Orochimaru and his two companions, traveling west across the Land of Iron, soon discovered the Land of Iron samurai Mifune had dispatched everywhere to search for them. However, these samurai, who possessed no special abilities, naturally could not detect the trio's movements.
But after Tokuma Hyuga spotted Mifune and Ōnoki, who were also searching for them, through his Byakugan, Orochimaru decided to give them one last chance.
Of course, that would be after they reached the border of the Land of Iron.
After all, safety came first.
Having deliberately exposed themselves, Orochimaru's group was soon reported by the Land of Iron samurai. Mifune and the Third Tsuchikage hurried over at once.
"Lord Hokage, why have you come all the way over here? You left the site of the Five Kage Summit far behind you!"
Mifune opened with a joking complaint, trying to lighten the mood.
But Orochimaru did not appreciate it in the slightest. He gave a cold laugh. "Did you really arrange this so-called Five Kage Summit?"
A cold golden gleam shot from his narrow snake pupils. Mifune and Ōnoki both felt an illusory prickling pain when his gaze swept over them.
"What do you mean by that, Lord Hokage? Could the Five Kage Summit possibly be fake?"
Mifune was puzzled by Orochimaru's question.
The shrewd old Ōnoki immediately understood. The worst possibility he had anticipated had come to pass. Because of the actions of the three great ninja villages earlier, Orochimaru truly no longer trusted them.
That would not do!
So, before Orochimaru could mock them again, he hurriedly suggested, "If the Hokage does not believe us, you can send a Shadow Clone to come with us and take a look. Then you will know whether it is real."
This was one of the conveniences unique to ninja.