[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uEpHvkS.jpg?1[/img]

[color=#A77BCF][b][u]Orochimaru[/u][/b]
[i]"It's human nature not to realize the true value of something, unless they lose it."[/i][/color][/center]

A woman in a crow's mask and carrying an enormous Odachi marched in uniform step a few feet behind the Sage of Snakes as he made his way from the administration building to the labs. The administration building was still only half rebuilt. When he had arrived in this village ten years prior, the very idea of even having conventional targets for his enemies to strike had been absurd. No... it wasn't until he'd established his hidden labs and recruited enough followers that the order to rebuild what had been a lackluster administration building in the first place made any sort of strategic sense. And now, with Iwagakure providing additional funding and support, putting together a structured village was a real possibility.

He wasn't naïve. He knew that the old Tsuchikage was merely using him as a tool in that political game he wanted to play. The ancient fool was proud, bold even, but it didn't matter to Orochimaru. It was noise, sound, and that was just where he'd chosen to hide: lying in the grass, hidden in the sound. Even this administration building was a misdirection. It was as unimportant as the village itself to his ambitions, but it was useful. The lives of everyone in his village were useful until they weren't.

[b]"Squad 36 has failed their mission, Lord Otokage"[/b], the woman stated in a murmur. Her voice rode on the hum of the summer cicada and reached Orochimaru's ears with no effort at all, [b]"all seven operatives were lost."[/b]

[color=#A77BCF][b]"Confirmed lost"[/b][/color], he queried.

[b]"Confirmed, sir."[/b]

A grin spread across Orochimaru's face that the woman would be unable to see, [color=#A77BCF][b]"Make sure they remain lost. We will have to find replacements for their positions."[/b][/color]

Like with most people, whether it was acquiring allies, eliminating one's enemies, or exposing traitors, the best tool was almost always temptation.

[color=#A77BCF][b]"It is about time for Nakano to be promoted, isn't it?"[/b][/color], he asked in a leisurely way, opening the first door to the only labs located in Otogakure proper. This was where he spent most of his time, but it was important that he make appearances elsewhere. The eyes of his enemies were always on him. They were on him now. Jun did not respond immediately.

[b]"Sir, there is still no word back from that mission."[/b]

[color=#A77BCF][b]"When she returns, she will be made jounin and given control over Team 2's vacant jounin spot."[/b][/color]

There was a longer pause.

[b]"Sir, that man is here."[/b]

[color=#A77BCF][b]"He can wait. You can entertain him"[/b][/color], he said coldly, closing the door behind him.