On the rear mountain of the Uchiha Compound
Sasuke gave a cold snort as he looked at the man before him. "So? What do you want?"
"Seeing as you haven't attacked me even after hearing I'm Orochimaru's subordinate, it seems we can talk," Kabuto said, spreading his hands.
"What do you want to talk about?" Sasuke asked, his expression unchanged.
Sasuke's impression of Kabuto was still stuck in the Chunin Exams, so he considered Kabuto a genin. While he was cautious, it wasn't enough to make Sasuke nervous.
"I'll get straight to the point. Lord Orochimaru's gift to you... you've felt its power, haven't you?" Kabuto walked forward, passing Sasuke as he spoke. "Interested? Lord Orochimaru can make you even stronger."
"Hmph, so the goal is still to take over my body," Sasuke scoffed.
"No, no, no. Lord Orochimaru simply wants to help you gain the power of revenge, and perhaps receive a small reward in return. It's just a transaction," Kabuto said, shaking his head.
"Is that so? But I don't think the power he gave me is that strong," Sasuke replied, shaking his head as he recalled the scene of being utterly thrashed by Sakura.
"That's because you haven't activated Cursed Seal Level Two," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses. "The power available in Cursed Seal Level One is very limited. When you unlock Cursed Seal Level Two, your strength will increase many times over."
"Is that so? So what?" Sasuke sneered.
Sasuke calmly calculated. Sakura hadn't even used her full strength that day. He was deeply impressed by Sakura's monstrous strength. Although he hadn't seen her use it since she returned, its power was unforgettable.
That day, Sakura had only used ordinary punches. If she had used her chakra-enhanced strength, he would probably still be in the hospital. Therefore, based on Kabuto's words, Sasuke estimated that Cursed Seal Level Two was probably only around Sakura's level of strength that day. Kabuto's words held no appeal for him.
Sakura had genuinely achieved the power of Cursed Seal Level Two through her own training, while Sasuke would have to rely on the Cursed Seal to obtain that same strength. This comparison made the Cursed Seal unattractive to Sasuke. He didn't believe his talent was inferior to Sakura's.
"Hmm? Don't you want revenge? For your clan, to kill Uchiha Itachi," Kabuto pressed, slightly surprised by Sasuke's response. Kabuto needed a Sasuke consumed by the desire for revenge. A calm Sasuke didn't fit his objective, so he tried to provoke him a little.
Hearing that name again, Sasuke's anger flared. He immediately recalled Sakura's words, forcing himself to calm down. The voice of revenge and Sakura's voice intertwined in his mind.
"Who do you think you are? The Uchiha clan's affairs are none of your business. Get lost!!!" Sasuke said, his face cold.
Kabuto was slightly taken aback by Sasuke's gradually calming expression. It seemed Sasuke had been influenced too deeply by the people of Konoha.
"Don't be like that, Sasuke. Lord Orochimaru simply wants to help you... you just need to pay a small price," Kabuto said quickly, waving his hands.
"I'll say it again. Get lost!!!" Sasuke's eyes had already activated his Sharingan, staring fixedly at Kabuto. "Go back and tell Orochimaru that the Uchiha clan is not something he can meddle with."
Seeing Sasuke's resolute expression, Kabuto knew Sasuke wouldn't be tempted by Orochimaru's power. That damn Haruno Sakura.
If Sasuke had remained the undisputed top of Konoha's new generation, reaching the ceiling of his power with no one to surpass, then tempting him with the power of the Cursed Seal would have been much more effective.
This was the conclusion Kabuto had reached after observing Sasuke discreetly in Konoha after Orochimaru decided to take Sasuke's body. Kabuto was most confident in his own intellect.
Kabuto had always disdained using brute force, so this plan to acquire Sasuke was his own suggestion to Orochimaru, which Orochimaru then decided to implement. While this mission wasn't exactly a stepping stone into Orochimaru's inner circle, it was a test of loyalty.
Naturally, Kabuto wanted to complete this mission perfectly, making Sasuke willingly come to Orochimaru's side, showing his value and loyalty to Orochimaru.
The plan had been perfect: Sasuke, standing at the peak of the rookies, seeking power to break through his ceiling, would accept external power to enhance his own.
But now, Haruno Sakura had appeared out of nowhere, crushing Sasuke beneath her overwhelming strength. Even if Sasuke could defeat Sakura using the power of the Cursed Seal, the comparison was clear: one relied on her own power, the other on borrowed power.
Therefore, before reaching his peak, Sasuke wouldn't resort to such short-sighted measures. Sasuke wasn't after rank; he wanted a tangible increase in real strength. This borrowed power didn't feel secure, especially since it wasn't even guaranteed to be stronger than Sakura's.
Because Sasuke hadn't been defeated by a Cursed Seal user, but instead was constantly suppressed by Sakura, his mindset naturally leaned more towards Sakura's side. He no longer held the power of the Cursed Seal in high regard. So, in the end, might makes right.
This was precisely why Kabuto was so annoyed with Haruno Sakura. But now, it was too late. Kabuto hadn't paid much attention to Sakura initially, never expecting her to have such a significant impact on Sasuke. However, it wasn't over yet. He still had one last card to play...
"That's truly a shame..." Kabuto said, spreading his hands as he walked down the mountain. "Lord Orochimaru's research extends beyond the Cursed Seal; he has also made progress in reviving the dead. I was originally planning to give Sasuke-kun a surprise..."
When Sasuke heard this, his mind exploded. Reviving the dead...
Sasuke's primary goal was to kill Uchiha Itachi, and his second was to revive the Uchiha clan. Both goals were deeply rooted in his family. Killing Itachi was for revenge on behalf of the Uchiha clan, and rebuilding the clan was also for the family.
So, his personal desire was naturally to see his parents again. The farewell that morning had become a final goodbye. When he returned home, he hadn't heard his parents' last words, only seeing their bloodstained bodies.
Sasuke's morning routine was nothing more than a deeply cherished memory of that morning.
Hearing Kabuto's words, Sasuke could no longer remain calm.
"Stop. What did you just say?" Sasuke asked urgently.
"Heh heh," Kabuto chuckled inwardly. If strength couldn't tempt you, then I'll use your family.
Sasuke had deviated slightly from Kabuto's expectations. While using his deceased relatives to lure Sasuke might not be as effective as using strength, once he was on Orochimaru's turf, Sasuke would have no choice.
"Ah, nothing. I just said that Lord Orochimaru has a way to revive the dead. It's the result of his years of research. I was originally going to give Sasuke-kun a surprise, but it seems that's no longer possible..." Kabuto said to Sasuke, a sunny smile on his face.
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