Should I continue being a villain in the ninja world after transmigrating?

Chapter 20 Darkness

The threat from Zeref and Orochimaru was a thorn in their side, but the Chunin Exams still had to be held as scheduled.

Moreover, ninjas from Sunagakure and other smaller villages have already arrived in Konoha. If they were to suddenly announce the cancellation of the Chunin Exams now, that would truly be a major disaster.

Despite Hiruzen Sarutobi's underlying concerns and the genin's anticipation, the Chunin Exams proceeded as scheduled.

Konoha originally thought Orochimaru would lie low for a while, but to everyone's surprise, Orochimaru appeared openly in the Forest of Death!

Orochimaru, disguised, appeared before Team 7. After testing Sasuke's strength, he satisfiedly placed the Heaven's Curse Seal on Sasuke and then leisurely left.

"Damn Orochimaru! What on earth does he want to do?!" In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stood up from his seat behind his desk and said angrily.

Kakashi, standing in front of him, also looked serious and reported, "Only Orochimaru appeared, and the target... seems to be Sasuke."

"Are you after the Uchiha Sharingan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi placed his hand on the table, his face grim as he sat back down in the chair behind the table.

It's unbelievable that Orochimaru wasn't satisfied with just targeting Zeref's magic; now he's even eyeing the Sharingan.

Growing increasingly enraged, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but curse again, "Orochimaru is as greedy and arrogant as ever!"

Kakashi then thought that Zeref, who had never left Konoha, had encountered Orochimaru, which strongly suggested that Orochimaru was actually near Konoha and that's how he discovered Zeref and Mavis.

Thinking of this, Kakashi frowned and said in a deep voice, "Perhaps Sasuke was his original target."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent with a grim face for a moment before finally speaking, "How is the cursed seal on Sasuke?"

When the cursed seal was mentioned, a hint of worry flashed in Kakashi's eyes. He lowered his head and replied, "My sealing technique can only temporarily seal Orochimaru's cursed seal."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned more and more deeply, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "During this time, you need to pay close attention to Sasuke's condition."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

……

"Boom boom boom——"

Hearing the knocking, Sasuke, who was resting at home, stirred and got up to open the door.

After knocking a few times, the door opened inwards. Mavis looked at Sasuke, who was pale-faced behind the door, and couldn't help but ask with concern, "Sasuke, you look terrible. Are you feeling alright?"

At this time, Sasuke's body had not yet recovered from the effects of the cursed seal, and he also deeply felt his own weakness because of facing Orochimaru. Therefore, he looked quite listless and weak.

Sasuke stepped back slightly to let Mavis in, then closed the door behind him. Turning around, he asked listlessly, "Why are you here?"

Mavis's gaze fell on Sasuke's neck, where the cursed seal composed of three black tomoe shapes was particularly conspicuous.

Noticing Mavis's gaze, Sasuke instinctively reached out and covered the cursed seal on his neck. Even though the seal was sealed, the seal on his neck still seemed to be throbbing with pain.

Thinking of Orochimaru, who had planted the cursed seal, and of how weak he was when facing Orochimaru, Sasuke couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Mavis withdrew her gaze and met Sasuke's eyes, saying with concern, "I heard from Kakashi and Naruto that you encountered Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams. I've met him before; he's a very dangerous person. Be careful in the future."

Sasuke looked away, but still accepted the concern and kindness. He then asked curiously, "Have you met Orochimaru before?"

Seeing Sasuke's puzzled look, Mavis thought of the connection between Sasuke and Zeref learning magic before, hesitated for a moment, and then told the truth: "Orochimaru... approached Zeref, and Zeref left Konoha with Orochimaru."

Sasuke, who hadn't expected this answer, suddenly widened his eyes and opened his mouth in shock.

After a moment of stunned silence, Sasuke finally spoke up and asked, "Zeref is with Orochimaru right now?!"

Wasn't Zeref from another world? How did he get involved with Orochimaru so quickly? Sasuke was momentarily stunned.

After asking his question, Sasuke glanced at Mavis and couldn't help but press further, "So, why did Zeref leave alone?"

Mavis hadn't explained the reasons for Zeref's departure to Sasuke beforehand, as the inside story was far too complicated.

Faced with Sasuke's question, Mavis thought for a moment and then said, "Zeref's plans will hurt countless people, and I will stop him no matter what. Besides, our identities have been discovered by the village, so he simply left Konoha."

Something that hurt countless people? What was that? Sasuke frowned, somewhat puzzled.

Sensing that Sasuke still cared about and was concerned about Zeref, Mavis advised, "Sasuke, stop thinking about Zeref, and don't go near Zeref anymore!"

Sasuke's brow twitched, and he looked up at Mavis.

Mavis looked directly into Sasuke's eyes and continued solemnly, "Zeref has completely chosen darkness and destruction..."

"It's ok."

Mavis was interrupted by Sasuke before she could finish speaking. She looked at Sasuke in surprise, only to see that his dark eyes had become even more somber.

"The magic he taught me is powerful enough, and that's enough." Looking at Mavis's slightly widened eyes, Sasuke said calmly, "As long as I can become stronger, whether it's darkness or not doesn't matter at all."

Upon hearing Sasuke's words, Mavis's expression grew even more serious, and she stared intently at Sasuke.

She had sensed Sasuke's desperate desire for revenge when he was learning magic from Zeref, and his answer now further confirmed that.

“Sasuke, no one has the right to stop you from seeking revenge, but,” Mavis raised her voice slightly and continued, “don’t let hatred completely control you, Sasuke.”

Sasuke, who had long regarded revenge as his sole purpose in life, was completely unmoved by Mavis's persuasion.

He turned his head slightly and said, "What, you can't persuade Zeref, so you want to persuade me? Humph, I don't need it!"

That was a bit harsh. It just goes to show that when Sasuke is feeling down, he tends to say hurtful things again.

Fortunately, Mavis didn't care to begin with, and when she saw Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, she felt that she was an elder, so she was even less concerned.

She thought to herself: It seems I should remind Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura. It's their responsibility to comfort their comrades and prevent them from going astray!