Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 32: Kakakshi’s Suspicion

The crowd was still murmuring as the medics rushed into the arena, kneeling beside Sasuke's unconscious form. His breathing was shallow, his body twitching slightly from the lingering effects of Orochimaru's interference. The once-invincible Uchiha had been struck down—not just by Teriyaki's power, but by something far more insidious.

Teriyaki stood frozen in the middle of the battlefield, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. The adrenaline was still coursing through him, but the thrill of victory felt... hollow. His fingers clenched into fists. That wasn't a real win.

Above, Orochimaru's gaze was unreadable, though a smirk ghosted across his lips. "Fascinating," he murmured under his breath. "Even with my intervention, it was close. Teriyaki... I'll need to keep a closer eye on him."

Genma gave a sharp nod to the medical team. "Get Uchiha out of here," he ordered, stepping forward. His usual relaxed demeanor was gone, replaced by something more wary. He looked at Teriyaki, eyes narrowed slightly. "You alright, kid?"

Teriyaki exhaled, feeling the last traces of the cursed energy fade from his system. "Yeah..." he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

"Then get to the stands."

Teriyaki hesitated, glancing down at Sasuke's motionless form. The feeling in his gut twisted into a knot. Even if Orochimaru had helped him win, that didn't mean Sasuke hadn't been terrifying. He should've lost. He knew it. Sasuke had been stronger, faster, and more skilled. The only reason he was standing here right now... was because of Orochimaru.

And that didn't sit right.

But before he could think on it further, he felt a familiar presence.

A sharp voice cut through the tension.

"Oi, Teriyaki!"

Naruto.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

Teriyaki turned his head just in time to see the blond shinobi rushing toward him from the stands, blue eyes burning with something between excitement and concern. Right behind him was Sakura, her face pale as she looked at Sasuke's battered body.

"What the hell was that?!" Naruto demanded, stopping in front of Teriyaki with an incredulous look. "That fight—man, that was crazy! You were moving all weird and super fast, and that water attack at the end was sick!"

Sakura, however, wasn't as impressed. "You nearly killed Sasuke!" she snapped, stepping between them. "What happened to him? Why couldn't he move at the end?"

Teriyaki opened his mouth, but no words came out. He didn't know how to explain it. He didn't even know what to say.

He didn't get the chance.

A familiar presence entered the field.

"Enough."

Everyone tensed as Kakashi Hatake strode into the arena, his one visible eye cold and calculating. His gaze flickered over Sasuke's unconscious body, then to Teriyaki. The weight of his stare was suffocating.

Kakashi had seen what happened.

He had noticed.

"Teriyaki," he said slowly, his tone unreadable. "Walk with me."

Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but Kakashi shot him a silencing glance.

Teriyaki swallowed hard, following the jonin toward one of the exits. His mind was racing. Had Kakashi figured it out? Could he tell that Orochimaru had interfered?

As they walked through the narrow tunnel beneath the stadium, the noise of the crowd faded, leaving only the sound of their footsteps against stone.

Kakashi stopped abruptly.

Teriyaki did too, his heartbeat hammering.

Then, Kakashi finally spoke.

"You felt it, didn't you?"

Teriyaki's breath caught.

"The interference," Kakashi continued, voice calm yet laced with an edge of something unreadable. "That wasn't just your power, was it? Sasuke wouldn't just stop like that because of stage fright. We both know that wasn't your power."

Teriyaki's mouth felt dry. "I won the fight."

Kakashi studied him for a long moment before sighing. "I see." He glanced toward the exit, where the daylight streamed in. "Orochimaru's reach is longer than I thought."

Teriyaki stiffened at the name.

'He knows?'

Kakashi turned back to him, lowering his voice. "I won't ask you what deal you made. But I will ask you this—do you know what happens to people who rely on that kind of power?"

The answer was unspoken. Everyone knew.

They lost themselves.

Teriyaki clenched his fists, but Kakashi wasn't done.

"You're strong," he said. "But strength that isn't your own... it'll come back to haunt you and it'll be used against you."

Teriyaki stayed silent.

Then, Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but not unkind.

"For your sake," he murmured, "stay away from Orochimaru."

And with that, he turned and walked off, leaving Teriyaki standing alone in the dim corridor.

"You think I want to stay with him? He'll kill me if I escape!" Teriyaki slammed the wall, annoyed as ever.

Meanwhile...

Far from the stadium, deep within the shadows of Konoha's underground network, Orochimaru's expression darkened as he sat in his hidden chamber.

"That fight was too close," he mused, fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. His golden eyes gleamed as he recalled the battle, the way Sasuke had resisted even as his body failed him.

"But no matter."

A twisted smirk curled on his lips.

"Sasuke... You will come to me."

He leaned forward slightly, gaze flickering toward the documents before him—intel, reports, and details regarding Konoha's strongest fighters.

And among them... Teriyaki's name was highlighted.

Orochimaru chuckled.

"Perhaps I was too hasty dismissing you, Teriyaki..."

His fingers tapped against the parchment, as if plotting his next move.

"Perhaps you're more loyal and valuable than I thought."