A few kilometers outside Konoha Village.
Two figures, clad in black robes with red clouds, were observing Konoha Village from a distance.
These two were Orochimaru, who had not yet left the Akatsuki Organization, and Sasori of the Red Sand, also from the Akatsuki Organization.
"Hehehe, Sasori, aren't you going to come to Konoha with me to take a look?"
Orochimaru asked with a sinister laugh, looking at Konoha in the distance.
"I have no interest in Konoha. This personal mission is yours, and I'm not interested in acting with you."
Sasori's voice was very hoarse. He showed no respect whatsoever to Orochimaru, a former member of Konoha's Sannin.
"You should know, I don't like waiting for people, so I won't wait for you here either."
Sasori's words did not displease Orochimaru; instead, he laughed again.
"Hehehe, Lord Sasori is truly heartless!"
"In that case, let's part ways here! If you come across any interesting materials during your mission, don't forget about me."
With that, Orochimaru's figure submerged into the ground and vanished.
Seeing Orochimaru leave, Sasori also slowly departed in the opposite direction of Konoha.
As a former high-ranking Konoha official, it was easy for Orochimaru to infiltrate Konoha.
After entering Konoha, Orochimaru used the Transformation Technique to disguise himself.
Orochimaru knew Konoha Village better than most Ninja, as he was almost the Fourth Hokage.
If Danzo hadn't sabotaged him back then, the Fourth Hokage might not have been Minato Namikaze, but him, Orochimaru.
However, he held no hatred towards Danzo. It was precisely because Danzo sabotaged him that he left Konoha, and by leaving Konoha, he no longer had to worry about so many taboos, allowing him to conduct his scientific research.
Hokage was never his goal from start to finish. He had only two goals: understanding the origin of Ninja, or rather, Chakra, and all Ninjutsu, as well as the art of immortality he had been researching.
The reason Orochimaru came to Konoha alone this time was not because he wanted to visit his old home, but because Danzo had a deal to discuss with him.
This deal was very tempting to Orochimaru, so he had no choice but to come.
As for Konoha being dangerous now? Heh heh, that's not a concern.
Konoha was currently in an awkward transitional period.
With Orochimaru's current raw strength and escape methods, even if the Third Hokage and Danzo attacked together, he was confident he could easily escape.
Orochimaru wandered alone to the Konoha Office building.
Looking at the unchanged Office building, Orochimaru shook his head and said, "That's why old fuddy-duddies are just old fuddy-duddies. When it's time to retire, they shouldn't keep sitting in that position."
As he spoke, Orochimaru glanced at the window of the Hokage Office.
"Don't worry, Teacher Sarutobi, I will definitely not let you die of old age in that position. I will let you die as a hero, just like the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage!"
After a sentimental remark, Orochimaru's gaze fell upon the bulletin board.
At this moment, the most prominent item on the bulletin board was the somewhat blurry portrait of the Blood Release Ninja.
"Blood Release Ninja? That's the first I've heard of it! But… to be able to injure the old man multiple times and escape, it seems like good research material!"
Orochimaru also became interested in the Blood Release Ninja.
After leaving the Hokage Office building, Orochimaru did not immediately go to the agreed meeting place with Danzo, but continued towards Konoha's commercial street.
Soon, a shop under renovation caught his attention.
Although the shop was not yet finished, a very eye-catching sign had already been posted at the entrance.
"virtual helmet Experience Store: Put on a virtual helmet and you will enter another world, experiencing a different life. Whether you are a commoner or a Ninja, in the virtual world, you will have the chance to become strong!"
"Konoha Internet Cafe: A magical shop combining leisure, entertainment, and relaxation. It also features the same game played by the Third Hokage, "plants vs. zombies," and the same games played by Lord Danzo, "sekiro" and "Dark Souls." Do you want to become a Ninja World powerhouse like the Third Hokage and Lord Danzo? Konoha Internet Cafe awaits you."
Although the advertisement was simple and unadorned, it was indeed very eye-catching.
"virtual helmet Experience Store? Konoha Internet Cafe?"
"Hehehe, it looks like I can stay in Konoha for a few more days!"
After reading the advertisement at the entrance of the experience store with great interest, Orochimaru headed towards Konoha's Forest of Death.
The Forest of Death is different from the forest Naruto usually trains in; it is home to various fierce beasts and poisonous creatures. In addition, there are traps and landmines set up to prevent beasts from invading Konoha, making it extremely dangerous.
However, this slight danger was nothing to Orochimaru, an Kage-level powerhouse.
Orochimaru entered the Forest of Death and quickly arrived at a dead tree, guided by memory.
Facing the dead tree, Orochimaru formed a few hand signs, and then an entrance leading underground appeared beneath the tree.
This was one of Orochimaru's former research laboratories.
As the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows, and Orochimaru was even more cunning than a rabbit; he had quite a few hidden experimental bases in Konoha.
And this base was also where he and Danzo used to meet for their dealings.
Orochimaru initially thought that, given Danzo's personality, he would have arrived here early to wait for him, but… to his surprise, the underground base was pitch black, and there was no one there.
"Hmm? Was I tricked?"
Orochimaru was a bit puzzled.
However, Orochimaru didn't have Sasori's impatience for waiting, so he decided to wait a little longer here.
As Chakra was injected into a piece of sheet metal by the wall, the entire experimental base seemed to come alive; lights suddenly illuminated, and some experimental equipment also began to operate.
The lights illuminated the entire base, and looking at the dusty laboratory, Orochimaru thought, "Since I'm idle anyway, I might as well clean up the lab!"
Immediately, Orochimaru summoned a snake, took out a broom, duster, and mop from its mouth, and began cleaning.
Over an hour later.
Orochimaru finished cleaning, and Danzo, with his two subordinates, entered the underground base.
Seeing Orochimaru, who was wearing a mask and mopping the floor, Danzo was also startled.
"Cough cough…" Danzo lightly coughed and said, "I didn't expect you to have this hobby!"
"Hehehehe…" Orochimaru laughed sinisterly and said, "I didn't expect Lord Danzo to have a penchant for being late!"
With that, Orochimaru raised his head and stared intently at Danzo with his vertical pupils.
It wasn't a big deal not to look, but when he did, it also made Orochimaru pause.
Danzo at this moment was very different from the Danzo he knew.
Danzo's exposed single eye was somewhat cloudy, and the area around his eyes was dark, as if he hadn't slept for several days.
His once relatively upright figure was also somewhat hunched, giving the impression that he might collapse with a gust of wind.