Orochimaru's laboratory building had been reduced to rubble.
After obtaining permission from Hiruzen and Koharu, Orochimaru and Lin Yi hurriedly moved all the undamaged experimental equipment into the laboratory at Konoha Hospital.
Danzo's trusted subordinates provided cover throughout the process, and some of the "classified equipment" went undiscovered.
Orochimaru had originally been supposed to investigate the Forest of Death with the others, but eager to find out exactly what had happened to these snakes, he merely collected some tissue from giant snakes that had undergone the same mutations in the Forest of Death before finding an excuse to slip away.
Of course, before leaving, he had also asked Jiraiya to help bring back more flesh and blood from the giant snakes.
"So this really was your doing, wasn't it?"
"-You can't quite put it that way. Some of it was indeed my fault, but the current situation isn't what I wanted to see."
"Orochimaru-Tsunade has already left the village. I don't want you causing any more trouble."
"Don't worry, don't worry."
Jiraiya's concern did touch Orochimaru a little, of course, but compared with the mutations before him, that could wait for now.
After thoroughly clearing the area around the entire laboratory section with snakes, Orochimaru and Lin Yi immediately began their analysis using Konoha Hospital's equipment.
Although the equipment was neither complete nor specialized enough, it would suffice for now.
"The cells have grown larger. And calculating from the increase in body size and cell size, these giant snakes have at least ten times as many cells as before."
Lin Yi wrote and sketched on a sheet of paper. "Lord Orochimaru, do you remember how my earlier experimental records showed that the giant snakes' vitality far exceeded the standard?"
"Of course." Orochimaru was still examining the cells' structure through a