Chapter 75: Reunion and Resentment
Ren followed Kabuto through the winding paths that led into the Land of Sound. The small nation had gained notoriety only after Orochimaru, defecting from the Akatsuki, had taken control and established the Hidden Sound Village within its borders. Now, the village served as Orochimaru’s primary stronghold, a place where schemes and experiments thrived in secrecy.
“Ren-kun, our Hidden Sound Village is just ahead,” Kabuto announced, stopping at the crest of a hill and gesturing toward a cluster of buildings nestled in a valley. “Lord Orochimaru and Sasuke-kun are awaiting your arrival inside.”
“Oh. It’s… a village,” Ren remarked flatly, his tone devoid of interest.
“Shall we? I’m sure they’ve been expecting you.”
“Lead on,” Ren replied, falling in step behind the Sound ninja. For original chapters go to novel✶fire.net
They approached the gates and walked into the heart of the village, eventually arriving at a large, foreboding structure. The air grew colder, and the light dimmed as they entered the expansive hall within.
Two figures awaited them. One was Orochimaru, his pale skin glowing faintly in the gloom, a permanent, unsettling smile etched across his face. The other was Ren’s twin brother, Sasuke Uchiha, his expression a storm of conflicting emotions—rage, humiliation, and disbelief all at once.
“Hehehe~ They should be arriving any moment now, Sasuke,” Orochimaru rasped, his voice like dry leaves scraping stone. “I imagine you’re quite eager for this reunion with your brother, Uchiha Ren.”
That bastard… I’m going to kill him! Sasuke’s thoughts were a whirlwind of fury. The “idiot” he had spent years pitying and protecting—Uchiha Ren—had become a source of bitter humiliation.
Sasuke had spent his life defined by genius and vengeance. The massacre of his clan had forged him into a weapon, singularly focused on killing Itachi. Every battle, every training session, every sacrifice had been a step toward that one goal. And yet the world had begun to contradict him. During the Chunin Exams, he had encountered monsters like Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Gaara, whose power dwarfed his own. Naruto, the dead-last, the class clown, had surpassed him, leaving Sasuke powerless and humiliated. And now, Ren—his twin, once pitied, once cared for—had achieved feats Sasuke could only dream of. Destroying a hidden village, defeating Kakashi… it was all too much. His entire journey felt meaningless. Resentment boiled within him, hot and corrosive.
Footsteps echoed from the hall outside. Orochimaru’s smile widened, while Sasuke’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His Sharingan flared instinctively, scanning for movement.
The doors swung open. Kabuto entered first, followed by Ren.
“Lord Orochimaru,” Kabuto said, bowing deeply.
“Hehehe~ You’ve worked hard, Kabuto. I heard you were injured. Nothing serious, I hope?”
“Thank you for your concern, my lord. It is nothing.”
Orochimaru’s slitted yellow eyes glided past Kabuto and landed on Ren. “Tsk, tsk, tsk… As expected of twins. The resemblance to Sasuke is uncanny… Uchiha Ren. A pleasure to finally meet you. I am Orochimaru, leader of the Hidden Sound.” His voice was a silky, predatory purr.
“I know who you are,” Ren replied coolly, his gaze dismissive. “Orochimaru of the Sannin. Konoha’s S-rank rogue ninja. The one who murdered the Third Hokage. Not exactly a secret.”
“Hehe~ It seems Ren-kun is well-informed,” Orochimaru said, the faintest trace of amusement in his voice.
“Please. Everyone in the shinobi world knows that. No flattery necessary.”
Orochimaru let out a rasping laugh and fell silent.
Ren’s attention finally shifted to the other figure in the room—Sasuke. Their eyes met, and Sasuke’s were burning with a hatred that had been festering since Ren’s arrival. Ren, however, remained impassive, his mask of calm only stoking Sasuke’s fury.
“Yo! My dear brother, Sasuke!” Ren said casually, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “Long time no see. I’ve missed you.”
“BASTARD! DIE!” Sasuke’s control shattered. His Sharingan flared crimson as he formed seals with practiced speed, chakra surging into his right hand—the Chidori—crackling with lethal intent.
Without hesitation, he lunged, aiming straight for Ren’s heart. Orochimaru watched, amused, making no move to intervene.
“Go to hell!” Sasuke screamed.
“Really? Attacking the moment we meet?” Ren’s voice was infuriatingly calm. “Even using the Chidori. You really want me dead, don’t you?” He moved at the last possible instant, a blur evading the thrust effortlessly.
“Too slow. You can’t even touch me,” Ren taunted, standing just out of reach.
“Damn you! DIE!” Sasuke roared, spinning for another attack, only to be dodged again with contemptuous ease.
“Is this all you’re capable of? I’m… disappointed.” Ren’s assessment was clinical. Sasuke’s strength, at best, was high Chunin level. Pitiful.
A strange sense of responsibility washed over Ren. Despite the fury, this was his brother—the same boy who had watched over him during their childhood. That loyalty, however misguided, deserved acknowledgment. Perhaps, with the System’s resources, Ren could cultivate his brother’s potential better than Orochimaru ever could.
Ren stopped dodging. As Sasuke lunged with another Chidori, Ren sidestepped and clamped a steel-like grip around his brother’s forearm. Sasuke struggled but was utterly overpowered. Ren swung him, forcing the Chidori-wielding hand toward the nearest wall.
The technique discharged into the stone, blasting a hole and dissipating into a shower of dust and rubble.
Before Sasuke could recover, Ren delivered a devastating kick to his midsection, sending him skidding across the hall to land at Orochimaru’s feet.
Silence fell. Sasuke’s ragged, furious gasps echoed, while Orochimaru let out a soft, appreciative chuckle. The reunion had gone exactly as Ren had expected—a whirlwind of resentment and violence.
Now, the real conversation could begin.
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