Inside a cave, Danzo Shimura was resting. Outside, several Root ninjas were tending to each other's wounds. Root was on an urgent, secret mission, and they hadn't brought a medical ninja with them.
Just as Fu Yamanaka's subordinate finished bandaging his wounds, two dark figures appeared in his line of sight, slowly advancing toward them.
Fu sprang forward, intending to intercept and kill the intruders. The movements of Root ninjas must never be revealed.
However, when he stood before them, one of the figures slowly raised his head, revealing his eyes. Snake-like pupils lit up, overflowing with killing intent.
Fu froze. The sheer pressure was enough to stop him from making any rash moves. He could only clench his jaw as he recognized the man.
One of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.
Beside Orochimaru, Kimimaro extended his palm, a sharp bone spike growing from it. He arched his back and stared intently at Fu Yamanaka.
"Kimimaro, don't be so nervous," Orochimaru said, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Fu. "Take us to him. I have no intention of killing an ally before our plan has even begun."
"..."
Fu nodded helplessly. As Danzo's trusted confidant, he was well aware of the deal his master had made with Orochimaru.
Inside the cave, Danzo's face was grim when he saw Orochimaru arrive. "Orochimaru, if you had delayed Jiraiya for just a little longer... I would have had the Nine-Tails jinchuriki and Sasuke Uchiha in my hands!"
"That Jiraiya is not the dropout he used to be. Holding him back isn't so simple anymore," Orochimaru replied, twirling a strand of his long hair with a light chuckle. "But I must say, I am curious how someone with your strength couldn't even take down a few freshly graduated genin."
"Naruto Uzumaki... that brat is a genius on par with you three Sannin. Combined with the Uzumaki clan's kekkei genkai and the Tailed Beast chakra he can use, his strength has already surpassed most jonin," the Root leader explained, gripping his ninja sword. "And Team 7's Sasuke Uchiha has already awakened a three-tomoe Sharingan at his age!"
"Oh?" Hearing this, Orochimaru's fingers idly twirled. "It seems this Chunin Exam will be more interesting than I imagined."
"How are your plans coming along?" Danzo asked, more concerned with the plot the two had conspired on.
After the failure of his attack on Team 7, that plan had become his last hope. "We must get rid of Sarutobi this time. Otherwise, when I return to Konoha, he might give in to Jiraiya and Kakashi's demands and disband Root again."
"Flawless," Orochimaru chuckled. "The plan is more perfect than you can imagine. The Sand Village, too, will be completely under my control."
The Root leader looked at Orochimaru's smile and said in a low voice, "After the Chunin Exam plan is complete, I want to set up an ambush for Itachi Uchiha."
According to his speculation, Shisui Uchiha's other Sharingan was in Itachi's hands. Kotoamatsukami could not be allowed to remain in the control of a rogue ninja. As for how to lure him out, news of trouble in Konoha or something happening to Sasuke would surely draw Itachi out to investigate.
"That..." Orochimaru lowered his head, a grin spreading across his face. "I'm very interested."
He had secretly schemed against that man countless times. If Danzo was willing to be the one to step forward and ambush Itachi, Orochimaru wouldn't mind adding a little fuel to the fire—whether for revenge or for Itachi's Sharingan.
Of course, the fact that he had once coveted the Sharingan, only to be instantly defeated by a mere glance from Itachi, was a detail he saw no need to share with Danzo. It might hurt the man's confidence.
Danzo gripped his ninja sword. "This time, I will ascend to the position of Hokage, make the Sand Village a vassal of Konoha, and start the Fourth Great Ninja War. When the entire ninja world is unified, I will prove to everyone that only I can lead Konoha to become the strongest village!"
"..."
Orochimaru just smiled, saying nothing. The ninja world was like a stagnant pond. He, too, wanted to see the storm that Konoha's upheaval would create.
However, the one who truly controlled the direction of this storm... was not necessarily Danzo.
Orochimaru knew Danzo's weaknesses. The man seemed willing to do anything to become Hokage, but in reality, his courage was small. As long as Orochimaru held leverage over him, he could keep him under control. But according to Kabuto's reports, Danzo wasn't the type to simply sit and wait for death. His failure in ambushing Team 7 should have served as a good wake-up call for him.
Who has Root truly relied on for its success all these years?
After leaving Root's camp, Orochimaru turned to the white-haired youth beside him. "Kimimaro, did you see the battle tonight? Was there anyone suitable?"
"There was," Kimimaro said after a moment's hesitation. "The strength of those two Konoha brats is impressive, especially the yellow-haired one. In my opinion, he is much stronger than Jirobo and Kidomaru's group."
The Jirobo and Kidomaru he mentioned were Sound Village ninja, each with the strength of a jonin. In Kimimaro's eyes, they were nothing special. He was confident he wasn't weaker than Naruto, but defeating him wouldn't be easy.
"Is that so?" Orochimaru smiled and nodded. "The time for this body is almost up. I received some good news tonight. After our plan succeeds, I will soon have a perfect vessel."
"Lord Orochimaru, if I may be so bold," the white-haired youth said, bowing his head respectfully. "That yellow-haired boy wasn't fighting with his full strength. He may be more dangerous than I imagined. If you choose him..."
"I will not choose Naruto Uzumaki," Orochimaru interrupted, licking his lips. "That brat just has a temporary advantage. Sasuke Uchiha's kekkei genkai is the power I truly desire. I didn't expect him to have already awakened a three-tomoe Sharingan."
"That is the most perfect kekkei genkai in the ninja world! As long as I get an Uchiha's body, I can perfectly wield the Sharingan's power. Whether it's Itachi Uchiha or Sasori of the Red Sand... I will execute them one by one! This Chunin Exam... will definitely shake the entire ninja world!"
A fanatical look appeared in Orochimaru's eyes. He turned to Kimimaro. "This time, I will likely need your power. You will be on standby near Konoha and await my orders."
-----
Bonus:
Kimimaro: Naruto Uzumaki is stronger. His body is more suitable!
Kabuto: I think so too...
Orochimaru: I don't care, I don't care! I just believe in the Sharingan...
Kimimaro: But Sasuke Uchiha isn't as good as Naruto Uzumaki!
Orochimaru: When he can use the Sharingan, you will understand...
Kabuto: When he can use the Sharingan, we will find out... what garbage the Sharingan really is...