"At a time like this, meeting so openly seems rather inappropriate."
Orochimaru looked at the full moon hanging high in the night sky, then shifted his gaze back to the Blood Moon White Robe before him and spoke.
At this moment, they stood atop a rooftop somewhere in Konoha. Above them was the clear night sky, while the surrounding eaves were far lower than where they stood. It could practically be said that their position stood alone, with nothing around to conceal them. Given the height of the roof, they were almost conspicuous.
It could be said that this secret meeting of theirs was truly out in the open.
So openly that it was practically asking Konoha to discover them.
Honestly, if the man before him were not so important and so powerful, he would never have attended such a meeting.
He had already drawn Konoha's attention, and Konoha had taken a series of measures because of his appearance. Things had even escalated to the point where the third test had been delayed by a month.
Even Orochimaru felt uneasy under such circumstances. After all, as the Hokage's prized disciple, he knew his teacher's methods very well. He had even experienced them firsthand. That time, he had barely escaped Konoha.
Orochimaru still had lingering fears about that incident.
Besides, it was now basically certain that Taki Chiba had returned to Konoha.
Otherwise, the Blood Moon White Robe before him would not have suddenly contacted him and arranged a meeting in such an environment.
It was obvious that the Blood Moon White Robe was somewhat nervous as well. Or perhaps something had happened before this that had made him act without restraint, as though something had been confirmed and there was no longer any need to hide their actions.
And in