Huff... huff...
In a forest somewhere in the Land of Fire, Orochimaru panted softly as he made his way toward a base he had prepared in advance.
He clutched his left arm, blood continually welling from his shoulder. His pace wasn't especially quick, since he still had to stop every so often to cover his tracks.
His defection from Konoha the previous night hadn't gone smoothly. After the Nine-Tails Incident broke out, Konoha had strengthened its defenses, with the barrier activated. The only way to break out was through the main gate.
The Third Hokage had brought Anbu reinforcements quickly, and Orochimaru had been badly injured during his escape.
If he had only faced the Third Hokage, he might have been able to handle him, and the outcome would even have been uncertain. But inside Konoha, he had been alone against an unknown number of shinobi. All he could think about was escaping, so naturally, it had been difficult.
Fortunately, he had escaped by now. Although many Anbu Ninja were pursuing him, he was confident he could shake them off.
"It's a shame I had to leave all that research data in Konoha," Orochimaru sighed. The Third Hokage had acted too decisively in leading the capture team, leaving him no time to move a number of things. Fortunately, he had foreseen this day years ago and had gradually transferred much of his research.
"Never mind. What's done is done. Getting to the base and leaving the Land of Fire as soon as possible is what matters."
As he continued onward, a breeze swept through the forest, bringing a chill in the early morning. Orochimaru didn't pay it any mind at first, but then he noticed something ahead. His senses abruptly went on alert.
"Well, Orochimaru. Long time no see." A