August 18, Konoha Year 36, western Land of Iron, Severed Mountain City.
Orochimaru's team arrived outside the city.
Severed Mountain City stood right between two mountain ranges, with towering peaks to its north and south, as though the city itself had cleaved the mountains apart.
Though called a "city," it was more like a fortified pass.
Of course, to ninja, a "pass" could not completely block an invasion route.
The mountains were high, but even Genin could cross them.
The greater purpose of this barrier lay in the "sealing-disruption cursed seals" that the Land of Iron's forebears had established at enormous expense. If ninja went around it, the cost of carrying "sealing scrolls" increased sharply.
Thus, even Hanzō did not dare bypass this place lightly and launch a full-scale invasion of the eastern Land of Iron.
Otherwise, his retreat would inevitably be cut off, and the strain on his supplies would grow considerably.
Standing beneath the city walls, Akaseki wore an expression of sudden poetic inspiration before declaring, "Severed Mountain City truly deserves its reputation as the Land of Iron's greatest stronghold!"
"If you can't say anything more cultured than that, you could just keep quiet," Ranwu quipped beside him.
Akaseki: ...
Although Severed Mountain City was now heavily guarded, word that the "Konoha ninja" were coming had long since reached it. Several samurai attendants were waiting outside.
"You must be Jonin Orochimaru and Jonin Jiraiya of Konoha? Thank you for rescuing our people earlier. The master swordsmen and swordsmen have been waiting for quite some time. Please follow me!" The leading samurai attendant extended an arm to show the way.
"We merely happened upon them while escorting trade supplies," Orochimaru said with a faint smile.
Since he could tell that the other party still had no intention of formally