In the dim underground chamber, row after row of iron cages stretched into the darkness.
Just then, footsteps echoed through the chamber. Two shadows walked in side by side and stopped in front of the cages.
One of them asked in a low voice, "Orochimaru, is this the lot?"
"Mm!"
Orochimaru smiled and nodded.
The shadow approached the cages, leaning on a cane. His gaze settled on the frail figure curled up in the corner of one cage.
As it turned out, every cage in the row held a person.
Some were middle-aged, in their thirties or forties, while others were teenagers. Yet they were all emaciated, nothing like what he had expected.
After inspecting them, the shadow sounded displeased. "This is the result you told me about? Orochimaru, you know what it costs to try and fool me!"
Thump.
With that, the shadow brought his cane down hard on the ground. The heavy clang echoed through the underground chamber.
There was no doubt about it.
The shadow who had entered the chamber alongside Orochimaru was none other than Danzo, an advisor of Konoha's Advisor Elder Council.
But Danzo's anger did not frighten Orochimaru.
He chuckled. "Don't be impatient. The experiment is about to begin!"
Orochimaru clapped his hands lightly. Kabuto Yakushi immediately emerged from the shadows, bowed to Orochimaru and Danzo, then went to a mechanism and activated it.
Gurgle, gurgle.
As the mechanism started, liquid could be heard flowing through the tubes connected to every cage. A moment later, screams rang out from within them.
Despite the horrifying scene, Danzo showed no sign of discomfort. On the contrary, his eyes gleamed as he eagerly examined the results.
"Ahhh!"
"Just kill me! Someone, please kill me!"
"It hurts!"
"Let me go! I'll kill every one of you bastards!"
Screams,