Naruto: The ANBU God

Suddenly, as if an idea had crossed his mind, a question loaded with intention broke the silence.

"Tell me, Luo Lei-kun, have you ever considered the position of Hokage?" Orochimaru's voice was soft, but his gaze was penetrating.

The response was immediate. "I'm not interested in the slightest," Luo Lei declared, shaking his head. "My only desire is to be Konoha's hero, its protector. I want to maintain the village's peace, stability, and prosperity. To contribute to its development and make it shine in the world."

A mix of fascination crossed Orochimaru's face. The devotion in the voice was palpable, but he couldn't help but remember the cold indifference with which he had massacred the Root ninja and humiliated Danzō.

"Oh," he murmured. "How noble of you."

Apparently oblivious to the scrutiny, Luo Lei arched an eyebrow and returned the question. "And you, Orochimaru? Do you have ambitions to be Hokage?"

A smile curved the Sannin's lips. "I have some ideas, yes," he admitted, with barely contained ambition. "Konoha has stagnated. The ideas of the previous generation are rigid, rotten. The system is obsolete." His voice gained intensity, passion. "We need reforms. Imagine a Konoha that prioritizes scientific research. We could lead the village into a new era of development and power!"

As he spoke, memories of a past conversation with Hiruzen flooded his mind. He had suggested reforming the ninja Academy, arguing that not everyone was destined to be a ninja and that scientific research could produce surprising results. But Hiruzen had rejected it, insisting that ninjutsu and chakra were the basis of everything, and that the rest was useless.

A serious nod accompanied Luo Lei's response. "You're right," he said. "Technology is the main productive force. I fully support you in this."

Surprise shone in Orochimaru's eyes. "Really?" he asked, with genuine curiosity.

"Absolutely," Luo Lei confirmed. "Technology and invention will be the primary elements in transforming the ninja world."

Orochimaru, in the future, would create a multitude of unique innovations. If Orochimaru could become the Fourth Hokage and not turn extremist, he could guide Konoha towards constant and positive scientific and technological development.

A laugh of delight escaped Orochimaru's lips. "Wonderful! With your support, my confidence has multiplied." His eyes shone with anticipation. "Let's work together, then. For the future of Konoha."

However, even as he spoke, he was aware of the obstacles he would face: opposition from the main clans, distrust from high command, now enmity with Danzō. And, of course, Hiruzen's unwavering support for Minato.

But with Luo Lei, the self-proclaimed "Homelander" of Konoha, on his side... perhaps his dreams weren't so out of reach.

Luo Lei stretched, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. "I agree," he said simply. "Let's work together." In his mind, he felt satisfied. He had done what he wanted and was content

with the result.

...

A deathly silence enveloped the Sunagakure camp in Kikyoyama. The news of their elite team's annihilation at the hands of Luo Lei had fallen like a slab on the present shinobi.

In the center of the camp, a dimly lit tent housed a tense scene. Chiyo, the legendary puppet master, paced back and forth, her face contorted in a grimace of fury and frustration.

"DAMN IT!" she finally exploded, her voice trembling with rage. "WHY? Why is it so damned difficult to get my revenge?" Her eyes shone with hatred accumulated over years. "The White Fang of Konoha killed my son and daughter-in-law, and now his damn apprentice massacres our elite squad as if they were freshly graduated genin!"

Observing with concern, Ebizō, her brother, took advantage of a pause to intervene. "Sister," he said in a cautious voice, "something doesn't add up. Pakura... why did she return directly to Sunagakure instead of coming back to the camp? She's the only survivor. Something terrible must have happened."

Chiyo stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. She turned to a nearby ANBU, who seemed to want to melt into the shadows. "You," she snapped, making the ninja shudder. "What exactly did Pakura say?"

Swallowing audibly, sweat beading on his forehead under the mask, the ANBU stammered: "Pa-Pakura-sama said... she said we should be careful of Konoha's ANBU deputy captain, Luo Lei. Not only does he have Kage-level strength, but he's also... he's a complete lunatic."

A heavy silence fell over the tent. Chiyo closed her eyes, her mind connecting the dots of a picture she'd rather not see. As a woman, she immediately understood what those words implied about what Pakura had suffered.

When she reopened her eyes, they were full of fury. "That... that monster," she hissed between her teeth. "Not only did he massacre our elite squad, but he dared to... to..." The words choked her, too furious to articulate them.

The idea that her sworn enemy's apprentice had not only defeated her elite team, but also abused Pakura and then calmly arrived at the Konoha camp... It was as if she had been made to swallow hot sand. The humiliation burned in her throat.

Suddenly, Ebizō exploded. "DAMN IT!" he roared, slamming the table. "Those damn Konoha bastards fooled us like children! They made us believe Luo Lei was a simple Jōnin, and look what it has cost us!" He spat, his face contorted in a grimace of disgust. "Konoha... they're damned liars. Despicable fools!"

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who until that moment had remained in contemplative silence, finally spoke.

"Perhaps..." he began, his eyes narrowed in reflection, "perhaps it's not just Konoha who was deceived. It's possible that Luo Lei had been hiding his true strength even from his own leaders." He paused. "Let's remember that after Sakumo's death, Luo Lei wasn't exactly the favorite of Konoha's high command."

Slowly rising, Rasa continued, his voice gaining intensity. "Something big has happened in the Konoha camp. Danzō, that old man, has been withdrawn to Konoha, supposedly for medical reasons. Orochimaru has risen to commander-in-chief, and Luo Lei..." his eyes narrowed dangerously, "Luo Lei is now the new deputy commander."

Chiyo and Ebizō exchanged looks of astonishment and alarm. They had been so focused on Pakura's fate and the threat Luo Lei represented that they had overlooked these changes.

"What the hell is going on there?" Chiyo demanded, her voice trembling with frustration. "How is it possible that we overlooked something so important?"

Rasa shook his head, his expression grim. "I've sent countless ninja to gather information," he admitted, a touch of defeat in his voice. "None have returned. It's as if the Konoha camp has become a black hole."

Leaning over the table, Rasa concluded: "The only thing we know for certain is that Luo Lei is not a simple Jōnin. He's a Kage-level monster, a threat that could change the course of this war."

"This changes everything," Chiyo murmured…

________

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