Whoosh!
Big Brother Shinji landed, momentarily dazzled by the harsh Haku incandescent lights.
Once his eyes adjusted, he glanced around in surprise, then looked at Orochimaru, who was busy working on White Zetsu and Yamato at an operating table.
Big Brother Shinji laid Yuguri, whom he had been carrying, on a surgical bed.
"Big Brother Shinji, give me a moment. The surgery's at a critical stage," Orochimaru said politely without looking back.
"No rush."
Big Brother Shinji found a chair and sat down. Looking around the spacious, brightly lit Laboratory, packed with sophisticated equipment, he gained a fresh appreciation for Orochimaru's abilities.
"Where are we?"
Yūyuri looked thoroughly confused. "And who's he?"
"Orochimaru. An S-rank missing-nin from Konoha."
"What?!"
Yūyuri stared wide-eyed at Orochimaru's back. "So... are we in Konoha?"
"Nope."
Guren came out of another room carrying a tray and bowed to Big Brother Shinji.
"Big Brother Shinji!"
"Mm." Big Brother Shinji nodded.
Guren then glanced at Yuguri. "He's a missing-nin. Why would he still be in Konoha? What an idiot..."
Yūyuri froze and looked at Big Brother Shinji uncertainly. "Is she talking about me?"
Big Brother Shinji wasn't quite sure how to handle the girl. "Maybe?"
"Heh..."
Yūyuri narrowed her eyes and smiled at Guren. "If I survive, I'm going to challenge you to a duel. Then I'll kill you!"
Guren frowned. "If you can!"
"You..."
Big Brother Shinji shook his head, glanced at the busy Orochimaru, and turned to leave.
He had no desire to get between two girls trading insults.
After walking down the corridor, Big Brother Shinji pushed open the door ahead. The view suddenly opened up. The Laboratory was set into a mountainside.
A broad platform stretched out before the entrance.
Big Brother Shinji was about to walk over to the cliff's edge for