Land of Lightning.
Kimimaro, weary from the long journey, trudged across the endless snow-covered mountains.
Even for a ninja, surviving in such harsh conditions was difficult, so the area was deserted for miles in every direction.
Trailing a dozen miles behind Kimimaro, Kabuto Yakushi warily watched his surroundings.
He knew more about the Akatsuki Organization than most.
After all, he had been Orochimaru's personal assistant, and Orochimaru had once been a member of the Akatsuki Organization. He had even met its leader, the one who possessed the "Sage's Eyes."
Pulling his robe tighter around himself, Kabuto wondered, What kind of test would the Akatsuki Organization arrange in a place like this?
He didn't think there was anything strange about the Akatsuki Organization holding its test in such a godforsaken place.
On the contrary, because he knew how terrifying the Akatsuki Organization was, he instinctively felt that its tests should be beyond ordinary people's ability to pass—or even understand.
He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Please don't let the proctor be Itachi Uchiha!"
If there was anyone in the Akatsuki Organization he feared most, it was Itachi Uchiha.
He had been there when Orochimaru ambushed Itachi Uchiha, so he had seen firsthand how Itachi Uchiha subdued Orochimaru with a single genjutsu.
If even a powerful man like Orochimaru couldn't withstand Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan, then Kabuto stood no chance.
Just then, he saw Kimimaro, who had reached the mountaintop ahead, suddenly stop as if he had noticed something.
Realizing that the Akatsuki Organization's proctor was likely up on the peak, Kabuto quickly crouched behind a large tree.
Who could it be?
Keeping his eyes on the peak, he tried to guess.
During the time Orochimaru had been a defector, something had happened within the Akatsuki Organization, and a