Bully Lord In the Chunin Exam (NarutoVerse)

Kuro's mind raced, trying to make sense of what he'd just witnessed. A memory surfaced: after Sasuke was bitten, Orochimaru had sought out Anko. Could this encounter mean it was happening now? The timing seemed to align.

The snake-like man, his gaze lingering on Kuro for a final, unnerving moment, began to melt into the shadows. It was as if the darkness itself was drawing him in, consuming him. "See you later, boy," he hissed, the words laced with a chilling amusement. "I have something to deal with." His form dissolved completely, leaving only a haunting, sinister laugh echoing through the trees, a chilling reminder of his presence.

Kuro stood motionless for a moment, staring at the spot where Orochimaru had just been. His heart was still pounding from the encounter, adrenaline still rushing through his veins. The tension, however, seemed to dissipate as Orochimaru disappeared. Kuro let out a quiet breath, his body slowly beginning to relax as the fight was no longer imminent. The immediate threat was gone, but the situation left a lingering unease.

"What a waste of time," Kuro muttered to himself. "Couldn't even get a decent fight in before the drama unfolded."

He turned his gaze to the ground, trying to center himself after the intense encounter. He had expected a clash, expected to test himself against the formidable Orochimaru. But that wouldn't happen today. 

The mention of Xaker earlier, though, still gnawed at him. That name... That name shouldn't have even come up. It didn't make sense. How was Orochimaru involved with Fire Fly Corporation? It seemed like fate had conspired to remind him that no matter how far he ran, no matter how much he tried to leave behind his old life, the threads of his past would always be pulling him back.

Kuro sighed deeply, pushing those thoughts aside for the moment. There were bigger concerns now. "Whatever," he muttered, clenching his fists, "I'll deal with Xaker later. For now, I need to focus on what's in front of me."

Without warning, a sudden shift in the air made Kuro freeze. He caught the faintest flicker of movement in his peripheral vision, but before he could fully react, it was gone. It was like a shadow moving too quickly for him to grasp. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, but he didn't turn to chase it. Whoever was out there, he didn't need to deal with them right now.

Kuro returned to the rendezvous point as twilight painted the forest in shades of deepening blue. Xero and Reika waited amidst the hushed stillness, the air growing cool and heavy with the approaching night. The forest canopy, once a vibrant green, now resembled a dark, impenetrable ceiling. While Xero's eyes held their usual spark of mischief, Kuro noticed a subtle undercurrent of worry. Reika remained composed as always, yet even her calm demeanor betrayed a hint of unease. The silence itself spoke volumes, a pregnant pause anticipating his return and bearing unspoken questions.

"Finally back to the land of the living," Xero greeted, his tone laced with playful exaggeration. "Lost your way again? Or perhaps stumbled upon a secret ninja spa you were keeping all to yourself?" He winked, nudging Kuro's arm lightly, a transparent attempt to break the tension and gauge Kuro's mood without directly asking. He knew Kuro sometimes wandered off, but the gravity in the air felt different this time.

Kuro offered a tight-lipped smile, a fleeting gesture meant to reassure, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just… checking things out," he said, his voice deliberately casual, aiming for a lightness he didn't quite feel. A shadow lingered there, a hint of the somber scene he had just left behind, unseen by his companions. The reality of this world was sinking in, a stark contrast to the manga panels he had once read with detached interest. He had seen suffering today, raw and unfiltered, and it resonated deep within him.

"Checking things out," Xero repeated skeptically, raising an eyebrow. "That's awfully vague, even for you. Discover anything interesting beyond the usual trees and overly friendly squirrels?" He leaned in slightly, his playful demeanor now sharpened with genuine curiosity. He and Reika both knew Kuro was observant, and 'checking things out' could mean anything from finding rare herbs to stumbling into trouble.

Kuro sighed inwardly. Lie a little. Keep it simple. "Nothing of interest to us," Kuro stated, maintaining his nonchalant tone. "Just confirmed the general direction is safe enough. For now." He offered a half-truth, enough to deflect further questions without revealing the emotional turmoil brewing inside him.

Reika's voice, calm and steady, cut through Xero's playful probing. "Did you encounter something troubling, Kuro?" Her directness, as always, was disarming. She had watched him carefully since his return, her perceptive gaze missing nothing. She saw past the casual facade, recognizing the subtle shift in his posture, the restrained energy beneath his movements.

Kuro paused, meeting her steady gaze. Honesty, he knew, was the best policy with Reika, even partial honesty. "Let's just say I saw a side of this world… less appealing than the tourist brochures might suggest," he offered vaguely. 

Reika considered his words for a moment, her expression thoughtful. She didn't push further, respecting his boundaries. "Understood," she said simply, offering a small, almost imperceptible nod. Her quiet acceptance was a silent acknowledgment, a reassurance that she registered his unspoken distress and would be there if he chose to elaborate later. Sometimes, the most comforting response was simply acknowledging someone else's burden without demanding they unpack it completely.

Xero, sensing the shift in atmosphere and Reika's quiet understanding, toned down his playful banter. "Well, whatever you saw, leave it behind now," he declared, clapping Kuro on the shoulder with more force than usual. "Night's closing in. Time to find a decent spot and recharge. Forget gloomy scenery, think delicious campfire ramen." He was redirecting, offering practical action and the promise of simple comfort to cut through the heavy mood. He might tease relentlessly, but when it mattered, Xero knew how to shift gears, how to offer support in his own way.