ninja Art: Twin Snake Sacrifice Jutsu…

With determination blazing in her eyes, Anko began forming the seals. Orochimaru, however, simply chuckled.

"Still so predictable, Anko."

Before she could complete the jutsu, Orochimaru's body crumbled into mud, revealing that she had been grappling with a clone.

"Earth Substitution Technique?! When—?"

Her eyes darted around in disbelief, but Orochimaru's real body materialized behind her, a smug smile on his lips. "You've always been lacking, Anko. Your talents pale in comparison to those of another…"

"What do you mean?!" Anko demanded, spinning around, though the venom in her voice betrayed her unease.

Orochimaru licked his lips, his tone turning sinister. "There are two children in this Chunin Exam… I've given them the same gift I once bestowed upon you."

Anko's heart sank as she realized his implication. The Heaven Curse Mark… He's passed it on to others.

"You monster! You'd endanger innocent lives for your twisted experiments?!" she spat, launching another attack. But Orochimaru merely smirked, forming a quick hand seal.

The curse mark on Anko's neck flared to life, sending waves of excruciating pain through her body. She collapsed to her knees, clutching at her neck as the mark burned bright red.

"Damn it…" she groaned, struggling to steady her trembling body.

"You see, Anko, you were never truly worthy of my teachings. That's why I moved on," Orochimaru sneered. His mocking tone was unbearable, but Anko couldn't retaliate.

"You're after those children, aren't you?!" she managed to say through gritted teeth.

Orochimaru's grin widened. "Perhaps. But why are you so jealous, Anko?" He laughed as he disappeared into the shadows, leaving her with a chilling warning. "Don't interfere with my plans during this Chunin Exam, or Konoha will face destruction."

Left behind, Anko slammed her fist into the ground in frustration. Orochimaru had once again slipped through her grasp.

---

Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Sakura found herself facing the Sound Ninja trio. Though initially holding her ground, the difference in strength soon became apparent.

Lee, along with Shikamaru and Ino's teams, arrived just in time to aid her. The bonds they had formed over shared meals and camaraderie strengthened their resolve to protect one another. But despite their combined efforts, the Sound Ninja's teamwork proved overwhelming.

In the heat of battle, Sakura's chakra reserves dwindled. Though she fought valiantly, she was eventually cornered, her hair grabbed by one of the enemies.

"Let go!" she yelled, her eyes brimming with tears of frustration.

Lee, witnessing her distress, gritted his teeth. "I won't let this stand!" His injuries forgotten, he prepared to unleash the Eight Gates, determined to turn the tide of battle.

But before he could act, an ominous purple chakra burst forth from the nearby underbrush. All eyes turned toward Sasuke, whose body radiated with an otherworldly aura.

"What's happening?" Shikamaru muttered, his sharp mind racing to comprehend the scene.

Sasuke's eyes glowed red with fury as he emerged from the shadows. The curse mark Orochimaru had left on him pulsed, its power coursing through his veins. Without hesitation, Sasuke intervened, effortlessly neutralizing the Sound Ninja with ruthless efficiency.

Sakura stared in shock, her hand unconsciously touching her shortened hair. Sasuke's presence was overwhelming, his voice calm yet menacing as he addressed her.

"Sakura, I'm sorry for everything. But I promise… I won't let you get hurt again."

His words carried a weight that silenced the battlefield. Even the Sound Ninja, who moments earlier had been brimming with confidence, now trembled in fear. Orochimaru's influence was evident in Sasuke's newfound strength, and it was clear that he was no longer the same boy they had known.

---

Elsewhere, Orochimaru observed the scene from afar, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. His plans were unfolding perfectly. "Soon, Sasuke… Soon, you will come to me willingly."

---

Anko, regaining her composure, stood amidst the forest. Though she felt defeated, she vowed not to let Orochimaru succeed. Her resolve burned brighter than ever as she set off to warn Konoha of the danger looming over the Chunin Exam.

The battle was far from over.

--------------------------------------

Visit our Patreon for more:

patreon.com/Johnwick007

Extra Content Already Available