The Jade Heavenly Maiden wrapped the scroll with her silk ribbons, lifted it into the air, and gave it a light shake to fling off the disgusting slime before handing it to Menma.
Taking the scroll, Menma infused a thread of chakra to probe its contents. Inside the storage seal, a vast and vigorous life force surged like ocean tides.
Although Orochimaru was undeniably insane when it came to human experimentation, his credibility remained solid as long as the other party possessed equal strength—or the potential for cooperation.
After watching Orochimaru vanish into the forest, Menma departed as well with the Third Death God and Jade Heavenly Maiden.
If they had truly fought, the scythe of the Third Death God wouldn't have merely absorbed chakra—it could also damage souls directly.
Against someone like Orochimaru, whose soul was already fragmented, it would have been a perfect counter.
When Menma landed on the forest floor, a masked white tiger leapt out from the shadows and stopped before him, lowering its body.
He climbed onto its back, and the beast dashed swiftly through the woods.
Around Konoha, Orochimaru actually had many secret bases—some of which even Danzo didn't know about.
Now that Orochimaru had fled, those bases would inevitably be abandoned.
Menma had no intention of letting such treasures go to waste.
Before long, the white tiger stopped before a concealed entrance located along a cliff face.
Standing on the rocky platform outside, Menma could overlook the Naka River and, ten kilometers in the distance, the Naka Shrine.
That place was the Uchiha clan's territory—a secret gathering site. Beneath the shrine lay the stone tablet said to have been left by the Sage of Six Paths, later tampered with by Black Zetsu.
"This secret base has quite a nice view," Menma murmured before turning and walking into the dark tunnel.
The Jade Heavenly Maiden and Third Death God floated ahead, dismantling hidden traps along the passage.
Though small in scale, the base was fully equipped. In the laboratory area, half-formed experimental subjects still floated inside tanks, and an independent power system hummed faintly.
The white tiger and the two Nine-Faced Beasts began clearing out Orochimaru's remaining mechanisms and stray snakes.
Menma entered a resting room and discovered a few scattered research logs.
It appeared this wasn't one of Orochimaru's main laboratories. The notes were brief and incomplete—but still enough for Menma to grasp a basic understanding of the facility.
Thanks to the white tiger's keen sensory abilities, three of Orochimaru's secret bases had already been located.
All of them would now belong to Menma.
Suddenly, a burning pain flared at the sealing mark on Menma's waist.
"So… it's here?" he muttered.
Setting aside the logbook, he quickly formed hand seals and pressed his palm to his lower back.
"Caged Seal!"
A pale curse mark flickered briefly across his skin before fading into silence.
Outside Konoha – In the Forest
Standing atop a tree branch, Uchiha Obito—wearing the black cloak with red clouds of the Akatsuki and a spiral-patterned mask—furrowed his brow.
"Obito, something seems to be happening in Konoha," White Zetsu's voice emerged as the two-toned creature rose halfway from the trunk. "The White Zetsu inside reported that security has suddenly tightened, and many sensory ninja have been deployed."
"Call me 'Lord Madara' when we're outside," Obito said coldly.
"Sure thing, Obito-sama," White Zetsu replied cheerfully.
Obito had long gotten used to Zetsu's chatter. Ever since being saved by the real Madara and confined underground, White Zetsu had been his only companion. Even if the creature often spoke nonsense, Obito rarely bothered arguing anymore.
"Any word from the White Zetsu stationed at the orphanage?" Obito asked.
"Now that you mention it… there hasn't been any report from that one for quite a while," Zetsu said, fully emerging from the tree.
"Looks like something has happened inside Konoha that we don't know about."
Obito once again tried to sense the space-time mark he had placed on Minato's child—but found nothing.
That made his expression harden beneath the mask.
He couldn't help recalling the battle three years ago. Minato had instantly grasped the nature of his abilities after a single exchange, counterattacked with Flying Thunder God Second Stage, and severed his control over the Nine-Tails with a contract seal.
'Is there some sealing technique capable of blocking space-time markers?'
The Uzumaki clan was famous for sealing arts—but they had long since been wiped out, and even Konoha's remaining seal specialists shouldn't have been capable of something on that level.
'Damn it… what exactly happened to that kid?'
Obito grew anxious. That child was a crucial piece of his revenge plan.
He still dreamed of seeing Minato-sensei's two sons kill each other in ten years' time.
"Hey, hey! Obito—are you really going into Konoha?!" Zetsu exclaimed as Obito's body began to fade.
"Don't worry," Obito replied confidently. "The Fourth Hokage is dead. No one there can threaten me."
Deep Within Konoha – The Root Headquarters
Inside Danzo's chamber, a Root operative knelt beyond the sliding door.
"Danzo-sama! Orochimaru has defected!"
Danzo, who had been resting on his tatami mat, snapped open his left eye.
"Call 'Kō' here."
"Understood!"
Moments later, a thirteen-year-old boy wearing a tanuki mask entered the room.
"Danzo-sama!"
Danzo handed him a scroll.
"Go to this location and deliver this scroll to the person waiting there. Afterward, remain on site and assist Orochimaru in his escape."
Though Kō possessed the Wood Release kekkei genkai, his strength was merely that of an ordinary jonin—far below someone like Orochimaru. Danzo never expected him to deal with the Sannin directly.
But Orochimaru absolutely could not be captured by Hiruzen. If he were brought back and exposed Danzo's involvement, the consequences would be disastrous.
Since killing Orochimaru was impossible, and Danzo still needed his research, the only option was to help him flee.
"Yes, sir."
Kō vanished in an instant.
Just after he left, Aburame Ryōma arrived with an ANBU messenger.
"Danzo-sama! The Hokage requests your presence!"
"Understood."
Danzo donned his outer robe, carefully concealing the secret hidden beneath his bandaged arm.
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