The deepest part of the third level of the underground base in the Land of Rice Fields.
The corridor was quiet. The bitter smell of medicine seeped through the cracks in the door, drifting close to the ground like an invisible mist.
Sasuke Uchiha leaned against the wall at the end of the corridor, his back against the stone, his eyes closed, his breathing steady.
He was waiting.
Kabuto's footsteps came from the upper level, descending the stairs. He paused on the second level—probably to pick something up—then continued down, passing the corner of the corridor where Sasuke stood without stopping and heading straight for Orochimaru's chamber.
Two minutes later, Kabuto came back out with a bundle in his hands. As he passed Sasuke, he tilted his head slightly and glanced at him, but said nothing before continuing upstairs. His footsteps grew more distant until they vanished completely.
Only two people remained.
Sasuke opened his eyes. The hand hanging by his side rose, his five fingers spreading as Lightning Release chakra gathered in his palm into the sharp outline of a spear—Chidori Sharp Spear.
The lightning made no chirping sound, nor did it flash blindingly. All the chakra had been compressed to its limit, forming an extremely thin beam of light, like a spring compressed to its utmost.
The lightning shot from his palm and pierced the door. A fist-sized hole appeared in it, its edges charred and smoking. Orochimaru's voice came from behind the door, carrying the surprise of someone who had just been ambushed. "...Sasuke?" There was no anger, no fear—only confirmation.
Sasuke walked straight in.
The chamber was small. A bed stood against the wall, and Orochimaru was half-reclining against it, the blanket slipped down to his waist. His left arm hung over the side of the