A Sudden Explosion, The Vanishing Third Hokage

Five days later, a low-intensity earthquake suddenly struck Loulan City.

The tremor caused a minor commotion in the tourist city, but fortunately, the staff were highly professional, and order was restored quickly.

The earthquake was not a natural occurrence; it was caused by an explosion.

The epicenter of the blast was inside the Dragon Vein Research Institute.

"Lord Orochimaru, all the wounded have been settled." Standing at the edge of the blast site, Orochimaru's expression lacked its usual composure.

As a fanatic of scientific research, Orochimaru had experienced many experimental accidents; a mere explosion would not normally affect his state of mind.

What truly caused Orochimaru to lose his composure was that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Yamato, who had been at the center of the blast, were gone.

Orochimaru, who had been standing at the edge of the blast zone, had witnessed with his own eyes the two of them vanish into the shockwave.

They didn't vanish in a way that left no corpse behind; they simply disappeared into thin air.

"Lord Orochimaru, we must report the matter regarding the Third Hokage to the central authorities as soon as possible," the assistant Orochimaru had brought along said cautiously.

"Hmm! Send the message to the center now. Tell them that the Third Hokage is suspected to have traveled to a parallel world along with the ninja Yamato." Orochimaru stated his deduction directly.

"Also, ask the central office if the three ninjas left behind in Konoha are still there."

"Yes!" After answering, the assistant set to work.

Orochimaru watched the direction in which his assistant had left, then turned his gaze back to the center of the explosion. He stepped forward to the heart of the site and looked down at the ruins on the ground.

*Teacher Hiruzen, I hope my deduction is