Under the wild assault of the snake swarm, it didn't take long before all the high-ranking members of the Political Faction—including Gideon—were completely captured and tied to the walls, unable to move.
Only then did the Orochimaru sub-personality stop, licking his lips with a twisted grin as he stepped back behind Stephanie.
He didn't try to take control, since both he and the Itachi sub-personality were only here to support Stephanie.
Now was her time to step forward.
And she did. Taking a step ahead, she looked at Gideon and said, "I warned you—it would get ugly if things went this far. So, have you changed your mind now, Dad?"
Gideon, pinned to the wall with only his head free, didn't look happy at all.
"Does it even matter now if I have or not?"
"It matters," Stephanie said firmly.
"I told you, I only stepped forward because I thought it was time for you to retire. But if you don't hand me this position yourself, how could I sit in it comfortably?"
"So now I should thank you?" Gideon sneered.
"I know you must hate me right now, Dad… but I believe one day, you'll understand why I did this," she said, her expression complicated.
She was speaking to her father—But maybe she was also saying it to herself.
Until now, she hadn't been sure if she made the right choice. She had just convinced herself she was doing the right thing.
In her view, the stronger Raymond was, the more correct her choice seemed.
But if her decision ended up delivering Hydra into Raymond's hands, then it meant she had made a mistake.
Seeing the power the Orochimaru sub-personality had just shown… She finally felt some relief inside.
Based on her earlier observations of both sub-personalities—It was clear that the quiet "Mr. Weasel" was likely even stronger than "Mr. Snake," who had just made his move.
And if "Mr. Snake" alone could crush the entire Political Faction with ease—What would happen if "Mr. Weasel" got serious?
The stronger these two were, the stronger her mysterious new boss must be. It was a simple cause and effect.
And now she had proof—Her decision had not been wrong.
If she had refused Raymond, even if he didn't hold it against her personally—Once he chose someone else to purge Hydra and wipe out any resistance… Gideon's fate would be far worse than just retirement.
Of course, Gideon couldn't possibly forgive his only daughter so easily for this betrayal.
But at this point, there was no point in resisting further. The facts were clear: Stephanie wouldn't stop, whether he agreed or not.
He sighed, like he had finally given up.
"Just don't lead Hydra to ruin…"
"You agree?" Stephanie was surprised.
"Would it matter if I didn't? You're still my daughter. Better you than a stranger," Gideon said with a heavy sigh.
At that moment, it felt like he had aged ten years.
Stephanie gave her father a deep look, then turned to the other Political Faction leaders.
"What about the rest of you? Will you keep resisting me—or will you follow my lead and help make Hydra stronger?"
Most of them hesitated, but soon, one after another, they all chose to submit.
Part of it was because they were shocked by the Orochimaru sub-personality's power.
Part of it was because Stephanie, as Gideon's daughter, wasn't exactly an outsider.
It was like a prince taking the throne in ancient times—Once the outcome was clear, few ministers objected.
Because the prince still had royal blood—and taking power by force proved he was capable.
Compared to outsiders invading, this kind of power shift was easier to accept.
Stephanie was the same.
If even Gideon had admitted defeat, what reason did they have to keep fighting?
No matter what she did, they were still Hydra's Political Faction—the organization's key resources.
As long as she didn't go crazy, she wouldn't get rid of them.
Seeing that everyone had submitted, Stephanie nodded at the Orochimaru sub-personality.
He understood immediately, made a quick hand sign, and instantly released the snakes restraining the crowd.
Once Gideon was free, he gave a final order to the super soldiers—From now on, they would follow Stephanie's commands.
Then, without saying a word, he walked away with a gloomy look.
As she watched his lonely figure leave, Stephanie's eyes turned red… "You noticed too, didn't you?" Itachi's sub-personality suddenly spoke coldly.
"Yeah," Stephanie replied softly.
She understood what he meant.
Gideon might've thought he hid it well—But his daughter saw right through it.
And if Itachi was saying this now, it meant he had also seen through Malick's act.
"Tch. You sure this won't blow up later…", Orochimaru's sub-personality chuckled darkly.
"That old man clearly hasn't given up. Aren't you worried he'll mess things up later? We didn't have to get involved. Even if you fail, 'he' will just choose someone else. But doing it your way? That's just asking for trouble, girl."
His strange grin made it clear—he had also seen through Gideon.
Gideon might be a decent leader, but he was definitely a terrible actor.
His acting wasn't enough to fool any of the three.
Stephanie looked unsure for a moment, but then shook her head.
"Let him go. It's fine."
"Good luck," the Itachi sub-personality said flatly.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasel…" Stephanie nodded to him, then went off to start organizing the Political Faction.
Leaving only the Orochimaru and Itachi sub-personalities behind.
"You seem unusually concerned about this girl, Itachi-kun. Don't tell me you've fallen for her?"
Orochimaru's sub-personality narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see through him.
"Fallen for her? I lost that ability long ago… I just think she reminds me of how I used to be—
Willing to carry all the blame, even if the world hates her, just to protect the one person who matters most." The Itachi sub-personality said quietly.
"So you're thinking of Sasuke…" Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Don't push yourself. That last move already used up most of your energy, right? Head back. I'll take it from here," Itachi said with a glance.
"Heh, then I'll make my exit—"
With that, the shadow clone led by the Orochimaru sub-personality vanished instantly.
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