Several days later, at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth.
A light rain drifted down from the sky, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. In Yulu Town, the rain extinguished clusters of burning flames, sending up clouds of steam.
A great battle had just ended here. After several hours of fighting, the Stone Ninja had retreated from the battlefield, leaving Konoha's shinobi in control of Yulu Town. Under Orochimaru's direction, they 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 awash with thoughts. Konoha had succeeded in driving back the Stone Ninja and taking Yulu Town, but the village had suffered heavy losses.
Once again, many comrades Orochimaru had known had lost their lives in 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 betrayed no emotion. The ninja receiving his 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 well informed; as soon as he heard that the messenger sent by Uzumaki Kuming had arrived, he hurried over.
"Lord Orochimaru, this is the Four-Tails captured by Lord Jiuming."
"By Lord Hokage's order, the Tailed Beast is now in your hands."
The messenger was a ninja from the Aburame Clan and the leader of the team transporting the Four-Tails. As he spoke, he set the pack on his back on the ground and took out a "Rice