The pitch-black cave held a long table with three chairs on each side.
On the table were six ancient brass candle holders, but only one flickering candle burned dimly.
The faint light reflected on a chair where a white-haired middle-aged man sat.
It seemed that sensing Orochimaru's return, another candle was lit.
"You're back, huh? Looking quite battered."
White Fang looked at the dusty, slightly disheveled Orochimaru, his expression shifting to surprise.
"You're a sequence 5 Polymath, with so many abilities. Did you run into the Third Hokage?"
"That's not really it, just a bit of a surprising discovery."
Orochimaru shook his head, then sat down in his chair calmly.
"It's nothing to do with the Third Hokage, but the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. That kid is quite interesting."
"Good, as long as we don't meet that guy."
White Fang let out a sigh of relief, then asked again, "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? What about that kid made you interested?"
"Heh, it's too early to say."
Orochimaru deliberately kept it mysterious, his tone secretive.
"After I study him more closely, I'll let you know the results."
"Forget it, as long as it doesn't affect this mission," White Fang nodded slightly, calmly.
"We've waited for so many years, finally found a chance—we can't afford to miss it."
"I understand."
Orochimaru nodded, then looked at the other empty seats.
"Where are the others? Why aren't they here yet?"
"They're probably held up by something."
White Fang frowned but didn't know what was going on either.
At that moment, blurry, ghost-like figures appeared one by one in the empty seats.
Each brass lamp opposite the seats flickered with a blue-green flame.
"Looks like everyone's here."
Orochimaru looked at the faint figures appearing and smiled slightly.
He licked his lips and said, "Since everyone's here, let's officially begin."
At the far left seat, a figure burning like fire turned to Orochimaru and asked, "Orochimaru, about the thing I asked you last time—what's the result?"
"I already tested it for you. The talent is qualified."
Orochimaru paused for a moment, then said, "As for the mental side, at least I haven't found any signs of him being 'hypnotized.'"
"That's good," The figure burning with flames nodded slightly and said, "Consider me indebted to you. Please take good care of 'Sasuke' for me."
"No need to be so formal, Mikoto."
Orochimaru smiled and shook his head.
"It's just a small favor. Besides, I haven't gained nothing from this either."
"Let's get back on topic."
White Fang cleared his throat lightly and looked at everyone present.
"At this point, it's certain that guy is making some kind of plan. I suspect it's very likely connected to the 'Advancement Ritual.'"
"That's our last chance!" Onoki, sitting across, sneered coldly.
"If we combine all our forces, even if we can't kill him completely, at least we can severely injure him. That way, he won't have the chance to advance anytime soon."
"The key problem is 'White Zetsu.'"
Orochimaru said in a low voice, "If we all move together, the enemy might already be prepared, maybe even set a trap to catch us all at once."
"White Zetsu is definitely a headache."
Mikoto sighed. Over the years, they had been hunted and scattered, too afraid to show themselves. That showed just how terrifying White Zetsu's influence was.
"I have bad news to share."
After a long silence, Konan suddenly spoke, "Recently, the Aurora Order, silent for many years, seems to have 'awakened.'"
"What?!"
At these words, a shadow of fear fell over everyone present.
The threat from the Aurora Order was far greater than White Zetsu. From the limited information, the group had as many as three 'Sages' within it.
Not to mention, ever since Uchiha Itachi joined the Aurora Order, the entire organization had disappeared from the public eye for over a decade. Now, nobody knew how far they had advanced.
If they had reached Sequence Four, that would mean the Aurora Order had at least four, maybe even five Sages.
With such overwhelming power, overthrowing the shinobi world wouldn't be impossible at all.
"Are you sure it's true?"
Ōnoki's face was extremely grim as he asked again.
He still found it hard to believe—why would the Aurora Order, silent for over a decade, suddenly awaken at this critical moment?
"It's true,"
Konan nodded and said, "You should know that Amegakure is always covered in rain. Nagato's detection barrier found someone connected to the Aurora Order's faith."
"Looks like it really is happening."
Ōnoki sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.
"The Aurora Order's awakening is completely unexpected—a new threat outside our plans."
"Those guys in the Aurora Order are much more troublesome than 'White Zetsu,'" White Fang pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression bitter.
"Also, knowing their style, they probably have some specific goal. Could it be they discovered traces of the 'Blasphemy Slate'?"
"Very likely."
Orochimaru's brow furrowed with concern.
"Knowing the Aurora Order's personality, they wouldn't act without definite information."
"If it is about the 'Blasphemy Slate,' that's a serious problem."
Ōnoki knew well that if the Aurora Order got them first, they'd be in an even more difficult position.
"Let's put the Aurora Order aside for now."
Finally, Orochimaru made a decision, looking around at everyone with a heavy voice.
"Besides, even if the Aurora Order gets the tablets first, without all the 'Blasphemy Slate' combined, the 'Summoning Ritual' won't succeed. Our main goal is still to stop that guy's Advancement Ritual."
"Agreed."
Mikoto nodded calmly.
"That guy is a bigger threat to us than the Aurora Order."
"I agree," Konan said indifferently.
"Agreed."
White Fang and Ōnoki voiced their opinions in turn.
Seeing everyone in agreement, Orochimaru then turned his serious gaze toward the one who had remained silent, speaking with slight respect:
"Then the task to hold back White Zetsu falls to you, Sage of Six Path."
"Half an hour."
The Six Paths Sage's eyes fluttered open slightly. He said calmly, "No matter the outcome, I must return to the Pure Land in half an hour."
Half an hour was the ideal time he had predicted. If he stayed away from the Pure Land too long, the strange substance once sealed by 'Adam' would completely lose control.
Of course, he wouldn't tell anyone this. The fewer people who knew about that 'strange substance,' the better.
"Do you think Mr. Adam will wake up?"
At that moment, Ōnoki suddenly asked the group a strange question.
"What do you mean?"
Mikoto's gaze grew cold, as if filled with wild spirit, scrutinizing the person in front of her.
In the dark, dull room, by the long table lit with brass candles, Ōnoki remained calm and steady in response to Mikoto's doubt. He said quietly, "I'm just expressing a reasonable concern."
"Hmph, I hope so."
Mikoto snorted coldly, then raised her hand to snuff out the candle. Her figure vanished immediately.
Konan glanced meaningfully at Ōnoki, whose expression remained unchanged, then said calmly, "Don't forget who gave you your power."
She also extinguished her candle and disappeared into the cave.
One by one, the figures vanished. Before leaving, Ōnoki looked at Orochimaru with a gaze that seemed to hold something unsaid, but in the end, he said nothing and disappeared.
"Ōnoki is suspicious."
White Fang stared at the empty seat left behind and pondered, "His question just now was a test—testing Mr. Adam."
"The longer he's gone, the more restless people become."
Orochimaru's face remained unchanged, but his words were full of meaning, "Otherwise, why would that guy betray us? Ignore Ōnoki, haha."
"Aren't you worried?" White Fang frowned and looked at Orochimaru.
"Why should I be?"
Orochimaru smiled, "Mr. Adam controls fate. Even in his slumber, he can still see the future clearly. Why would I worry?"
"I hope Mr. Adam returns soon."
White Fang looked at the candle flame before him, worry heavy in his voice. "The Aurora Order will start moving again. It will be hard to keep up with our strength alone."
*******
Support me on my patreon and read upto 20 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/c/Unique_Writer