"Is that so? Then I'll have to see for myself whether the power of the Uchiha truly makes them my ideal vessel..."
Orochimaru looked rather excited. "I took a little stroll around the village today and discovered a few interesting things."
"Not only can I not get in touch with Danzo, but Root and the Anbu have vanished without a trace. Then there's this interesting Chakra Armor, and a Genin even you can't find any information on... Some of the things that have happened in Konoha lately are quite unexpected."
"At the very least, they've done an excellent job of keeping things secret!"
Kabuto paused. As an expert in espionage, he understood people's expressions and subtle emotions very well.
Though he didn't know why, he was certain he had heard a faint hint of wistful gratification in Orochimaru's voice as he spoke of these things that hardly counted as good news.
"Lord Orochimaru, what do we do next?"
"Hmm? Since everyone else's children are so well protected, we'll just have to put our own through a little hardship." Orochimaru looked at Kabuto and smiled nonchalantly. "Oh, how is that child assigned to your team doing?"
"...Very obedient. Honestly, much more composed than I expected, but... her performance has been a little too ordinary."
"That's their village's style. Remember, get her safely to the final exam venue." Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth, wearing the scheming expression Kabuto knew so well. "When the time comes, Konoha... will have quite a show to watch."
As moonlight spilled from the sky across the earth, the night deepened.
Konoha still maintained a rigorous patrol schedule. Although the two familiar gatekeepers were absent from the entrance, many elite ninja from other clans had taken up watch in their place.
After all, ninja from various