Danzo? Orochimaru? I Don't Care!

Important: Danzo part is fast paced, it is deliberate on my part. I hope you can understand that, I don't want to delve too deep into that. The technique Sarutobi uses is something I came up with. It is not canon, so...

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Kai stood in a secluded area of the village, his expression stoic as ever, when Danzo approached him. The man was a high-ranking village elder and the leader of ROOT, a secret organization that operated in the shadows. His reputation preceded him, and Kai knew that any interaction with him would be laced with hidden motives and deceptions.

"Kai, I've heard your name quite a lot," Danzo began, his tone measured and calculating. "I must say, I'm impressed with your abilities."

Kai didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the man before him, analyzing his every move and word.

Danzo continued, undeterred by Kai's silence. "I have a proposal for you. Join ROOT, and you'll be placed in a high-ranking position. You'll have access to unique jutsu, power, and even Sharingan if you're interested."

Kai's expression remained impassive. "I have no interest in joining your organization, Danzo. I have my own path to follow."

Danzo's eyes narrowed, his tone taking on an edge of irritation. "Don't be hasty in your decision, Kai. With your skills and our resources, you could become an unstoppable force."

As Kai prepared to leave, he suddenly felt a disturbance in his chakra circulation. Focusing on the source, he saw two Sharingan hidden beneath Danzo's clothes on his chest. Realizing he was being targeted by a genjutsu, a powerful one, Kai's voice took on a chilling edge.

"Stop your futile attempts to put me into a genjutsu, Danzo. Or this will not end well for you."

Danzo's expression darkened, and he launched an attack on Kai. In a flash, Kai vanished from where he stood. The next moment, an explosion rocked the village, sending a plume of smoke and debris into the air.

Danzo looked on in dread as he realized the hidden ROOT base had been destroyed. He knew that he had underestimated Kai's abilities, and now his organization had paid the price.

In the aftermath of the explosion, the village was thrown into chaos. Danzo, his pride and power shaken, was forced to reckon with the consequences of his actions. Kai, however, remained an enigma, his true intentions and allegiances as inscrutable as ever. He didn't pursue Danzo, as he had no intention to make enemy of Konoha. But neither could they. This was just a warning, as simple as that.

During the month-long break before the Chunin Exams resumed, Kai continued to keep a low profile, avoiding involvement with the village's affairs. He had made it abundantly clear that he had no intention of forming attachments or relying on others, and the villagers, in turn, treated him as an outsider.

The world of shinobi was unforgiving, and Kai had learned that to survive, he needed to rely on his own abilities and instincts. The bonds and camaraderie that others sought were simply distractions, leaving them vulnerable to betrayal and abandonment.

As the emissaries from various countries and organizations arrived in Konoha for the Chunin Exams, the village's atmosphere was charged with anticipation and tension. Kai watched from a distance, his mind constantly analyzing and assessing the situation.

Kai stood near the entrance, observing the envoys as they arrived in Konoha. As the Kazekage appeared, Kai's eyes narrowed. He could tell that the man before him was an impostor. The skin the impersonator wore was undoubtedly Rasa's, which meant that either the real Rasa had been killed or there was a technique that could create such a convincing illusion. But it didn't seem like a jutsu.

Weighing his options, Kai walked into the room where the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was speaking with Kakashi. Kai interrupted their conversation, his voice as cold and emotionless as ever.

"I have crucial information, but I require something in return," Kai stated, his gaze fixed on the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What information, and what do you want in return?"

Kai's gaze was unwavering. "I have information that could potentially save many lives, but in return, I require something. I wish to study the scroll left behind by the Second Hokage."

Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. "That scroll contains powerful and dangerous jutsu. What makes you think I would allow you to study it?"

Kai remained impassive. "I assure you, the information I have is of great importance. It is a matter of life and death for this village."

Kakashi eyed Kai warily. "Can you give us a hint as to what this information is about?"

Kai shook his head. "I cannot reveal the details until I have your assurance that I will be allowed to study the scroll."

Sarutobi sighed, contemplating the situation. "Very well. If your information is as valuable as you claim, I will allow you to study three jutsu from the scroll: The Flying Thunder God, Rasengan, and Edo Tensei. You will have 12 hours to study them, no more. But first, we will apply a seal to ensure the information you provide is genuine and critical to the safety of the village."

Hiruzen was an old fox. He deliberately chose two impossible techniques and one that could be learned without assistance of the scroll if Kai's fame was anything to go by. Although it sounded like he compromised, he had just played with Kai. Even the creator of those techniques, Tobirama couldn't learn one of them in 12 hours, let alone two.

Kai nodded in agreement, and Sarutobi proceeded to create a seal. They both placed the seal on their bodies, binding them to their agreement.

"Now, tell us what you've discovered," Sarutobi demanded, his voice stern.

Kai's expression remained unchanging as he began to speak. "The man who arrived in the village, claiming to be the Kazekage, is an impostor. I am certain that the skin he wears is Rasa's, but it is not a jutsu. This means that either the real Rasa has been killed, or there is an unknown technique that can create such a convincing illusion."

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock, and Sarutobi's face darkened with concern. "How did you come to this conclusion?" Sarutobi asked.

"I have been observing the envoys closely," Kai explained. "There are subtle differences in the way the impostor carries himself compared to the real Kazekage. Additionally, his chakra signature is different, further confirming my suspicions."

Sarutobi recognized the technique immediately. Orochimaru, a former student of his, had been known to use such techniques. He sighed in distress and looked at Kai, understanding that the situation was dire. "Kai, I have a mission for you."

Kai's expression remained stoic, awaiting the Hokage's instructions.

"You will act as a messenger to Baki, the leading Jounin of the Kazekage's children," Sarutobi said. "You will need to convince them that the Kazekage is an impostor and that Orochimaru is planning something. We must work together to thwart whatever scheme is in motion. After everything is done, you will be allowed to study the scroll for 12 hours."

Kai nodded, accepting the mission without hesitation.

As he left the room, Kakashi looked at Sarutobi with concern. "Do you think we can trust him, Hokage-sama?"

Sarutobi frowned. "Kai is a difficult individual to read, but his information is invaluable. We have no choice but to place our trust in him for now."

Kai approached Baki and the three siblings - Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari. They eyed him warily, knowing that he is strong yet a man with no true allegiance to anyone, making him a danger. The reason why nuke-nins were feared wasn't only because of their powers, but also that they could act rampantly. A Jounin from a village would have abide by the laws whereas a nuke-nin could do whatever the hell they wanted.

"I have information regarding your father, the Kazekage," Kai said in his usual emotionless tone.

Baki narrowed his eyes, studying Kai for a moment before responding. "What information do you have?"

"The man who arrived in the village claiming to be the Kazekage is an impostor," Kai stated. "The real Rasa has either been killed or is being held captive."

Gaara's eyes widened, his gaze flicking between his siblings and Kai. "What makes you say that?"

Kai explained his observations of the Kazekage, detailing the differences in the impostor's demeanor and chakra signature.

Temari frowned, not wanting to believe that her father was in danger. "And you expect us to trust you, a stranger?"

Kai looked at her with his usual blank expression. "You don't have to trust me. But you should at least check the information I've given you."

Kankuro scoffed. "What do you suggest we do, then?"

Kai's voice remained steady as he explained his plan. "As we were traveling to Konoha from Suna, you were a little too meticulous in destroying bandits on the way. I long realized you were planning something.

Probably Suna will wage a war against Konoha, and I normally couldn't care less. But now the situation is different. You are either being controlled by Orochimaru, who is impersonating your Kage, or worse, you are under the control of a figurehead for a longer time. But now that Konoha knows what is coming, the best course of action is taking their side, lest you suffer further. Work together with Konoha on this, and bring down Orochimaru."

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