Going to Orochimaru's place for "lessons" had become part of Uchiha Makoto's daily routine over the past few days.
They called them lessons, but Orochimaru really just tossed him a few Ninjutsu scrolls and research topics, then left him to figure things out himself and ask questions if he had any.
Occasionally, when the mood struck him, Orochimaru would personally demonstrate a technique or two. Although those golden, slit-pupiled eyes gave Uchiha Makoto the creeps every time they settled on him, he had to admit that Orochimaru's guidance always cut straight to the heart of the matter. It was far better than fumbling through things on his own.
The place he visited was an aboveboard laboratory inside Konoha, in a somewhat out-of-the-way location on the village's western side, near the training ground.
From the outside, it looked like an ordinary Ninjutsu research room. Aside from the odd smell and the extra equipment, there was nothing special about it.
Uchiha Makoto knew Orochimaru had other places where he conducted his real research.
Until today.
As usual, Uchiha Makoto finished lunch and strolled over to the laboratory door. He knocked and waited a few seconds, but no one answered. Just as he was about to knock again, the door opened from inside.
Orochimaru stood in the doorway.
He still wore that green Jonin flak jacket, his pale, long hair hanging loose. In the dim corridor, his golden, slit-pupiled eyes gleamed with something impossible to pin down.
Uchiha Makoto's heart skipped a beat.
Something was wrong.
Usually, when he arrived, Orochimaru was either fiddling with bottles and jars at the workbench or curled up in a chair reading. He rarely waited specifically for him at the door.
And the way Orochimaru looked at him... was a little strange.
It was not his usual