Satoru and Orochimaru continued their tense battle. Satoru knew full well that Orochimaru wasn't fighting seriously—he was toying with him, like a predator playing with its prey.
But Satoru's patience was wearing thin.
The pale blue of his eyes dimmed slightly as his gaze dropped. His short white hair fluttered in the wind as he calculated his next move.
This stalemate can't continue.
If he didn't act soon, his true identity might be exposed. Yet simply fleeing wasn't an option either—not while Orochimaru's sights were fixed on Sasuke.
How do I get rid of him without giving away my identity?
Orochimaru wasn't going to stop until he marked Sasuke with the curse seal. And Satoru couldn't allow his younger brother to become a pawn for that snake.
A Plan Forms
Think.
Satoru recalled the original timeline—this was the moment Orochimaru cursed Sasuke. His guard would be at its lowest when he succeeded. That was the opportunity Satoru needed. If he could use Orochimaru's momentary lapse in vigilance, he could trap him.
And then…
A smirk tugged at his lips as an idea took shape. If he could force Orochimaru to retreat by creating a spectacle, it might buy them time and ensure no further interference.
He nodded inwardly. That'll do.
The Fight Intensifies
Satoru leapt into action, hurling a flurry of shuriken at Orochimaru with startling precision.
"Bang, bang, bang!" The sharp sounds of metal clashing rang through the air as Orochimaru effortlessly evaded each attack.
A glint of amusement flickered in Orochimaru's serpentine eyes. "Oh? Is this you getting serious?"
He watched Satoru intently. This boy is more interesting than I thought. His talent isn't extraordinary, but his tenacity and creativity are impressive.
Still, Orochimaru's decision remained unchanged. Satoru, however skilled, was expendable.
Satoru, unfazed by Orochimaru's gaze, pressed on. His pale blue eyes narrowed as he muttered, "Guess I'll have to show you my special move."
A Tactical Display
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. A "special move," announced in advance?
The thought almost made him laugh. Such a child.
But he humored Satoru, waiting to see what he had planned.
Suddenly, the kunai scattered across the ground crackled with electricity. A grid of lightning wove itself together, trapping Orochimaru in the center.
"Fire Release!" Satoru exclaimed, forming hand seals with practiced speed. Flames erupted, engulfing Orochimaru in a vortex of fire and smoke.
From a distance, Satoru smirked. He knew this wouldn't stop Orochimaru. But it doesn't have to.
The smoke and fire were only distractions. While Orochimaru was momentarily preoccupied, Satoru silently replaced himself with a clone and slipped away toward Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura.
A Quick Strategy Meeting
"Hi!" Satoru greeted, appearing suddenly before the group.
"You…!" Sakura stammered, startled by his sudden arrival. Naruto and Sasuke looked equally confused.
"No time for that," Satoru said quickly, cutting them off. "We need a plan before he realizes what I'm up to."
Satoru outlined his strategy succinctly: "That guy doesn't belong here. He's too strong and too careful—he clearly doesn't want to attract too much attention. If we cause a big enough commotion, the examiners will come running, and he'll have no choice but to leave."
He handed each of them a few explosive tags. "Place these at the marked spots. Once I've trapped him, detonate them. The noise will do the rest. Got it?"
The three nodded, quickly understanding the gravity of the situation. They scattered to carry out their tasks while Satoru returned to the battlefield.
Back to the Fight
As the smoke cleared, Orochimaru stepped out of the dissipating flames, completely unscathed. The power grid had disappeared, and the kunai were scattered uselessly on the ground.
"Hahaha…" Orochimaru chuckled, his voice low and eerie. "Not bad for a child."
He studied Satoru with bloodshot eyes. "Your tactics are impressive, but your Fire Release lacks power. It's a shame—you've reached the limit of what someone without talent can achieve."
Orochimaru's smile faded as disappointment clouded his features. "Humans are so fragile. A single failure is all it takes to break their spirit."
He lunged forward, kunai raised, aiming for Satoru's heart.
An Unexpected Savior
"Bang!"
A shuriken flew in from the side, knocking the kunai out of Orochimaru's hand. Before Orochimaru could react, a figure appeared, snatching Satoru away in the blink of an eye.
Orochimaru turned slowly, his golden eyes narrowing. The figure stood tall, facing him with calm determination.
It was Sasuke.
"Hey," Sasuke said coolly, setting Satoru's clone down. "Your fight is with me."
The Decoy
Unbeknownst to Orochimaru, the "Sasuke" standing before him wasn't Sasuke at all—it was Satoru, using the Transformation Jutsu.
This should confuse him, Satoru thought, his mind racing. If I can keep him focused on me long enough, the others will finish setting the detonators.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest. "So you've finally decided to step up, Sasuke Uchiha. Good. Let's see what you're capable of."
Satoru ignored him, flicking his hair back nonchalantly. "Let's get this over with," he muttered, hurling a barrage of shuriken at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru dodged effortlessly, countering with a swift attack. The two clashed repeatedly, their movements a blur of speed and precision.
Orochimaru's Fascination
As they fought, Orochimaru's smile widened. "You're remarkable, Sasuke. To wield the Sharingan so adeptly at such a young age… truly impressive."
He paused, his tone dripping with anticipation. "I want you. You're just like your brother."
At the mention of Itachi, Satoru felt a chill run down his spine. Why does this guy keep making me uncomfortable?
"You're creepy," Satoru said flatly, his tone filled with disgust. "You're like some sleazy salesman who won't take no for an answer."
Orochimaru froze momentarily, taken aback by the casual insult. "..."
The familiarity of Satoru's tone nagged at him. Have I met him before?
But before Orochimaru could dwell on it, the real fight resumed, both combatants preparing for their next move.
>>>>>
Complete Story available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss
Also, leave a review FFS