Naruto: I Became Orochimaru's Apprentice-Chapter 49: Perfect

A whole year had passed since Teriyaki first entered Ryūchi Cave.

The air was colder—familiar—and yet it no longer weighed on him as it once had. He stood at the edge of the Pool of Transformation, golden serpentine eyes staring into the blackened surface. His reflection was no longer that of the boy who had arrived—he was something else now. Stronger. Sharper. But not whole.

His thoughts drifted back—farther than they had in months.

A memory. His parents.

His mother's presence at the breakfast table. His father's quiet kindness. They had always wanted him to become something greater—a succesful person, someone who would do well in life. What would they think if they could see him now? A weapon sharpened by a monster. Something stirred deep in his chest—regret.

But regret could not change the past. He couldn't go back now.

His hands curled into fists as another face burned into his mind—Orochimaru. The man who had shattered his life. No matter how much power he gained, it would never be enough until he killed him.

The Great White Serpent's voice hissed through the cavern, breaking his thoughts. "You are close, Teriyaki. Closer than any who came before. But to master this power—to perfect Sage Mode—requires more than a process fueled by only emotion."

He already knew that. He had felt the edges of that perfection, teetered on the brink—but each time he tried to grasp it fully, it slipped through his fingers.

Still, he refused to stop.

Days blurred into weeks as Teriyaki trained relentlessly. The serpents of the cave pushed him to his limits. He refined every technique the snakes could teach him—venomous chakra blasts, molting regeneration, serpentine clones that could ambush from the shadows. His body and mind synchronized with nature chakra more fluidly with each attempt.

And still, he could not perfect it.

His frustration grew. Each failure gnawed at the edges of his resolve. But he refused to break.

One day, as he meditated beside the Pool of Transformation, everything changed.

He let the natural energy flow into him—but this time, he did not resist the wildness. He became one with it. For the first time, he was not fighting to control the power. It felt like his cells had alligned and were no longer fighting against each other.

He accepted it.

A surge of raw energy coursed through his body, sharper and purer than anything he had ever known. His senses expanded beyond the cave—he felt the pulse of life in every living creature within miles. His scales shimmered with a perfect balance of natural and personal chakra.

When he opened his eyes, the reflection in the water revealed his transformation.

His pupils had become razor-thin slits against molten gold. The markings across his face grew darker and more intricate, extending down his neck and arms. Power radiated from every inch of his body in perfect harmony.

"You have done it," the Great White Serpent hissed, awe in its ancient voice. "You have achieved Perfected Snake Sage Mode. How long has it been?"

Teriyaki stood, his chakra rolling off him in waves. He felt invincible.

The triumph in his heart burned bright—until the sound of footsteps echoed through the cavern.

A voice cut through the air like venom. "I see you've grown... impressive."

Orochimaru stood in the corner.

The air thickened with malice as the pale, serpentine figure stepped into the light. His golden eyes widened slightly as he took in Teriyaki's transformed state. "I underestimated you," he admitted, a smile curling his lips. "But you're still mine."

Rage ignited in Teriyaki's veins. Without a word, he moved—faster than he ever had. His palm erupted with venom-coated chakra as he launched toward his former master.

"You're dead." His voice was like a haunting wind, passing by in the slither of a second.

Orochimaru barely had time to react.

A venomous strike carved through the air, followed by a barrage of serpent-like chakra whips. Teriyaki's precision was perfect—his power overwhelming. Orochimaru's body twisted unnaturally as he evaded, but even he couldn't fully escape the onslaught. Deep slashes tore through his robe as Teriyaki's chakra-laced strikes landed.

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For the first time, Teriyaki felt he could win. He would kill him.

Then pain seared through his neck.

The Curse Mark—Orochimaru's cursed chakra—flared to life, sending waves of agony through his body. His muscles locked, his will crumbling beneath the pressure. His perfected form faltered, the power slipping from his grasp as his body betrayed him.

"Did you think I would let you go so easily?" Orochimaru's voice was cold and smooth. He raised one pale hand, fingers curling as he tightened his grip on the Curse Mark. "No matter how strong you become... you will always be mine."

Teriyaki struggled, his body trembling as he tried to resist—but it was no use. The mark bound him, body and soul, and no amount of strength could break its hold.

The Great White Serpent coiled silently in the background, watching but unmoving. Even it would not interfere with Orochimaru's claim.

A wicked smile curved Orochimaru's lips. "Come along, Teriyaki. I have a surprise for you."

With a twist of his wrist and a swirl of chakra, the air distorted. Before Teriyaki could react, Orochimaru seized him and transported them both away in a flash.

When the world settled again, Teriyaki found himself standing before a massive stone fortress.

"The Akatsuki base." I wonder if you've heard of them. Orochimaru grinned at him. "They will make good use of you."

His heart pounded in his chest as the heavy door creaked open. Shadowed figures loomed within—each radiating killing intent stronger than anything he had faced.

And Teriyaki, for all his power, could do nothing but follow as Orochimaru led him inside.