A separate area had been set aside at the edge of the Main Camp, with nine tents belonging to Orochimaru.
From a distance, Uchiha Ling saw ninja unsealing laboratory tables, culture tanks, and other equipment to fill the tents.
He stood some distance away with Anko and the others, waiting for their teacher to summon them.
She Ci approached them with a rigid clipboard in her arms.
She said, "Lord Orochimaru will be very busy shortly, so he will meet with you students first.
"First, Sarutobi Miyagi. Come with me."
Sarutobi Miyagi's face lit up. His teacher had summoned him first; clearly, he valued him most.
After Sarutobi Miyagi left, Dule Jiong was already panting like a bull yak weighing over a ton.
Excitement, apprehension, five agonizing months on the front lines, and the misery of having no Jonin instructor nearly broke Dule Jiong's composure at that moment.
His legs began to tremble.
Compared to him, Uchiha Ling and Anko were doing slightly better.
Anko knew something of Orochimaru, so she did not have high expectations.
Uchiha Ling, meanwhile, was confident in his strength and had no fear of Orochimaru's questioning.
They waited a while, but although they had seen Sarutobi Miyagi leave, they never saw him return.
She Ci approached, her expression betraying no emotion.
Uchiha Ling remembered that in the original story, She Ci had assisted Sarutobi Biwako during Kushina Uzumaki's delivery.
This kunoichi had undoubtedly earned the highest level of trust from the village's leadership. Both her strength and her character were outstanding.
She Ci said, "Second, Dule Jiong."
Dule Jiong gritted his teeth and left, his eyes shining.
Again, they saw Dule Jiong leave, but never saw him return.
Mitaraishi Anko was third.
Anko gave Uchiha Ling one last look, as if to say she was