Starting with a list of Naruto episodes watched by Tobirama Senju

Chapter 281 Sasuke's Defection

After regaining his senses and putting on a show of bravado, Sasuke, without saying a word, immediately broke the arm of the Sound Ninja Zaku.

[When the king of arrogance makes a move, you know he's got the skills.]

That day, Sasuke laughed wildly.

As is widely known, maniacal laughter is a typical symptom of the Uchiha clan's chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) episode.

Startled by Sasuke's "maniacal laughter," Sakura instinctively hugged him from behind.

At this moment, an astonishing change occurred: the cursed seal on Sasuke's body miraculously dissipated.

This is the power of love.

[Just a thought experiment: if Naruto had been the one holding Sasuke at this moment, Naruto would probably have ended right away.]

"To be honest, I really didn't expect that the cursed seal could be canceled like this."

Of everyone present, only Orochimaru had the most authority to speak on the matter of cursed seals.

Because he's the one who made this thing.

"According to my data, the first time someone activates the curse seal, it will only be automatically canceled after they are completely exhausted and have their last bit of strength drained."

At this point, Orochimaru looked at Sasuke and Sakura, whose faces were flushed, with amusement, and said with a smile, "It seems that back then, Sasuke, Sakura already had a place in your heart."

"Too verbose."

Sasuke did not deny what Orochimaru said.

At that time, he did have feelings for Sakura, but not romantic love; rather, it was friendship between teammates.

To be honest, he didn't know why the curse mark had mysteriously disappeared.

At that moment, his mind was filled with violence, and he wanted to torture and kill the three Sound Ninja in front of him.

Even when Sakura hugged him, he didn't stop using chakra.

The cancellation of the curse seal was quite inexplicable.

Could it be that this is really because of love?

"Not bad, not bad. After Hinata and Naruto's 'sweetness' last time, we got to see Sakura and Sasuke's 'sweetness' this time. If this happens a few more times, the screen could double as a matchmaker."

Jiraiya chuckled and made a joke.

He desperately wanted the young people of Konoha to fall in love.

The profession of ninja is one where you put your head on the line, never knowing when you'll die.

Having a source of spiritual support might unleash greater power in dire straits, thus turning danger into safety.

This isn't some kind of mystical art; rather, it's a logic that perfectly aligns with the rules of the ninja world.

Not to mention that the Uchiha clan can awaken and advance their Sharingan in desperate situations, even an ordinary genin, if truly driven to the brink, can unleash power stronger than he would under normal circumstances for the sake of his lover waiting at home.

"Old man, while the ninja world is still relatively peaceful for now, how about we organize a matchmaking event later to find partners for the single ninjas in the village?"

"You're the current Hokage, so you can make the decision."

"Okay, then it's settled."

After the Chunin Exams, Sasuke, whose chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) had reached its breaking point, finally decided to betray the village and dedicate himself to the woman who had left a kiss mark on his neck: Orochimaru.

That night, Sakura's pleas to stay were so pale and powerless. Compared to something as ethereal as love, Sasuke wanted power far more.

[It was also on this night that Sakura uttered that cryptic, sarcastic remark when facing Naruto.]

Sakura: Please, Naruto, bring Sasuke back!

To be fair, Sakura's act of asking Naruto to bring Sasuke back, even though she knew Naruto liked her, was a bit too manipulative.

However, bringing Sasuke back is something Naruto wanted to do anyway, and Sakura's request might actually motivate him.

[After all, it's Naruto's thought process; those who know, know.]

"Sasuke, you've defected?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke with disbelief. He couldn't believe that a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes like Sasuke would actually betray him.

"What's so surprising?"

Before becoming Orochimaru's apprentice, Sasuke had analyzed his own situation.

If Orochimaru hadn't returned to Konoha, he would most likely have defected to find Orochimaru.

Seeing my choice on the screen now only confirms that my analysis back then was correct.

There's nothing surprising about it.

"Naruto, I'm not like you. Back then, I had a blood feud."

"So you need the power to take revenge?"

"That's right."

Sasuke nodded and continued, "Konoha is great, and it's really nice to have you, Sakura, and Kakashi by my side. However, my strength has improved too slowly in the village. During the Chunin Exams, when facing Gaara in his tailed beast form, I couldn't even think of a single way to deal with him, while you summoned a giant toad and took care of Gaara."

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"Hehe, I didn't expect you to be provoked by my strength."

"Get to the point, stop joking around with me, you're messing up my train of thought."

Sasuke snapped at Naruto, then, after clearing his head, continued, "That's right, I was provoked by you. You have Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, to teach you, and what about me? Rely on Kakashi?"

These words made Kakashi, who was eavesdropping, feel somewhat embarrassed.

No matter how you compare them, he is indeed inferior to Jiraiya.

He even taught Sasuke his own original ninjutsu, Chidori, yet he still couldn't defeat Gaara. No wonder Sasuke felt resentful after watching Naruto's battle with Gaara.

"As one of the legendary Sannin alongside Jiraiya, if I could receive his guidance, my strength would surely improve rapidly."

Even if he has ill intentions?

"I've long understood that there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Taking some risks to gain power is nothing. If I die in the end, it just means I wasn't strong enough."

Naruto fell silent. He knew Sasuke craved power, but he hadn't realized that Sasuke's desire for power had reached this level.

He didn't continue talking to Sasuke, but looked at Orochimaru and asked, "Snake-aunt, can you tell me what your purpose is in seducing Sasuke?"

Orochimaru fell silent upon hearing this.

After a few seconds, he asked with a grim expression, "Who told you to call me Aunt Snake?"

Naruto innocently pointed at the light screen, "Isn't that what the light screen said? Orochimaru-san."

"Fine, call me whatever you want, it's just a name anyway."

Because Orochimaru's current body is indeed female.

The nickname "Snake Aunt" is perfectly appropriate.

"You ask me what I want Sasuke for? Actually, it's nothing much, I just really lust after his body."

"Snake Aunt, listen to my advice. You two are so far apart in age. Even if you get Sasuke's body, you won't get his heart. You won't be happy together."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru remained silent for a moment before turning to look at the people next to Naruto.

"Minato, Kushina, can't you control your son anymore?"

"Well, children say the darndest things, Orochimaru, don't take it to heart."

Kushina chuckled, and Orochimaru wasn't a petty person.

That was the end of it.

(End of this chapter)