Chapter 4: The Plan Begins (Part 1)

After Xia Yu left, Hiruzen led Danzo back to the Hokage's office. Setting his cane aside, Hiruzen sank into the sofa with a weary sigh. Danzo stood rigid by the window, his lone eye burning with disdain.

"You're too soft, Hiruzen," Danzo spat. "Why waste words on that Uchiha trash? And that Sasuke brat lying comatose in the hospital from Itachi's genjutsu—we should slit their throats and be done with it!"

Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, the pipe trembling slightly in his hand. "Danzo! Sasuke's life was Itachi's condition for playing spy. We can't touch him! And half the village already knows Xia Yu survived the massacre thanks to gossiping hens. Killing him now would raise suspicions!"

"Let me bear the blame then!" Danzo slammed his fist on the desk. "The clan's gone—our goal's achieved! What does it matter if we kill the leftovers? If Itachi dares return, all the better... I'll freeze every last drop of Uchiha blood in this world!"

"No!" Hiruzen's voice cracked like a whip. "You will not lay a finger on Xia Yu or Sasuke! The village is already buzzing with rumors about the massacre. Don't make this worse!"

When Hiruzen refused to yield, Danzo stormed out like a petulant child, his cloak billowing behind him.

"Must you always storm off?" Hiruzen called after him, frustration bleeding into his voice. "Can't we discuss this like rational—"

"Rational?" Danzo whirled around in the doorway, his sneer cutting deeper than any kunai. "You weak-willed fool! The Second Hokage chose you over me, but who truly upholds his ideals? Three years ago, when Cloud kidnapped the Hyuga heiress, you sacrificed a branch family member like a coward! Your 'peace' is a farce—it only emboldens our enemies!"

Hiruzen massaged his temples. "That sacrifice prevented war. One life for the village's safety—"

"Safety?" Danzo barked a humorless laugh. "You apologized to Cloud for their theft of the Byakugan! Pathetic. Mark my words—your weakness will drown this village in flames."

As Danzo's footsteps faded, Hiruzen slumped deeper into the sofa. His voice softened to a whisper only the shadows could hear: "...And what of the Uchiha corpses?"

Elsewhere – Orochimaru's Hidden Laboratory

The stench of formaldehyde hung thick as药师兜 adjusted his glasses, gloved fingers sorting through rows of specimen jars. Each contained a Sharingan eye floating in pale yellow fluid—dozens of them, all marked with three tomoe.

"Uchiha Cannon—pair of three-tomoe Sharingan."
"Uchiha Ash—pair of three-tomoe Sharingan."
"Uchiha Cannon Fodder—single three-tomoe Sharingan."
"Uchiha Ash Cannon—half a three-tomoe Sharingan..."

Orochimaru's lieutenant scoffed, crossing off names on Danzo's inventory list. "Lord Orochimaru, these 'fresh' Sharingan from the old badger are all third-rate. Cannon fodder eyes from weaklings—hardly worth the formaldehyde they're preserved in."

The Snake Sannin emerged from the shadows, his chuckle like dry leaves scraping stone. "Patience, Kabuto. Even scrap metal has its uses... Especially when it comes with free delivery."

He lifted a jar containing a mismatched pair of eyes—one ordinary, the other blazing with three tomoe. A sly smile spread across his face.

"Danzo thinks himself clever, hoarding the best specimens. But he forgets... Even damaged Sharingan can hatch fascinating snakes."

Orochimaru leaned gracefully against the lab bench, his slender fingers tucking a strand of hair behind his ear as he toyed with an earring. "Tsk tsk tsk... No matter," he purred, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "My greatest desire now stands beside me. That is enough. The rest... are mere distractions."
Kabuto's pale cheeks flushed crimson. "Your greatest desire...?" he stammered, adjusting his glasses nervously. "Is it... me, Lord Orochimaru? I—I must admit, such words are... unexpected."
"Don't delude yourself, Kabuto," Orochimaru interrupted coldly, spinning the "Sky" ring on his finger. "Last night, a new recruit joined the Akatsuki. Care to guess who?"
Kabuto frowned. "Who?"
Orochimaru's serpentine tongue flicked out, his golden eyes gleaming. "Uchiha Itachi. The very one who slaughtered his clan. He arrived with that fool Tobi."
"Uchiha Itachi?!" Kabuto's breath hitched. "But he—"
"—is now my colleague," Orochimaru finished, slipping into his Akatsuki cloak. "A man who discards bonds like trash... Just like me. Those eyes of his... they will be mine."
As Orochimaru turned to leave, he paused. "How is Shin's adaptation progressing?"
Kabuto regained his composure. "His body accepts all transplants—cells, organs, even the Sharingan. Zero rejection. He is... perfect."
"Excellent," Orochimaru hissed. "Implant Danzo's stockpile of Sharingan into him. If it works, our cloning research leaps forward."
"All of them?" Kabuto hesitated. "Not even one pair for yourself, my lord?"
Orochimaru scoffed. "Cannon-fodder eyes? I crave only Itachi's. Now that he's within reach..." His laughter echoed down the corridor.
Kabuto stared at the empty doorway, shoulders slumping. "Another night alone with test tubes and silence... When will you see me, my lord?"
Steam curled from the baths as Uchiha Hayato stepped inside the Konoha hot springs. A sultry voice greeted him: "Well, well... The last Uchiha finally graces my doorstep~"
The proprietress leaned close, her kimono slipping off one shoulder. "Stay tonight, little Hayato. Let me... comfort you."
Hayato smirked. "Tempting. But I’ve a village to destroy. Perhaps a quick drink?"
Outside, his crimson Sharingan flickered in the dark. "You wiped out my clan, Konoha? Then I’ll replace every last one of you... with Uchiha. Soon... this village will drown in our eyes."