Deep within the hidden Mist outpost, Orochimaru's clone leaned over a cold steel table. His golden eyes gleamed with obsession as he carefully unsealed the thick protective scroll that Black Zetsu had given him just earlier, Madara Uchiha's body.
"Let's see what secrets you hold, the so-called ghost of the Uchiha," he whispered, his fingers gliding reverently across the preserved corpse. His tone was more awe than mockery.
The clone placed his hands just above the chest, channeling chakra laced with microscopic sensors. Thin purple lines of light danced across the body as a detailed chakra map formed in his mind. As he probed deeper, the readings shifted, beyond what he had expected.
The regenerative energy was stable. The cells were not just holding together, they were thriving.
"Unbelievable," the clone murmured in a hushed voice.
His eyes narrowed as he focused on the tissue interface between the Uchiha DNA and the foreign Hashirama cells. Normally, such aggressive tissue fusion would result in cell rejection, or at best, temporary integration requiring constant chakra to stabilize.
But this…
"It's seamless. No rejection. No degradation." His lips curled into a fascinated smile. "So this is what Kakashi-sama meant…"
He stepped back, thoughts swirling with excitement.
"Senju and Uchiha," he whispered, "two rivers flowing from the same ancient source… the Sage of Six Paths' bloodline."
He remembered Kakashi's words from their last private meeting.
"If Black Zetsu really hands you Madara's body, you must confirm if the cells are rejecting each other. If they aren't, then the truth is simple, Indra and Asura's lineages can become one again. That's the key to stabilizing a perfect vessel."
Now, he had that proof.
The clone chuckled darkly, his voice echoing in the chamber.
"As expected of Kakashi-sama… always one step ahead of everyone."
…
Back in Kirigakure…
The skies were clear that evening, the mists temporarily parted by a passing sea breeze. The waves lapped gently at the docks below the Mizukage's residence, and the city, though scarred by past horrors, was finally breathing again.
In a quiet room lit by the warm orange glow of lanterns, Kakashi lay on a long sofa in Mei's private quarters, a half-empty cup of sake in hand. The robe he wore was loose, his head tilted back, relaxed for the first time in days.
Mei sat sideways on his lap, her arms wrapped lazily around his neck, her cheek resting against his shoulder. She was quiet, her eyes closed, feeling the rise and fall of his breath.
"You're comfortable," Kakashi murmured, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"I should be," she said with a soft smile. "I'm sitting on the most reliable man in the world."
Kakashi chuckled lightly, the kind of laugh that only came when he felt at peace. "Flattery, Mizukage-sama?"
"Observation," she replied with a kiss on his jaw.
They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the muffled sounds of the village winding down for the night.
"You're not drunk, are you?" Mei opened her eyes slightly and glanced at his drink.
"I don't get drunk anymore," Kakashi replied, finishing the cup and setting it on the nearby table. "Not since my chakra improved. It purifies too quickly."
"Cheater," Mei muttered with a smile.
He looked at her, his eyes calm and amused. "You could always try to catch up. I could lower my control for you."
Mei snorted softly and shook her head. "Please. The last time I did that, I ended up wrestling Anko over a chocolate dango."
"And Tsunade filmed it." Kakashi grinned.
"Blackmail material for years," Mei groaned.
They both laughed quietly, their foreheads resting together. Then, after a beat, Mei whispered, "He's moving, isn't he?"
Kakashi's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful look. "Yeah. The clone just confirmed it. Madara's body is intact, no rejection."
"Then… It's true. The Uchiha and Senju bloodlines can be rejoined." Mei stiffened slightly.
Kakashi nodded. "If done properly. Which means… Zetsu's going to pour everything into that plan. Orochimaru is feeding him ideas as we speak."
"That's dangerous." Mei exhaled slowly.
"I know."
She leaned more into him, as if wanting to push the thought away.
"I hate that even when I'm home, you're still at war."
Kakashi looked down at her, fingers gently tracing patterns on her back. "This war won't last forever."
"But you'll still carry the burden of it," she said, not accusing, just knowing.
Kakashi didn't deny it.
"I carry it because I have the strength to," he replied quietly. "And because I don't want Naruto, or Sasuke, or the next generation… to ever experience or what I saw."
"Then promise me… when this is over, you'll rest." Mei pressed a kiss to his neck, soft and silent.
"I promise," Kakashi whispered. "If I survive."
Mei pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. "You'll survive. Because I'll make sure you do."
They stared at each other for a long moment, then Mei's expression softened again, and she shifted back into the crook of his shoulder.
"Stay here tonight," she said.
"I was already planning to," Kakashi answered with a small smile.
She smiled. "Good. Then let's just sit like this for a while."
And they did.
Just two people who had seen too much… and found peace in each other.
…
Meanwhile, in the dark lab…
Black Zetsu returned to the underground lab after a long day of preparation. He carried a scroll filled with high-level Yin manipulation techniques, freshly stored from a forgotten base belonging to him before these things had q chance to be used but now they will.
He found the Orochimaru clone still working at the central slab.
"You haven't slept," Black Zetsu said.
"Why would I?" the clone murmured, not looking up. "This work is too… fascinating."
"Here. That's what you asked for."Zetsu tossed the scroll onto the table.
"Perfect," Orochimaru whispered.
As he opened it, the seals embedded in his arms silently pulsed, pinging Kakashi again.
…
Back in Mei's quarters…
Kakashi's eyes fluttered briefly, his senses picking up the signal from the clone. But he ignored that as something more interesting was before him.