The World Is Wrong
Looking at Sasuke standing behind him, a faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.
Disguised as a Genin participating in the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru had infiltrated Konoha with the ultimate goal of launching the Konoha Crush Plan. However, if he could take Sasuke under his wing in the process, it would be an unexpected bonus.
After all, even though he was working on cloning a body that could sustain his soul, the Uchiha bloodline remained an excellent vessel.
Sasuke, filled with a burning desire for revenge, was the perfect candidate. He still carried the humiliation of being powerless before his brother, Uchiha Itachi. Orochimaru smirked at the thought—it would be fascinating to manipulate events so that the brothers destroyed each other. And if everything went according to plan, he could cultivate a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan for himself.
Just as Orochimaru was indulging in these thoughts, a figure appeared in the distance, making his smile freeze.
Perched atop a tree, Naruto looked down at him with an amused expression.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Mianma-kun, it's been a while. So, you also sneaked into Konoha? It seems that fool Raiya did a poor job with security."
Naruto smirked. "It's been a long time, but I didn't sneak in—I was invited by Jiraiya. Though, it looks like you weren't."
He paused for effect before continuing playfully, "If I were to alert Jiraiya and the Third Hokage right now, do you think they'd show mercy to their former comrade?"
Orochimaru's expression darkened slightly before he regained his composure. "Mianma-sama, we are allies. There's no need for hostility over such trivial matters."
Naruto waved a hand dismissively. "I don't care what you're doing in Konoha, but Sasuke is a member of the Uchiha clan and will eventually become part of Uzushio Village. You'd better not make any decisions about him."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his tone light. "Since you insist, I'll respect your wishes. But aren't you interested in watching a spectacle? The battle between two brothers, a fight to the death… it's the perfect way to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."
He then turned his gaze slightly, as if speaking to someone beyond Naruto. "Although Itachi was stopped from fully carrying out his plans back then, he never intended to kill Sasuke in the first place. Instead, he wanted Sasuke to be consumed by hatred—to awaken his Mangekyō—and then… take his eyes to gain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
His words weren't just for Naruto. They were meant for Sasuke, who was eavesdropping in the shadows.
Naruto sighed and rolled his eyes. If Itachi had truly slaughtered the Uchiha clan just for power, leaving Sasuke alive only to cultivate his own Eternal Mangekyō, Naruto might have admired him.
But the truth was different.
In Itachi's twisted logic, the village was more important than the clan, and Sasuke was more important than the village. If he could control Sasuke through Kotoamatsukami and ensure his loyalty to Konoha, it would have been the ideal outcome.
That was why Naruto had always found it easier to work with the dead—like Shisui Uchiha—than Itachi, who was constantly monitored by Danzo, Obito, and the rest. At least Shisui had a clearer mind than Itachi, who had been sent to the battlefield to kill at the age of four and ultimately chose suicide after contemplating his path.
From his hiding spot, Sasuke's mind reeled.
Itachi… had massacred their clan for power? He had left Sasuke alive only to cultivate a backup pair of Mangekyō Sharingan?
And this ninja, Orochimaru, was encouraging him to seek revenge, to fulfill that cycle of hatred.
Yet, despite his suspicions, Sasuke couldn't deny his temptation. Orochimaru could provide him with the power to defeat Itachi—something he couldn't attain under Kakashi's slow and methodical training. He had already waited years. How much longer would he have to wait?
But then his thoughts shifted to the other ninja.
He recognized that voice. The captain of the Uzumaki squad—the one who had approached Hinata before. And yet, this person could speak to Orochimaru as an equal?
Did this mean that those who had left Konoha had all joined Uzushio Village?
Did this mean he, too, had a place there?
The conversation between Naruto and Orochimaru continued, but the words became harder to make out. Sasuke inched closer, straining to hear—
Only for Naruto to suddenly appear behind him.
"Stop eavesdropping," Naruto said lazily. "I chatted with Orochimaru for a bit, but he's already gone."
Sasuke tensed, immediately raising a kunai, but he found himself frozen under Naruto's overwhelming presence.
Realizing resistance was futile, Sasuke reluctantly lowered his weapon. "Who are you? Why are you in Konoha? And why are you working with a rogue ninja like Orochimaru? What's your real plan?"
Naruto tilted his head before replying, "I'm just Uzushi Murashita, taking the Chunin Exam. I'd like to pass and become a Chunin Captain."
Sasuke scowled. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"Think whatever you like." Naruto shrugged. "But yes, I know Orochimaru. And yes, I have a mission in Konoha. However, it has nothing to do with you, an orphan of the Uchiha."
Sasuke's eyes flickered with irritation, but before he could speak, Naruto continued, "I can answer a few of your questions while I'm in a good mood."
After a pause, Sasuke asked, "How much do you know about Itachi? Are all the remaining Uchiha in Uzushio Village? And what's your connection to them?"
Naruto smirked. "Uchiha serve under me. As for Itachi, I don't know much about him."
Then, his smirk deepened, making Sasuke's stomach twist with unease.
"But everything you just overheard? That's exactly what Orochimaru and I wanted you to hear. A ninja should learn to distinguish truth from deception. Don't be so quick to believe every word you hear."
Sasuke's breath hitched.
"Anyway, that's enough talking. I have a Chunin Exam to finish." With that, Naruto turned and disappeared into the trees, heading toward Hinata and the others.
Sasuke remained frozen in place, his mind racing.
He had thought he was uncovering the truth, but now he wasn't sure if he had been deliberately fed lies.
He clenched his fists.
He had finally grasped what seemed like reality—only for it to be shattered again.
And yet, despite all this confusion, something about Mianma's voice felt eerily familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
But that didn't make sense. How could he know someone who could speak so casually with Orochimaru?
Perhaps his exhaustion was clouding his judgment. Perhaps Orochimaru's venomous presence had simply unsettled him.
Still… if Mianma truly had no connection to him, why had he intervened?
Why had he saved him?
Why had he spoken of Sasuke's future as if he were meant to be part of something greater?
The world was wrong.
Or maybe, just maybe—his understanding of it was.
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