Faint ghostly flames clung to the shadowy stone walls.
The flames were not large. The smallest were like fireflies, while the largest resembled lanterns.
They gave off cold green flames, their sickly glow illuminating the faces of Feng Yao, Orochimaru, and Kimimaro.
Under Tsunade's careful treatment, Kimimaro had recovered considerably. At the very least, his life was no longer under threat, so he had accompanied the two of them this time.
This was near the lowest level of Orochimaru's base. There was only one cell here, a cell located at the very deepest point.
The one imprisoned here was Jugo, the source of the Curse Mark. His body was special, and he had been born with the ability to absorb natural energy. (That is, Sage Transformation.)
Once he remained in a place with exceptionally dense natural energy, he would enter Sage Transformation. However, because he could not control it, he would go berserk and kill people.
That was why he had been locked up here. Natural energy was scarce underground, greatly reducing the chance of him losing control, though it was not impossible.
In the original story, he lost his emotional support after Kimimaro's death and went to the northern hideout to lock himself away.
Now that Kimimaro had not died, Jugo was still imprisoned here. The moment Feng Yao learned of this, he immediately decided to bring Jugo under his command. Jugo was also one of Feng Yao's predetermined recruits, one of the original three members of Taka.
Kimimaro stepped forward and came to Feng Yao's side. "Lord Feng Yao, Jugo sometimes has trouble controlling his temper. If he offends you, please forgive him. I'll talk to him."
"It's fine. I came here precisely to make him submit wholeheartedly. It would actually be perfect if he wanted to attack