Deception

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Horyu leaned back, considering the risk of venturing into the ruins of Uzushiogakure. "The Uzumaki secrets were coveted, even feared. Whatever remains, it's bound to be protected, perhaps by traps, seals, or even guardians from the spectral plane itself." The notion didn't deter him; rather, it ignited a spark of anticipation. "But the rewards could outweigh the risks. Techniques, allies, knowledge... power."

Horyu's thoughts delved deeper into the tumultuous history that led to the downfall of Uzushio, the once-great village of the Uzumaki Clan. It was not just an unfortunate casualty of the ninja world's endless conflicts; it was a targeted obliteration. The Mist, Cloud, and Stone villages, recognizing the formidable power and influence wielded by the Uzumaki through their unparalleled sealing techniques, had come together in a rare union of purpose. Their goal was clear and chilling: to eradicate the Uzumaki and claim or destroy their secrets to prevent their use against them.

This plot, a dark chapter in shinobi history, was something Horyu couldn't overlook. He pondered the role of Konoha during this crisis, especially the decision made by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Hiruzen, known for his wisdom and strength, seemingly chose to forsake the Uzumaki when they needed Konoha the most. Horyu couldn't help but wonder about the depth of Hiruzen's knowledge of the situation. Given the time of war and the significant force assembled by the allied villages, it was almost inconceivable that Konoha's intelligence networks, some of the best in the world, were unaware of the impending attack.

This betrayal, or perhaps a strategic sacrifice in the grim calculus of wartime leadership, cast a long shadow over Konoha's history with the Uzumaki. Horyu understood that the ruins of Uzushiogakure might still hold the bitterness of that betrayal, along with the traps and seals left by its last defenders. The prospect of facing guardians from the spectral plane, possibly summoned in a final desperate bid to protect their legacy, added a layer of danger and mystery to the expedition.

Yet, for Horyu, the potential rewards of venturing into Uzushiogakure's ruins—the chance to uncover lost Uzumaki techniques, to perhaps connect more deeply with the Plane of Specters, and to wield the kind of power that once made entire nations tremble—far outweighed the risks. It was a path fraught with peril, but also brimming with the possibility of untold power.

Horyu knew he needed to prepare, to gather information, resources, and possibly allies for such an expedition. "First, I need to learn more about the Uzumaki's sealing techniques, their history with the Plane of Specters. Then, I'll need to assemble a team... discreetly."

–

In the faraway hidden base, the air was thick with a sense of foreboding. Orochimaru and Sasori were seated next to each other, their conversation weaving through the dimly lit room. "I gotta say, your sense of immortality gives me goosebumps," Orochimaru remarked, his gaze lingering on Sasori's true form—a living puppet, a masterpiece of his own making.

Sasori, whose expression remained unchanged, retorted, "You are one to talk? You switch bodies like they are clothes. That is not artistic at all." His voice was as emotionless as his puppet body, yet it carried a weight, a critique of Orochimaru's own pursuits.

Orochimaru chuckled, a sound that seemed to echo off the walls of their clandestine meeting place. "Touche," he conceded with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "But talking about art, I found a talented renegade. He might be useful to our cause."

Sasori nodded, the motion almost imperceptible. "So long as he is not annoying," he stated, his voice betraying a hint of disdain for those he deemed unworthy of their attention.

Orochimaru sighed, leaning back in his chair. "In our line of business, eccentricity is a must," he mused, a smirk playing on his lips. Sasori snorted in response, a rare moment of agreement between the two.

At that moment, Kabuto entered the room, his presence almost as silent as a shadow. He bowed, offering a scroll to each of his masters. "These are the information we gathered from spies, Masters," he announced.

Taking their respective scrolls, Orochimaru and Sasori unfurled them, their eyes scanning the contents with keen interest. The documents were a mix of intel, meticulously altered, added to, and omitted from the original reports by Horyu. The alterations were subtle, designed to mislead and manipulate, a testament to Horyu's cunning and strategic mind.

In the dimly lit base, the air crackled with tension as Orochimaru and Sasori pored over the scrolls Kabuto had just delivered. Each word, each sentence was laden with implications, shifting the undercurrents of their dark partnership. Orochimaru's eyes danced with a mix of intrigue and skepticism, while Sasori, ever the stoic, allowed only the smallest flicker of surprise to pass over his puppet features.

"Zetsu... Ever heard of him?" Orochimaru's voice broke the silence, a hint of curiosity threading through his usual sardonic tone.

Sasori's response was a subtle shake of his head, his fingers pausing on the parchment. For someone as deeply entrenched in the espionage network as Sasori, the absence of any prior knowledge on 'Zetsu' was telling. "And how trustable is this information?" he pressed, his gaze shifting to Kabuto, who had remained silent up until now.

Kabuto's smile was thin, his eyes gleaming behind his glasses. "As usual, take it with a pinch of salt." His voice was calm.

Orochimaru let out a bark of laughter, the sound echoing off the stone walls of their hideout. "Uchiha Madara's will? His successor? The plan to enslave the people of this world to awaken the mother of Chakra?" He shook his head, his expression one of amused disbelief. "I say we outright dismiss all these nonsenses."

Indeed, the information was a fabrication, a web of lies and half-truths spun by Horyu with the precision of a master weaver. The mention of 'Zetsu', the elusive figure stirring the chaos, the grandiose plans of awakening a 'mother of Chakra'—all were designed to sow seeds of confusion, to make those hidden in the shadows question their understanding of the world.

Both Sasori and Orochimaru were veterans of deception, their lives a testament to the power of information—both true and false. Yet, the details of Horyu's construction were intricate, believable enough to instigate a moment of doubt, a pause in their certainty. It was this crack, this momentary lapse, that Horyu aimed to exploit.

"Zetsu could be an ally, or a new enemy," Sasori mused, his voice devoid of any real concern. His life as a puppet had numbed him to the surprises of the shinobi world, yet the potential for a new variable in their plans warranted consideration.

Orochimaru, however, was more dismissive. "Or a phantom, a ghost story to scare children. Uchiha Madara's will? Please, the man's been dead for decades. And this talk of enslaving the world to awaken some mythical figure?" He waved a hand, dismissing the notion. "Fairy tales and fables."

Yet, beneath the skepticism, there was a gleam of interest in Orochimaru's eyes—a recognition of the chaos such tales could unleash. "But let's not be too hasty in our dismissal. If there's a shred of truth to this... Uchiha Madara's successor, you say?" His gaze lingered on the scroll, pondering the strategic advantages of aligning with—or against—such a figure.

Sasori's reply was a nod, his mind already turning over the possibilities. "We keep our ears to the ground. If this 'Zetsu' or Madara's so-called successor shows himself, we'll be ready."

Kabuto, standing at the sidelines, observed the exchange with a careful neutrality. His role was to serve, to provide information and support, but the dynamics of power were not lost on him. "I'll continue to monitor the situation," he offered, his voice a perfect blend of loyalty and detachment.

As the meeting drew to a close, the scrolls were rolled up, the secrets they contained tucked away for future contemplation. Orochimaru and Sasori, each lost in their thoughts, knew the value of information—how it could be wielded like a weapon or shielded like the most precious treasure.

The same report that tickled the skepticism of Orochimaru and Sasori also found its way to the desks of the world's other major shinobi powers. As the scrolls were unrolled in the offices of the Four Kages, a similar air of curiosity and caution enveloped their chambers. Despite the divergent paths they walked, the leaders of the Five Great Shinobi Countries shared a common understanding: the world of shinobi was one of deception and hidden truths. The mention of a figure like 'Zetsu' and the revival of Uchiha Madara's will stirred the waters of their calm, forcing their hands towards precautionary measures.

Reading the end of the report, Orochimaru and Sasori came to the same conclusion with everyone else that read the report. "There is only one way to affirm these," Orochimaru stated. Sasori nodded, his gaze lingering on the document. "Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susano'o. Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan Abilities. So long as we confirm his powers, we can also verify the rest of the report." Orochimaru's smirk was evident. "This will be interesting."

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