Several days later, on the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth.
Rain drifted from the sky, and the air reeked of smoke and gunpowder. In Yulu Town, the downpour extinguished patches of burning flames, sending up clouds of steam.
A fierce battle had just ended here. After several hours of fighting, the Stone Ninja had chosen to retreat and withdraw from the battlefield. Konoha had taken control of Yulu Town, and under Orochimaru's orders, its ninja began clearing the battlefield and gathering the bodies of their fallen comrades.
Orochimaru stood in the rain. His green flak jacket was torn in several places, and blood stained his face and body. He stared blankly at the wreckage of the battlefield, his mind heavy with thoughts. Though Konoha had successfully driven back the Stone Ninja and occupied Yulu Town, its losses had been considerable.
Yet more comrades Orochimaru had known had lost their lives in this battle.
"Lord Orochimaru, a messenger sent by Lord Jiuming has arrived."
A figure suddenly appeared beside Orochimaru and crouched to deliver the report.
"Bring him here." Orochimaru's hoarse voice gave no hint of his feelings. The ninja who had received the order quickly left.
Before long, the ninja who had delivered the report returned with a middle-aged man. Shimura Danzō had come with him as well. Danzō was exceptionally well informed; as soon as he heard that a messenger from Uzumaki Kuming had arrived, he hurried over.
"Lord Orochimaru, this is the Four-Tails captured by Lord Jiuming."
"On Lord Hokage's orders, the Tailed Beast is being handed over to you."
The messenger was a ninja from the Aburame Clan, in charge of the team transporting the Four-Tails. As he spoke, he set down the pack on his back and took out a