Naruto leaned back on the counter, a smirk still playing on his lips after the deal he just made with Orochimaru.
The two White Zetsus floated lifelessly in their containment pods, their pale bodies glowing faintly under the eerie green light of the lab.
He clapped his hands once and stood up.
"Now that it's out of the way…" He said in a relaxed voice, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket, "I have something else to discuss with you, Orochimaru."
The Sannin tilted his head, eyes narrowing with curiosity as his tongue flicked across his lips. "Oh? Another surprise?"
Naruto nodded, his tone was casual but firm. "I want to leave someone in your care."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"A talented clansman of mine," Naruto continued, voice now tinged with seriousness. "She's an Uzumaki. Her blood runs deep, and her potential is undeniable. But Konoha can't teach her what she truly needs. Yes, my mother can teach her something from the Uzumaki clan but still... You, on the other hand… you've studied my clan more than most people alive."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Flattery? From you?"
Naruto smirked. "Don't get too comfortable. I said you're the only one capable, not that I like the way you go about things."
The Sannin placed a hand on his chin and nodded slowly. "Still, I'm honored. You're trusting me with something precious. I must admit, I'm intrigued."
"I figured you would be." Naruto took a slow step forward, glancing at the bubbling tanks filled with other experimental bodies. "You've spent years chasing immortality, Orochimaru. But if you ask me… your methods need an upgrade."
"Upgrade?" Orochimaru repeated, eyes flashing with interest.
Naruto stopped in front of one of the tanks, placing a hand on the glass. "Children… they're too weak. Too fragile. Why bother stealing bodies when you can build your own? Grown, enhanced, tailor-made from the start."
Orochimaru's smile faded slightly. "We've tried. Human clones are unstable. They break down under stress. They're worthless for long-term use."
Naruto chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "Not if you use White Zetsus as the base. Their regenerative properties, their chakra adaptability… it's perfect. Merge them with the right genetic material and you don't need new hosts anymore."
The lab went silent.
Orochimaru stared at Naruto, the greed in his eyes slowly rising again. His fingers twitched at his side, like a child resisting the urge to reach for a forbidden toy.
"You're not joking," He said quietly.
"No," Naruto replied with a grin. "I never joke about possibilities."
Orochimaru stepped forward, gaze fixed on Naruto as if trying to peel back every layer. "So what do you want in exchange for this treasure trove of information?"
Naruto turned, his voice soft but dangerous. "The same thing that you wanted."
"And that is..."
"Like I said earlier... the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Orochimaru's smile widened slowly. "Hoh! You're really aiming big…"
"You have no idea," Naruto replied, his golden hair catching the green light, casting strange shadows across his face. "I won't tell you why... Not yet. But I will show you."
Orochimaru's voice dropped to a whisper, "And if you fail?"
"I'll still give you everything," Naruto said with a lazy shrug. "The perfected technique, the process, the merge. All of it."
The Sannin's tongue slithered out again. "You're generous."
"I'm strategic," Naruto corrected with a smirk. "You think I don't know how your mind works? You don't trust anyone, Orochimaru. Neither do I. But that's what makes this interesting. You and I… we're the same kind of monster."
There was silence again, an unspoken tension that lingered between the two like a thin string about to snap.
"And," Naruto said, walking toward the exit of the lab, "if you perform well… I might even give you something beyond this."
Orochimaru blinked. "Beyond?"
Naruto turned his head just enough to look at him over his shoulder, a grin slowly creeping onto his face.
"A grand gift… one that'll blow your mind. This?" He gestured to the Zetsus. "...is just the appetizer."
Orochimaru licked his lips in excitement, wondering what would be grander than this. His eyes were full of interest, and he nodded. "So… the plan is already in motion?"
Naruto nodded. "Yes. I asked you to meet with Rasa from the Hidden Sand. You've done that, right?"
Orochimaru grinned. "Of course. The Kazekage was… very excited to agree to our terms. Though he will never realize he won't be making it back home."
Naruto chuckled. "That's between you and him. Just remember the target is Hiruzen. The village will survive, because I want it to survive."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Interesting. You want the Hokage dead but the village intact. Why?"
Naruto's smile faded slightly.
"Because the trust the people have in Hokage… wasn't built overnight. It was built by Hashirama Senju… with his own blood and ideals. I don't like those ideals, but I respect that legacy."
He stepped forward, eyes shining faintly with conviction.
"I'll destroy the old ways… but I'll replace them with something better. And for that, I need Konoha alive. Just… under new management."
Orochimaru gave a rare look of admiration.
"Such dangerous thoughts from such a young boy," He whispered. "I like it."
Naruto shrugged. "You're not the only one who plays the long game."
He glanced around the cave once more.
With that, his shadow behind him twitched, as if alive. It flickered unnaturally, like it was excited, feeding on the conversation. The light in the room dimmed slightly, reacting to the strange chakra that leaked from Naruto.
Orochimaru stood still, lips parted, heart pounding like a mad scientist staring at the key to unlocking his life's goal.
"You… will come again?" Orochimaru asked, tongue flicking.
Naruto smirked. "I'll be watching. Let's see how the exam plays out. Until then…"
He stepped into the shadows again, blending into them like he belonged there.
The last thing Orochimaru heard was his fading voice:
"Prepare, Snake-san. We're about to rewrite the rules."
Shhhhk!
And then, the Shadow Exchange swallowed him whole, leaving behind only the echoes of promise and dread.
Orochimaru stood there for a long while, silent… his golden eyes glowing with hunger.
Yes, this boy… this Naruto Uzumaki... was not merely a prodigy.
He was a storm waiting to be unleashed.
And Orochimaru wanted to be there when it hit.
Orochimaru remained standing, eyes glowing with uncontained excitement.
"Now this… this is interesting," He whispered.
Kabuto looked to the spot Naruto had vanished from.
"What will you do, Lord Orochimaru?" He asked.
Orochimaru grinned widely.
"I'll follow his game. For now. But when the time is right…" His eyes narrowed to slits. "I'll see what lies behind that fox-like grin."
Kabuto said nothing, but deep inside, he felt something stir.
That boy… was unlike anyone they had ever seen.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨