Land of Rice Fields.
Outskirts of the underground base.
Several Konoha Anbu wearing animal masks crouched on thick tree trunks like four ghosts.
The rise and fall of their chests was nearly imperceptible, and even their breathing had been slowed to the lowest possible rate.
The Anbu squad captain leading them gently wiped the sweat from his chin.
This job was truly deadly.
Their target was Orochimaru, one of the famed Sannin of the Ninja World!
Even if they were only watching from afar,
they still felt as though a poisoned Kusanagi Sword hung over their necks.
"Captain, it's already been six days."
The Anbu on the left made gestures with extreme subtlety.
"There haven't been any energy fluctuations inside the base. Orochimaru may have already moved."
The squad captain shook his head, his hand signs changing rapidly.
"Continue monitoring."
"Without the Hokage's orders, no one is allowed to withdraw a single step."
At the mention of the words "Lord Hokage,"
fervor and reverence flashed through the eyes of all four Anbu.
Over these past six years,
Konoha had undergone earth-shaking changes.
That former village—stifled, decayed, and trampled underfoot by others—had long become history.
The Konoha of today
was swimming in money!
It was terrifyingly strong!
When walking through the streets of other countries,
as long as they revealed a Konoha forehead protector, even the Daimyo's samurai would politely step aside.
This was the confidence brought by the Fifth Hokage.
Senju Qianye.
A name like that of a deity in the heavens.
Even if it cost them their lives, they would absolutely complete the surveillance mission Qianye had assigned them.
Just then,
the air above the canopy rippled without warning.
There was no chakra fluctuation.
No sound of wind.
Not even a single leaf was disturbed.
A tall, upright figure