The dimly lit chamber was silent but for the hiss of ink spreading across seals. Orochimaru's thin fingers danced, forming mudras as his snake-like eyes gleamed with feverish excitement.
"Edo Tensei!"
The dead pale body quivered as the seals ignited. Chakra surged through it, the DNA sample sinking deep into its flesh. Slowly, the white shell darkened and cracked, reshaping into something half-human, half-decayed.
Orochimaru's face split into a grin, and then into manic laughter.
"Hahaha! I succeeded! Finally…!" His voice rasped with glee as he slammed his palms on the desk, his snake tongue flickering. "At last, the door has opened to true perfection!"
Kabuto, hovering nearby with his ever-watchful gaze, tried to capture every detail of the forbidden ritual. But before he could speak, a familiar distortion shimmered at the edge of the room. Space warped like rippling water, and from it stepped a masked man.
"Congratulations, Orochimaru," Obito said, his single Sharingan glowing from behind the orange mask. His voice carried a mixture of mockery and amusement. "You're closer than most, but your technique is still crude. I'll provide you with the essence of many powerful shinobi… and you will perfect this jutsu."
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Well… why not, Madara-kun?"
Without another word, Obito vanished into the void of his Kamui.
The thrill of success faded quickly, replaced by exhaustion. Orochimaru staggered slightly, his hand pressing against the stone wall for support. His body trembled with the toll of the technique.
"Even though I want to try again… this jutsu drains far too much chakra. I'll rest. Kabuto, keep studying the seals." His voice slithered with weariness, and he drifted into his chambers.
Collapsing onto his futon, Orochimaru allowed his eyes to close, his breathing steadying. The taste of triumph lingered in his veins. But before he could sink into sleep—
A flash of lightning split through the dark. A blade of Chidori pierced his chest, burning flesh and bone alike.
The door slammed open. Sasuke strode inside, his eyes glowing crimson, his expression unflinching.
With one fluid motion, his sword swept in a deadly arc. The severed head of Orochimaru rolled across the floor, eyes wide with shock.
...
Got it — instead of rushing through Sasuke collecting his team members, I'll make the pacing more gradual and atmospheric, with focus on his mindset, the tension, and the introductions of each recruit. Here's a slower continuation:
---
The cave was silent again. Orochimaru's body lay motionless on the ground, severed and lifeless, the stench of his experiments lingering in the air. Sasuke stood there for a long moment, staring down at his former master. His eyes were calm, cold — yet beneath them, an ember of resolve flickered.
"Orochimaru… you served your purpose. Now, I'll take my own path."
He turned, his cloak brushing against the damp stone floor as he walked out of the dim chamber. Outside, the rain of the Land of Rice Fields was falling steadily, tapping against the ruins of Orochimaru's hideout. The sky was grey, oppressive, but Sasuke's steps were firm.
He had already decided what came next. To bring down Itachi, he couldn't fight alone. He needed a team — not bonds of friendship, but tools sharpened like blades. Orochimaru had kept plenty of those.
---
Sasuke's path led him deeper into another wing of the hideout. The air grew colder, the walls wet and dripping. At the end of the corridor stood a reinforced glass tank filled with water, faintly glowing from the seals inscribed around it.
Inside, a pale figure floated — silver hair drifting weightlessly, sharp teeth glinting faintly as he noticed Sasuke's presence. Suigetsu's eyes opened, like a predator stirred from slumber.
Sasuke placed his hand on the seal, his Sharingan spinning as he unraveled Orochimaru's bindings. The water shifted violently as the tank cracked open, spilling onto the floor.
Suigetsu emerged, stretching his limbs, a wicked grin splitting his face.
"So… you finally killed him, huh? Figures. The snake always did think he was immortal."
Sasuke's expression didn't change.
"I'm forming a team. You'll join me."
Suigetsu tilted his head, amused.
"And if I refuse?"
Sasuke's hand brushed the hilt of his blade.
"Then you die here, like him."
A tense silence filled the chamber. Then Suigetsu chuckled, rolling his shoulders.
"Heh… you're just as ruthless as he was. Fine, I'll follow you — but first, we need to pick up my sword. I'm not going anywhere without it."
Sasuke turned without answering, already walking. Suigetsu followed, his laughter echoing faintly in the corridor
....
The stone corridor stretched endlessly, the walls damp with Orochimaru's lingering experiments. Sasuke walked ahead without pause, his Sharingan faintly flickering in the dim torchlight. Behind him, Suigetsu swung his massive sword — the Kubikiribōchō — across his shoulder with ease.
Suigetsu smirked, his voice playful.
"So, where to next, Sasuke? Don't tell me you plan on recruiting more freaks like me."
Sasuke didn't look back. His tone was sharp, decisive.
"Karin. She's in charge of the southern hideout. I'll need her abilities."
Suigetsu's grin widened, showing his shark-like teeth.
"Ahh… Karin. That fiery redhead? Heh, good luck dealing with her temper. I heard she's crazy about you."
Sasuke ignored the jab, his eyes scanning ahead as they reached a massive gate. The oppressive presence of the southern hideout seeped through the cracks.
Inside, prisoners stirred restlessly. And at the center, leaning lazily against the bars with her arms crossed, stood Karin. Her long crimson hair swayed slightly as she pushed up her glasses, eyes locking instantly on Sasuke.
Karin's lips curled into a sly smile.
"Well, well… look who finally decided to show up. Uchiha Sasuke."
Suigetsu leaned against the wall, snickering.
"Told you. She's been waiting for you like some kind of obsessed fangirl."
Karin's eyes snapped to Suigetsu, burning with irritation.
"Shut your mouth, water boy. I'm not talking to you."
Sasuke stepped forward, his tone calm but commanding.
"Karin. I need you to come with me."
Karin blinked, a little taken aback at the bluntness, then smirked again, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear.
"Hmph… I suppose I can't say no. After all, it's you asking."
Suigetsu groaned, swinging the sword down and pointing at her.
"Tch. Don't get the wrong idea. We're not here for your little crush, we're here for your skills."
Karin shot him a glare sharp enough to kill, but Sasuke cut through their bickering with a single look — cold, steady, undeniable.
Sasuke:
"Enough. We leave now. Jūgo is next."
The torchlight flickered, shadows dancing across the walls as the three of them disappeared into the darkness.
...
The underground corridors of Orochimaru's hideout were eerily quiet, save for the faint echo of footsteps. Sasuke walked at the front, his expression calm and unreadable, Karin trailing beside him, Suigetsu lazily dragging his sword against the stone floor. The sound of steel scraping rock was grating, but neither Sasuke nor Karin bothered to tell him to stop.
Finally, they reached a massive iron door, reinforced with seals and chakra locks. Karin adjusted her glasses nervously.
"This is it," she said. "The place where Orochimaru kept Jūgo… He's unstable. Dangerous."
Suigetsu smirked.
"Unstable? He's a monster. You sure you wanna open that door, Sasuke?"
Sasuke stepped forward without hesitation. His eyes narrowed, the Sharingan briefly flickering.
"I came here for him. I'll handle it."
With a push of his hand, the seals broke, and the door groaned open. A rush of cold air filled the corridor. Inside, the chamber was dim, lit only by faint torches. Chains rattled in the shadows.
From the darkness, a deep, guttural voice echoed:
"Who… dares…?"
A massive figure emerged, his hair wild, his eyes bloodshot with killing intent. Jūgo's body trembled as his skin began to twist, markings spreading like wildfire. The killing intent was suffocating, so heavy even Suigetsu's grin faltered.
Karin stepped back, clutching her arm.
"He's about to lose control!"
In a flash, Jūgo lunged forward, his arm morphing into a grotesque weapon, aiming straight for Sasuke's throat. But before anyone could react, Sasuke moved—calm, precise. His hand shot out and grabbed Jūgo's transformed arm mid-swing, halting the attack as if stopping a child.
Sasuke's Sharingan blazed.
"If you keep thrashing around like a beast, you'll never be free. Do you want to keep killing against your will?"
Jūgo froze, his monstrous form trembling. His bloodlust faltered for the first time.
"…You… You're the one… he spoke of…"
Karin blinked.
"He?"
Jūgo's breathing grew heavy, his murderous aura fading slightly.
"Kimimaro… he told me… if I ever lost myself… to follow you."
For the first time, Jūgo's killing intent shifted into something else—submission. He dropped to his knees, his voice hoarse.
"I'll go with you, Sasuke. If it's you… maybe I won't have to kill anymore."
The chains clattered as his monstrous arm receded back into human flesh. Suigetsu leaned on his sword, whistling.
"Tch… figures. Kimimaro's name still carries weight even from the grave."
Sasuke released Jūgo's arm and turned, his expression unchanged.
"We're leaving. From now on, you fight for me."
Jūgo bowed his head silently, the wildness in his eyes now tethered by something stronger—faith.
And just like that, Sasuke's team was complete.
And just like that were close to seeing the end
Yay!