As he walked along the streets of Konoha, Ōnoki felt much the same as the Third Raikage had earlier.
Listening to the scattered chatter around him and taking in the lively scene, Ōnoki's old face darkened completely. He couldn't manage even the faintest hint of a smile.
What Ōnoki found even more offensive was that, despite being the leader of a village, not a single person from Konoha had come out to welcome him!
How rude!
A cold smile tugged at Ōnoki's lips. He straightened his back with all his might and walked into the Hokage Building amid the villagers' chatter.
"Oh? If it isn't Lord Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. It's been quite a while."
Orochimaru descended the stairs, looking down at the already short Ōnoki. The corners of his lips curled into a sinister smile.
This man was...
Orochimaru, Sarutobi Hiruzen's student?
Ōnoki confirmed his identity and snorted.
"How rude, Orochimaru. Is this how you speak to your elders?"
"Elders? You're not from Konoha. What makes you one of our elders?"
A voice that grated on Ōnoki's ears came from above the stairs. His expression turned stern in an instant, and his eyes fixed on the figure slowly coming down.
"Brat, do you know who you're talking to? Didn't your parents teach you to show respect to the old-timers of the Shinobi World?"
Ōnoki was in a foul mood.
Ever since he'd learned that the Five-Tails was in Konoha's hands, he'd been extremely unhappy. Then, on his way here, the villagers had mocked him, and Orochimaru had taken sly digs at him.
And now some unknown brat thought he could sneer at him too?
Who did the brat think he was?
He was the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure!
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, the former Third, would have treated him with courtesy!