CHAPTER 191 - 191 : OROCHIMARU’S PLAN!

Unknown to them, a pair of eyes watched this place silently in the dark.

Naturally, those eyes belonged to Orochimaru.

Just as Kakashi had suspected, Orochimaru's current target was Uchiha Sasuke.

After witnessing the power of Uchiha Haru and Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan, Orochimaru had long coveted such formidable ocular abilities. He hadn't hesitated to attack Haru and Itachi, but both attempts had ended in considerable losses.

Thus, he shifted his focus to Uchiha Sasuke.

After a long period of observation, he recognized Sasuke's talent as extremely high—no less than his brother, Uchiha Itachi.

As for comparing him to Uchiha Haru...

Orochimaru was not so reckless as to think Sasuke was inferior.

Following multiple encounters with Haru, he acknowledged that individuals like Uchiha Haru were destined to become legendary shinobi, rarities even once every hundred years.

Only legendary figures such as Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama could be considered on the same level.

Everyone else? They weren't even in the same league; there was no point comparing them. People like Uchiha Haru were extraordinarily rare.

Even if Orochimaru wished to, encountering someone like Haru again would be almost impossible.

Uchiha Sasuke was now his best candidate for the plan.

Young, energetic, and incredibly talented.

If Orochimaru could take over a body like Sasuke's, his own strength would grow exponentially.

"Shall we make our move?" a young ninja from the Hidden Mist Village asked quietly beside Orochimaru.

Orochimaru hesitated. Konoha was currently in turmoil; not only was he making a move, but even the Akatsuki had sent operatives.

The very one possessing the Rinnegan, whose power was beyond comprehension, had already entered the fray.

Konoha was thrown into chaos.

Seizing Uchiha Sasuke now was an excellent opportunity.

But should he really act?

Orochimaru's gaze flickered as he noticed the young ninjas accompanying Sasuke—all from Kirigakure.

These youths were exceptionally strong and gifted.

When he had been in the Forest of Death, they had even attempted to attack.

In the end, Haru subdued Uzumaki Karin with a carefully prepared backup plan, paying a heavy price, but leaving a deep impression.

If he acted now, would Kirigakure's young warriors retaliate?

Orochimaru pondered.

It was possible.

Because Sasuke was a member of the Uchiha clan.

Though raised in Konoha, blood ties couldn't be erased.

Considering the respect Kirigakure's young ninjas had for Uchiha Haru, it was very likely they would defend Sasuke.

These three young ninjas from Kirigakure...

Certainly, they stood out among their generation.

But compared to Orochimaru—a Kage-level powerhouse—they were still leagues apart.

Still, this thought caused hesitation.

He wasn't worried about these youths.

His true fear was Uchiha Haru standing behind them.

The ninja who genuinely terrified Orochimaru.

In the Forest of Death, just an illusion left behind on Uzumaki Karin had been enough to subdue him.

Such power was truly terrifying.

And now, during the Chunin Exams, the Akatsuki had launched attacks on all Tailed Beast Jinchūriki participating.

For this reason, Pain—the Akatsuki's leader wielding the Rinnegan—had arrived.

But the result...

Orochimaru stared at the chaos.

It was beyond imagination.

Even more surprising was the news he had heard from Konoha's villagers' expressions and words.

It seemed Uchiha Haru had defeated Pain.

Pain—wielder of the legendary Rinnegan.

When Orochimaru first met Pain, he had no understanding of his true power. He attacked him but was instantly defeated.

The Rinnegan was a terrifying ocular jutsu known only in legends.

While the Sharingan was powerful, it had spread throughout the ninja world long ago, and legends and counters to it were plentiful.

The Rinnegan was different.

Besides its devastating abilities, the Rinnegan held an inscrutable mystery, making it unpredictable and all the more fearsome.

In Orochimaru's mind, the Rinnegan was more powerful than the Sharingan.

This was especially true when comparing Uchiha Haru to Pain.

Haru possessed Wood Release, the Mangekyō Sharingan, and numerous other unimaginable jutsu.

But Pain had the Rinnegan.

In a high-level battle, victory often came not from knowing more techniques, but from mastering them.

Pain's Rinnegan was enough to surpass many.

Therefore, Orochimaru had always believed that between Uchiha Haru and Akatsuki's leader Pain, Pein was stronger.

But now...

All his assumptions seemed overturned.

Even Pain—with the Rinnegan—was defeated!

Uchiha Haru...

How exaggerated had his reputation become!

Orochimaru didn't know all the details, but one thing was clear to him: from now on, he could never afford to offend Uchiha Haru again.

Everything connected to Uchiha Haru must be avoided at all costs.

Now, Uchiha Sasuke was standing beside the young shinobi from the Hidden Mist Village, so it was best not to make a move—for now.

There would be opportunities in the future.

But once someone angered Uchiha Haru, there would truly be no way out.

Orochimaru couldn't help but recall the Flying Thunder God Technique marker Haru had left inside him.

As long as that technique remained within his body, he could never escape Uchiha Haru's pursuit.

If he truly crossed Haru, every move he made would be a step toward death.

He wasn't ready to die yet...

Additionally, Orochimaru had another thought:

Instead of forcing the issue, he hoped that Uchiha Sasuke would join him voluntarily.

This was crucial.

If Sasuke did not come willingly, there could be unforeseen complications when Orochimaru tried to transfer his soul or perform other body-replacement jutsu later.

So after a moment of hesitation, Orochimaru made his decision.

"No, we don't attack Uchiha Sasuke now."

The Hidden Sound shinobi around him didn't object.

They dared not.

Even though Orochimaru was wounded and not as strong as before, the impression he left was still deeply rooted in their minds.

To them, Orochimaru was a word synonymous with obedience.

With the decision made, Orochimaru prepared to depart.

But then, a figure appeared amidst the ruins of the Hidden Leaf Village that caught his attention.

Orochimaru focused.

A black robe, a near-perfect physique, and an impeccable face.

It could only be Uchiha Haru.

After dealing with Nagato, Haru had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return here immediately.

The three young Hidden Mist ninjas—Kimimaro, Chōjūrō, and Uzumaki Karin—rushed over.

This time, Haru had single-handedly saved the entire Hidden Leaf Village, shining brilliantly.

As Haru's students, they felt a surge of pride.

Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Might Guy nodded in greeting as they noticed Haru's return.

The villagers of the Hidden Leaf cheered again, showing their gratitude toward Haru.

Only Asuma remained immersed in the pain of losing his father.

Uchiha Haru looked calm. After exchanging greetings with several acquaintances, he suddenly turned his gaze toward a corner.

Orochimaru's body trembled as an urge to flee surged within him.

As expected, he knew he must not harm anyone connected to Uchiha Haru.

Otherwise, the consequences would be catastrophic.

He stood hidden, doing nothing.

And yet, he was discovered.

That terrifying feeling—

But Orochimaru quickly reasoned.

Why should I run?

Why should I run?

If I've done nothing wrong, there's no need to fear ghosts knocking at my door.

I, Orochimaru, have done nothing.

On the contrary, I've done something beneficial for Uchiha Haru.

I killed the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and removed a major obstacle for Uchiha Haru.

Haru should be grateful to me. Why should I run?

After this realization, Orochimaru felt a slight ease.

But only slight.

In truth, his heart still held some panic.

Not long after, he quietly slipped away.

Haru noticed Orochimaru's departure, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile, amused.

Why did Orochimaru look at him like a mouse facing a cat?

He wouldn't harm Orochimaru.

"Uchiha Haru, are you alright?"

Kurenai Yuhi quickly approached, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

She knew that with Haru's strength, no harm could come to him.

Still, worry lingered—who could guarantee no accidents?

"With Uchiha Haru's strength? Of course he'll be fine."

Might Guy laughed.

After this battle, he was fully convinced.

When Haru had first appeared, Guy regarded him as a rival to challenge and defeat.

Years later, when they met again, Guy had opened seven of the Eight Gates and struck a full-powered punch.

Haru had effortlessly blocked it.

Such strength made Guy realize just how vast the gap was between them.

Haru had transformed from a competitor into the goal he wanted to catch.

Now, after witnessing everything during this Chūnin Exam, Guy no longer imagined catching up to Haru.

The strength Haru displayed had surpassed all expectations.

It was a realm Guy would never reach in his lifetime.

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