In the dark, silent forest, an occasional breeze swept through, setting the flowers, grass, and trees swaying.
Under the clear moonlight, the scene looked even more beautiful.
Crack!
Soft footsteps sounded as two figures approached from the distance. They soon reached a well-hidden cave entrance and walked straight inside.
Orochimaru!
Kabuto Yakushi!
Both looked travel-worn, as though they had just returned from a long journey.
After entering the cave, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi walked on in silence. Before long, the space before them opened up, revealing a fully equipped base.
As the saying went, a crafty rabbit had three burrows. Though he was a snake, Orochimaru had thoroughly embraced this principle, pouring countless resources and efforts into building numerous bases across different regions.
No one but Orochimaru himself knew just how many bases lay buried underground.
Even Kabuto Yakushi, a subordinate whom Orochimaru trusted deeply, could not work out that number.
Kabuto Yakushi alone was responsible for managing seven bases and laboratories, and the crucial point was that every one of them was fully equipped and adequately staffed!
As for how many more bases Orochimaru had hidden away, Kabuto Yakushi had no idea.
For instance, the base they had now arrived at lay deep within the Land of Lightning, and this was Kabuto Yakushi's first visit.
Creak!
After entering the base, Orochimaru opened a door. A gust of cold air blew into their faces, and the surrounding temperature rapidly dropped.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
Two ninja wearing Kumogakure forehead protectors startled, setting down the medicinal herbs in their hands and looking in surprise at Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi as they entered the room.
Orochimaru glanced over the several varieties of medicinal herbs neatly stored in the room and asked, "How is this year's gathering coming along?"
"Lord Orochimaru, we still haven't met