### **Chapter 6: The Snake’s Lair**

Ethan's mind buzzed with possibility as he walked through the quiet corridors of the Hidden Leaf Village, the dim lighting casting long shadows on the stone walls. His encounter with Itachi had been successful, but he knew the road ahead would not be easy. He had planted the seed of intrigue in Itachi's mind, but trust was something that would take time to build—or exploit. Itachi was too sharp, too aware, to be easily swayed by promises alone. He needed leverage, and Ethan was more than capable of providing it.

But first, there were other matters to address. Kabuto's reports had indicated that there was a growing unrest in the village—rumors of an impending war with the Hidden Sand, and whispers of a secret faction within the village that sought to undermine the Hokage's rule. While the village seemed peaceful on the surface, Ethan knew that beneath it all, a storm was brewing. And that storm would provide the perfect opportunity for him to expand his influence.

In the meantime, he needed to deal with his most immediate problem—Orochimaru's followers. The people who had once loyally served the former Orochimaru were now scattered, some still loyal to the snake sage, others simply lost to time. But among them were a few who still believed in Orochimaru's vision—the pursuit of immortality and power at any cost. These individuals would be of great use to Ethan. His scientific approach to jutsu and immortality aligned with their goals, but their unquestioning loyalty would need to be secured.

As Ethan walked into the underground lair that housed Orochimaru's former followers, he could feel the weight of their gazes upon him. The air was thick with anticipation, every step echoing in the cavernous space. The lair was a place of dark rituals and experiments, the remnants of Orochimaru's ambitions. But now, it was Ethan's domain, and he would shape it in his image.

Among the group of followers was Anko Mitarashi, a woman who had once been one of Orochimaru's most trusted subordinates. Ethan had been keeping a close eye on her ever since he had arrived in the village. Anko's loyalty was complicated—her ties to Orochimaru were deep, but so were her resentments. She was a woman driven by vengeance and a thirst for power, and that made her both a potential ally and a dangerous wildcard.

"Anko," Ethan said as he entered the dimly lit chamber where she stood. She was alone, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she looked over old scrolls filled with jutsu.

Anko looked up, her sharp gaze meeting his. "Orochimaru-sama," she said, though there was no warmth in her voice. "What is it you want?"

Ethan regarded her with a cool smile. "I think we can both benefit from an understanding, don't you think? You've been wandering for years, searching for answers, for power. I can help you achieve that. I can help you become stronger."

Anko's eyes flickered with suspicion. "And what's your angle, Ethan? Orochimaru might have been many things, but he never asked for loyalty or trust. He used people. You're no different."

Ethan chuckled softly, stepping closer. "I am different, Anko. I don't just want loyalty. I want understanding. You've always sought power, but you've never had the resources to truly tap into it. I can give you what you need to take your abilities to the next level. But I need your help in return."

Anko studied him for a long moment, her lips pressed together in thought. Finally, she spoke. "What kind of help?"

"The Hidden Leaf is not as peaceful as it seems," Ethan said, his voice low. "There are factions within the village—people who are dissatisfied with the Hokage's rule. I need to know more about them. I need to understand their plans. If you help me with that, I'll give you the power you've always sought. Immortality. Absolute power."

Anko's eyes widened slightly at the mention of immortality, but she quickly masked her reaction. She had seen firsthand the lengths to which Orochimaru had gone to achieve his goals, and the idea of immortality was both alluring and terrifying. Yet, Ethan's words struck a chord within her—she had always craved the strength to exact revenge on those who had wronged her, and immortality would give her the means to do so.

"You're asking me to betray the village," she said quietly, her voice a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Ethan smiled again, his expression one of quiet confidence. "I'm asking you to join a new vision, Anko. A vision of power, control, and transcendence. Together, we can make that vision a reality."

---

Meanwhile, Sasuke's progress had been slower than Ethan would have liked. The boy's obsession with his older brother, Itachi, was a dangerous distraction, one that could easily derail Ethan's plans. Sasuke's pain was his weakness, and Ethan knew that if he could redirect that pain, channel it into something more useful, Sasuke would be an unstoppable force.

Ethan had been meeting with Sasuke in secret, pushing him to embrace the darker sides of his nature. Sasuke's desire for revenge had only deepened over the past few months, and though Ethan had been careful not to push him too hard, he knew the time was coming when Sasuke would need to make a decision. Ethan had already planted the seed—Sasuke's revenge would only be meaningful if he had the power to destroy not just his brother, but the very foundations of the village that had failed him.

One evening, as Sasuke trained alone in the forest, Ethan appeared from the shadows. Sasuke's eyes flicked toward him, but he said nothing. The bitterness in his gaze was palpable, and Ethan could feel the intensity of his emotions in the air.

"You're getting stronger," Ethan said, his voice smooth. "But you're still holding back."

Sasuke gritted his teeth. "I'm not holding back. I'm doing this my way."

Ethan walked forward, his steps silent. "Your way won't be enough, Sasuke. You're too focused on revenge. You need to focus on power. The strength to bend everything around you to your will. Only then will your revenge mean something."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Ethan stopped in front of him, his gaze unwavering. "I'm talking about your potential. I'm talking about power that goes beyond just the Sharingan. You have the potential to surpass your brother, to become stronger than anyone in this village. But to do that, you need to understand something: Pain and revenge will only take you so far. You need to embrace the darkness."

Sasuke's fists clenched, his breath shallow. The tension between them was thick, and Ethan could feel the battle inside Sasuke's mind—the desire for power warring with the deep pain that fueled his need for revenge.

"Join me, Sasuke," Ethan said, his voice low and persuasive. "Together, we can unlock your true potential. Together, we can make the world bow at our feet."

Sasuke stared at him, his emotions swirling. For a moment, there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, but then the anger returned. "I don't need your help," Sasuke spat.

Ethan smiled softly, undeterred. "Perhaps not yet. But when the time comes, you'll know where to find me."

---

As Ethan continued to weave his web of alliances, he became more and more entrenched in the darker side of the Hidden Leaf Village. Kabuto, Anko, Sasuke—each of them was a piece of the puzzle, a tool to be used in the pursuit of power. And yet, as he delved deeper into the world of manipulation and betrayal, he began to feel the weight of his actions.

But there was no turning back now. Ethan had crossed the point of no return. The road to immortality was paved with darkness, and he was ready to walk it.