For one fleeting moment, Orochimaru actually felt happy.
But the feeling lasted only an instant before he stamped it out himself and returned to the clock tower where he had been staying.
He listlessly studied his experimental data.
Meanwhile, Nagato followed the Kumogakure ninja, watching Yahiko ahead of him with some unease.
Nagato felt the same way Orochimaru did about this. He thought there was something wrong with those people.
But Nagato usually supported Yahiko's decisions, so he said nothing. Instead, he followed behind and watched carefully in case anything went wrong.
Yahiko felt entirely differently.
Walking at the front, Yahiko looked delighted, simply because he had managed to save those people from Orochimaru.
What happened afterward, though, left Yahiko thoroughly disheartened.
When they reached Amegakure's border, the Kumogakure ninja ran off without so much as a thank-you.
Nagato watched them leave, his face full of displeasure. "They really have no manners. Why did we bother showing them the way?"
Yahiko gave Nagato a reassuring pat on the head. "It's fine, Nagato. They mean Amegakure no harm. Don't worry about it."
With that, he pushed Nagato gently toward the village.
Nagato deliberately slowed down, letting himself fall a little behind Yahiko.
He frowned and glanced back. He couldn't shake the feeling that things would not end so simply.
But even when he pushed his sensory abilities to their limit, all he could detect was that those people were heading toward Iwagakure.
Reluctant as he was, Nagato had no intention of lingering. He hurried after Yahiko.
They arrived at the clock tower where Orochimaru was staying, one after the other.
Yahiko stood before Orochimaru with a proud look on his face. "I told you they were just passing through, but you wouldn't believe me. Do you believe me now?"
Orochimaru raised