Kumogakure had suffered relatively minor losses in the last war. The collapse of the Legendary Sannin group was bound to tempt them.
Once war broke out, the Hidden Leaf Village would have no time to trouble him.
Moreover, war would always give the Uchiha Clan a chance to grow stronger and once again encroach upon the Hidden Leaf Village's existing distribution of interests. And a military confrontation between the Hidden Leaf Village and Kumogakure would also draw the covetous eyes of the Stone Village.
In the last war, the Hidden Leaf Village, Sand Village, and Hidden Mist Village had suffered devastating losses. As the victor, the Hidden Leaf Village would not be able to recover its strength in a short time. After dealing with Kumogakure and the Stone Village, and with Shimura Danzō gone, it would have little strength left to invest abroad. That would make it value the strength of its allies even more.
Orochimaru had already made up his mind. He would develop in the Land of Rice Fields.
That country's location perfectly avoided the battle zones between the Five Great Nations. Next to it was the isolated Land of Iron, while the only powerful nation nearby was the Land of Fire. So long as he did not expose himself, he could establish a village there and gain peace as an ally of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Most of the preparations were complete. It was time for him to leave.
Faint footsteps sounded in the dim prison cell.
Orochimaru had long memorized the timing of those sounds.
During this period, he had grasped the patrol intervals of the Hidden Leaf Village's ninja precisely. By his estimate, he would not be discovered until after he had left the northern district.
By then, he could use the forest in the