The instant Zou Hyuga stepped into Ryūchi Cave, space-time shifted.
Zou Hyuga did not arrive inside Ryūchi Cave. Instead, he vanished from where he stood, his whereabouts unknown.
This caught Orochimaru completely off guard. He turned toward the cave entrance, his expression growing grave. Ryūchi Cave was beyond his reach; only the White Snake Sage, who had lived for a thousand years, held sway here.
Zou Hyuga's sudden disappearance had undoubtedly disrupted his plans. All he could do was stay where he was and wait in silence.
He had his reasons for so readily handing over part of his Cursed Seal research and agreeing to bring Zou Hyuga to Ryūchi Cave.
For one, he could win over this unfathomably powerful ninja. Given Pain's overbearing arrogance, a little maneuvering would be enough to draw Zou Hyuga into his own faction.
For another, he could use Zou Hyuga's strength to stir up a little friction with Ryūchi Cave.
Whichever side lost, he would be delighted.
Before long, Zou Hyuga reappeared beside Orochimaru. Faint tears had appeared in his Red Cloud Robe, and his gaze seemed to pierce through space as he looked into the depths of Ryūchi Cave.
Orochimaru asked curiously, "Where did you go just now?"
Zou Hyuga glanced at Orochimaru. "Nowhere special. I just took a stroll outside."
Orochimaru asked no more questions, knowing he would get no answers. Still, his outlook had changed from when they first arrived.
Beneath his Red Cloud Robe, numerous cuts like knife wounds had appeared across Zou Hyuga's body.
Although these cuts healed quickly, they had been all too real. His injuries had been far from minor.
The reason for his injuries was simple: after stepping into Ryūchi Cave, a force had sent him back to where he had started.
When he resisted that