It was midnight in the Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the scroll Mitokado Homura had handed him.
It recorded the locations of several of Orochimaru's secret bases, along with fragments of experimental records that explicitly mentioned research using "living subjects."
Though the key data was missing, the evidence already pointed clearly enough in one direction.
Bang!
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist against the desk, his eyes filled with pain and anger.
"That wretch... how could he... how could he use his comrades' bodies..."
Mitokado Homura sighed.
"Hiruzen, now isn't the time for anger. We must bring Orochimaru under control immediately, before he destroys more evidence or... does something even more extreme."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"I'll go myself!"
Deep in the Forest of Death, at one of Orochimaru's hidden bases.
Orochimaru was quickly stuffing several scrolls into his clothes, cold resolve flashing in his golden, serpentine eyes.
He knew he had been exposed. There was no longer any place for him in Konoha.
"Orochimaru!"
A fierce shout filled with anguish and fury rang out at the cave entrance.
Orochimaru paused, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had appeared at the entrance wearing a white Hokage robe.
"Oh my, Teacher Sarutobi. What brings you here so late?"
"Is this... true?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi flung the scroll at Orochimaru's feet. "You used Konoha's ninja... for experiments?!"
Orochimaru glanced at the scroll and scoffed.
"Teacher Sarutobi, you're still so naive. What do necessary sacrifices matter in the pursuit of the truth of ninjutsu?"
"You've sat in the Hokage's seat for too long. Your eyes have long since been blinded by a false light. You cannot even see the truth hidden in the shadows!"
"Absurd!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was beside himself with anger. "The dignity of life must