The cave was quiet, the faint hum of White Zetsu moving beneath the stone floor the only sound. Tsunade leaned against the wall, arms crossed, slug summoning scroll at her side. Orochimaru sat nearby, head tilted, observing me with that eternal curiosity that always made me wary. Kakashi adjusted the silver mask over his eye, studying a scroll I had left on a table, already analyzing what knowledge could be extracted.
I let the silence stretch a moment, watching them. Each one was indispensable. I didn't need anyone else—not now, not ever.
"This," I said finally, spreading my hands, "is our group. Simple, efficient, and powerful. No distractions. No unnecessary liabilities. Just us."
Tsunade's brow lifted. "And you're certain this is enough?"
I let a faint smirk touch my lips. "Enough to survive. Enough to dominate if needed. Enough to bend the world toward our plans."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes glinted. "Impressive. No weakness in sight. I approve."
Kakashi, ever the observer, only nodded once. "Efficient. No one will question your logic. I'll stay. For now."
I let the words linger, feeling the hum of my power, Kurama's presence in my chest, the subtle pulse of the White Zetsu network beneath us. My team was small—but perfect. Every skill, every talent, every nuance accounted for.
"We'll travel together," I said, voice low, deliberate. "We train, we plan, we act. Everyone else in the world is secondary. Our goals are primary. If anyone else stands in our way… they die or they bend."
Tsunade's arms flexed, and she smirked faintly. "Finally, someone who understands direct action."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "And secrecy. I like it."
Kakashi's single visible eye flicked toward me. "And information control. Smart."
I allowed myself a small nod. Good.
"Then it's settled," I said. "We begin tomorrow. I'll teach the fundamentals of our plan, and the White Zetsu network will extend to cover every threat and opportunity we need. Nothing escapes us. Not monsters, not demigods, not fate itself."
The cave seemed to pulse with our collective potential, a subtle vibration of power and intent. The core team was now complete.
And the world… had no idea what was coming.