### **Chapter 13: The Seeds of Rebellion**

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The power Ethan had acquired from the rogue shinobi's bloodline surged within him like a constant, unrelenting current. He had long surpassed the limits of ordinary shinobi, but now, as his newfound abilities coursed through his veins, he felt closer than ever to true immortality. The fire chakra burned through him like a forge, while the wind chakra spiraled and twisted like a gale. With his Sharingan enhanced further by these foreign powers, Ethan felt as though nothing in the world could stand in his way.

Yet, even in the midst of his growing strength, something gnawed at the back of his mind—the rogue's lingering presence. His memories, his desires, were buried beneath the surface of Ethan's own thoughts, like a dark whisper in the corner of his consciousness. The bloodline was not a passive acquisition; it was a living force within him, and its power threatened to consume him if he let his guard down.

Ethan knew this danger. But he was not afraid. He had always been a master of control. The rogue's influence could be suppressed. After all, power was meant to be bent to the will of its master. 

But there was something else—a more insidious threat—beyond the rogue's lingering presence. Kabuto.

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Kabuto had been different ever since their last confrontation. He was no longer the obedient subordinate Ethan had molded him to be. The young man had begun to grow too ambitious, too self-serving, and Ethan could feel the subtle shift in his demeanor. Kabuto had always been intelligent, perhaps even more so than Ethan had first realized, but now, the glimmer of rebellion shone too brightly in his eyes. He was no longer content to serve in the shadows; Kabuto had begun to carve his own path.

Ethan's suspicions were confirmed when Kabuto entered the lab late one night, his footsteps light and purposeful, his expression unreadable. He stood before Ethan with a sense of calm determination, but Ethan saw the spark in his eyes. This wasn't the same Kabuto he had once controlled so easily.

"You've been busy," Kabuto said, his voice cold but polite, as always. "Experimenting with new bloodlines, I presume?"

Ethan didn't answer immediately, choosing instead to study Kabuto with a sharp, calculating gaze. Kabuto had always been intelligent, a fast learner, but now, there was something more. Something darker.

"I'm improving my abilities," Ethan replied carefully. "Something you should be doing as well. Power is the only thing that matters."

Kabuto's lips curled into a slight smile. "Of course. But I've been thinking, Ethan. Power... does not simply lie in the acquisition of new abilities, does it?"

Ethan's gaze hardened. "What are you implying?"

Kabuto took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Ethan's. "You've been so focused on controlling others, on taking their power, that you've forgotten one crucial thing: your own limitations. You've become a master of manipulation, Ethan, but you cannot escape the consequences of what you've done. What you've taken."

Ethan's mind raced. Kabuto was challenging him, but more importantly, he was beginning to see through him. The words were a warning, and Ethan knew it. But he would not be so easily swayed. He had built everything with his own hands—his power, his empire, his destiny. Kabuto was simply another piece in the game.

"What do you want, Kabuto?" Ethan's voice was low, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone. "You've become quite... perceptive. I suggest you remember your place."

Kabuto's gaze remained steady. "I remember my place perfectly well, Ethan. I'm not here to challenge you—not yet. But I have my own ambitions now. I've learned much from you, and I'm ready to take the next step."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Ambitions, you say? Don't forget that I gave you everything you have. Don't forget that you owe your power to me."

Kabuto's smile faltered, but only for a moment. "And yet, I find that I am no longer content with simply being your tool, Ethan. I've seen enough. I've tasted enough. Now, I want more. I want to be the one who shapes the future."

Ethan could feel his patience slipping. Kabuto's rebellion was not only a threat—it was a direct challenge to the very core of his existence. Kabuto had always been a tool, an instrument of Ethan's will. But now, it seemed, Kabuto sought to wield that power for himself.

Ethan stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "I'll remind you of something, Kabuto. You cannot take what is mine. Not now. Not ever."

Kabuto's smile returned, but it was more of a smirk, one laced with defiance. "We'll see about that."

---

The confrontation between Ethan and Kabuto lingered in Ethan's mind long after Kabuto left the lab. Ethan had been prepared for many things, but this… This was different. Kabuto had always been loyal, and now that loyalty was crumbling, unraveling in the face of Kabuto's desire for autonomy.

Ethan knew what had to be done. He had spent years preparing for every eventuality, but this was the one scenario he had not accounted for—a betrayal from his closest ally. He would need to act fast. If Kabuto were to attempt to steal his power, to go after the bloodlines he had worked so hard to acquire, Ethan would be forced to stop him.

The rogue's bloodline was powerful, but Ethan's true strength lay in his mind. He would need to outsmart Kabuto, to keep him under control, and if that failed, he would need to eliminate the threat entirely.

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Ethan spent the next few days researching ways to strengthen his connection with the absorbed bloodline, seeking methods to ensure it would not overpower him. But the rogue's influence continued to fester in the back of his mind, its presence growing more insistent as time passed. It had been a dangerous gamble to absorb the bloodline without fully understanding its complexities. 

The risks were clear: if he didn't maintain control, the rogue's bloodline could overtake his own, altering his mind and abilities in ways he could not predict. Ethan had never feared losing control before, but now, the consequences were too severe to ignore.

Kabuto's rebellion was only a part of the problem. The true danger lay in his own mind.

---

Meanwhile, Sasuke had continued to grow stronger under Ethan's guidance, though his obsession with revenge was still his driving force. Ethan had been feeding Sasuke's desire for power, using it to manipulate the young Uchiha into a weapon. But Sasuke was no fool. His distrust of Ethan had grown over time, especially after learning of Ethan's darker methods and secret experiments.

Ethan knew that Sasuke's strength could become an asset—but only if he could keep him from turning against him.

The tension in the village was rising, and every move Ethan made was being watched. His control over those around him was slipping, and Kabuto's growing ambition was just one of many things threatening to unravel the delicate web Ethan had woven.

In the end, Ethan would need to decide: would he continue down this path of ruthless ambition, absorbing bloodlines and manipulating those around him, or would the power he had sought so long finally consume him?

The answer lay in his next move.