Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

[Successfully exchanges close kin for the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, unlocking immunity to Sharingan side effects and doubling eye power. Host receives 100x return...]

[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, granting complete immunity to all Sharingan side effects and enhancing eye power by 200 times!]

Kazuki had used his Mangekyō Sharingan a moderate number of times, not enough to seriously affect his health. Thus, he didn't feel the impact of the immunity. However, he could sense the increase in power—though he wasn't quite sure to what extent. Perhaps even the Rinnegan would pale compared to his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kazuki gave Sasuke a day to get used to his new eyes. The boost in dojutsu and lack of side effects significantly strengthened Sasuke, sparking within him the desire to challenge Kazuki. But Kazuki only needed a few minutes to show Sasuke the reality.

"I'm ready, let's go settle things with Danzo!" Sasuke said eagerly.

"Hold on," Kazuki replied. "Before we act, we're going to meet someone else."

"Who?"

"Orochimaru!"

After forming an alliance with Orochimaru, Kazuki had Danzo reopen the hidden laboratory for him. Without any Flying Thunder God markers in place, Kazuki led Sasuke in from outside. The entrance was inconspicuous, hidden inside a dried-up well in an unremarkable courtyard within Konoha.

Kazuki and Sasuke jumped down the well, spotting a stone door in the faint light.

"Do we really need his help? I can take Danzo down myself!" Sasuke questioned.

"We don't need him to kill Danzo. But this is a good chance to test him—to see if he's genuinely on our side or Danzo's."

Kazuki typically stayed out of Konoha's affairs, let alone visiting Orochimaru's lab. In fact, he rarely came here, and Orochimaru seldom sought him out. Who knows what shady dealings he and Danzo might have in secret?

Kazuki pressed a hidden panel, and the stone door swung open.

"Let's go."

The two stepped inside, entering a narrow tunnel lit by faint flames. Shadows of serpents flickered across the ceiling.

"Hmph, this place is perfect for that snake," Sasuke sneered, following Kazuki.

After walking for about a hundred meters, they rounded a corner and encountered a figure.

"Kazuki, what brings you here?" Orochimaru greeted them.

"Orochimaru? Surprised to see you waiting here," Kazuki remarked, glancing behind him. "Where's Kabuto?"

"He's overseeing some experiments and couldn't come," Orochimaru replied with a smile, though his pale face made it anything but friendly.

"Oh, really? I thought you might have sent Kabuto to destroy some... inconvenient evidence."

Orochimaru's smile didn't waver. "Perish the thought, Kazuki! I have no secrets from you!"

"Let's hope so. Now, show me your experiments."

"Of course."

Orochimaru gestured for them to follow, casting a greedy glance at Sasuke. Though subtle, Sasuke caught Orochimaru's intentions with his Sharingan, which flashed as he surrounded Orochimaru in Amaterasu's black flames.

"Orochimaru, don't get any ideas. Even if Kazuki needs you, I'll kill you if you try anything!" Sasuke warned coldly.

Sweating, Orochimaru gave a forced smile. "I wouldn't dream of it. With your powers, I wouldn't dare."

Kazuki extinguished the flames with his own Mangekyō Sharingan technique.

"Alright, Sasuke, let him be. Orochimaru's strength is limited to his lab work, he's no threat to us," Kazuki assured him.

With Kazuki and Sasuke playing their roles, Orochimaru was thoroughly intimidated by their power, realizing they could destroy him in an instant.

'These two have taken the Uchiha power to unprecedented levels. They're only thirteen, aren't they?' Orochimaru marveled, though he kept his thoughts hidden and respectfully responded to Kazuki.

Led by Orochimaru, they passed through various experiments in progress, ranging from human-animal hybrids to plant-human integration, and even animal-plant fusions. Orochimaru had employed a combination of advanced technology and ninjutsu, attempting to solve scientific mysteries through the lens of ninja arts.

Kazuki couldn't help but admire Orochimaru's twisted genius. Although he hadn't resolved the drawbacks of Living Corpse Reincarnation, he had made progress with cloning—promising, if disturbing.

"With time, I'll soon complete the first batch of successful clones! However, I'll need more funding. Perhaps you could speak to Danzo for support?" Orochimaru suggested.

Kazuki held back a laugh; he knew Orochimaru had already succeeded in cloning years ago. His assurances were merely a way to stall. But Kazuki chose not to call him out.

"Funding from Danzo won't be possible," Kazuki said coolly.

"Why not? Have you and Danzo had... a falling out?" Orochimaru recalled how Danzo's reputation had plummeted in Konoha, while Kazuki's had soared after the Pein Invasion. Many condemned Danzo's retreat as treason and felt he no longer deserved the title of Fifth Hokage.

Meanwhile, Kazuki's heroism in the invasion had earned him admiration, though mostly within the ninja circles. His popularity had even sparked whispers throughout Konoha.

If Kazuki were a bit older and more seasoned, there might have been a serious movement to place him as Hokage.

"Falling out, yes. Danzo isn't suited to his position anymore. I intend to replace him. What do you think, Orochimaru?"

"Um... well, I'll... watch closely."

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg