After some effort, with Hiruzen's help making the arrangements, Hayato and Minato brought the thirty-five people back to the Sky Ninja Base.
This time, the team was different from before. It was no longer made up entirely of Chunin; Genin formed the main force instead. After all, this mission wasn't about fighting but escorting, so they didn't need much combat strength.
After going over the situation at the Sky Ninja Base in detail with Orochimaru, Hayato's original four-man team said goodbye to him and set off on the journey back to the Artisan Hidden Village.
Minato, however, chose to stay behind and help Orochimaru complete the escort mission.
In a special room at the Sky Ninja Base, Orochimaru walked slowly forward, his eyes settling on Shennong, who was bound up like a dumpling.
He bent down and whispered in Shennong's ear. "I hear you know a very interesting ninjutsu. I'm quite interested."
Orochimaru had learned from Sakumo and the others that Shennong possessed a secret technique capable of rapidly restoring the body.
He had waited until Sakumo and the others left before coming to investigate the information.
Shennong opened his eyes and looked at Orochimaru. A mocking smile curled his lips. "So, what can you offer me?"
Orochimaru slowly straightened and looked down at Shennong. His voice was calm. "That depends on what you want, and whether what you have is worth what I'd have to pay."
"Can you do anything, no matter what it is?" A glimmer appeared in Shennong's eyes. It was as if he could see a chance to survive.
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "As I said, I first need to see what you're offering."
Shennong fell silent. He knew he had already fallen into Konoha's hands. The best outcome was life imprisonment; the worst was being disposed