Encounter

[rikudou]

[A ninja such as Orochimaru is one with many secrets and many places scattered across the Five Nations to slither off and hide. As such it isn't the first time Sasuke has entered the Land of Water during the dead of night, nor would it be the last.

Though his current mission of retrieving several scrolls from an abandoned hideout is, frankly, far beneath him, it gives him time to ponder on the status quo of his training with Orochimaru.

Is he still learning? Is he getting stronger? Or has he reached the zenith of what the most disgraced member of the Sannin can possibly teach him? Of late, he's been asking himself these questions more and more frequently. After all, a ninja like Orochimaru has no place in this world.

But he's shaken from his thoughts as he moves silently from tree to tree in the thickest part of the forest. Though he isn't a sensory type of ninja, he can tell he isn't alone any longer. Hand reaching behind for the handle of his chokuto, he stands up straight, his tone utterly flat as he scans the area.]

Show yourself.

Comments

[rikudou]

[Now there's a curious sentiment. Sasuke mulls the words over in his head, thoughts briefly flicking back to Konoha and the faces of the four Hokage carved onto the cliff face overlooking the village. His home -- or is it? His thoughts linger on an empty neighborhood filled with nothing but ghosts and pain.

He can live without Konoha because he can't live with the version of himself too weak to avenge his clan. In a way, it makes him want to laugh bitterly, though he doesn't.]

You're sounding like Naruto.

[Which is to say, you're annoying.]

I wonder. Between us. Who would be stronger now.