Naruto arrives in the Land of Wind, greeted by the familiar sight of sand dunes stretching across the horizon, bathed in the warm glow of the sun. He makes his way to Gaara's residence, excitement and focus in his stride. Over the past two years, Gaara and Naruto had grown close—bound by their shared experiences and determination to protect those they loved.

As he approaches, Gaara is already waiting for him outside the Kazekage's building. She gives a slight smile, something that two years ago would have been unthinkable for her. "Naruto. Welcome," she says, her voice calm but warm.

Naruto grins, giving her a wave. "Gaara! It's good to see you," he says, his eyes alight with both happiness and seriousness.

They go inside, catching up over tea. Gaara inquires about his travels, and Naruto fills her in on his intense training with Jiraiya, his progress with Sage Mode, and his relentless search for Kaito. Gaara listens intently, nodding at Naruto's newfound resolve.

After some time, Gaara stands, her expression softening. "Would you like to join me for a walk around the village? I think it'll be good for both of us."

Naruto nods eagerly, and they step out, strolling through Sunagakure as villagers glance at them in admiration and awe. The two had gone from outcasts to protectors, and seeing Gaara like this—confident and respected—filled Naruto with pride.

As they walk, Naruto's thoughts drift back to Kaito. "Gaara… I can't shake this feeling. He's out there somewhere. I should be able to sense him, but it's like something's blocking it." His fist clenches in frustration.

Gaara rests a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find him, Naruto. You're not alone in this." Her voice is steady, carrying an unexpected warmth. Gaara, too, had grown more compassionate and open, and her steady support reassured him.

Naruto nods, a glimmer of determination returning. "Thanks, Gaara. I know we will."

They stand together on the edge of the village, watching as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a fiery glow across the sands. In that moment, Naruto realizes that he's not just fighting to bring Kaito back—he's fighting to protect all of his bonds, old and new. And he would go to any length to see that they endure.

In a dimly lit lab deep underground, Orochimaru's lair pulsed with a cold, eerie light. The lab itself was filled with strange, faintly glowing liquids and various monitors tracking Kaito's vitals. He lay on a cold metal table, pale and motionless, yet very much alive. Tubes fed chakra-infused fluids into his veins, and strange seals glowed on his body, holding his regenerative abilities under control.

Orochimaru hovered over Kaito, his hands deftly moving between tools as he examined his creation with a mixture of fascination and obsession. "Truly remarkable," he whispered, his voice soft and chilling. "A perfect specimen of cellular regeneration… no, a masterpiece." He adjusted the flow of chakra into Kaito's body, watching as his wounds slowly healed before his eyes. He had experimented with regeneration before, but Kaito's abilities—derived from the Saibō Ningyō technique—were unlike anything he'd ever encountered.

Nearby, Kabuto monitored the readings on a screen, his gaze flicking between the vitals and Orochimaru. "It's amazing," Kabuto murmured, adjusting his glasses. "Naruto's creation far surpasses anything our research has seen. We could… theoretically learn to replicate this level of regeneration. The possibilities are endless."

"Indeed," Orochimaru replied with a wicked grin. "With this regenerative power, not only can we mend any wound, but we could also unlock new potential within my other vessels." He gestured subtly towards Sasuke, who was observing the experiment with a stoic expression, arms crossed and gaze fixed.

Kimimaro, nearby, was watching the entire scene with a mixture of curiosity and solemn resolve. He had recently been healed, his body strengthened with a combination of medicine and techniques derived from Kaito's cells. With the newfound stability, he felt almost reborn, his loyalty to Orochimaru unshakable. However, he had his own reservations. As much as he appreciated his healing, there was something unnerving about Kaito's silent form on the table. He felt an odd kinship with the boy—another tool, another weapon in Orochimaru's endless pursuit of power.

"Do you think he will wake soon?" Kimimaro asked quietly, addressing Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's serpentine gaze slid over to Kimimaro. "Oh, I expect he'll regain consciousness soon enough. However…" He tilted his head thoughtfully. "His mind may be altered from the 'treatments.' Or perhaps he'll resist and have to be 're-educated.' Either way, he will become my perfect puppet."

Sasuke scoffed slightly, looking unimpressed. "And what's your plan if he's resistant? He was created by Naruto, after all. I doubt he'll be as easy to control as you think."

Orochimaru smirked at Sasuke's skepticism. "Ah, but Sasuke, I've come to understand the complexities of creations like Kaito. Even if he was made by Naruto, it is his very nature to follow commands. That instinct may be enough to turn him into a useful weapon in time. And if not…" Orochimaru's smirk turned into a wicked grin. "There's always other ways to break him."

Kabuto, sensing Sasuke's unease, chimed in. "There are… adjustments we can make to ensure cooperation, Sasuke. Kaito's regenerative powers would be immensely useful, especially if we combine them with certain… loyalty seals."

Sasuke glanced at Kaito's motionless form, his eyes narrowing. "You think he'll just obey if you reprogram him?" Sasuke's tone was skeptical, but a small, intrigued glimmer flickered in his gaze.

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a dangerous spark. "Whether he obeys willingly or not isn't important, Sasuke. His body is valuable to us, and if we can harness it—if we can bend it to our will—there will be nothing in this world that can stop us."

Suddenly, Kaito's hand twitched slightly. Orochimaru's grin widened as he saw the faintest sign of consciousness returning to his subject. "Well, well," he said, leaning closer. "It seems our guest is finally stirring."

Kabuto adjusted the restraints and carefully increased the chakra flow to Kaito, forcing his body to rouse more quickly. Kaito's eyes opened, disoriented and unfocused, but the unmistakable flicker of his Sharingan emerged, spinning slowly as he adjusted to his surroundings.

"Welcome back," Orochimaru purred. "You've been… dormant for some time."

Kaito's gaze shifted around the room, landing on Orochimaru with an expression somewhere between confusion and defiance. "Where… am I?" His voice was hoarse, as if his throat hadn't been used in days.

"You're exactly where you need to be," Kabuto replied smoothly, his voice deceptively kind. "You've been helping us unlock incredible new techniques, Kaito. You're quite special, you know."

Orochimaru leaned closer, eyes gleaming. "Special, indeed. Your regenerative abilities are beyond anything I've ever encountered. And with the enhancements we've given you, you'll become even more powerful."

Kaito's mind was still foggy, but fragments of memories—Naruto, Uyu, the village—flashed in his mind. He pulled against his restraints, but they held firm. "Let me go… I don't belong here," he muttered, his voice weak but filled with defiance.

Orochimaru chuckled. "Oh, but you do, Kaito. You're one of a kind—a masterpiece crafted by a boy who himself has no idea the extent of his own power. But with me, you'll find your true purpose."

Sasuke watched this exchange with a mixture of curiosity and unease. "If he's so powerful, what makes you think he won't just resist?" he asked, his tone challenging.

Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Sasuke, his grin widening. "That's where you come in, Sasuke. I believe that with the right persuasion, Kaito can be… convinced to follow our cause. After all, deep down, he's just a weapon waiting for a master."

Kaito's eyes hardened, his Sharingan sharpening. "I'm no weapon. I'm… I'm Naruto's brother."

Kabuto laughed softly. "Ah, family bonds. Such a quaint notion. But tell me, Kaito—where is Naruto now? Has he come to rescue you? No? It seems to me you're on your own."

At Kabuto's words, a hint of despair flickered in Kaito's eyes, but he quickly buried it, his gaze growing colder. "Naruto will come for me," he said, though the resolve in his voice was tinged with uncertainty.

Orochimaru smirked, amused. "Perhaps. But until he does, you belong to me. And I intend to make full use of you."

With that, Orochimaru turned to leave, his voice lingering as he addressed the others. "Keep him under close observation, Kabuto. I want to test the full extent of his powers."

Kabuto nodded, his gaze steady. "Understood, Lord Orochimaru."

As they left Kaito alone, the door closing with a final, ominous thud, he struggled against his restraints, knowing that escape was impossible. For now, he was at Orochimaru's mercy. But even as fear gripped him, he clung to the thought of Naruto and the village.

In the dim, oppressive atmosphere of Orochimaru's lab, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and watched Kaito from a nearby observation room. Kaito's body lay restrained, his gaze empty as he drifted in and out of consciousness. His regenerative abilities were remarkable, far beyond anything Kabuto had encountered, and more importantly, they showed no signs of decline or deterioration.

Kabuto turned to Orochimaru, who stood at the window with a calculating gaze. "Orochimaru-sama," he began, keeping his voice low but direct. "I've been running extensive tests on Kaito's cells. His regenerative abilities don't just heal his body; they actively prevent his cells from aging."

Orochimaru's golden eyes widened slightly with interest. "You're telling me that he's effectively immune to the ravages of time?"

Kabuto nodded. "Precisely. His cellular structure adapts, constantly renewing itself. Unlike other vessels, he won't succumb to wear over the years. And with his Uchiha-derived genetics and unique modifications… he may be the ideal vessel you've been searching for."

Orochimaru's smile grew into a sinister, serpentine grin. "Oh, Kabuto… if what you're saying is true, then Kaito may indeed be the perfect host." He clasped his hands behind his back, the excitement barely concealed in his voice. "Not only would I gain the abilities of the Uchiha, but I'd also achieve the immortality I've sought for so long."

Kabuto nodded thoughtfully. "It's risky, but I believe he would adapt to your spirit transfer better than any host you've tried before. His cellular structure is inherently adaptive, meaning he could stabilize your essence even more effectively than Sasuke might."

Orochimaru considered this with a dark glimmer in his eye. "Sasuke's body has always intrigued me for its sheer potential, but if Kaito is as resilient as you say, I could achieve everything I need without the wait." He paused, as if savoring the possibilities. "Besides, Sasuke's loyalty is… tenuous. Kaito, on the other hand, has no choice."

Kabuto smirked, appreciating the irony. "Yes. Kaito's Saibō Ningyō nature makes him far easier to control. He lacks Naruto's independence and would adapt to your influence, almost like a blank slate. Given time, he could become the perfect vessel—one fully molded to your will."

A thought occurred to Orochimaru, his expression darkening with a twisted delight. "And his bond with Naruto… Imagine the torment Naruto would feel if he ever discovered that his 'brother' became part of me. I could use Kaito against him, breaking him from within."

Kabuto's eyes gleamed. "It would be a devastating blow to Naruto, indeed. With Kaito under your control, he'd be an unbreakable weapon against the Leaf—and against Naruto himself."

Orochimaru gave a soft laugh, reveling in the idea. "This has to be done with precision, Kabuto. We'll need to break down his memories, reshape his sense of loyalty, and ensure there are no lingering bonds to his old life."

Kabuto nodded. "It will require extensive work, but I've already begun implementing measures to weaken his resistance. With enough time and the right methods, we can strip away his memories of the Leaf, his ties to Naruto… and mold him into the perfect host for you."

Orochimaru's face softened with cruel satisfaction as he pictured his future with Kaito's abilities and eternal youth at his disposal. "Then begin, Kabuto. I want Kaito prepared for the ritual by the next lunar cycle. Ensure that his loyalty lies solely with me, no matter what remains of his mind afterward."

"As you wish," Kabuto said with a deferential bow. "Kaito will be ready."

As Orochimaru departed, Kabuto turned back to the lab, studying Kaito's serene face as he lay motionless under the dim light. With a sense of twisted pride, he felt certain that Kaito's transformation would be a triumph, a perfect testament to their mastery of forbidden techniques. For now, Kaito was just a tool, a means to Orochimaru's ends.

But Kabuto couldn't help but wonder… how far could they push this perfect, self-renewing creature? And just what might be possible when Kaito's spirit was entirely Orochimaru's to command?