After leaving the Land of Wind, Uchiha Gen and his three subordinates, Fuguki, Biwa Jūzō, and Kisame Hoshigaki, traveled across the desert, heading deep into the wilderness of the former Whirlpool Country. When they reached an open clearing surrounded by rolling plains and ruined stone, Gen finally stopped.
The three Mist swordsmen landed lightly beside him. Gen formed a series of hand seals, and with three sharp bangs, plumes of white smoke erupted before them. A flick of his sleeve sent three sealed scrolls gliding through the air—one to each of the men.
"These contain the Water Release techniques and research notes of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama," Gen said calmly. "Study them carefully."
The three Mist ninja exchanged surprised glances before breaking into smiles.
"Thank you, Lord Gen!" they chorused.
Everyone in the ninja world knew the Second Hokage's mastery of Water Release—his speed, precision, and overwhelming power had made his name legendary. For these three, who specialized in water-based combat, it was the greatest gift imaginable.
Gen continued, his tone turning cold. "Do not reveal these techniques before outsiders. If you ever have to use them—leave no witnesses."
"Yes, Lord Gen!"
"When you've mastered them," Gen added, "send word. That will be the time to move against Danzō."
The three straightened. "Understood!"
"One more thing," Gen said, his expression easing slightly. "Next time we meet, each of you will hand me a written analysis of your own Water Release insights. I'm conducting my own research."
"Yes, my lord."
"Good," Gen said with a faint smile. "Now let's change our appearances and head to the Whirlpool Capital for a proper meal. Eat whatever you like, it's on me."
The three grinned and nodded immediately. With a flash of chakra, they transformed into inconspicuous travelers and followed Gen toward the city.
Given the size of Fuguki and the others, their appetites were enormous and Gen's wasn't small either. When the four of them sat down at the most luxurious restaurant in the Whirlpool Capital, they ordered without restraint.
By the end of the feast, the Mist trio's hearts ached as they watched the bill—while Gen seemed entirely unconcerned. Money, to him, was no more than dust.
After lunch, Gen handed Kisame and Jūzō heavy pouches of ryo which was enough to last them months. "Focus on training," he said simply. "Don't worry about living expenses."
When he later used the Flying Thunder God Technique to send Fuguki back to the Hidden Mist, he gave him money as well.
Unlike Kisame and Jūzō, Fuguki's loyalty was more complex. He had greed in his heart—for wealth, influence, and recognition. But Gen understood people well enough to know when indulgence worked better than restraint.
Once everything was settled, Gen returned quietly to Konoha.
Within days, the disappearance of Rasa and his escorts had thrown Sunagakure into chaos.
Investigators quickly uncovered the irregularities at the Kobe Oasis outpost and the signs of battle that had been hastily concealed. Witness statements and environmental traces pointed to one grim conclusion—Rasa and his team had most likely perished.
The outrage across the Hidden Sand was immense. First the Third Kazekage had vanished mysteriously, now the Fourth had disappeared without a trace.
Were they to be mocked as a village that could lose Kage after Kage without retaliation?
The enraged council mobilized every available resource. For half a month, the Sand's best trackers and sensors scoured the region. The only clue they found was a faint connection to the Hidden Mist—nothing solid enough to act upon, but enough to deepen suspicion.
The matter reached a deadlock. Without concrete proof, the Sand leadership couldn't risk reigniting war with the Mist. Their forces were still strained, their conflict with Iwagakure unresolved.
Reluctantly, the council decided to suppress their fury and move the investigation underground.
With Rasa's death unconfirmed but his absence undeniable, the issue of succession arose.
Due to Gen's earlier manipulations, Chiyo and the other elders believed that the Third Kazekage might still be alive somewhere. They proposed sending envoys to the Akatsuki Organization to find him and persuade him to return.
If he refused, then a new Kazekage would have to be chosen.
In the meantime, the village would be governed collectively by the elders. But in truth, everyone knew who the next Kazekage would be.
Pakura's ascension was inevitable.
The Third Kazekage was long dead, turned into a puppet by Sasori. When the truth eventually surfaced, Hidden Sand would need a leader who could both restore morale and unite its people.
Chiyo and Ebizō were too old. And after the disgrace of her grandson killing a Kazekage, Chiyo herself would hardly accept the role even if offered.
Among the younger generation, only two stood out, Pakura and Baki.
But in both strength and prestige, Baki couldn't compare.
Pakura had the support of the elders and the admiration of the people. Her rise was as logical as it was emotional.
And beyond that, her alliance with Uchiha Gen would grant the Sand a powerful external ally—one they desperately needed.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Gen was in his office at the Police Force headquarters, calmly reviewing reports. His pen moved across red inked seals when a pale white snake slithered silently up the leg of his desk.
Gen looked up with faint amusement. The snake opened its jaws and spat out a small scroll, glistening with mucus.
Gen wiped it clean with a tissue before unrolling it.
As expected—it was from Orochimaru. The message confirmed that his former teacher had completed Sage Mode training and returned secretly to the village.
Gen wrote a brief reply, rolled the scroll again, and fed it back into the snake's mouth. The creature swallowed it whole, then slithered toward the open window and vanished into the night.
"Someone," Gen called.
"Chief!" An Uchiha from internal affairs entered and bowed.
"Go to my house," Gen instructed. "Tell them I won't be home for dinner—I'll be eating with my teacher. Then inform Anko to wait for me after work."
"Yes, Chief."
Three and a half hours later, Gen finished his duties and met Anko at the Police Force entrance. Together, they stopped by the market to buy ingredients, then headed toward Orochimaru's home.
"We're almost there—let go of me already," Anko whispered, her cheeks faintly red.
"What are you afraid of?" Gen teased. "It's a good chance to let Sensei know about us. We're adults now—no need to be shy."
"I just feel awkward holding hands in front of him," she muttered. "Let go, or I won't… do that thing you like anymore."
Gen immediately released her hand. Her special technique was not something he could easily give up.
They entered the courtyard. A young boy with short silver hair and round glasses came out to greet them, bowing politely.
"Lord Gen, Lady Anko."
Yakushi Kabuto smiled—genuinely this time, not the polite mask he wore for others.
"Oh, it's you," Anko said with a hint of suspicion.
"I asked him to come," Gen explained lightly. "He's been helping Orochimaru with research—his unofficial apprentice, really."
"I see."
Satisfied, Anko went ahead into the house to find her teacher. She'd missed Orochimaru deeply; for her, he was both mentor and parent figure.
Gen remained outside with Kabuto. "Any updates on Nonou's situation?" he asked quietly.
Kabuto nodded. "Yes, and thank you again for your help."
Nonou, Kabuto's adoptive mother and a Root agent, was still undercover outside Konoha. Gen had been discreetly providing communication channels for them to exchange information safely.
"It's a small matter," Gen said.
"To you, maybe," Kabuto replied sincerely. "But to me—it means everything. Please, if there's ever something you need, command me without hesitation."
Gen's smile deepened. "You're clever. You already guessed I have something for you."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Please tell me."
"I want you to research something for me," Gen said, lowering his voice. "How to make a woman's beauty last longer."
Kabuto blinked. "Huh?"
"Surprised?" Gen smirked. "You're still young, you wouldn't understand. But beauty is power and profit."
Kabuto hesitated, then bowed. "I don't quite understand, but I'll take it seriously. Once I've finished Lord Orochimaru's current tasks, I'll devote most of my time to this research."
"Good," Gen said. "If you succeed, you and Orochimaru will never lack funding again. Women—especially noble daughters—would pay fortunes for eternal youth."
Kabuto's eyes lit up. "Understood, Lord Gen. I'll begin immediately."
Satisfied, Gen nodded and stepped inside.
"Sensei," he greeted. "It's been too long."
Orochimaru sat in the living room, draped in a pale yellow kimono, his face pallid and elegant. White snake earrings glinted at his ears. His eyes shimmered with amusement.
"It has," he said, voice soft and drawn out. "Now, help me prepare dinner."
Since Gen's departure from Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru's meals had been dreadful—barely edible before he'd mastered Sage Mode.
Gen and Kabuto went to the kitchen while Anko stayed with Orochimaru, catching up and discussing new training methods.
An hour later, the four gathered around a simple table, sharing food and sake under warm light. Even Kabuto, though underage, joined them in drinking a little.
When the dishes were cleared, Kabuto and Anko stayed behind to tidy up while Gen and Orochimaru stepped outside.
The moon hung like silver silk across the dark sky. Cool wind drifted through the garden as teacher and student walked side by side.
"I've heard much about your recent activities," Orochimaru said quietly. "You've grown strong—but your conflicts with the elders are deepening. Be careful. They're sly old serpents, every one of them."
"I know," Gen said, hands clasped behind his back. "And when the time comes for a decisive confrontation, I hope you'll stand with me."
Orochimaru smiled faintly, half his face swallowed by moonlight. "Naturally. But be measured. Push too far, and Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki won't sit idle."
"In your opinion, Sensei, how far is too far?"
"If it comes to open conflict," Orochimaru mused, "their bottom line will be avoiding civil war in Konoha. The ideal path is to make the elders retire voluntarily—to hand over power on their own. But…" His eyes narrowed. "Power is a drug, Gen. Once tasted, no one gives it up willingly. Unless you make them despair, they'll cling to it till the end."
"I understand," Gen said softly. "I won't act rashly—not until I'm ready."
And he knew when that would be.
When his Mangekyō evolved into the Eternal Mangekyō.
With the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan combined with Sage Mode, there would be no equal in this world—unless the Sage of Six Paths himself appeared.
His years of planning were nearing fruition. The time of reckoning was close.
He looked up at the stars, his eyes reflecting faint scarlet. The Sage of Six Paths had watched this world for millennia, never intervening—even as his sons' reincarnations clashed again and again. If the Sage could ignore endless bloodshed, why should I hesitate to act for true peace?
"Sensei," Gen asked suddenly, "how far have you come with Sage Mode?"
"I've grasped its essence," Orochimaru replied. "But my control is still incomplete."
"And its power?"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "It's… magnificent."
"Then tell me," Gen said, his tone thoughtful, "do you think it's possible for humans to absorb natural energy directly without relying on chakra as a medium and evolve beyond current limits?"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "An intriguing thought. Dangerous but not impossible. Without chakra as a buffer, most would die from nature's erosion. Yet… in theory, it could be done. There are no absolutes in this world."
His lips curled into that familiar, serpentine smile. "If immortality is achievable, then why not that?"
Gen nodded. "There are two reasons humans can't handle natural energy directly. One, our bodies are too weak. Two, we haven't yet found the key to harmonize with it. Mixing it with chakra is merely a compromise."
He looked toward the moon. "Between chakra and nature, I'm more interested in nature's power. It's vast, limitless—a true frontier."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed like twin serpents. "Heh… you always amuse me, Gen. Of course I'm interested. Natural energy—yes, it must be the brightest jewel in the crown of truth."
"Then we'll study it together," Gen said, smiling faintly.
"Together," Orochimaru echoed.
Under the pale moonlight, the two's laughter blended with the wind—teacher and student once again aligned, plotting quietly toward a future that might reshape the entire ninja world.