Orochimaru's appearance here caught Uchiha Yuu by surprise.
Ever since they had parted ways in Konoha, Uchiha Yuu had sent people to search for Orochimaru. Unfortunately, Orochimaru had hidden himself too well, as though he had vanished from the world. Uchiha Yuu had never expected to encounter him here. No matter what, he needed to invite Orochimaru into the laboratory. Orochimaru was a top-tier researcher, and Uchiha Yuu believed that the Shinobi World's finest equipment and research team would surely draw Orochimaru's attention.
With Orochimaru's help, much of their research would progress greatly. And when it came to cellular research, Orochimaru stood in the foremost ranks of the field!
As he pondered, a disturbance came from nearby. A group of Bamboo-Cutter Clan members was fleeing desperately. Dead clansmen could be seen from time to time, yet they still obeyed their clan leader's orders and charged frantically eastward.
Kisame Hoshigaki, pursuing them from behind, wore a more solemn expression. The Bamboo-Cutter Clan's abilities were extremely troublesome. Companions around him were constantly dying, and many more shinobi had been injured.
Just as the enemy was about to rush into the forest, Kisame flashed to the side, rapidly formed hand seals, drew a deep breath, and said:
"Water Release! Great Waterfall Technique!"
A roaring torrent surged forth. This place was beside the sea, after all, granting Water Release ninjutsu a natural advantage. In an instant, the surrounding area was flooded, and the tremendous impact struck many fleeing shinobi head-on, breaking an unknown number of bones in their bodies.
Just when Kisame thought he had successfully stopped the Bamboo-Cutter Clan, he suddenly sensed a murderous aura that raised goosebumps across his body. He stared gravely into the depths of the forest.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
The Bamboo-Cutter Clan had risked their lives to reach