---
"Yeah, you're right, Menma," Naruto nodded after a moment, still processing the situation.
Outside, Sakura noticed Naruto was awake and approached with a smile, carrying a bowl of fish soup. In her mind, if Naruto had woken up, then Sasuke would be up soon as well.
"Naruto, here," she said, handing him the bowl.
"Thanks, Sakura. I'm starving," Naruto replied as the rich aroma of the fish soup hit him. His stomach growled loudly, and he quickly took the bowl, devouring the soup eagerly.
Sakura's gaze shifted to Sasuke, who still showed no signs of waking. Worried, she turned to Menma and asked, "Menma, Sasuke hasn't woken up yet. Is something wrong?"
"Don't worry, Sakura," Menma reassured her calmly. "Naruto's already awake, right? Sasuke just needs more time."
"Yeah, Sakura, don't stress. That guy Sasuke..." Naruto began, slurping down his soup. But before he could finish, something unexpected happened.
"Buzz!"
Suddenly, a surge of chakra burst from Sasuke's unconscious form.
"What the—?"
"This chakra...?"
All three turned their attention to Sasuke as Menma's eyes narrowed. A dark, dense chakra began swirling around Sasuke's body, spreading rapidly.
Naruto and Sakura's faces mirrored the same shock.
"The Curse Mark's power? This... it feels like natural energy," Menma thought, recognizing the sinister energy around Sasuke. He knew that Orochimaru's Curse Mark stemmed from Jūgo's ability to absorb natural energy from the surroundings—a twisted form of Sage Mode. This energy, though potent, was highly volatile and dangerous, as Jūgo himself struggled to control it.
The black markings spread across Sasuke's skin at an alarming rate.
"Sasuke, what's happening?" Sakura asked, her voice laced with fear. She looked at Menma, seeking answers.
Menma stayed silent, focused on Sasuke's transformation. Suddenly, Sasuke's eyes shot open, revealing the vivid red of his Sharingan.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed, initially relieved. She moved to step forward but stopped as Sasuke met her gaze with a chilling, emotionless stare. She shuddered, sensing the cold, oppressive aura in the air.
Naruto's expression turned serious, his focus entirely on Sasuke.
"Sasuke, do you know what's happening? Are you still yourself?" Menma asked, his voice steady but edged with concern.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke's voice was low, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "I've never felt better. Sanity? Oh, I'm perfectly sane. What about that Grass ninja? Did you handle him, Menma?"
Sasuke's eyes shifted to Menma, his expression darkening. His presence was menacing, and the tension was palpable. Even someone as oblivious as Naruto could feel it.
Menma watched Sasuke's stance and could only think, "Looks like Sasuke's feeling invincible again."
The power of the Curse Mark was amplifying Sasuke's confidence. The tomoe of his Sharingan spun, reflecting the heightened sense of power.
"No, Sasuke. When I arrived, the Grass ninja was already gone," Menma replied calmly.
"Gone? Then let's go find him," Sasuke demanded, cutting Menma off. "No one targets Team 7 and gets away with it. We have to settle this."
Sasuke's chakra flared even more intensely, and it was obvious that the Curse Mark was affecting his mind, amplifying his negative emotions and personal desires. His pride as an Uchiha wouldn't allow any insult to go unpunished.
Naruto and Sakura exchanged worried looks as the dark chakra around Sasuke grew even denser, swirling ominously.
"Sasuke, what's wrong with you?" Naruto asked, trying to make sense of Sasuke's behavior.
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong," Sasuke replied, his voice dripping with cold resolve. "That guy beat us down. Don't you want to show him up, Naruto? We need to—"
Sasuke's eyes flashed dangerously, his posture becoming more aggressive.
"Sasuke, you need to calm down," Menma interjected, his eyes sharp as he matched Sasuke's intensity.
When a student refuses to listen, what's the solution? For Menma, the answer was clear: if the child misbehaves, you teach them a lesson.
Menma's own chakra flared, locking onto Sasuke's movements.
"Menma?" Naruto and Sakura looked between the two, alarmed by the rising tension.
"Stay back, Naruto, Sakura," Menma said, keeping his voice steady. "Sasuke's a bit worked up right now. I'll handle him."
A hint of predatory intent flashed in Menma's eyes, and the faint image of fox-like features flickered at the edges of his expression.
"So, you plan to stop me, Menma?" Sasuke sneered, his voice cold.
"Boom!"
Sasuke's chakra exploded beneath him.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, Sasuke lunged at Menma, his speed far surpassing anything he'd shown before, moving like lightning.
---
Under the intense pressure of the atmosphere, Menma decided against using any flashy techniques.
He simply unleashed the Nine-Tails' chakra.
A red chakra cloak enveloped his body, not yet forming any tails, but the sheer force of the chakra was overwhelming.
**"!?"**
Sasuke's breath hitched the moment the chakra aura hit him. His eyes widened in shock, giving him no time to react.
**"Swoosh!"**
Menma moved with incredible speed, appearing beside Sasuke in an instant.
**"Bang!"**
His fist drove into Sasuke's abdomen.
**"Gah!"**
Though Menma held back his strength, the blow was still enough to force the air from Sasuke's lungs, his body instinctively curling up in pain.
But Menma didn't let up.
**"Menma!?"** Sakura shouted, panic creeping into her voice.
Without a word, Menma grabbed Sasuke by the collar and slammed him hard into the ground.
**"Bang!"**
The heavy impact reverberated through the forest, the ground beneath Sasuke cracking under the force.
Sasuke groaned in agony as pain coursed through his body, his vision swimming.
**"Ugh!"**
In mere moments, Sasuke had been completely overpowered.
Menma was now on top of him, pinning him down. His scarlet, fox-like eyes bored into Sasuke's.
**"How are you feeling now, Sasuke? Calmed down yet? If not, I can keep going,"** Menma said, his tone dark and menacing.
Sasuke's pupils dilated in shock, and for the first time, a chill ran down his spine. The oppressive rage that had clouded his mind began to fade, as if doused in cold water. The cursed seal marks on his skin slowly receded, and his breathing steadied. His Sharingan faded, reverting to its normal black.
Menma's expression softened as he stood up, releasing Sasuke.
Sasuke shakily got to his feet, his face returning to its usual stoic mask. Naruto and Sakura exchanged glances—this was the Sasuke they knew, not the one consumed by the curse mark's power.
They hurried over.
**"Sasuke, wanting power isn't wrong. A ninja's life is all about growing stronger,"** Menma said, his voice calm but firm. **"But letting power control you only proves how weak you are."**
Sasuke's expression tightened, but after a moment, he nodded. Though he said nothing, his reaction was as close to an apology as they would get.
**"Sasuke-kun, are you alright?"** Sakura asked, approaching him with a handkerchief, her eyes full of concern.
Sasuke frowned slightly but didn't move away. **"I'm fine,"** he muttered coolly, brushing off her worry.
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, recognizing the familiar Sasuke.
**"It's getting late. We should rest. This is only the first day of the Chunin Exams; there's no need to rush. We still have our scrolls. Once we're fully recovered, we'll go after the other teams,"** Menma suggested.
**"Yeah."**
**"Sounds like a plan!"** Naruto added, eager as always.
Sasuke gave a curt nod.
The team ate a simple meal and settled down for the night.
---
Meanwhile, at the central tower in the Forest of Death:
**"Are you alright, Anko?"** asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, his eyes full of concern as he observed the pale-faced Anko Mitarashi.
**"Yes, Lord Hokage. I've regained control over the curse mark,"** Anko replied, her usual bravado replaced by a somber tone.
Like in the original timeline, Anko had ventured into the Forest of Death in search of her former mentor, Orochimaru. She found him, but all it took was a few words and a flicker of her curse mark to leave her powerless.
It was clear Orochimaru still held some sentiment for his former student. If he had wanted to, he could've killed her easily.
**"Good. You should rest for now. The other examiners will handle the rest,"** Hiruzen said, his voice calm and measured.
**"But, Lord Hokage—"**
**"Anko,"** Hiruzen interrupted gently. **"Get some rest. I'll take care of everything. Don't worry."**
Anko hesitated, confused by the Hokage's calm demeanor regarding Orochimaru's return, but she bowed her head. **"Understood, Hokage-sama."**
With a respectful bow, she left the room.
As she departed, Hiruzen gazed out into the night, his expression grim.
**'Orochimaru... So, you've chosen to return. This will be the last time we meet as master and student. I won't let you escape again.'**
---
The night passed quietly.
At dawn, light filtered through the trees of the Forest of Death.
Naruto, Menma, and the others woke up, feeling refreshed after their night's rest. Naruto's wounds had almost completely healed, thanks to his Uzumaki bloodline. Sasuke, though still affected by the curse mark, seemed ready to continue, though a new wariness lingered in his eyes.
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