Deep, dim, silent atmosphere.
It had to be said that after Orochimaru's personality underwent such a drastic change, he had not only become cold and indifferent in his dealings with others—even his residence gave any outsider who stepped inside an inexplicable chill.
And in such a vast building,
not a single light was lit in the darkness of the night.
Those unaware might have thought no one lived there at all, but Shōji was certain that Orochimaru had returned to his residence today. Unless he had left again during that brief window afterward, which was indeed beyond Shōji's grasp. If that were the case, then today's infiltration would have been for nothing.
In fact, when Shōji infiltrated Orochimaru's residence, the faint traces of lingering aura he could clearly detect all proved that Orochimaru had been in this space not long ago. Yet after Shōji made a full circuit of the residence, he still found no trace of Orochimaru—not even a fluctuation of Chakra.
This left Shōji puzzled.
Did this guy really leave again afterward? Did he return to his secret base, or go somewhere else?
Standing outside Orochimaru's study, Shōji's exposed eye showed a trace of contemplation, his brow furrowing slightly.
If that was truly the case, then Shōji would have to adjust his plan and withdraw for the time being.
Just as Shōji made another circuit and still found nothing, preparing to leave directly, he suddenly noticed a very subtle design in the artificial rockery of the courtyard opposite Orochimaru's bedroom. Most people would never notice it, but to Shōji, the faint sense of incongruity that arose made his eyes narrow. He instinctively activated his Sharingan, and where he looked,
he clearly detected faint traces of Chakra fluctuations.
So that's how it is?
Before his eyes
was an unusual