(Immediately Following the Attack)
The Hokage's office, usually a place of calm efficiency, buzzed with tense activity. The Anbu, their faces grim, knelt before Tsunade, their reports echoing through the silent room. The air was thick with tension, the moonlight casting long, distorted shadows across the scene.
"Two gate guards, dead," the lead Anbu reported, his voice strained. "Significant damage to the Uchiha district. A shinobi displaying traits of the extinct Kaguya clan's final attack…" He paused, his voice trailing off, his eyes reflecting the horror of the scene.
The Anbu knelt, their heads bowed. "They stated they were Orochimaru's subordinates, Hokage-sama," the lead Anbu continued, his voice respectful.
"Sasuke Uchiha and three injured Anbu have been sent to the hospital. The body of the Kaguya clan shinobi, and the remaining bone fragments, are being secured."
Tsunade's expression hardened, her eyes blazing with anger. "Orochimaru," she hissed, her voice laced with venom. "He dares to attack Konoha, to target Sasuke?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "A shinobi, displaying traits of the extinct Kaguya clan," she murmured, her voice thoughtful.
"Send his body to me. I will examine it myself." 'That clan... their abilities are too dangerous to ignore,' she thought, her expression grim.
_____
(Morning, 10:00 AM)
The sterile white of the hospital room was a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night. Sasuke stirred, his eyes fluttering open, his body aching. Sakura, Ino, and Naruto sat around his bed, their expressions etched with worry. Kakashi leaned against the wall, his single visible eye fixed on Sasuke, a hint of concern in his gaze.
"Sasuke!" Sakura exclaimed, her voice laced with relief, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You're awake."
"How are you feeling?" Ino asked, her voice soft, her beautiful eyes filled with concern. She reached out, her hand hovering over his, but hesitated to touch him. 'He almost died,' she thought, her heart pounding. 'What if…'
"Are you okay, Sasuke-teme?" Naruto asked, his voice uncharacteristically subdued, his blue eyes filled with a rare seriousness.
Sasuke managed a gentle smile, a flicker of warmth in his dark eyes. "Pretty okay now," he replied, his voice weak but steady, his gaze lingering on each of them.
The door slid open, revealing Tsunade and Shizune, Tonton trotting beside her. Tsunade's expression was serious.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi greeted, his voice respectful, pushing himself off the wall.
"Tsunade-sensei," Sakura and Ino said in unison, their voices filled with respect.
"Tsunade-Sama," Sasuke said, while trying to get from bed.
"Tsunade-obaa-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, earning a sharp punch on the head from Tsunade.
"From what angle do I look like a grandma?" Tsunade growled, her voice laced with irritation, but a hint of amusement in her eyes.
She turned to Sasuke, her expression softening slightly. "How are you feeling, Sasuke?" she asked, her voice concerned, her emerald eyes scanning him for any lingering injuries. "You're fortunate to have survived. The Kaguya clan's shinobi and that poison…"
"They said they were Orochimaru's subordinates," Sasuke interrupted, his voice laced with anger, his dark eyes blazing. "I will kill him."
Sakura's expression grew worried. "Don't push yourself." She said, her voice filled with worry.
"You are fortunate to survive, don't look for trouble now, just focus on rest" Kakashi said, his voice laced with warning.
"Yes, you should be resting," Ino said with worry.
Tsunade's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "You barely survived against his subordinates," she said, her voice firm, her gaze fixed on Sasuke. "You are not a match for Orochimaru himself."
Sasuke subdued his anger and respectfully nodded as Tsunade spoke, showing that he was listening.
_____
After they all left, Sasuke lay alone in the room, his thoughts swirling, his mind a tempest of anger and determination. 'Orochimaru,' he thought, his eyes blazing with a cold fury.
'He will continue to come after me. I must kill him.'
'And Kabuto,' he thought, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. 'If I kill them now, Madara will never be reanimated. From my past life, I remember their Edo Tensei jutsu. It became a major problem later on. If they die now, there won't be anyone to perfect Edo tensai.'
'Madara Uchiha will only have Nagato's Rinne-Rebirth jutsu to rely on.'
'Even If I kill kabuto, but Orochimaru… he's too slippery,' he thought, his gaze hardening. 'His Living Corpse Reincarnation… it makes him difficult to kill. I need a plan.'
_____
In the depths of his hidden lair, Orochimaru sat, his serpentine eyes fixed on Kin, who knelt before him, her body trembling.
"The mission failed, Orochimaru-sama," Kin stammered, her voice laced with fear. "Kimimaro… he sacrificed himself."
Orochimaru's expression darkened, his aura radiating a chilling menace. "Sasuke Uchiha," he hissed, his voice laced with anger. "I needed that body now, my current vessel is reaching its limit."
Kin flinched, her eyes wide with terror. 'I-is he going to kill me!?,' she thought, her body trembling.
Orochimaru, his anger momentarily subsiding, turned to Kabuto. "We will find another vessel," he said, his voice cold. "Sasuke Uchiha will wait. Kin, tell me everything that transpired."
Kabuto nodded respectfully. "As you wish, Orochimaru-sama," he replied.
Kin began to recount the battle, detailing Sasuke's abilities, the Anbu's intervention, and Kimimaro's final stand. Orochimaru listened intently, his eyes gleaming with a cold, calculating light.
_____
(T&I Department)
Tayuya sat bound in the interrogation room, her eyes defiant, her expression unyielding. Ebisu stood before her, his expression stern.
"Tell us all you know about Orochimaru," Ebisu demanded, his voice firm.
Tayuya scoffed. "I know nothing," she sneered, her voice laced with contempt. "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
Ebisu's expression hardened. "You will talk," he said, his voice cold.
Tayuya laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You can torture me all you want," she retorted, her voice filled with defiance. "I will never betray Orochimaru-sama."
'Those fools,' she thought, her eyes narrowed. 'They think they can break me? I will die before I betray Orochimaru-sama.'