𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢 | ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ ꨄ︎ ꜱʜɪᴘᴘᴜᴅᴇɴ

Infiltration

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✧˖*°࿐

The entrance to one of Orochimaru's many lairs was just through an enclave of eroded nature. Sai has been subtly observing me far too long for my liking, making me slow my pace to meet his. What he claimed beforehand stayed like an echo. 

"Danzou-Sama has stationed me to Team Seven... I know very little of them, but I do know they hate me."

And here he is now, betraying them. Like I done. That made it hard for me to acknowledge him. Otherwise it would be no different from looking into a reflection of myself. I have to remind myself that no one knows. No one but officials. 

A new gnawing pain in my chest never occurred until recently. Lately, I feel conflicted. As I gaze into the backsides of Orochimaru and Kabuto, it all disappears.

This mission is nothing to me. I am my own mission. Whether Tsunade likes it or not, I'll be doing this my way. Orochimaru's just the first to get used to it.

"It's definitely strange." Sai speaks up from beside me, and I look at his closed eyes and fake smile. "Sakura-San said you were a kunoichi with calm aura, yet you stare at your superiors like you wish to gut them."

His amused tone already picks away at my frustration. "Disappointed? I don't care what any of you think of me."

"Could it be I'm not worth your time?" Sai counters back quickly. "I heard from Naruto-kun that you were someone who could even look down on shinobi gods. Are you truly as powerful as they boost you to be?"

Where is he getting at this? I couldn't tell if he was mocking me or telling the truth. Truth or not, it was a stretch. 

"Are you asking to find out?" My tone drops, and I'm narrowing my eyes.

"Far from calm." He remarks in reply, turning his head away.

My brow twitches, and I step through the hidden base's door. The vast room is dark with many pillars holding up the ceiling. 

In the depths of the darkness, sat an Uchiha with a knee to his chest. His red eyes illuminated, and high above behind him were the piercing eyes of a massive snake.

"You're late." Sasuke instantly said. I suppress a huff. "Orochimaru, did you forget about how you said you were going to teach me a new jutsu this afternoon?"

Kabuto parts his lips, though I instantly cut him from beginning. "Father has only just returned from his task, I'm sure you can survive the rest of the weekend without a new jutsu."

"You brats never cease to run your impolite mouths —"

"Kabuto, stop." Orochimaru sighed. "Do calm down, the two of you. My child is correct, Sasuke-kun, since instead of training, I happen to have come by a little present."