Capítulo 47: 47. Into The Shadows
The team moved swiftly through the forest surrounding the Hidden Leaf Village, the sound of their feet barely disturbing the underbrush as they leaped from tree to tree. The sun had long set, and the darkness of the night cloaked their movements in secrecy. The mission ahead was clear—find and eliminate Orochimaru, the man who had once been Sasuke's greatest adversary and the mastermind behind countless horrors.
Sasuke's thoughts remained focused as they moved, the recent discovery of his transformation weighing heavily on his mind. He could feel the purified energy of the Curse Mark pulsing beneath the surface, waiting for him to tap into its power. The energy felt different now, less like the destructive force it had been under Orochimaru's control, and more like a reservoir of strength he could command at will. It was his now, fully merged with his soul, tempered by the power of the void and time.
Naruto, traveling alongside Ryusei, looked back at Sasuke with a wide grin, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "You ready for this, Sasuke? It's been a while since we fought together like this."
Sasuke met his gaze, his expression cool but confident. "I've been ready for a long time, Naruto."
Naruto's grin widened. "Good! Let's show Orochimaru how much we've grown."
Ryusei, who had been leading the group, slowed his pace slightly, signaling for everyone to gather around. The group came to a halt, crouching on a large tree branch overlooking a wide valley. In the distance, the faint glow of a campfire flickered through the trees, illuminating several figures clad in dark cloaks.
"This is one of Orochimaru's forward bases," Ryusei said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's likely a staging area for his experiments and operations. We'll clear this out first before moving toward his main hideout."
Sakura nodded, her fists glowing faintly with chakra as she prepared herself for the battle ahead. "Do we know how many are down there?"
Ryusei closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the chakra signatures below. "Six. Four of them are low-level followers. Two of them… higher-ranking. One of them feels like they've been enhanced by some sort of experiment."
Anon stepped forward, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "I'll handle the higher ranks. It's time we test how much they've meddled with these forces."
Sasuke's eyes flickered toward the valley below. His Sharingan activated, scanning the area for any traps or signs of reinforcements. "I'll take the southern side. Sakura, you handle the north. Naruto, you take the east with your clones. We'll surround them and cut off any escape routes."
Naruto nodded, his hand already forming the familiar seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Several clones materialized in the air beside him, each one ready to follow the plan. They darted off into the night, surrounding the camp as Naruto prepared to strike.
Ryusei placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, his gaze serious. "Stay focused. Orochimaru's forces might not seem like much, but they're all part of a larger plan. We can't afford to underestimate them."
Sasuke nodded, his expression hardening. "I won't."
With that, the team scattered, their movements silent and swift as they positioned themselves around the camp. The fire below flickered in the darkness, casting long shadows across the figures seated around it. The enemy shinobi were unaware of the danger that was closing in on them.
From his position in the trees, Sasuke could see his target—a tall, muscular man with strange markings covering his arms. His chakra was erratic, surging in unpredictable waves. Clearly one of Orochimaru's experiments.
Without hesitation, Sasuke moved.
He dropped from the trees, his sword drawn, the edge of the blade crackling with Chidori as he struck. The man barely had time to react before Sasuke's sword sliced through the air, cutting across his chest with lightning speed. A burst of electricity followed the strike, sending the man stumbling backward with a grunt of pain.
"You…" the man snarled, clutching his chest as blood dripped from the wound. "You're Sasuke Uchiha. Orochimaru warned me about you."
Sasuke's eyes flashed dangerously, his voice cold and unfeeling. "Then he should've warned you that this wouldn't end well."
Before the man could respond, Sasuke's Chidori Nagashi surged through his body, electrifying his opponent and locking him in place with paralyzing force. The air around them crackled with energy, and the scent of ozone filled the air as Sasuke's strike landed true.
At the same time, Naruto's clones had descended upon the eastern side of the camp, overwhelming the lower-level shinobi with a barrage of Rasengans. The bright orbs of spinning chakra tore through the enemy forces, sending them flying through the air as Naruto fought with his usual intensity. Each strike was precise, fueled by the power he had gained during his training with Anon.
"Take this!" Naruto shouted, his fists glowing with the power of the Void Rasengan as he hurled it toward one of the enemy shinobi. The attack hit its mark, creating a burst of energy that sent ripples through the space around them, distorting reality for a brief moment before the shinobi crumpled to the ground.
On the northern side, Sakura had engaged her target—a swift and agile kunoichi who moved like a blur through the trees. But Sakura had trained relentlessly during their time away, and she wasn't about to let speed alone defeat her. Her fists glowed with chakra as she struck, each punch creating shockwaves that reverberated through the air.
"Don't think you can outrun me!" Sakura called out, her voice fierce as she landed a powerful strike that sent the kunoichi crashing into the ground with a force that cracked the earth beneath her.
The battle was fierce but brief. Within minutes, the enemy forces had been subdued, their camp reduced to smoldering wreckage as the team regrouped. Naruto, grinning from ear to ear, gave a thumbs-up as he surveyed the damage. "Looks like we handled that pretty well!"
Ryusei stepped forward, his expression calm but focused. "This was just the first step. Orochimaru's main forces will be more prepared. We can't afford to let our guard down."
Sasuke, wiping the blood from his blade, glanced at Ryusei. "What's the next move?"
Ryusei's eyes darkened slightly as he looked toward the horizon. "We move toward Orochimaru's main hideout. If we can take out his high-ranking officers and disrupt his operations, it will weaken his hold on the region. But we need to be prepared. He's been waiting for this confrontation for a long time."
Naruto's grin faded slightly, his expression becoming more serious. "Then let's finish this. We've come too far to stop now."
Sasuke's fingers flexed, feeling the power of the Curse Mark pulsing beneath the surface once more. The battle ahead would test everything they had learned, everything they had gained during their time away. But Sasuke knew one thing for certain—Orochimaru would not win this time.
"Let's go," Sasuke said, his voice steady but filled with determination.
And with that, the team moved forward into the night, their eyes set on the battle that awaited them. Orochimaru's forces loomed ahead, but the strength of Team 7 had never been greater. And this time, they were prepared for anything.
The final confrontation with Orochimaru was drawing near, and they were ready to face the darkness head-on.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder