Naruto walked into his room, the warm aftertaste of Kushina's lovingly made food still lingering on his tongue. He rolled his shoulders once, exhaling softly before grabbing his black shirt from the nearby rack. The fabric slipped over his toned form like a second skin, the sleeves hugging his arms snugly.
With a quick motion, he grabbed his dark jacket and threw it on, the red Uzumaki spiral on the back briefly catching the glint of light. He adjusted the collar, pulling it high before flexing his fingers and letting out a breath.
"Time to move," He murmured, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
His eyes narrowed. A moment later, shadows beneath his feet began to twist and curl unnaturally, swirling upward like smoke.
With a soft shoomf, his body sank into the darkness, vanishing completely as his Shadow Exchange Technique activated.
The world bent around him for a second.
Then, with a low whump, Naruto emerged from another patch of shadow inside a vast cave.
The moment he stepped out, the atmosphere changed completely.
The interior of the cave was unlike any normal cavern. The walls were lined with serpentine tiles, dark green and black with an iridescent sheen that glimmered like snake scales. They were cool to the touch and smooth, like obsidian glass.
Snake-shaped sconces, each holding a single flickering candle, were bolted at regular intervals along the hallway. The flames danced with a life of their own, casting long, slithering shadows that moved eerily as if alive.
Naruto looked around with a cool glance, unfazed by the ominous aura that hung in the air. The silence here wasn't uncomfortable—it was intentional.
Every drop of water that echoed through the chamber, every flicker of flame, seemed to be part of a ritual.
He walked deeper into the corridor, his boots making soft thuds against the polished stone floor. After a few turns, the hallway opened up into a wide, vaulted chamber—clearly a repurposed underground laboratory.
Strange tools glinted under torchlight.
The space was filled with medical equipment, vials of strange liquids, disassembled tech, old scrolls, and dozens of sealed specimen jars. Large serpentine statues loomed near the entrance like guardians.
And at the center of it all were two figures.
One was tall and serpentine—pale skin, long inky black hair flowing over a black and purple robe, and golden eyes that glowed like a predator watching its prey. His face carried the elegance of a noble, but the madness of someone who had long since slipped the boundaries of morality.
One of the three legendary Sannins, Orochimaru.
Standing next to him was a younger man with silver-gray hair and sharp, intelligent eyes hidden behind thin-rimmed glasses. He wore a long lab coat, his posture confident, yet always slightly deferential.
It was Orochimaru's trusted aide, Kabuto Yakushi.
Orochimaru's head tilted at the sound of footsteps. His tongue slithered out to wet his lips as his serpentine gaze settled on Naruto.
A low chuckle escaped his throat.
"Well, well… my favorite shadow walker returns," Orochimaru purred, voice smooth as silk and twice as dangerous. "And in such a good mood too."
Naruto grinned as he walked forward, hands in his pockets. "Of course I am. Looks like the research is going smoothly."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Ah, but it's all thanks to the exceptional material you delivered."
His eyes slid over to a row of large, reinforced glass containers lined against the far wall. Inside, suspended in glowing fluid, were three specimens—white, humanoid figures with gnarled skin and lifeless black eyes.
White Zetsus!
They were captured by Naruto as a gift for Orochimaru.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and nodded politely toward Naruto. "We've already begun dissection on one. Their biology is... fascinating. Regenerative to a level I haven't seen even in Hashirama's cells."
Naruto chuckled, his eyes gleaming with intent. "Good. It seems my gift is really valuable."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "You're not wrong, Naruto-kun. Their existence opens many doors... and so many questions."
He leaned against the edge of the lab table, arms crossing loosely. His snake-like tongue flicked out briefly before disappearing back behind his pale lips.
"Well then," He drawled with his usual silky venom. "What brings you here today, Naruto-kun? I assume it's not just a social call."
Naruto chuckled, hands sliding into his pockets as he slowly paced toward one of the flickering serpent sconces. "Straight to business, huh? Can't blame you. You're always impatient when it comes to chaos."
He turned halfway, a half-smirk playing on his lips, the light casting a shadow across his whisker-marked face.
"The Chūnin Exams are approaching," Naruto said casually, eyes now gleaming with anticipation. "So, I figured I'd check on our little project. How's the progress on the attack plan? Have you made contact with Rasa?"
Orochimaru's eyes twitched with amusement.
"Of course," He replied, licking his lips slowly, as if savoring the very idea. "The Kazekage and I... are on very agreeable terms. His hatred for Konoha has made negotiations so much easier. Things are progressing beautifully. I can hardly wait to begin the performance."
Kabuto, standing silently by the desk, pushed up his glasses and added smoothly, "We've already begun distributing modified sound-based chakra inhibitors to the invading forces. Once the signal is given, the Sound and Sand alliance will engage as planned."
Naruto nodded calmly, but his voice dropped to a serious tone. "That's good. But remember... the main objective isn't to destroy the village."
He turned to fully face Orochimaru, his grin now gone, replaced by an icy calm.
"The goal," He said firmly, "is the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Nothing more, nothing less."
Orochimaru raised an elegant brow, visibly amused, but intrigued. "You're so composed for someone with such blood in their eyes, Naruto-kun. Tell me..."
His voice slithered with curiosity. "With your power, you could just walk into that tower and rip the old man apart. You're strong enough. So why this game?"
Naruto's expression twitched, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. He clicked his tongue and gave a frustrated sigh as he turned away for a brief moment.
"You think I don't want that?" He muttered. "Just march in, drag him down from his pedestal, and show the entire village what their beloved 'Professor' has done behind the scenes? I've got enough dirt to bury his name ten times over."
He looked over his shoulder, his eyes cold.
"But that's not the point."
Orochimaru tilted his head. "Oh?"
Naruto turned back fully and stepped forward.
"If I expose him like that," He continued, "If I destroy the Third's image with hard evidence, I won't just be tearing him down, I'll be tearing down everything the Hokage stands for. The entire system… the very concept of trusting a leader would crack."
He paused, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips.
"I don't give a damn about Sarutobi's legacy... but Hashirama? As foolish as I find his ideals sometimes, the man built this village with more than jutsu. He used his blood and his soul to earn people's trust. I won't ruin that, not when I have plans that reach far beyond one man's sins."
Orochimaru stared at him in stunned silence for a moment, then gave a slow, serpentine grin. "You truly are fascinating, Naruto-kun. A revolutionary with the heart of a pragmatist. You wish to change the world… but not break it."
Naruto shrugged with a grin. "Takes too long to rebuild it if you smash everything."
He stepped closer to one of the tanks holding a White Zetsu and peered at it with a thoughtful look.
"Besides… after the old man's gone, they'll need someone to clean up the mess. And I plan on being that someone. Quietly, of course. In the shadows."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with amusement and admiration.
"You sound more like a Hokage than the Hokage."
Naruto laughed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Orochimaru. One step at a time."
Kabuto glanced at both of them and adjusted his clipboard. "Then everything is set. The pieces are moving."
"Good," Naruto said, his voice lowering. "Let the exams begin..."
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Spoilers for the next three chapters!
Chapter 143: Enter the Unknown Visitor
Chapter 144: The Snake
Chapter 145: A Gift and a Secret
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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