Covered in sticky mucus, Orochimaru planted his feet on a thick tree branch. Bracing his arm against the bark, the man breathed in and out, steadying himself. That pink-haired girl and her giant sword had nearly done him in. If he'd been half a second slower, less than the blink of an eye, there would be no reanimating. Those three genin had nearly taken down a sannin. Three

genin

. Orochimaru's head spun with that realization. The jinchuuriki knows a jutsu that was created by the father he'd never met. Sasuke, his future body, his

prey

, was quick and lethal.

But Orochimaru had planted the seed. His carefully crafted seal would do the rest. Sasuke would be his, soon.

'You're getting sloppy. ' Anko landed on the branch opposite him, standing tall as if she wasn't afraid.