Just as Hatake Sakumo was exchanging information with his two companions, a rustling sound suddenly came from deep within the cave.
The three instantly entered battle mode. White Fang Short Sword, Lightning Release Chakra flickered on A's body, and Gengetsu's Water Clone was already taking shape in the shadows.
"Such keen perception."
A hoarse voice came from the darkness.
Orochimaru slowly stepped out of the shadows, his golden snake eyes gleaming eerily in the dim cave. He wore a white lab coat with the Konoha Medical Department logo embroidered on the cuffs.
Orochimaru?
Hatake Sakumo's wariness remained undiminished. "How did you find this place?"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a cold smile, "I already knew from the moment you arrived in Konoha, though I wasn't entirely sure at the time."
"Now it's confirmed, you really are from another world!"
Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo and Ai exchanged a glance.
The Water Clone of Gengetsu silently circled behind Orochimaru, forming an encirclement.
"Take it easy."
Orochimaru raised his hands to indicate that he meant no harm. "I'm here to offer help. You want to know the truth about this world, don't you?"
How did you know we came from another world?
Hatake Sakumo's White Fang Short Sword gleamed coldly in the cave, its tip pointing motionless at Orochimaru's throat.
Orochimaru grinned, stuck out his tongue, licked his lips, and said leisurely.
"People from other worlds have come to the Shinobi World before, but their mission details were sealed. I happen to have permission to review them, and besides, you don't fit in with the people around you, so it's easy to investigate."
Hatake Sakumo frowned upon hearing this, clearly puzzled. If Orochimaru could see it, why couldn't the others?
"You're probably confused!"
Orochimaru seemed to have read Hatake Sakumo's mind and explained.
"I'm different from others; He doesn't have a very deep influence on me, so I pay attention to details that shouldn't be there, while others don't."
"He?" Ai squinted and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean?"
"The miracle the old man spoke of, the golden light that descended upon the Valley of the End, altered everyone's understanding, and I escaped death because of the Living Corpse Reincarnation."
Hatake Sakumo's sword tip dipped slightly. "But you were still affected?"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a twisted smile, "As expected of Konoha's White Fang, clever!"
"He influences the Shinobi World at all times, and although I remain conscious, I'm like a dog on a chain, only able to stay conscious within the Land of Fire."
"Once I leave a certain area of Land of Fire, my mind will begin to... dissolve, eventually becoming like the people in other villages."
"Unless someone reincarnates me again, but unfortunately such a person no longer exists, and I will not have another chance."
Hatake Sakumo tapped the hilt of the White Fang Short Sword rhythmically with his fingers, the knuckles making a soft, crisp sound as they struck the metal.
The air inside the cave seemed to freeze, with only the breathing of a few people echoing between the rock walls.
His gaze never left Orochimaru's pale face, trying to glean more information from those snake-like eyes.
Hatake Sakumo thought to himself: If this is a trap... no, with Orochimaru's strength and the current intelligence, there's no need to go to such lengths.
Moonlight slanted through the cracks in the rock wall, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Where is your laboratory?
Hatake Sakumo finally spoke, his voice low and steady; years of experience Anbu the ANBU had taught him how to hide his emotions.
Orochimaru's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
His tongue unconsciously licked his lips, a habitual little action that made Hatake Sakumo's nerves even more tense.
"It's located beneath the Forest of Death," Orochimaru's voice was slightly hoarse. "The entrance is in a dry well on the south side of the Training Ground Three. It looks like it's been abandoned for many years and wouldn't attract attention."
Forest of Death...
Hatake Sakumo quickly recalled the terrain of the area in his mind; it was indeed an ideal hiding place, but also the best ambush location.
The Lightning Release Chakra on A's body gradually extinguished, and the blue lightning disappeared beneath the panel like the receding tide.
He crossed his arms, his muscular physique gleaming bronze in the moonlight.
How can we be sure this isn't a trap?
Orochimaru chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Of course you can't be sure."
He readily admitted it, his golden snake eyes staring directly at Ai.
"But this is the only way for you to understand the truth of this world, and... I am also very curious about you."
Hatake Sakumo fell into a brief moment of contemplation, his gaze shifting between his two companions as he quickly weighed the various possibilities in his mind.
Ai's strength is undeniable, but he is too straightforward. Gengetsu is meticulous, but her Water Clone is limited in a confined space.
If someone really had to take the risk...
"I'll go check it out," Hatake Sakumo said without room for argument. "Ai, Gengetsu, you two continue with the original plan."
The Water Clone of Gengetsu nodded slightly, a serious expression appearing on its liquid face. "Understood! We will remain discreet and continue gathering intelligence."
Ai remained silent for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping back and forth over Orochimaru, as if trying to see through his disguise.
In the end, the Raikage simply said, "Be careful."
But the implied warning is self-evident...
If Sakumo gets into trouble, they will definitely make Orochimaru pay the price.
Orochimaru shrugged noncommittally, as if he were already used to such threats. He turned and walked deeper into the cave, his white lab coat peeking out in the darkness.
"Come with me, Hatake- kun. Time is running out!"
Hatake Sakumo followed, and before disappearing into the darkness, he turned back and nodded to his two companions.
This simple action contained many unspoken implications: maintain contact, remain concealed, and be ready to provide backup at any time.
Ai and Gengetsu stood there, watching as the two figures were swallowed up by the darkness of the cave.
Gengetsu's Water Clone began to become unstable; its liquid body trembled slightly, indicating the unease of its true form.
Ai's fist clenched involuntarily, his knuckles making a slight popping sound.
Hopefully, this decision is the right one...
Hatake Sakumo silently recited the mantra in his mind, while simultaneously raising his guard and preparing to deal with any possible unforeseen events.
After their footsteps completely disappeared, Ai and Gengetsu exchanged a glance.
The Water Clone of the Gengetsu transformed into a pool of clear water that seeped into the ground, while Ai's figure was enveloped in Lightning Release Chakra and instantly disappeared from the spot.
The cave returned to silence, broken only by the crisp sound of water droplets falling from the rock walls, as if no one had ever been there, and no one knew that in the depths of this darkness, a secret that could change the entire Shinobi World was about to be revealed.