Hearing Fugaku's words, Orochimaru smiled. "I hope so. In fifty or sixty years, our generation's time will have passed.
"Even if we're still alive, we'll be old and frail. We'll die one after another. Any power we have to dominate the Shinobi World will gradually fade, and we'll leave the stage of history."
Out on the boundless Sea, the two could speak freely. Nothing they said would ever be recorded.
Even if someone leaked their words, no one would believe them. That was the main reason Fugaku no longer held anything back.
"Since you plan to build a Secret Laboratory, do you have a location in mind? A lot of experiments can't be conducted in the village.
"And if you want loyal subordinates, you can't rely on Konoha alone. There's always a risk of exposure. Only people you train yourself and keep under control can be trusted," Fugaku asked.
"Fugaku, you're thinking much the same as I am. What do you suggest?"
"We can conduct simple experiments in the village, but the important ones must be done outside Konoha. It can't be too far away, though, or getting there will be inconvenient.
"As for a Secret Base to train your own assistants, you could choose somewhere outside the Land of Fire. You'll have to find that place yourself and send trusted subordinates to oversee their training."
Orochimaru nodded. Silence settled over the boat as each of them sank into thought.
The day passed quietly. By the next morning, their small boat was close to the Land of Whirlpools. Fugaku looked into the distance and spotted numerous black specks sitting on the far-off water.
They were probably warships from the Cloud and Mist Ninja Villages. The small boat had likely escaped notice because of its size, but if it drew any