It had been four days since Tsunade and the others invaded the underground laboratory in the Land of Rain.
During those four days, within the Land of Rain, Aizen, Orochimaru, and the others had remained in the laboratory, researching the cause of the transformations that had occurred in Kidomaru and the others during the previous battle.
"Pssht..."
As the syringe slowly pierced his body, bright red blood was gradually drawn out, squeezed into a tube, and then flowed into a large container.
The one having his blood drawn was Kidomaru, whose face was somewhat pale. He helplessly glanced at the needle stuck in his right arm and lamented inwardly.
Heavens... how many days has it been already...
At this rate of blood extraction, I'm afraid I'll never get another chance to continue serving Lord Orochimaru...
At that thought, his face seemed to grow even paler.
As though recalling something, he glanced at the figure beside him and asked with slight respect in his voice.
"By the way, Lord Kimimaro, why were you brought into this laboratory as well?"
Resting one hand lightly beneath his chin, he thought for a moment before slowly saying, "As far as I know, only Jirobo, Sakon, Ukon, and I should have been brought in for this experiment..."
At Kidomaru's words, the fair-skinned youth in a light-colored kimono beside him slowly turned his head. His pale face was expressionless as he replied in an exceptionally calm voice.
"I imagine it has something to do with the changes that occurred in our bodies before..."
Hearing that, Jirobo and the others gathered around, tilting their heads as they asked in confusion, "Changes!? Did something happen to our bodies!?"
Sakon glanced at him and said mockingly, "You idiot, didn't Lord Orochimaru already make it perfectly clear before!?"
"When we