The last rays of the setting sun filtered through the dense foliage, dappling the forest path. Two figures moved silently, their steps so light they seemed weightless, not even making a sound as the fallen leaves rustled beneath their feet.
Uchiha Itachi maintained an indifferent expression, his dark eyes unfathomable. Only when he thought of Sasuke would a barely perceptible flicker appear in his eyes.
He changed out of his signature black robe with red clouds, replacing it with a dark gray ordinary traveler's outfit. A large cloak covered half of his face, revealing only a pair of cold, stern eyes.
Beside him, Kisame Hoshigaki appeared much more casual. He wore a loose, dark blue kimono, his Samehada wrapped in coarse cloth and slung over his back; without close inspection, he would have been mistaken for a tall, imposing ronin. He yawned listlessly, his shark-like teeth gleaming coldly in the shadows.
"Mr. Itachi, are we really not going to the Land of Hot Water?" Kisame asked lazily, a hint of complaint in his voice. "I've been stuck in the underground base for so long, I'm practically moldy. If I don't soak in a hot spring soon, my skin will crack."
Itachi didn't answer, but merely glanced sideways, his gaze sweeping over the patrolling ninjas faintly visible in the distance—those were Konoha's border guards. Ever since the future scenes were projected onto the Heavenly Screen, the border surveillance of the Five Great Nations had been significantly strengthened.
However, for ninjas like Itachi and Kisame, avoiding these surveillances was a piece of cake.
"Let's go to the Land of Rice Fields first." Itachi finally spoke, his voice low and calm. "Orochimaru has a base there."
Kisame grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "What, Mr. Itachi, are you going to find Orochimaru? Or perhaps your adorable little brother?"
Itachi's eyes flashed slightly coldly, but quickly returned to normal. He didn't deny it, only saying calmly, "The content broadcast on the Heavenly Screen has made them the target of everyone's criticism. I need to confirm some things."
Kisame shrugged, swaying Samehada on his shoulder. "Alright, alright, I'm just killing time anyway, might as well stretch my muscles."
The two continued on their way, at a moderate pace, as if they were truly just two ordinary travelers. However, if a sensory ninja were present, they would be astonished to discover that their Chakra was almost completely contained, with not a single trace of their aura leaking out.
As night fell, a small town in the Land of Land of Rice Fields was unusually quiet. This was the territory of the Sound Ninja, and ordinary people were already used to the presence of ninjas; the streets were almost deserted at night.
Itachi and Kisame stood on a high slope, looking down at the Sound Ninja stronghold in the distance. There were few lights there, but they could vaguely sense several fluctuations of Chakra.
"Should we just grab a few and question them?" Kisame licked his lips, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes.
Itachi nodded slightly. "Leave them alive."
Kisame grinned. "I understand."
The next second, the two figures vanished.
Sound Ninja Base
Several Sound Ninja were talking in hushed tones, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
"I heard something happened at the North Base. Apparently, one of Lord Orochimaru's experimental subjects went berserk..."
"Shh, keep your voice down! Don't spread this around. If Lord Orochimaru finds out we're talking about this..."
Before they could finish speaking, a dark figure appeared behind them like a ghost.
"Good evening, everyone." Kisame's deep voice rang out, tinged with a hint of mockery.
The Sound Ninja whirled around, but before they could react, Samehada swept out, smashing one of them into the wall!
"Enemy attack--!"
The remaining Sound Ninja were about to form hand seals when they suddenly found themselves unable to move—their bodies seemed to be bound by an invisible force, and they couldn't even bend their fingers.
"Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique." Itachi's voice came from the shadows, his crimson Sharingan slowly rotating in the darkness.
The battle was over in less than three seconds.
Kisame, carrying Samehada, kicked the unconscious Sound Ninja on the ground and grinned, "That was easy, Itachi-san."
Itachi didn't respond, but walked up to the only Sound Ninja still conscious, his Sharingan staring directly into the other's eyes. "Tell me, where is Orochimaru?"
The Sound Ninja's pupils contracted violently. Under the Sharingan's Genjutsu, his consciousness was instantly swallowed up, and his mouth opened uncontrollably. "Lord Orochimaru... in the south... at the abandoned experimental base... Sasuke- sama... is there too..."
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The South...?"
Kisame stretched and chuckled, "Looks like we don't need to wander around aimlessly anymore."
Itachi withdrew his Sharingan, and the Sound Ninja collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.
"Let's go." Itachi turned around, his cloak fluttering slightly in the night breeze.
Kisame, carrying Samehada, followed along, his tone relaxed. "Now that everything's settled, shouldn't we go for a soak in the hot springs?"
Itachi did not answer, but he paused slightly, seemingly acquiescing to the suggestion.
A night breeze swept by, and the two figures once again disappeared into the darkness, heading towards the abandoned experimental base to the south.
The eerie green candlelight flickered, illuminating Orochimaru's pale and cold face.
At his feet, several small White Snakes slithered slowly, one of them raising its head slightly, its eyes reflecting the scene of Itachi and Kisame interrogating the Sound Ninja.
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru chuckled, his golden snake eyes gleaming with amusement. "I didn't expect the first one to come knocking would be Itachi-kun."
His voice was hoarse and pleasant, like a viper flicking its tongue at its prey.
Kabuto Yakushi to the side, adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. "Should we reinforce the defenses of the southern base?"
"No need." Orochimaru waved his hand lightly, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "That place was originally a dumping ground for failed experiments; Itachi-kun can clean it up for me."
Dou smiled slightly, his tone respectful yet carrying a hint of deeper meaning. "Those experimental subjects may have gone berserk, but some of them are flawed products fused with the Hashirama Cells. They might be able to cause them some minor trouble."
Orochimaru's tongue slowly slid across his lips, a cold glint in his eyes. "Unfortunately, I don't have time to play with them right now... I care more about this than Itachi."
He looked at a blurry rune on the scroll— Sealing Jutsu technique unique to the Uzumaki Clan, perhaps containing the key to Reaper Death Seal his hands.
"According to intelligence, there might still be some sealed scriptures that haven't been found in the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools," Kabuto said in a low voice. "However, the area is currently being monitored by some ninjas from Kirigakure and Kumogakure, and taking any rash action might attract attention."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "It's alright, we'll have Kimimaro go when he returns."
Dou nodded knowingly.
Orochimaru said nothing more and turned to walk deeper into the laboratory.