Back at the inn arranged by Konoha, Houka met up with his other two Takigakure companions, but he did not like them at all.
Every other sentence was "Watermore," "Watermore"—they talked so much about water that it was practically coming out of him. No, fire was coming out of him!
So Houka tried to spend as little time with them as possible, lest he lose control and make them flow—ptui, bleed!
A few days later, Houka was lying on the inn roof basking in the sun when he saw a white snake rapidly slither over.
Houka's heart stirred. Orochimaru has already infiltrated Konoha.
After receiving the white snake's message, Houka went to a secluded forest that night and met Orochimaru.
"I didn't expect you to come to Konoha so early, Houka-kun."
Under the moonlight, Orochimaru's long black hair flowed elegantly, his skin was as pale as snow, and every gesture of his exuded a cold, sinister aura.
Houka smiled. "Same goes for you, Orochimaru. Your plan isn't supposed to begin until the preliminary rounds. Coming to Konoha this early... are you here to see an old lover?"
That old lover naturally referred to Danzo.
"It seems I won't be able to reconcile the grudge between you and him." Orochimaru spread his hands, wearing an unconcerned expression. "Still, I don't want such matters to affect my plan. You understand, don't you, Houka-kun?"
Houka solemnly raised four fingers on his right hand. "Don't worry, I absolutely won't hold you back. I swear four!"
With Nara Shikaku around, Houka had deliberately used the intelligence Jiraiya had sent back about the Konoha Crush Plan. Presumably, it would not reach Danzo's ears. Otherwise, how could Orochimaru possibly speak so amicably with him?
After chatting for a few more moments, the two went their separate ways.