Orochimaru looked up at the moonlight, cool as water, and asked, "What has Naraku been doing lately?"
"Lord Naraku has been busy treating Rock Lee lately!"
Glancing at Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru was not surprised by his respect for Shihōin Naraku. "That's good news."
Orochimaru recalled the subtle confrontation between them in the Trial Tower and had a bad feeling. He had never expected Shihōin Naraku's strength to improve so quickly. It was far too unexpected.
Even from that fleeting moment when their eyes met, Orochimaru could clearly sense that Shihōin Naraku's strength was on an entirely different level than before.
Of course, Orochimaru was still very confident in his own strength. With his hidden trump cards as well, who could possibly stop the Konoha Crush Plan?
No one!
Orochimaru naturally knew that Konoha would take precautions, but he knew this place far, far too well. He had found its vulnerabilities with ease!
At the thought of Konoha, still peaceful and bustling now, collapsing into ruins under his plan, Orochimaru could not help growing excited.
Orochimaru unconsciously extended his long tongue and licked his lips, then looked at Kabuto Yakushi. "Before the plan begins, the people from Sunagakure must not notice anything wrong. Once the plan is underway, we won't need to concern ourselves with them anymore. Kimimaro will help you keep an eye on them. If anyone notices something amiss, kill them immediately!"
"Understood!"
Kabuto Yakushi's figure slowly faded away...
The end of the preliminaries also meant the arrival of the third round's main matches.
Of course, they would not come quite so soon, but a month was not very long either.
The Daimyo and nobles of the various countries had already set out, preparing to head to Konohagakure.
This month was not just a wait for the spectators