The black mist came and went in an instant. When Orochimaru opened his eyes again, the scene before him had changed.
Rust-covered water pipes, a powerful stench in the air, and the constant skittering of sewer creatures in his ears.
"Hmm, the sewers of the former Land of Whirlpools? What a tasteless location."
"That black mist was actually some kind of space-time technique, but it could bypass barriers outright. I'm very curious about how it managed that."
"The leader's attitude must have something to do with Naruto Uzumaki. Just who is he...?"
Orochimaru muttered to himself as he surveyed his surroundings as casually as if he were out shopping.
Despite his disdain for the sewers, Orochimaru was perfectly at ease.
After all, he had often conducted experiments in places like this back in Konoha. He was long since accustomed to them.
The Land of Whirlpools' sewers were even more spacious than he had imagined. Orochimaru walked for a while without even reaching the end.
"I suppose this counts as a Shinobi Village tradition. These winding underground passages are better suited to ambushes than the surface..."
Just as Orochimaru was about to summon a few small snakes to scout ahead, he caught a faint, unusual sound.
"Hmm?"
The instant Orochimaru turned his head, the wall beside him exploded, and a figure charged at him with overwhelming force, fist swinging!
"Die, Orochimaru!"
Boom!
There was nothing fancy about that punch, but it was blindingly fast. Before Orochimaru could react, it slammed into his face and sent him flying!
"Ninja Arts: Wild Lion's Mane!"
Long white hair shot out through the shattered wall, extending rapidly and binding Orochimaru tight.
"Well, well, if it isn't my old friends, the esteemed Fifth Hokage and Princess Tsunade?"
Bound up like a rice dumpling, Orochimaru showed no