Meanwhile, several figures stood before Konoha's gates.
More precisely, there were three of them.
They were Orochimaru, dressed in the standard green Jonin vest of Konoha; Shisui, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt emblazoned with the Uchiha Clan Crest; and Anko, dressed in brown.
Clearly, the three had been waiting there for some time. Anko was starting to look impatient. Glancing toward the gates, she muttered, "Why is Yei taking so long?"
Shisui, on the other hand, remained calm without showing any impatience. In a gentle tone, he said, "Senior Yei isn't the kind of person who would be late. He should be here soon, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Shisui's gaze shifted toward the gates. He smiled slightly. "Isn't he here now?"
Just as Shisui's words fell, Yei appeared around a corner over a hundred meters away.
What sharp perception... Orochimaru glanced at Shisui, the interest in his eyes growing stronger, though he did not reveal it. He, too, looked toward the gates.
He had only noticed Yei after Shisui pointed him out. Shisui's perception was clearly even sharper than his...
Orochimaru? Why is this guy here? Yei naturally sensed the three of them immediately. Upon seeing Orochimaru, the corner of his mouth twitched. What was going on? Why was Orochimaru here?
Over the past month, Yei had sought out Orochimaru more than once to discuss knowledge related to cellular activation.
Orochimaru had not concealed anything and generously taught Yei what he knew.
Orochimaru had even highly approved of the research talent Yei displayed. He had once suggested taking Yei as his disciple, promising to impart all his knowledge without reservation.
Naturally, Yei had refused that proposal. Knowing that Orochimaru would defect in the future, becoming his disciple would just be asking for trouble, wouldn't it?
Besides, becoming