Uchiha orphan, so what if I'm ruthless?

Deep underground in Konoha, within a hidden laboratory.

The corridor was narrow, its walls embedded with a few lamps that cast a dim yellow light, stretching shadows long across the floor. The air smelled of disinfectant mixed with a faint, sweet scent of blood.

Orochimaru walked down the corridor alone, his footsteps echoing rhythmically in the silence.

He pushed open the laboratory door and stepped inside.

The lab wasn't large, but it was fully equipped. Shelves lined the walls, packed with bottles and jars filled with various colored liquids. Several tables held microscopes, petri dishes, and other unnamed instruments.

He paid them no mind, walking straight to the empty space in the center of the room. A circular ritual formation was drawn there, densely packed with runes and curse marks spreading outward from the center.

At the very center of the formation sat two vessels connected to the runes and curse marks, giving off an eerie, chilling vibe.

Orochimaru took two scrolls from his robes, placed them on the ground, and formed hand signs.

*Poof! Poof!* Two muffled pops rang out as white smoke erupted.

As the smoke cleared, two White Zetsus appeared within the ritual formation, lying perfectly still like meticulously crafted dolls.

Orochimaru stood before the formation, looking down at the two White Zetsus. A gleam flashed in his golden, slit-like pupils.

He licked his lips, a chuckle of anticipation rumbling in his throat.

Then, he crouched down and pressed his hands against the edge of the formation. Chakra surged from his palms, pouring into the runes and curse marks on the floor.

*Reanimation Jutsu!*

The ritual formation lit up. A spectral blue light emerged from the runes, slithering across the floor like glowing snakes.

Dust and dirt rose from the ground, covering the bodies of the two White Zetsus. It piled up layer by layer, almost as if it were alive.

The White Zetsus' bodies began to change. Their appearances gradually transformed, their facial features sharpening and their contours becoming distinct. Their skin shifted from a sickly pale to a natural flesh tone, and then back to the ash-white characteristic of reanimated bodies.

Soon, one White Zetsu had transformed into a man with long black hair and a gentle face, while the other became a man with white hair, a stern expression, and sharp eyes.

The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

The two lay in the ritual formation with their eyes tightly shut. Fine cracks lined their faces, the hallmark of the Reanimation Jutsu.

Their chests did not rise or fall; they still appeared to be mere corpses.

But with just a little more chakra from Orochimaru, they would open their eyes, stand up, and become his weapons.

Just then, a commotion echoed from outside the laboratory.

Footsteps—not just one person, but several, moving in a hurried rush. Orochimaru didn't turn around, but the corners of his mouth curled up into a faint smile.

The door behind him was violently shoved open, slamming against the wall with a heavy thud.

Sarutobi Hiruzen barged in.

He was followed by several ninjas, all seemingly from the Sarutobi clan.

Standing in the doorway, Hiruzen saw the two figures lying in the dust within the ritual formation... Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama. His pupils shrank drastically, and his face paled.

Once the shock passed, fury took over.

"Orochimaru! Do you have any idea what you are doing?"

Orochimaru stood up and turned to face his former teacher. His smile remained unchanged, his tone perfectly calm.

"Sensei, of course I know what I am doing. I am the shadow of this village, and it is my duty to protect it. This is a necessary measure."

Hiruzen clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his body trembling slightly.

"This is a desecration of the dead! Especially Lord First and Lord Second! They are the founders of Konoha, they are—"

Orochimaru cut him off, his tone still unruffled.

"The Second's original intention in developing this jutsu was for it to be used in times exactly like this. Sensei, you don't honestly believe that with our current strength, we can withstand the dangers that are about to come, do you?"

Hiruzen choked on his words. He wanted to retort, but found himself unable to voice a single counterargument.

He knew Orochimaru was speaking the truth, but he simply could not accept it.

"I absolutely forbid you from doing this!"

Orochimaru merely shook his head. "Sensei, face reality. Konoha is not strong. During your reign, you barely managed to maintain Konoha's current standing. And ever since Uchiha Taiga's appearance, Konoha's decline has become inevitable."

Hiruzen's face twitched. How could he not know this? He just refused to admit it.

"Sensei, stop clinging to your meaningless ideals. Look at the current ninja world—your outdated mindset will only lead Konoha to its doom."

Hiruzen's lips trembled. His face turned a shade of purple, whether from anger or shame, but he ultimately roared, "Orochimaru, you will regret this!"

Orochimaru's smile didn't waver. He tilted his head, looking at Hiruzen's aged face.

"Please remember your place, sensei."

His voice was soft, but every word was crystal clear.

"I am the Hokage."

Hiruzen's body stiffened.

They had had similar conversations more than once since Orochimaru took office, but this was the only time it made him feel as though all the strength had been drained from his body.

He stared fixedly at Orochimaru, overwhelmed by sheer exhaustion. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, no words came out.

...

...

Kumogakure. The same sunlight shone down on this village built atop the mountain peaks, yet it felt much colder and crisper than in Konoha.

Mountain winds blew through the gorge, carrying the scent of pine resin and rock, causing the glass windows of the Raikage's office building to vibrate slightly.

There weren't many people in the conference room, but every single one was a core figure of Kumogakure. Fourth Raikage A sat at the head of the table. His left sleeve was empty, pinned to his shoulder. His face was livid, his right hand pressing against the table so hard his knuckles were white.

Killer Bee sat beside him. The eyes behind his sunglasses lacked their usual playfulness, replaced by a heavy solemnity.

Several elders and Jonin sat on either side. Some had their arms crossed, others had their brows furrowed in deep thought. The atmosphere was stifling.

The intelligence report on the table consisted of only a few thin pages, but its contents weighed heavily on everyone present.

Uchiha Madara had been resurrected.

Although the resurrected Uchiha Madara had been defeated once again, the man who defeated him was Uchiha Taiga—someone who gave Kumogakure just as much of a headache.

What was even more troublesome was that no one knew if Uchiha Madara would appear again. If he did, would he pose a threat to Kumogakure and the rest of the ninja world?

"Damn Konoha!"

Raikage A slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming through the conference room and making the teacups rattle.

"Ever since their village was founded, look at how much chaos they've caused the ninja world! Uchiha Madara is from Konoha, that Uchiha Obito is from Konoha, and that brat Obito even controlled Kirigakure's Mizukage! Damn them all!"

One should never underestimate the intelligence networks of the great ninja villages. By this point, they basically knew everything there was to know.

The elders exchanged glances, but no one spoke up.

They knew Raikage A's temper; saying anything now would just be adding fuel to the fire.

Killer Bee scratched his head and opened his mouth, wanting to drop a few rap verses to lighten the mood, but seeing his brother's livid face, he swallowed his words.

After a moment of silence, an older Jonin spoke up.

"Lord Raikage, shouldn't we notify Yugito? We could ask her if she can invite Uchiha Taiga back."

His meaning was clear.

Uchiha Madara's existence was a threat to the entire ninja world, and Kumogakure was no exception.

The only person currently known to be capable of defeating Uchiha Madara was Uchiha Taiga. If that boy could join Kumogakure, the sense of security he would bring was self-evident.

The elders exchanged looks again, and some nodded slightly. A white-haired elder spoke up, his voice steady.

"I agree. Although Uchiha Taiga is a handful, his strength is unquestionable. If he is in Kumogakure, at the very least, we won't have to worry about Uchiha Madara attacking us."

Another Jonin chimed in, "Besides, with Yugito by his side, our relationship with him is definitely better than Konoha's. Konoha forced him out; we didn't."

Raikage A frowned, falling silent for a moment.

"Order the ANBU to send a messenger hawk to Yugito. Inform her of the village's decision."

Someone asked, "What if Uchiha Taiga refuses?"

Most of the people in the room actually knew very well that Uchiha Taiga would never agree.

The diary the boy left behind when he departed Kumogakure literally said, "I am Kumogakure's daddy." How could someone like that be willing to join them?

But it was worth a try. What if it worked?

They had nothing to lose anyway.

Raikage A took a deep breath, lowering his voice.

"Let's just try to win him over first. Yugito is with him, after all. Through her, we might be able to influence his decision a little."

The others thought about it and realized he made a good point.

Konoha had forced Uchiha Taiga away; they hadn't.

At the very least, the boy had lived in Kumogakure for a few months, used their resources, eaten their food, and even taken their Jinchuriki with him.

If that didn't count as a relationship, what did?

Not to mention, their Jinchuriki was a great beauty. Uchiha Taiga was only fourteen or fifteen years old. Spending so much time with her... Heh heh heh.