Somewhat Familiar?

Dōmeki embellished his account of the Root ninja's arrogance to Orochimaru. He knew how conceited and corrupt that old man, who had spent years hiding in the shadows, was. His heart and the ideals he had once held had long since been eaten away by endless darkness and his desire for power. Though his ambition knew no bounds, he possessed none of the capacity to match it.

Even so, Danzo was indeed a useful partner. Whether it was money or rare materials, he could get his hands on them.

With that thought, Orochimaru began reading the letter Danzo had written himself.

A long while later, Orochimaru exhaled and gave a wistful sigh.

"Danzo still hasn't given up on becoming Hokage, has he?"

Once, the position of Hokage had been within Orochimaru's own reach, but the old man had chosen Jiraiya's disciple instead.

Still, he had only wanted to fulfill the old man's wishes in the first place. Eternal life was what he truly sought. Even so, he had remained somewhat disgruntled and left Konoha, severing his unnecessary bonds.

A succession of complicated emotions flickered through Orochimaru's eyes before they finally settled into calm.

"Orochimaru, what did Danzo write to you about?"

Although Dōmeki already had a guess, he still wanted to hear Orochimaru confirm it.

Orochimaru replied casually, "Danzo was just letting me know that the date for that grand performance has been set! When the time comes, we'll need you to add some color to it, Shun-kun!"

Just as I thought! Dōmeki said to himself. The Konoha Crush Plan?

But what was Orochimaru feeling as he personally planned an undertaking that was almost impossible to accomplish, knowing he would have to kill his own teacher?

Though killing one's teacher could be considered a tradition in the Shinobi World: Obito and Minato, Nagato and Jiraiya, and Sasuke and Orochimaru.

As if sensing the question in the boy's gaze, Orochimaru spoke with a smile.

"Don't you understand why I'm going ahead with such an unreliable plan, Shun-kun?"

Dōmeki nodded. Although Konoha was now at its weakest, with its strongest fighters either dead or gone, or, like Kakashi and the younger generation, not yet grown to that level,

it was, after all, the village favored by the Sage of Six Paths. Its foundations were beyond those of any other village. Whether it was the largest number of bloodline clans in the Shinobi World or its secret and forbidden techniques, they all made it difficult for Orochimaru to destroy, even with Sunagakure's help.

"Perhaps the old man and I understand each other," Orochimaru said quietly. "The once-great Shinobi Hero is growing old, and he has seen how inadequate the younger generation born in peacetime is.

"The old man doesn't want to die of old age in a sickbed. He wants to use his own blood and life on the battlefield to awaken the spirit of the new generation of Konoha Ninja. Having guessed what he's thinking, how could I not personally send my dear teacher on his way? Besides..."

Orochimaru stretched out his long tongue and licked his lips before continuing, "Besides, there's a boy I'm interested in bringing back. So I might as well fulfill my teacher's wish!"

"A descendant of the Uchiha Clan? That child named Sasuke!"

Dōmeki smiled as well. "Aren't you afraid I'll get jealous, teacher? I'll go from being your dearest disciple to ranking below some little brat."

"What if I use too much force and beat that brat to death later?"

"You don't seem like the jealous type, Shun-kun!" Orochimaru licked his lips. "And while we're at it, I'll ask you to test whether Sasuke has what it takes to be a candidate for my vessel!"

"However, we still need the help of another partner for this plan!"

A partner? More like a scapegoat! Dōmeki silently quipped, observing a moment of silence for the village where he had once been born.

Suddenly, a python appeared beside Orochimaru and spat a scroll from its mouth.

Orochimaru showed no sign of disgust at the mucus on the scroll and immediately broke into a smile.

"What a coincidence! Two guests have come calling on the very same day!"

"Shun-kun, go and welcome this one for me as well!"

"A guest from Sunagakure?"

Dōmeki looked at the strangely dressed ninja. Layers of bandages were wrapped around his head, while the left half of his face was hidden behind a white cloth curtain and two red marks were painted on his right cheek. The newcomer gave off an air of competence and shrewdness. He looked like an important figure from Sunagakure.

Baki was a Jonin deeply trusted by the Fourth Kazekage. Clearheaded and a capable leader, he was considered one of Rasa's advisers. He was now also the teacher of the Kazekage's children, Temari and Kankuro, so it was no surprise that the Kazekage had sent him to contact Orochimaru.

In the past, Dōmeki had caught sight of this important figure from afar a few times while standing behind his parents. This could be considered a reunion with an old acquaintance!

"Baki of Sunagakure!"

Baki looked at the boy who had suddenly appeared beside him without his having noticed a thing beforehand. A flash of shock ran through him, but he quickly concealed it.

As expected of Orochimaru. Even a subordinate so young is extraordinarily skilled.

Baki's confidence in the plan grew, but so did his wariness.

"I am Lord Orochimaru's disciple. I have come to escort our guest to the meeting!"

Dōmeki bowed to Baki with neither servility nor arrogance, then openly led him toward Otogakure.

Along the way, the two exchanged the usual professional compliments, making sure neither felt slighted. On the surface, at least, they got along pleasantly.

At last, Dōmeki brought Baki before Orochimaru.

Baki regarded the ninja, whose fame exceeded even his own Kazekage's, with due caution, and conveyed the Kazekage's agreement to the plan.

"Oh? The Fourth Kazekage certainly has courage!"

Orochimaru seemed to offer a few words of praise, then passed on the date set for the plan.

Baki was startled. Konoha was hosting this year's Chunin Ninja Exams, and only its upper echelons could know the exact dates, which had yet to be announced. Orochimaru must have an informant of considerable standing in Konoha.

He gathered his thoughts, then bowed to Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru, regarding the division of the spoils after the plan is complete, Lord Kazekage would like to discuss it with you in person as a gesture of sincerity. What do you think?"

"When? Where?"

"Three days from now, in a desert on the border of the Land of Wind!"

After receiving Orochimaru's definite answer, Baki hurried back to the Land of Wind to report to Kazekage Rasa.

Once he had finished his report, Baki recalled the red-haired boy who had seemed somewhat familiar. He was wondering whether to tell Lord Kazekage about him as well when he heard Rasa ask,

"How is Gaara?"

Baki's heart tightened. "Lord Gaara still can't control the One-Tail, and his killing intent toward anyone who approaches him has not diminished!"

"Useless!"

Rasa cursed coldly.

Baki waited through a long silence from Rasa before he heard him speak quietly again.

"Send a few more people to test Gaara!"

"Yes!"