Orochimaru and his student were enjoying a quiet moment when Homura appeared at the Training Ground.
Orochimaru sensed him before he reached them. He vanished with the Body Flicker Technique and landed in front of Homura after several swift leaps.
"Teacher."
Nawaki's voice came from behind, but Orochimaru was already gone.
Nawaki sighed and went back to training. Konoha's jonin often vanished without warning; he was used to it.
As Tsunade's younger brother, he knew a little about what went on in the village. He also knew that a capable ninja was better off not learning certain secrets before he was strong enough.
"What brings you here? Were you looking for me?" Orochimaru asked.
Homura looked grim. He nodded. "You've probably heard that Danzo was spotted in the Land of Rain.
"Hiruzen just issued an order. You're to lead a team to the Land of Rain and search for Danzo. The ANBU have already gone ahead, and the ANBU ninja there will be under your command as well."
Orochimaru glanced at the sky. It was already afternoon. "Sorry for the trouble, but could you assemble the Regular Forces and prepare enough supplies? We'll leave tomorrow morning."
Homura nodded. "All right. I hope you find Danzo and bring him back.
"He made a serious mistake by leaving Konoha. If he'd stayed in the village, it would only have been a matter of time before he was released."
Orochimaru said nothing. He held little hope for this trip to the Land of Rain.
Danzo's defection was shrouded in mystery. Orochimaru had expected Fugaku to find a way to eliminate him, but something unexpected had happened.
He also doubted that the man spotted in the Land of Rain was Danzo. From what he knew of Danzo, the man preferred to operate from the