A/N: Wow, I think it's been almost a year now since I uploaded anything. Even so, this one's just a short chapter. Heh, I'm still working on the sequel/s to Overcast. Writing an epic length fic/s is not as easy as you think. I don't know how the others do it. Well, I'll shut up now. This is a fanfiction site, not a blog.
Chapter not beta-ed.
They called him a genius.
Years later, they called him a renegade, a traitor. It was then that he realized that there was a thin, smudged line between ingenuity and insanity. What was wrong with aspiring to be simply the best? He had drive. He had ambition! He refused to let anything – not even trivial matters such as ethics – to delay his progress. Surely that had to be considered a virtue.
Apparently, not this hidden village. Really, he couldn't see how wasting time with ethics made the Leaf a powerful force. His talent became a liability; it made him dangerous to all, including his own comrades.
They were fools, all of them.
For trying to stunt his growth, for having the audacity to contain him in a box, and Kami-sama for condemning him for simply wanting to be the best. Those arrogant Leaf nin! Just who the hell did they think they are? They were jealous! They hated him for his gift, for his sheer thirst for knowledge, for his grit, diligence, and determination. By all rights, the title of Hokage belonged to him. Him! It was within his reach, but the senile old man snatched it right from under his nose and gave it to some- some kid!!!
Indeed, the village was guilty of the cardinal sin of complacency and arrogance. His orchestrated attack during the Chunin exams showed the ninja world how the Leaf is slipping, currently relying on their reputation for being the best. This will prove to be their undoing.
He didn't need them. No way. See, he was Otokage now, with jutsus far greater, much more innovative than that of the Leaf's. He had legions of loyal servants under him, and is so close to reaching his dream: power overwhelming.
However, the blot in his past, the hateful village of the Leaf, stood before him. If he didn't erase his past, then he can never move forward.
This plan of his was progressing smoothly for now. The distraction provided by the Hidden Grass had given him a chance to infiltrate the village. Like a deadly virus, he will have sabotaged the village's internal working system, making it easier for his army to wash over it, like a torrent. The beginning of the end is sitting in front of him, bound and gagged.
Dark lips curving upwards, his fingers blurred into a long jutsu. His captive seems to recognize the technique as beads of perspiration began to appear on her forehead, along with her eyes widening in horror and recognition.
Handseals finished, Orochimaru placed his palm on the damp forehead of the now struggling captor, electric jolts visibly surging into her body. Now smiling, he murmured the jutsu's name.
"Snake's Marionette Jutsu."
Grinning so hard and wide that his wisdom teeth were almost showing, he giggled, "Like it? It's one of my newer jutsus. It's like the Yamanaka jutsu, but there are a lot more features, like all other products of the Hidden Sound. The main difference is that the controller can stay fully conscious while controlling the 'puppet'. I've always wanted my very own puppet! Even Kabuto has nothing on you! Oh yeah, I can also kill you via mind link; that means I don't even have to touch you. Perfect for hostage situations, don't you think?"
The captive remained motionless, unable to show any sign of external control. Finally, she cracked a smile, and spoke. "I would be happy to make you happy, Orochimaru-sama." He roared with laughter.
"Oh, yes! Yes, that's a good one! Alright, say that I'm manly!"
She pressed up against his side and caressed his chest and purred, "Oh, Orochimaru-sama. You're sooo manly!" Again, he howled in hilarity.
Kneeling down and patting her on the head, the Snake summoner looked into her eyes and spoke in a patronizing voice. "I need your help and support, little child. With you, I will be able to punish those who never played fair and let me achieve my dream! So please help me; lend me your strength, my little Sakura-chan!"
A/N: By now, you'll have noticed that I don't bother using Japanese names for jutsus. Why? Because I don't have to prove anything to anyone, unlike some writers… (I believe I have already mentioned this in a fic) Japanese will only be used on names and honorifics, and whatever. Bare essentials.
And it ends with another cliffhanger, once again. Aren't I sadistic? How could I not, after having my side mirrors stolen for the second time. (Incidents like these…and far worse than simple thievery, are a common occurrence in the Philippines, especially now that elections are near – politicians will be looking for ways to finance their campaigns.) Of course, we have a tradition here of beating up criminals when caught. That's right, bystanders just come and join in the fun! Sort of like a lynch mob in the States, except that we don't kill him…usually.
Summer is coming once again, as I can already feel the heat. I don't know how I'll be able to survive April and May. Man, I wanna move to Alaska.
I'll try to upload the next chapter within a year...fine, six months. :D Yeah, I'd hate me too.