Southern Army Headquarters, deep within the cold, gloomy bunker, in Danzo's private chamber.
The air still held lingering traces of gunsmoke and blood, along with a darker scent-a mixture of absolute power and frenzied scheming. Flickering lamplight on the walls stretched the shadow of Danzo's lone eye into shifting, sinister shapes.
Orochimaru stood quietly in the shadows, his golden, slit-pupiled eyes like two cold ghostly flames in the dim light, waiting silently for this increasingly unfathomable "partner" to issue new instructions.
Experiments with Impure World Reincarnation were accelerating, and the "recruitment" of sacrifices was in full swing, but none of this had apparently satisfied Danzo's appetite or sense of urgency.
"Orochimaru," Danzo said, his withered fingers tapping a thin intelligence summary on the desk. His voice was hoarse, deliberately lowered into a darkness that bordered on a whisper. "Has there been any news of Jiraiya and Tsunade lately?"
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes shifted slightly, as though he were rapidly searching his memories and intelligence network. He answered hoarsely, "Jiraiya's movements are erratic, but judging from scattered reports and traces of toads, he should still be within the Land of Fire, most likely lingering around Tanzaku Town. Tsunade... her whereabouts are even more elusive. There has been little definite news of her from either casinos or taverns. Still, since Jiraiya is nearby, she may be in that area as well."
"Tanzaku Town..." A flicker of understanding passed through Danzo's lone eye, then turned into deeper mockery and coldness. "They certainly know how to choose a place. Losing themselves in drink and pleasure, running from reality."
Orochimaru watched Danzo quietly without responding, waiting for him to continue.
He certainly did not believe Danzo had suddenly asked about his two former fellow students out of affection or concern.
Sure enough, Danzo raised his lone