After two days and three nights of long travel, Naruto finally reached his destination.
The Land of Rice Fields, Otogakure!
"So this is where Orochimaru is hiding? It's indeed very hidden." Naruto narrowed his eyes, murmuring softly.
The Land of Rice Fields was extremely small, kept to itself, yet occupied a crucial route connecting Konoha to the outside world.
The terrain here was complex, with many mountains, hills, and a few marshes.
It's most suitable for someone like Orochimaru to reside.
"At the same time, occupying this key position near Konoha makes it most convenient for Orochimaru to abduct people and conduct human experiments." Naruto analyzed calmly.
He didn't want to judge whether Orochimaru's methods were right or wrong.
The only thing he wanted to do now was to see his parents' remains sooner, even a little bit sooner.
Finding a flat rock, Naruto spread out the scroll drawn by the White Snake Sage.
It clearly marked Orochimaru's human experimentation sites and his usual dwelling caves.
"One is at the border with Konoha, the other is far from Konoha, near the Land of Iron." Naruto read the map, pondering inwardly.
The location at the border with Konoha was, without a doubt, the human experimentation site.
Shinobi from Konoha going out on missions would mostly be intercepted here by Orochimaru's subordinates and meet a tragic end.
The other location, far from Konoha, if Naruto wasn't mistaken, should be where Orochimaru stored the bodies.
"After all, the bodies of those famous figures from their lifetimes would likely have portraits left behind, easily recognized by Konoha's Shinobi."
"If a test subject accidentally saw them and used some special method to send a message out, it would give Orochimaru a headache." Naruto analyzed calmly, just like a strategist.
After so many days of training and the change in his state of mind, he was no longer that dead-last who only charged forward recklessly with his head down.
Using his brain, analyzing, assessing the situation…
Only then could one live better and laugh last in this cruel world.
Putting away the scroll, Naruto formed hand seals. A few strands of pale Senjutsu Chakra enveloped him.
The Transformation Senjutsu was different from ordinary Transformation Technique.
It disguised him from the inside out by altering the nature of his Chakra.
Not to mention Orochimaru, even if the White Snake Sage came in person, it might not be able to distinguish Naruto.
Concealed in the void, Naruto flashed a few times and disappeared into the hills and trees.
He headed in the direction towards the Land of Iron, the place where Orochimaru stored the bodies, at full speed.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Sasuke walked in the drizzling rain, observing everything around him.
This was Amegakure.
Tall buildings, giant towers, pipes made of steel.
A sight described by the Group Owner as 'cyberpunk' unfolded before Sasuke's eyes.
It's completely different from other villages.
The mysterious Amegakure exuded a strong sense of exclusivity, enveloping the entire city.
However, now wasn't the time to admire the scenery.
Sasuke opened the scroll given by Jiraiya and read it again.
"Ten years ago, Jiraiya-sensei left the three. Before leaving, Nagato confided in Jiraiya, saying he would open a small shop like a ramen restaurant in Amegakure and live a stable, peaceful life."
"But, from the moment I stepped into Amegakure, there hasn't been a single restaurant or eatery here. That means Nagato broke the promise he made to Jiraiya-sensei back then." Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly, two tomoe swirling within.
Before the Sharingan, ordinary concealment techniques were ineffective.
But even so, Sasuke still hadn't detected a single trace of Chakra.
The entire Amegakure was like a dead city, showing no signs of Shinobi activity.
"Could there really be Shinobi living in a place like this?" Sasuke couldn't help but doubt inwardly.
Just as he thought this, a faint Chakra flow was suddenly caught by the Sharingan, appearing above and to his right.
"Who's there?!" Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply.
The markings of Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode naturally spread to the sides of his eyes.
However, the expected attack did not come.
Instead, a fair, delicate hand gently offered a mask.
"Here. When walking in Amegakure, remember to prepare a breathing mask. Otherwise, using many techniques will be restricted."
It was a woman's voice.
Sasuke instantly turned around, his eyes reflecting a woman with purple eyes and black hair.
She had long hair covering the left half of her face, and her entire demeanor seemed very languid.
"Sorry, this is my first time visiting Amegakure. I'm not very familiar with the customs here." Sasuke's thoughts shifted rapidly, and he quickly revealed a bright smile, speaking gently.
Combined with his handsome face, his lethality towards women was absolutely one hundred percent!
Sure enough, the seemingly calm and languid purple-eyed girl couldn't help but blush slightly, saying softly,
"You're here to hire Shinobi from Amegakure, right? Come with me. There's a detailed price list and mission roster there."