Dawn broke over the forest, pale light filtering through the dense canopy. My new allies—the Sannin—were still recovering from last night's encounter, rubbing sore muscles, brushing off dust, and shaking off the adrenaline.
I stood at the edge of my temporary base, watching them with a careful eye. They were strong, talented, and dangerous—but they were also mine now. And like any well-planned operation, proper distribution of resources was essential.
I stepped inside the cave, where my collection of scrolls, summoning contracts, and elemental techniques waited. Tsunade's eyes followed me curiously as I moved toward the stack.
"You," I said, handing her a scroll and a small seal, "take this. Medical ninjutsu, and a slug summoning contract. Heal, protect, and support. I expect efficiency."
Tsunade blinked, clearly impressed, though she masked it with a shrug.
"Fine. I'll handle it. You better not be overestimating me."
"I never do," I replied, voice calm, eyes unreadable.
Next, I turned to Orochimaru. I handed him a scroll of Wind Style techniques and his summoning contract.
"Snake summoning," I added, my tone flat. "Your specialty. Use it wisely."
Orochimaru's head tilted, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips. He understood the subtle power balance already. He didn't need my words to know this arrangement wasn't a favor—it was a transaction.
Finally, I handed Jiraiya a set of Fire Style technique scrolls and his Toad summoning contract.
"Your fire, your toads, your rules," I said. "Make sure to use them efficiently. I expect results if we're to survive the coming years."
Jiraiya laughed, eyes gleaming with amusement and excitement.
"You're intense, but I like it. Don't worry—I'll make sure we're ready for anything."
I gave each of them one final look. They were competent, loyal, and now equipped with exactly what they needed to be deadly extensions of my plans. And yet… they were also expendable if necessary. Every move mattered. Every choice carried weight.
"I'm leaving for now," I said, already turning toward the forest edge. "There's another ally I need to recruit—someone who will be invaluable to our network. Kakashi Hatake."
White Zetsu stirred beneath the soil at my feet, spreading like ink into the surrounding forest. The network was alive, extending tendrils across miles, scanning, observing, reporting. Every piece of information would come to me.
"Keep the base secure," I told the Sannin. "And don't move unless I give the order. You'll be here when I return."
With that, I stepped forward, cloak brushing against the undergrowth. The world seemed to shift subtly around me, the quiet hum of latent power growing in the air. The path to Kakashi was clear, mapped through White Zetsu intelligence, and my mind was already calculating the optimal approach.
A genius boy, son of the White Fang… perfect. I thought, lips curling faintly. By the time he realizes I've already observed him for days, he won't have a choice but to join.
The forest closed around me, shadows folding into my cloak. My power, my perception, and my plans stretched far ahead. Each step brought me closer to building the team I needed—my perfect, godlike network.
And soon, nothing—not fate, not monsters, not even the gods—would stand in my way.