Chapter 68
Orochimaru's underground residence was shrouded in darkness, a thick layer of moisture clinging to the cavern walls. Perhaps due to the late hour, a faint, transparent mist hovered in the air, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Thanks to the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave, Zixu felt more energized at night. Despite the dim surroundings, his enhanced vision allowed him to see every detail, from the damp walls to the motionless snake camouflaging itself as a stone pillar.
At first glance, the crypt's entrance appeared ordinary. However, once inside, following Kabuto's lead, Zixu quickly discovered its hidden intricacies. The former Four Sound Ninjas had set up layers of traps throughout the underground lair—several of which were intricate genjutsu designed to mislead intruders. Only after skillfully bypassing these barriers could one fully witness Orochimaru's domain.
The room was dominated by rows of massive test tubes filled with a green liquid, each containing various experimental subjects. The floors, walls, and ceiling were all reinforced with steel plating, giving the space a cold, sterile feel. Embedded within the metallic grooves were rows of blue lights, casting an eerie glow across the chamber. Though the lighting wasn't particularly bright, it was still far more illuminated than the cavern outside.
The soft blue glow resembled moonlight filtering through stormy clouds, or the neon shimmer of a city lost in the mist.
Orochimaru stood with his hands behind his back, clad in a flowing white robe. From Zixu's angle, only the shinobi's long, jet-black hair was visible, cascading down like a waterfall.
Carefully stepping past the glass tubes, Zixu finally caught sight of what stood opposite Orochimaru.
A humanoid steel construct—its skeletal frame fully visible. Orochimaru, wearing a mask-like device, was operating on it with an electric drill in hand.
Beside him, an enormous electronic screen displayed an array of dense, rapidly updating data. A web of tangled wires snaked across the floor, connecting to the screen and various machines. Orochimaru's clone, standing to the side, meticulously recorded every detail with such speed that sparks seemed to fly from his pen.