After fleeing more than ten kilometers from the arena, Orochimaru stopped running.
After summoning the First Hokage and Second Hokage back into their coffins, Orochimaru stood atop a tree, gazing at the chaotic Konoha in the distance with a thoughtful expression.
He had not come to Konoha for the Chunin Exams with many goals in mind. Most of them had already been accomplished.
First, he had come to plant a Cursed Seal on Sasuke and check on Anko, who had borne the Heavenly Curse Mark for many years. Beyond that, he had planned the Konoha Crush Plan, allowing the old man to meet a dignified end.
Even as a rogue ninja of Konoha, he hoped Konoha would improve and provide more outstanding experimental materials.
Moreover, Jiraiya, that idiot, was now Hokage. To stabilize his position as Hokage, he still needed the assistance of a genius like Orochimaru—for instance, by eliminating every competitor who could threaten the Hokage's position.
After his moment of reflection, Orochimaru suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked at a figure several kilometers away. A playful smile appeared on his face as he remained where he was, waiting for the black speck to approach.
Several dozen seconds later, Jiraiya, clad in the Hokage's battle robe, appeared before Orochimaru. He was carrying the Fourth Kazekage—or, more precisely, the Fourth Kazekage's Edo Tensei.
The Fourth Kazekage ranked among the weaker of the Five Kage. His strength was not particularly great, and he was no match for Jiraiya.
But facing an immortal Edo Tensei Fourth Kazekage who possessed Magnet Release and could fly, Jiraiya had found it extremely troublesome.
He had consecutively summoned Gamabunta, Gamahiro, and Gamaken, yet none of them could take down the Fourth Kazekage. In the end, only with the help of the two sages, Fukasaku and Shima,