As Sasuke continued absorbing the lingering soul power of the fifty-thousand-strong ninja army, the Sacred Dragon Apparition above his head, shining with dazzling white light, grew increasingly solid and steadily larger. When it absorbed the final wisp of soul power, the Sacred Dragon let out a thunderous roar, then soared through the air and plunged into Sasuke's body.
Seeing this, Orochimaru knew it had succeeded. He walked toward Sasuke with a smile. "Hehe, it looks like you gained quite a lot this time, Sasuke."
Sasuke stood without any reaction and said coldly, "Prepare a secluded chamber. I need somewhere quiet to convert my chakra into dragon energy."
Orochimaru was not angered by Sasuke's indifference. He merely smiled. "Hehe, it's already prepared. Let her take you there. Come out."
As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, a girl appeared beside him. Orochimaru smiled. "Take Sasuke-kun to the chamber."
The girl nodded. "Understood, Lord Orochimaru. Let's go."
With that, the girl walked away. Sasuke noticed that she seemed rather hostile toward him, but he paid it no mind and followed her.
Only after the two had left did Orochimaru smile and ask, "Hehe, Kabuto, how are the preparations coming along?"
Kabuto Yakushi seemed to know what Orochimaru meant. He nodded. "Everything is ready. Are you going to begin now, Lord Orochimaru?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Hehe, I'm almost ready. It's time to condense my star fate. I just don't know what mine will be. I'm really looking forward to it. Oh, it seems Jiraiya has already managed to condense his star fate. Do you know what it is?"
Kabuto Yakushi nodded. "Based on the intelligence we've gathered and your records, Lord Orochimaru, Jiraiya seems to have condensed a Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf."
Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly as he said in surprise, "I never expected him