In the Land of Earth, at Otogakure.
Since the entire mountain where Iwagakure's old site had stood had collapsed, Otogakure hadn't been built in its original location. Instead, they had found a flat stretch in the lower reaches of a canyon near the Land of Grass.
A great river ran through all of Otogakure. Following its current downstream made it easy to reach the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire.
Transportation was extremely convenient, and the relatively flat canyon terrain also provided obvious advantages for developing agriculture.
As a result, the region around Otogakure had developed economically at a fairly rapid pace. The Tsuchikage paid little attention to taxes on residents or the economy.
Those powers had therefore been handed back to the Daimyo's Mansion, which was also why the Daimyo was willing to work with Orochimaru.
However, if Otogakure's higher-ups were asked to assess the Tsuchikage, this widely renowned Lord Tsuchikage seemed more like a "researcher." Even when it came to Otogakure's affairs, he only personally handled a few major matters; he left the many other miscellaneous tasks to his assistants.
Today, an unexpected guest had arrived at the underground laboratory outside Otogakure.
"You're the Tsuchikage?"
A deep, resonant voice, brimming with authority, rang through the empty underground plaza.
Orochimaru had learned through the barrier alert that someone had forcibly broken into the laboratory, and he appeared there as well.
"Hiss..."
"Well, aren't you an extraordinary person..."
Orochimaru, dressed in a gray-blue robe, looked somewhat dazed.
After all, no matter where Madara Uchiha appeared, he exerted such oppressive force that it made one's heart stop.
Madara wore a black, close-fitting combat suit beneath red, layered armor. A massive Gunbai was strapped to his back, with a black chain hanging from the end of its handle.
"Yes, Lord