### **Chapter 3: Dark Alliances**

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Ethan's life as Orochimaru had, so far, been a delicate dance between observation and manipulation. Each decision, each word, had been calculated to serve a single goal: to gain more knowledge and control. His transformation was subtle at first. The world of ninjas—chakra, jutsu, and the power structures of the Hidden Leaf Village—was still foreign to him. But his sharp scientific mind adapted quickly. As he continued to study the nature of chakra and its applications, he realized the true potential it held: not just to manipulate the body, but to transcend its limits entirely.

The more he learned about Orochimaru's experiments, the more fascinated he became with the possibilities. Orochimaru had experimented with immortality—something that had always intrigued Ethan in his past life, though he had always dismissed it as fantasy. But in this new world, immortality was not only possible; it was a tangible goal, one that could be achieved through the manipulation of chakra and human biology.

But to achieve immortality was not a simple task. It required the cooperation of others, and that was where Ethan's understanding of human nature came into play. He needed allies—people who could provide the knowledge, resources, and, most importantly, the trust he needed to push his experiments further.

Kabuto was a step in the right direction. The young medical ninja had proven to be an invaluable resource. His knowledge of medical ninjutsu and the human body made him an ideal partner for Ethan's experiments. But Kabuto was not without his own ambitions. Though he had been quick to offer his help, Ethan knew he was not someone who could be trusted completely. Kabuto had his own goals, his own vision of power, and that made him a potential threat.

Still, for the moment, Kabuto was useful. Ethan needed him to refine his understanding of chakra and how it could be used to manipulate the body. The more he experimented with chakra-based medical techniques, the more he realized that chakra was not just an energy source—it was a conduit for life itself. By manipulating chakra, one could control the very essence of being.

But as Ethan's experiments grew more advanced, so did his awareness of the dangers lurking in the shadows. The Hidden Leaf Village was not a peaceful haven; it was a battleground for power, filled with spies, secrets, and hidden agendas. Ethan was no longer simply a student. He was a player in a much larger game, and the stakes were higher than ever.

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The quiet halls of the Hidden Leaf Village Academy became a familiar place for Ethan. But there was one person, one figure, who stood out among the rest: Sasuke Uchiha. The young Uchiha was a prodigy, someone whose potential far exceeded that of his peers. Ethan had watched him during training sessions, his eyes sharp and calculating, his movements fluid and precise. There was something about Sasuke that intrigued him—a coldness, a detachment, similar to his own.

Sasuke was the key to unlocking the next stage of Ethan's plan. The Uchiha clan's Sharingan was a powerful ability, one that could be used to control and manipulate others. But the potential for something even greater lay within Sasuke himself. The boy's obsession with revenge, his thirst for power, made him the perfect candidate for Ethan's guidance. If he could control Sasuke, then the path to immortality—through the Sharingan and the power of the Uchiha clan—would be much clearer.

But the question was how to approach Sasuke. The boy was closed off, wary of others, consumed by his own pain and anger. Ethan knew that he couldn't simply approach him with the usual tactics. He would need to understand Sasuke's motivations, his weaknesses, and his desires. And to do that, he would need to get close.

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Ethan found his opportunity during one of the Academy's training exercises. The students were paired off, and Sasuke found himself with a partner who struggled to keep up with him. Ethan, watching from the sidelines, noticed the way Sasuke's eyes flared with irritation every time his partner failed to land a blow. There was no mercy in him—only a burning desire to prove his superiority.

After the session ended, Ethan made his move. He approached Sasuke as he was wiping the sweat from his brow, his expression tense.

"Sasuke," Ethan began, his voice calm, almost soothing. "You're holding back."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the unexpected intrusion. "What do you know about me?" he muttered, defensive.

Ethan didn't flinch. "I know that you're talented. But talent alone isn't enough. You have the potential to become so much more, but you're letting your emotions control you."

Sasuke's eyes flicked to Ethan, a flash of anger passing through them. "You don't know anything about me. You don't know what I've been through."

Ethan stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "I know more than you think. I know about your brother—about the pain, the loss. It's consuming you, isn't it? You're angry, and that anger makes you weak."

Sasuke's fists clenched, his jaw tightening. He turned away from Ethan, his shoulders stiff with tension. "You don't know what it's like. You don't understand."

Ethan watched him for a moment, sensing the turmoil within Sasuke. The boy was torn between his desire for power and the pain of his past. His emotions were a tool, a weapon that could be shaped and used. Ethan knew that with the right guidance, Sasuke could be molded into a force that would be invaluable in his pursuit of immortality.

"Maybe I don't understand," Ethan said quietly, "but I understand power. And power is what you need. It's the only way to get what you want. The only way to make sure you never feel weak again."

Sasuke paused, his back still turned to Ethan. The silence between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Sasuke spoke, his voice low.

"Power," he murmured. "I need power."

Ethan smiled inwardly. It was a small victory, but it was a start. Sasuke's desire for power was his greatest weakness, and Ethan would exploit it. He would guide Sasuke down the same dark path that Orochimaru had once walked, leading him to the Sharingan and beyond.

---

The next few days were crucial for Ethan. He needed to continue nurturing Sasuke's desire for power, while also maintaining his control over Kabuto and Anko. The web of relationships he was building was fragile, and any misstep could lead to disaster. But Ethan had never been one to shy away from risks.

One evening, as he sat alone in his quarters, poring over his notes, there was a knock at the door. Kabuto entered, as usual, with a calm and calculated expression. But this time, there was something different about him—an air of suspicion that Ethan couldn't ignore.

"Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto said, his voice smooth but edged with something darker. "I've been thinking about your experiments. They're progressing well, but I wonder… have you considered the consequences of what you're attempting?"

Ethan looked up from his notes, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you mean, Kabuto?"

Kabuto stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You're playing with forces you don't fully understand. You're manipulating life itself. What if it backfires? What if you lose control?"

Ethan's lips curled into a smile, though it was cold and calculating. "That's the price of progress, Kabuto. Without risks, there is no reward. If you're afraid of failure, you're welcome to leave."

Kabuto hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and left, leaving Ethan alone in the silence of his thoughts.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. Kabuto's doubts were nothing more than a minor inconvenience—he had already anticipated them. But this encounter had shown him something important. There were cracks forming in the foundation of his alliances. Kabuto was not as loyal as he seemed, and the trust he had placed in him was fragile. Ethan would need to be careful.

Still, the path ahead was clear. The pieces were in place, and with Sasuke beginning to lean into his thirst for power, Ethan knew the next phase of his plan had begun. Immortality was within his reach. All he had to do was take it.