The group gathered all the documents scattered across the ground.
"Lord Orochimaru, it's all outdated intelligence and records of secret missions Root carried out in the past. Nothing particularly important.
We searched the surrounding area, too. No one has been to this base for some time," a ninja reported.
"On to the next location."
"Yes, sir."
The group left the secret base and emerged on a rocky hillside.
Orochimaru found the entrance beneath a massive boulder.
Several Konoha shinobi immediately searched the area for important clues.
But it rained year-round in the Land of Rain, and the rain had gradually washed away many traces.
Inoui Hyuga checked the entrance again and found no traps.
"Let's go in. Danzo was once part of the Konoha leadership. There aren't many people in the village who could defeat him outright.
Even I couldn't be certain of winning against him. Finding clues he left behind won't be easy."
The others nodded. As Konoha shinobi, they had all heard Danzo's name.
A few years earlier, Root had run rampant through Konoha and made nearly every ninja wary of it. Danzo's current fate had something to do with his actions back then.
The group entered the Underground Base. Orochimaru swept his serpentine gaze across the place, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
The ninja responsible for reconnaissance could not stay calm either.
"Lord Orochimaru, someone opened this base recently. You can tell from the loose dirt over the footprints."
Inoui Hyuga pointed to one row of prints. "The layer of loose dirt on these is noticeably thinner than on the others.
But with Danzo's abilities, he wouldn't need to leave such obvious traces. It almost looks deliberate. Could he be trying to mislead us?
Perhaps he wants to draw all our attention here while