After acquiring the scroll, Team Seven departed immediately.
It seemed the three from Otogakure wouldn't easily become his friends, but Naruto wasn't discouraged. He'd learned through experience that if he failed once, there would be a second time. Keep trying persistently, and eventually people would agree to friendship.
Naruto possessed that kind of perseverance in abundance.
Noticing Sakura's condition, Naruto turned to Sasuke. "Let's find a place to rest and wait for Sakura to recover."
They stopped their rapid movement through the trees. After locating a suitable clearing, Sasuke helped Sakura sit on the grass with her back against a tree trunk. "How are you feeling, Sakura?"
By this point, Sakura had mostly recovered, though her eardrums still throbbed with a dull ache. Hearing Sasuke's concern and seeing Naruto's worried expression, she managed a weak smile. "Naruto, Sasuke... I'm okay now."
Her expression faltered, becoming dejected. "I lost so quickly."
Seeing Sakura's spirits sink, Naruto spoke encouragingly. "Sakura, don't be discouraged. The strong only became strong by starting weak and training relentlessly. As long as you have the heart to grow stronger, one day you'll become a powerful ninja."
"That's right." Sasuke's agreement surprised even himself with how much he had to say. "Naruto's word is my word too. Practice hard, Sakura. Failure is the mother of success. One defeat means nothing. Show that same courage you displayed earlier."
The fact that Sasuke spoke so much demonstrated how genuinely he'd come to care about Sakura.
Deeply moved, Sakura nodded firmly. "Yes! Naruto, Sasuke, don't worry. I'll work hard at my training."
"Rest well. We can discuss other things after you've recovered." Naruto didn't elaborate further. Sakura closed her eyes to rest while Naruto and Sasuke stood quietly nearby, keeping watch.
About half an hour later, Naruto suddenly called out sharply, "Come out! I've already detected you."
The loud shout startled Sakura from her rest. Her eyes snapped open as she looked in the same direction as Naruto and Sasuke.
"My, such keen perception."
With a low chuckle, a figure emerged from the bushes not far away. The person wore a bamboo hat, with long black hair falling past their shoulders. Vertical pupils gleamed from a pale face. Magatama-shaped earrings dangled from both ears, and a purple rope belt wrapped around the waist. As those serpentine eyes met the three genin, a long tongue unconsciously flicked out to lick pale lips.
"It's you?" Naruto recognized this person immediately—the ninja from Kusagakure who'd pressed against Anko Mitarashi before the exam began, the one Naruto had shocked into sitting motionless on a rock.
"Yes, it's me. Though not really the true me."
The figure's lips curved into an unsettling smile. "Let me introduce myself properly. Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun—my name is Orochimaru."
After the introduction, Orochimaru's gaze fixed primarily on Sasuke, studying him with predatory interest.
"Orochimaru?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You're Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
"Yes, it seems Sasuke-kun knows of me." Amusement colored Orochimaru's voice.
"Hmph. I know a little about Konoha's S-rank missing-nin." Sasuke's lip curled with disdain. He had no patience for this clearly hostile individual.
Seeing Sasuke's prejudice, Orochimaru couldn't help but smile wider. But this was his favorite candidate—as the next vessel for him, Orochimaru would show considerable tolerance.
He'd obtained some information about Sasuke from Danzo.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, after the massacre carried out by Itachi, Sasuke had stayed at Uzumaki Naruto's home and trained alongside him. As for his actual strength, Danzo hadn't known specifics.
Because Sasuke trained in the back mountain where Naruto's System provided shielding, Root operatives couldn't detect the truth at all.
So Orochimaru had sent his prized spy, Kabuto Yakushi, to make contact with Sasuke. But Naruto had interfered, and it was at that moment Orochimaru's interest in Naruto had truly sparked.
He could sense beneath Naruto's clothing the perfect, vigorous body—as a vessel for his reincarnation, it would be absolutely wonderful.
When he'd gone to Danzo seeking information about Uzumaki Naruto, Danzo had refused to share anything. Orochimaru understood why. Uzumaki Naruto is Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki, a strategic asset. Danzo himself wanted to control that power and wouldn't simply hand over intelligence.
Danzo, do you think I can't investigate on my own if you won't give me information? Orochimaru thought with dark amusement. I want these two perfect specimens.
His tongue flicked out again, licking his lips unconsciously.
"From Sasuke-kun's words, I sense considerable prejudice against me. Although I don't know the exact reason, I've come here with sincerity." Orochimaru's voice took on a persuasive quality. "I hope Sasuke-kun will join me. I can give you far greater power."
He leaned forward slightly, his vertical pupils gleaming with intensity. "I know about the Uchiha clan's annihilation. I know that what Sasuke-kun wants most in life is revenge against Itachi. However, to say something you may not want to hear—with your current strength, you're no match for Itachi, let alone capable of revenge."
Orochimaru's smile turned predatory. "But if you join me, I can give you the power to achieve vengeance. I can even help you kill him myself. Come with me. We can depart at dawn."
He fell silent, watching Sasuke intently. Right now, Sasuke thirsts for power above all else. If I offer such sincerity, Sasuke-kun will definitely be moved.
But to Orochimaru's disappointment, Sasuke's lips twisted with unmistakable contempt. "Only you? Konoha's S-rank missing-nin? What qualifications do you have to make me join you?"
"Hehe." Orochimaru's laugh was cold and amused. "It seems Sasuke-kun sneers at the title of missing-nin. Yes, I am indeed Konoha's traitor. I betrayed the village." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "But tell me, Sasuke-kun—dare you claim you'll never betray Konoha?"
He took a step closer, his voice dropping to something more intense. "Sasuke-kun, you're still too young. The Uchiha clan was annihilated—do you truly believe Itachi acted alone? Then what was his motive? Why would he destroy his own family? How many people were involved behind the scenes? Do you know any of this?"
Orochimaru's smile turned knowing. "If you knew the truth, you wouldn't sneer at my identity as a traitor."
He gestured toward Sasuke with one pale hand. "Your family's inheritance—it's not in your hands, is it? It's being held by that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi for 'safekeeping.' Do you even know if you'll ever actually receive it?"
Then Orochimaru turned his serpentine gaze toward Naruto. "Naruto-kun, I know who where you came from, I know who was your parent, join me and I tell you everything"
His voice rose with calculated persuasion. "Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun—I sincerely invite you both to join me. I can help you reclaim everything you've lost. In fact, very soon, Hiruzen Sarutobi will die by my hand."
Cold confidence radiated from Orochimaru as he finished speaking.