Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 36: Aftermath

Teriyaki stepped carefully over the shattered remains of Konoha's streets, his boots crunching against broken tiles and debris. The fires from the invasion had mostly died out, leaving behind blackened structures and an acrid scent in the air. Shinobi moved in all directions—Jonin barking orders, Chunin carrying the wounded, Genin helping wherever they could. The village was alive, but destruction was everywhere.

Follow current novℯls on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

The sound and sand ninjas had caused mass destruction, mostly because they had been so numerous and there were some skilled fighters among the sand jonin.

He passed a team of medical-nin kneeling beside a wounded Konoha shinobi, their hands glowing with healing chakra as they stabilized his injuries. Another group was carrying a stretcher toward the medical center, a man groaning in pain as blood seeped from his side.

Teriyaki exhaled. At least Orochimaru had failed. The village still stood, even if it had come at a cost. Think back to himself, he didn't know where he stood.

He touched his curse mark carefully.

"I probably need to get rid of this somehow... Or Orochimaru will find me again once he recovers."

He spotted Kakashi standing near a makeshift triage station. The Jonin's uniform was tattered, blood smeared across his sleeves—though whether it was his or someone else's, Teriyaki couldn't tell. His headband was tilted slightly, barely keeping his Sharingan eye covered. Despite the exhaustion in his stance, Kakashi remained focused, scanning the area like he was still expecting another attack.

Teriyaki approached, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Hey, it's me again. I was wondering if there were any people who could get rid of a tattoo?"

Kakashi barely reacted at first, glancing at him with his usual unreadable expression. "A tattoo?"

"Yeah," Teriyaki tapped the side of his neck, feeling the faint, burning sensation of the Curse Mark. "One I really, really don't want anymore."

At that, Kakashi's gaze sharpened. He stepped closer, reaching out before Teriyaki could protest, and pulled his collar down just enough to see the black, flame-like markings curling at the base of his neck. Kakashi's grip tightened slightly.

His expression darkened. "...This isn't a tattoo."

Teriyaki sighed. "Yeah, I guess you know what this is."

Kakashi was silent for a long moment before releasing him. "Where did you get it?"

Teriyaki scoffed. "You already know, don't you? You saw Sasuke's?"

Kakashi's visible eye flickered with understanding. "...Orochimaru."

Teriyaki ran a hand through his messy hair. "Indeed. So? Can it be removed?"

Kakashi crossed his arms. "Not easily. This isn't just a mark—it's a jutsu. A binding seal. If you try to get rid of it without the right technique, you might just make things worse. There's a reason I haven't been able to get rid of Sasuke's, it needs a powerful medical ninjutsu user."

Teriyaki exhaled sharply. Of course it couldn't be that simple.

"But..." Kakashi continued, "there's someone who might be able to remove it."

Teriyaki perked up slightly. "Oh?"

"Tsunade," Kakashi said. "She's one of the Legendary Sannin and the best medical-nin in the world. If anyone can remove something like this, it's her."

Teriyaki's hope rose. Finally, some good news. "Great. Where is she? Is she here?"

Kakashi sighed. "That's the problem. She sent a message saying she's... unavailable for the next month."

Teriyaki's stomach twisted. "A month?"

Kakashi nodded. "She's handling something outside the village. Until then, you're stuck with it."

Teriyaki tensed. A whole month... That was way too long. Orochimaru wasn't the type to just sit back and let his subordinates walk away after betraying him.

If anything, he was maybe already looking for him.

Teriyaki forced a weak chuckle. "Well... I finally betrayed him. Guess now I just have to survive the consequences."

Kakashi studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Get some rest. You'll need it. But just know you might recieve hostile interactions, it's going to be hard to trust people from other villages after what happened today."

Teriyaki didn't argue. His body felt like dead weight, his injuries catching up to him as the adrenaline faded. He let himself be led to the medical center, where the overworked recovery team patched up his relatively minor wounds as best they could. The Curse Mark, however, remained untouched—its dark presence lingering, a reminder that he wasn't free yet.

Eventually, he collapsed onto an empty hospital bed, his muscles sinking into the stiff mattress. He stared at the ceiling for a while, listening to the distant sounds of people moving around, the low hum of voices as the medics continued working.

"A month..."

He closed his eyes.

Orochimaru wouldn't wait that long.

Kabuto stood in the darkness watching the sight before him with mild intrigue.

"You knew Hiruzen would kill that body, I see Orochimaru... That's why you told me to wait here."

Deep underground, in a dimly lit laboratory, a cylindrical test tube bubbled ominously. Inside, suspended in thick, murky liquid, a pale form remained still—until its eyes snapped open.

Golden. Snake-like.

The liquid began to drain, and as the glass slid open, Orochimaru stepped forward, his bare feet touching the cold stone floor. His breathing was slow, controlled, but the rage simmering beneath his calm expression was unmistakable.

His fingers twitched, testing the sensation of his new body. It was fresh, unfinished, still adjusting to its host—but none of that mattered now.

All that mattered was his losses.

"Teriyaki... The plan was perfect until he disobeyed me... It could have been a flawless victory. Konoha could've been mine."

His voice was low, venomous, dripping with malice.

Memories flashed in his mind—loyalty turned to betrayal, a tool slipping from his grasp. He had trusted that boy. Molded him. Gifted him power beyond his understanding.

And this was how he repaid him?

Orochimaru's lips curled into a sick grin. "Foolish boy... you think you can escape me?"

He lifted his hand, pressing his fingers against his shoulder where he could feel the connection. The Curse Mark. His Curse Mark. A link between them, no matter how far Teriyaki ran or how much he tried to hide.

A low chuckle escaped his throat, dark and full of promise.

"Run as much as you like."

"You belong to me."

His laughter echoed through the chamber, filling the darkness with a sound that promised only one thing.

"Kabuto, it is time to hunt. Prepare everything. We go tonight."

"Uh. About that Orochimaru..."

"What?"

"That might not be possible..." Kabuto squirmed.