Slayer: Look directly at the Seraph, standing on the sun

Zhang Hai nodded, unwavering. "I've already considered it. I'll choose an elite Jonin as a sacrifice, rather than controlling the entire faction. I don't need complete control; I just need to use it at the appropriate time."

"Smart." Orochimaru's eyes flashed with approval. "It seems you're not someone who blindly pursues power. Your ability to devise a reasonable strategy has already impressed me."

Zhang Hai's gaze hardened. "Konoha's beliefs will not change. Whether it's a resurrected Kage-level shinobi or anyone else, I can control their power and continue to protect Konoha. Even if they are unwilling to stand on my side, I will make them understand that only fighting for Konoha's future is where true value lies."

Orochimaru smiled slightly. "You are different from those people in Konoha. You have an undeniable determination, but I'm curious, do you really think those people in Konoha will stand by your side? Especially Tsunade, she will never understand the sacrifice you've chosen."

“She won’t know,” Zhang Hai replied calmly, a resolute coldness in his eyes. “If she’s unwilling to understand, I don’t expect her forgiveness. For a greater goal, all emotions and responsibilities will be abandoned.”

“You are so resolute.” Orochimaru looked at him, a complex light flashing in his eyes. “You are willing to sacrifice everything, even your relationship with her. You are becoming more and more interesting to me.”

Zhang Hai did not respond, but stared coldly at Orochimaru, as if waiting for his next move. At this moment, he was no longer the avenger who had been shaken, but a true strategist, bearing the heavy responsibility of changing the future of the ninja world.

Orochimaru walked to the experimental table, preparing for the next step of the procedure. "What you want isn't just power, but an opportunity to change the world. Do you truly believe you can do it?"

A fierce flame ignited in Zhang Hai's eyes: "I will not back down. The world's change begins now."

As Zhang Hai's determination grew stronger, the atmosphere in the entire laboratory became tense. The two scheming individuals reached a cooperation that was full of variables.

As night fell, the night sky over Mount Kikyo remained like a blank black canvas, adorned only by the lights illuminating the mountaintop. Zhang Hai stood atop a towering rock, overlooking the reconstructed mountain range, his gaze piercing the night like a sharp blade, keen and resolute. The wind howled through the mountains, carrying the strong scent of earth and a hint of chill, but none of this could shake his resolve.

He understood that in the impending war, the Kikyo Mountain defenses were merely a temporary cover. Although Tsunade had added numerous defensive structures to the mountain, Zhang Hai knew that those obstacles would be as fragile as paper barriers in the face of a real war. He had learned in detail about the composition of these defenses from Sasori's reports; whether it was the sturdy stone walls or the traps surrounding the mountain, they were all designed to deal with conventional attacks and were utterly insufficient to withstand the war he foresaw.

"The defenses of Kikyō Mountain?" Zhang Hai chuckled and whispered, "They're just a thin veil."

He straightened up and turned back to the command center on the mountaintop. There, Scorpion had prepared all the intelligence and was waiting for his instructions on the next move. On the table was a topographical map of the area surrounding Mount Kikyo, with several maps neatly laid out marking possible enemy attack routes, and clear markings showing several breakthrough points he had already anticipated.

“According to the plan, the vanguard of the four-nation alliance will approach from the south tomorrow.” Scorpion calmly analyzed the intelligence, his eyes never leaving the map. “We have already set up enough decoys to distract them.”

Zhang Hai nodded, his eyes gleaming, his resolve unwavering. The enemy's 20,000 elite troops, though numerous, posed no threat to his carefully laid plans. While the defenses of Kikyō Mountain were weak, he had a far stronger scheme. The power of the dragon vein was his key.

“We will use the chakra of the dragon vein to break the enemy’s formation at the most critical moment.” Zhang Hai’s voice was as hard as steel. “Scorpion, you are in charge of controlling the outer perimeter. I will personally lead our main force to counterattack. Today’s defenses are tomorrow’s traps.”

Scorpion nodded, saying nothing more. He knew that Zhang Hai had already set up a vast scheme for this battle, and he was merely a pawn in it. Scorpion's role was to provide silent support from behind the scenes, ensuring that every order Zhang Hai gave was executed precisely.

"Understood, I will arrange it immediately." Scorpion lowered his head, turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Zhang Hai stood by the window, gazing at the distant night sky. He fully grasped the threat posed by the Four-Nation Alliance, and regardless of the enemy's size, he was already prepared. He had deeply considered the situation in Orochimaru's laboratory, using the Mangekyou Sharingan to predict the enemy's movements and adjusting his battle strategy accordingly. The Dragon Vein Chakra would be his ultimate weapon, destroying all obstacles and crushing all resistance.

"The enemy is nothing more than a pawn on my chessboard," Zhang Hai murmured, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered slightly, as if he had sensed something. He turned around and saw Orochimaru slowly walking into the command room.

"It seems you're ready." Orochimaru's voice was deep and magnetic, his eyes revealing an unfathomable emotion.

Zhang Hai didn't turn around, remaining focused on the scenery outside the window. "You're not here to concern yourself with my tactics, Orochimaru. You're here to get what you want."

Orochimaru smiled slightly, walked to Zhang Hai's side, and squinted at the distant night sky. "You are smart. This cooperation is no longer a simple transaction. Since you have given up your feelings for everything, then I will no longer hide my desires."

Zhang Hai finally turned around, his gaze as cold as a knife. "I know what you're thinking, but don't forget, your interest is only in my eyes and blood. You can never possess my soul."

Orochimaru didn't respond, only silently nodding. He knew that Zhang Hai's thoughts were no longer simply about revenge, but rather a greater ambition and scheme. To Orochimaru, this deal and cooperation was fraught with intrigue and calculation from the very beginning. Although Zhang Hai saw through it all, he was still willing to continue. This subtle game of power both intrigued and terrified Orochimaru.

“I know you won’t give up easily,” Orochimaru finally said, “but I also have my plans, Zhang Hai. If you can help me gain enough power, perhaps we can have a deeper collaboration.”