In Konoha, the Sunagakure Kazekage's temporary residence was brightly lit.
Orochimaru, who was impersonating the Kazekage, had yet to retire for the night. He stood alone by the window, his eyes fixed on the Forest of Death.
What had happened in the Forest of Death still weighed on his mind.
After secretly returning to Konoha from the Forest of Death, he had conducted a quiet investigation.
In the end, he had obtained some information from Kabuto.
An extraordinarily gifted boy had recently appeared in Konoha.
Even the Third Hokage wanted to take him as a student.
After comparing their appearances, Orochimaru realized that the boy named Zhou Cheng was the person he had encountered in the Forest of Death.
"Zhou Cheng, is it?"
"An orphan who fled Kirigakure?"
"Hmm, then I could try winning him over!"
"If I can get both Sasuke and him, my reincarnation will be that much more secure!"
Orochimaru licked his lips with his snakelike tongue and let out a sinister laugh.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Orochimaru immediately composed himself, once again assuming the demeanor of a village's Kage as he answered:
"Come in!"
The door opened, revealing a man wearing a white head wrap that also covered the left side of his face.
"Baki, what is it?"
The visitor was the Jonin instructor of Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, as well as one of the Kazekage's trusted confidants.
"I met with Kabuto. He gave me some maps showing the deployment of Konoha's security forces."
"They'll be a great help in our attack on Konoha!"
The "Kazekage's" eyes lit up. Kabuto had certainly not disappointed him.
"Excellent. Proceed with the plan!"
"This time, we'll make Konoha pay dearly!"
Early the next morning, at the central tower in the Forest of Death.
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