A violent pressure rippled through the air from above.
Menma wasn't trying to show off
he simply let the Nine-Tails' chakra burst outward.
A dense, sinister layer of red chakra wrapped around him.
No tails formed yet, but even this thin coat radiated a terrifying killing intent.
"—!?"
The moment it washed over him, Sasuke's breath hitched.
His eyes widened, body seizing up before he could even react.
"Swoosh!"
Menma stepped forward and instantly flickered into Sasuke's blind spot.
"Bang!"
His fist slammed into Sasuke's abdomen.
"Guh—!"
Even holding back, the impact was enough to distort Sasuke's face in pain.
His body curled instinctively.
Menma didn't stop.
"Menma!?"
Sakura screamed, voice cracking.
Menma grabbed Sasuke by the collar and hurled him downward.
"Bang!"
Sasuke hit the ground hard, the dull crack echoing through the trees.
Pain exploded through him, every nerve screaming.
His body felt like it was collapsing in on itself.
"Hh—!"
He couldn't even rise.
Menma's strength had pinned him completely.
Menma stepped forward, dropping his weight on top of Sasuke and leaning in.
His fox-like scarlet eyes stared directly into Sasuke's.
"How is it, Sasuke? You calm now? If not… I can help even more."
The pressure at such close range struck deeper than physical force.
It felt like it pierced directly into Sasuke's soul.
His pupils shrank sharply.
That crushing malevolence
that cold dread washing through his spine
extinguished the frantic rage inside him like a bucket of water thrown over fire.
His breathing steadied.
The curse mark's spread halted.
The black markings slowly receded.
His Sharingan faded, returning to black pupils.
Menma exhaled and eased his grip.
Sasuke rose stiffly, face flat again, his expression calm
the familiar Sasuke Naruto and Sakura knew.
Both rushed forward in relief.
"Desiring strength isn't wrong, Sasuke," Menma said quietly.
"A shinobi must grow. Must push upward. But if power controls you… it only proves that your own resolve is too weak to handle it."
Sasuke's eyes flickered.
He inhaled deeply and gave a silent nod.
For him, that was the same as admitting it.
"S-Sasuke-kun… are you okay now?"
Sakura stepped close and gently wiped the sweat from his brow.
Her voice trembled with worry.
Sasuke frowned, but didn't shy away this time.
"I'm fine," he said coldly.
It sounded like the old Sasuke
and Sakura finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
"It's late," Menma said. "We rest for now. It's only the first day. We have time. Our scrolls are safe. Once we recover, we'll go collect what we need from the other teams."
"Yeah."
"No problem."
Naruto and Sakura nodded.
Sasuke also gave a curt nod.
After a simple meal, the group settled down to rest.
⸻
At the same time — Central Tower, Forest of Death
"Are you feeling any better, Anko?"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had arrived the moment he received the urgent message.
His voice was heavy as he looked at the pale Anko Mitarashi.
"Yes, Hokage-sama… thank you."
Anko's voice lacked its usual energy.
"The curse mark has been suppressed again."
Just like the original events
during her investigation of the Forest of Death,
Orochimaru had appeared before her.
He hadn't attacked her, but even without striking,
the combination of taunting words and the curse mark's activation
had overwhelmed her completely.
Despite everything…
Orochimaru still showed restraint toward his former student.
If he truly wished, Anko would never have found him
or survived the encounter.
She remained his only disciple, after all.
"That's good. You should rest," Hiruzen said.
"Other examiners will handle the assessment for now."
"No, I'm fine, Hokage-sama. As for Orochimaru—"
"Anko."
Hiruzen raised a hand, stopping her.
"Rest. Leave Orochimaru to me. I will make the arrangements."
Anko froze for a moment, confused.
Orochimaru's return to Konoha was a crisis—
shouldn't she report everything?
But Hokage orders were absolute.
"…Understood, Hokage-sama."
She bowed and left quietly.
When she was gone, Hiruzen turned toward the night-shrouded window.
His old eyes hardened, a cold glint cutting through the shadows.
"Orochimaru… to return at this time…
This may be the last meeting between master and student."
A silent storm churned beneath the calm surface.
In the largest shinobi village in the world,
multiple forces were already beginning to move.
⸻
The night passed without further disturbance.
When dawn's first light broke over the forest,
Menma's group woke one by one.
Naruto's Uzumaki vitality had already repaired most of his injuries.
Sasuke still looked drained
the curse mark's residual influence weighing on him
but he could still fight if needed.
And the second day of the exam began.