Naruto's POV (Team Seven's Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Village)
Naruto, Ino, and Neji sat against trees as Kakashi stared them down. They all knew their sensei was a unique man, often having his own thought process and quirks. Truthfully, the three were not sure what to expect but knew to be on guard.
"Well, the time has come… it's time to decide if you'll join the Chunin Exams…" Kakashi started happily. Ignoring the excited cheers of the three at the news. He had intended to ask them. But it seemed all three were keen on testing themselves and growing stronger. He was not surprised they seemed so instantly keen. It seems Team Seven would make their introduction to the world as rookies.
Jiraiya's POV (Nearby Kazekage's Manor - Hidden Sand Village)
Jiraiya was often a busy man. It seemed to always be the case these days. While some preferred to kick back, Jiraiya preferred to get things done… and kick back! See, some dreaded the cruel, hot desert. For good reason, Jiraiya knew plenty about those who had perished in the sun. If only they knew what he knew however. The Hidden Sand was full of beautiful women! He supposed technically he was heading to enemy turf. The Village Hidden in the Sand, we're allies of the Leaf. But his sources here whispered of unrest due to the Leaf "scalping customers." But in the shinobi business, you didn't go off mere conjecture. Underneath the underneath, as it were. Truthfully, it was merely the nature of the Sand to struggle a fair bit. Throughout his years, they always had. But the struggle had formed a hardy people. They are known for their powerful wind jutsu, dangerous poisons, and unique puppet users.
Jiraiya watched as he walked through the village, noticing but ignoring the two squads of Sand Anbu trailing him. Earnestly, he thought they were arrogant enough to send only two. But it mattered little since he was here for diplomacy. His guide led him into Raza's office. The two stared at each other intently as the guide quietly excused himself. Jiraiya subtly took a deep breath, smoothing his nerves. Rasa was an intelligent and shrewd man. He respected formality and loyalty. Neither of which Jiraiya could offer the man. He would have to do a bit of a balancing act to convince him to solidify the alliance. A bit of the carrot and stick.
"Rasa! My old buddy!" He roared as if across the building and not a mere room. He saw the man subtly sigh. Right, so far.
"Jiraiya, it is shocking to see a legend like yourself conduct yourself like a fool."
"I know when to play it straight, Kazekage. I just prefer to start things lightly."
"You arrive in my village unannounced. Do you realize you are a walking security risk? Do not waste my time here, Sage."
"So you're worried about me?" Jiraiya asked with some mirth. By the quick scowl, Rasa showed he was going in the wrong direction. "Alright, my bad, Kazekage-sama. I'm here to offer you a new contract for our alliance."
"Why should we update our alliance? We are still foreign entities to each other, and we would gain relatively little." Rasa countered.
"Well, we certainly are two separate nations. But we have years of cooperation under our belt at this point. Furthermore, don't you think gaining a little show muscle for upcoming events could be valuable?" Jiraiya asked.
"You are hosting them; it would be only for the Leaf's gain." Rasa retorted, his voice showing his impatience. Before he suddenly grew a smile of his own, " unless, of course, you knew something I didn't. Otherwise, why even offer? You're well aware of my attitude and would know I wouldn't bite on that."
Jiraiya mentally flinched. Rasa caught on quickly. "Correct you are! They are discussing holding it in the Land of Iron."
"Samurai…" Rasa said quietly. "They won't tolerate nonsense and are quite formidable themselves. With the other villages being forced to behave there, subtle threats like an alliance are ideal. Especially since it would put pressure on the others to join it."
"So, do you accept?" Jiraiya asked.
"Fine, I will accept; little risk and decent benefits. I'm assuming he'll send a draft?" Rasa asked. Jiraiya tossed him an envelope. "Leaf shinobi are always too confident for their own good. I will resend the agreement with any changes I need. Remove yourself from my village now, Jiraiya. My Anbu is on edge. Also, remember," The room is filled with golden blades surrounding the Sannin. "Warn us next time you wish to visit, please."
"Sure thing, just had to ask," Jiraiya said with a smile. Body flickering away confidently.
"I hate that man." Rasa muttered as he got back to his work.
Zetsu's POV (Hidden Sound Base - Land of Fire)
Scientists and shinobi both ran in terror at the sound of pained and desperate screams. In truth, it was a sound they were familiar with, but most simply could not stand the sound or sight of it. The Sound was becoming known in the criminal world. Various companies and villages either benefited or suffered from their acts. From various cruel experiments they performed on civilians or enemies. Perhaps if they knew the reasons such acts were committed the horror would fade. But the goal and discoveries made by it were only known to Orochimaru and his trusted.
Usually, it was a sign their powerful masters' will was being acted out. But when they came from the master himself, it was time to flee for most. It was only when Orochimaru was feeling particularly cruel or angry he did it himself. And the man was known for being murderous when in a rage. As the men retreated from the building. Zetsu stalked through the base calmly, holding a cup containing a cocktail of pills for Orochimaru.
As Zetsu walked through the now empty stone halls, he observed the various chambers. Some were high-tech labs filled with top-of-the-line equipment. Others were grim rooms full of tortuous tools and bloody stains. The rest were cells filled with both living and dead. Zetsu's last master had never been as cruel as Orochimaru. In his way, his goal had been noble. His power seemed absolute, yet he had watched as his master was cut down. It had broken him, years of planning thrown to the wind. For years, he had merely lived as a beast. Killing any he crossed. Until he had run into Orochimaru. He had recognized his unique skills. The potential he held, perhaps enough for Zetsu's own goal.
Zetsu had at first accepted out of greed. The Sannin was strong, intelligent, and adaptable. He wasn't on the level of his last master but had potential. He thought he would surely outsmart the Snake and manipulate him as he did his previous master. But the same reason he had used to select him became why the Snake had managed to get the upper hand on him. In his broken state, the Snake had manipulated his heart and even convinced him to get the curse mark. It had been too late by the time the two Zetsu's realized the man's ploy. Orochimaru's curse mark was infused with his very soul. Using the fragment in Zetsu, he managed to tinge his very reasoning. Deep down, he knew the Snake was using him, but he lacked the will to free himself. Even if he could, he had little to live for anyway. At least he was a servant now, better than nothing.
He flinched at the inhuman wails someone had let loose as he opened the large doors into Orochimaru's room. The Sannin was donned in medical scrubs and a facemask. He wielded a scalpel and was using it to carve a seal directly into the chest of a bound man. The seal he created grew brightly and hissed in the air as it was created. The process for creating his Serum was not a simple one…
His new version of the serum had been undeniably effective. Turning a close fight for the two targets into a losing battle for them. Zetsu was sure that, with his immense durability and healing ability, Orochimaru would've been fine with the drug. But the strain of battle combined with the serum's side effects had put a strain on his current host. It would hold for now, the Snake had told him. But until then, his life was agony. Only through absurdly strong painkillers could he achieve peace.
Zetsu approached the Sannin carefully, flinching when the man grabbed the cup from him violently. Orochimaru threw back the pills and crunched them down as if starving. Zetsu split in two as the black one stands patiently, and the white one hums and paces around the room. It wouldn't take long for the pills to kick in.
Orochimaru's breaths slowed suddenly. The tension from his sweating and bruised body seemed to seep out as the drugs kicked in. He stretched slowly, unsure if his body was ready. Once he was pleased, he turned to him. He hummed as he calmly traced his scalpel into the chest of the man beneath him, whose screams became whimpers as he worked. It seemed that Sannin's mood had improved with pain being gone. "Thank you Zetsu kukuku… was there something else you needed? I'm… preoccupied right now…"
"I heard the news. They managed to survive. Did you go easy on them, Boss?" The two asked in turns.
"Watch your tongue. I won't hesitate to slay the two of you." Orochimaru warned. "But no… the two old men managed to trick me. Did you come down here to merely mock me?!"
"I did. Oh gosh! We're sorry, Boss! Forgive us. We do have news, however."
Orochimaru hummed silently as he pondered the two. "Go on then."
"It seems the Chunin Exam location recently changed. After complaints from the Cloud and Mist about the Leaf hosting the special one this year, a decision was made. They have decided on a more neutral ground. The land of the samurai. The Land of the Iron." Zetsu explained. Orochimaru's arm punched into the stonewall next to him as he finished. Breaking through as if it was made of paper.
"Damn! There goes my chance! And those damn brats slaughtered my picks! Hiruzen, you rotting old fool, I will proudly display your head in my home!" Orochimaru raged before the exhaustion from the painful day he had caught up to him. He panted angrily as his mind raced. Before a smile popped onto his face. "Zetsu, gather the Sound Four."
"An attack would be unwise. We lack the strength for a direct approach. It would be scary as well!" Zetsu countered.
"Kukuku, you would be correct. Luckily, my plan is more cunning. The Sound Four will not be participating in the exam itself… instead they'll be tasked with kidnapping…"
"What do you mean? - What do you mean?" Zetsu asked, confused.
"They will watch over the targets I've selected. Once the chance presents itself the two will strike. Once they do so, I will have them slaughter the heirs to the various clans of the Leaf! Hiruzen will know true failure! The Leaf hasn't escaped my wrath yet!"
At times like this, Zetsu knew he had made the right choice in his new master. Orochimaru simply played the game differently. Though a small part of him wondered if he was underestimating their enemies.