Base

Yamato said, "I've already sent Shadow Clone over there; I should be able to find them soon."

Kakashi said, "This time, let's be careful and not let them find us again."

The group moved quickly through the forest. Suddenly, Naruto's vision started to blur again, and he almost fell off a tree.

Sakura, standing nearby, called out worriedly, "Naruto..."

Naruto flipped and rolled between the tree trunks until he regained his balance, then grinned foolishly and said, "I'm fine, Sakura."

Kakashi, Uzumaki Hane, and Yamato witnessed what had just happened. Uzumaki Hane said to Kakashi, "I'll go after them first." Without waiting for Kakashi's reply, he accelerated.

Kakashi had confidence in Uzumaki Hane's strength, so he didn't stop him, saying, "Let's proceed slowly and conserve our energy so we can support Uzumaki Hane later."

Naruto was somewhat unwilling, but he knew for certain that his body was nearing its limit.

Kakashi said seriously, "Naruto, if you continue like this, your body won't be able to take it, and you won't be able to Sasuke."

Sakura added, "Naruto, Kakashi-sensei is right. The opponent is Orochimaru. If we can't unleash our full power, we have no chance of success."

Naruto reluctantly agreed, and the four of them began to slow down to conserve their energy.

Uzumaki Hane suddenly accelerated, at least twice as fast as before. Relying on the radio she had just obtained from Yamato, she contacted Yamato's Wood Clone and quickly chased after her.

On the other side, Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, Sai stopped by the river.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure was watching them intently from nearby.

Yamato was extremely cautious, not daring to reveal the slightest hint of his presence. This was because Orochimaru's body's rejection reaction was becoming increasingly severe, preventing him from detecting Yamato's pursuit.

Orochimaru and his two companions rested for a while before continuing their journey. Kabuto Yakushi was responsible for erasing any traces to prevent being tracked, but he was unaware that Yamato had already tampered with Sai's body.

Yamato dared not get too close and followed at a distance.

Orochimaru and his two companions returned to the base and went straight inside, seemingly unaware that they were being followed.

Yamato's Wood Clone cautiously approached the base, hesitant to enter immediately, and began contacting Yamato and Uzumaki Hane via radio.

Inside the base, Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi, and Sai walked down a long corridor. After a while, they arrived at a cave. In the darkness sat a person who, noticing their arrival, said, "You're late, Orochimaru."

Kabuto Yakushi somewhat annoyed that Sasuke was speaking so rudely to Orochimaru, and said, "You're talking to me like that again, Sasuke."

Upon hearing this, Sai looked at the person, and the first thing he saw was that pair of Sharingan. Sai thought to himself, "This is Sasuke, the target of this ultimate mission." Thinking of this, Sai once again revealed his hypocritical smile.

Sasuke completely ignored Kabuto Yakushi's words and said to Orochimaru, "Didn't you say you'd help me train in a new Ninjutsu?"

Orochimaru smiled, as if admiring his perfect creation, and said, "Don't be angry. I brought you a gift today. This is Sai, a ninja from Konoha. Perhaps you can talk to him about your beloved hometown." As he spoke, Orochimaru pointed to Sai beside him.

Sasuke looked at Sai with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and let out a cold laugh. What kind of good person would someone be who conspired with Orochimaru? But none of that mattered to him. All he needed now was the power to take revenge and kill that man.

Seemingly sensing Sasuke's disregard, Sai's fake smile grew even brighter as he said, "I am Sai, and you are Sasuke Uchiha..."

Sasuke had no intention of getting to know the other person and interrupted him, "Enough with the chit-chat."

Although interrupted by Sasuke, Sai naturally wanted to learn more about the mission's objective, saying, "My smile seems to be easily disliked by others. Naruto seems to dislike my smile too, but compared to Naruto, I think I'm easier to get along with you."

Upon hearing Naruto, Sasuke looked at Sai for the first time. As their eyes met, Sai felt everything around him blur, as if he had fallen into an unknown place.

Seeing Sai's condition, Kabuto Yakushi knew that Sai had been affected by Sasuke's Sharingan and shouted, "Stop, Sasuke!"

Sai felt like he was back in the same spot, his back soaked with cold sweat. Sai was shocked, thinking to himself, "I was scared just now."

Orochimaru stood silently to the side, watching Sai probe Sasuke. He also wanted to know Danzo Sai, and now it seemed that Sai's target was Sasuke.

Orochimaru said, "Don't even think about messing with Sasuke; he's much more troublesome than I am."

Sai wasn't about to give up, saying, "Naruto has told me a lot about you. For the past three years, Naruto has been looking for you."

Sasuke said, "Orochimaru, let's go, come with me to train in new Ninjutsu."

Seeing Sasuke about to leave, Sai said, "Naruto treats you like a brother, you..."

At that moment, a loud bang shook the entire cave, and some gravel fell from above.

Sai asked, "What happened?"

Kabuto Yakushi said, "It seems someone has found this place. We underestimated them, Lord Orochimaru." As he spoke, Kabuto Yakushi looked at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru said, "Let's leave through another entrance." This was the final stage of his plan. Once he had Sasuke's body, the plan would be successful, and he would gain the power to destroy Konoha. Therefore, he did not intend to cause any unnecessary trouble.

The other half, Uzumaki Hane, arrived at the base and reunited with Yamato's Shadow Clone.

Uzumaki Hane looked at the mountain wall in front of him and said, "Is that Orochimaru's base?"

Yamato's Wood Clone said, "That's right, the base is hidden behind this mountain wall."

Yamato's Wood Clone continued, "I'll use Earth Release to infiltrate and investigate. You stay here and wait for the others, and you can also intercept anyone who comes out."

Uzumaki Hane's lips curled up as he said, "No need, I'll just fight my way in. The battle with Orochimaru isn't over yet." Uzumaki Hane knew that Sasuke should also be in this base in the original story, so he didn't plan to waste any time. With his strength, he could handle any unexpected situation.