"Damn it."
In the end, the Third Hokage naturally would not just stand by and watch the two of them start fighting in the Hokage's office. And in a battle of words alone, how could Jiraiya possibly be Orochimaru's match?
Having defeated a certain white-haired man, Orochimaru cheerfully turned his gaze back to the Third Hokage.
"Teacher Sarutobi, was my guess correct?"
"Yes, and no!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's old face wrinkled, and his smile began to turn sly.
"One reason I sent Sakumo to the Mist Village was to make them all fall for that misconception. But in reality, our target is—Iwagakure."
"A feint to the east, then strike in the west? Brilliant!"
Orochimaru praised.
"Haha!"
The praise of his most beloved disciple greatly pleased Sarutobi. He took a long drag of his pipe, then continued:
"This time, I intend to have you lead the forces and swiftly defeat Iwagakure. Do you have confidence?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's expression turned serious as he began assessing the situation on both sides.
"If we want to attack Iwagakure, there are only three possible routes: the Land of Rain, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Waterfalls."
He spread out a map and said, "Since the Second Shinobi World War, because of Hanzo of the Salamander, the Land of Rain has remained forbidden territory for both us and Iwagakure. Unless we obtain Hanzo's approval, we cannot march through there. Otherwise, if he becomes displeased, he may directly side with Iwagakure."
Hearing Hanzo's name, Jiraiya, who had been sulking off to the side, chimed in, "Protecting an entire nation's peace through his own strength alone—the old man Hanzo has done a pretty good job!"
"Shut up!"
Orochimaru snapped coldly.
Unlike the thick-skinned Jiraiya, the proud and arrogant Orochimaru had never held much goodwill toward Hanzo.