Orochimaru stood at Konoha's gates with a group of people. His expression was unreadable, and he radiated a faint air of lifelessness. Perhaps he had lost the will to live...
Kakuzu stood beside Orochimaru, forming a striking contrast to him.
Kakuzu's smile twisted across his face in such a grotesque way that, if not for the upward curve of his lips, anyone would have thought someone in his family had died.
The two stood motionless at Konoha's gates, their starkly contrasting appearances making for an extremely bizarre sight.
Orochimaru yawned from time to time, looking half asleep, while Kakuzu gazed into the distance, brimming with energy.
Just then, two groups a short distance away...
"Ōnoki?" the Fourth Raikage asked in surprise as he watched the Tsuchikage gradually approach him.
"An insolent brat. When I became Tsuchikage, you were still sucking milk somewhere," Ōnoki said flatly, casting A a cold glance.
"Hmph, just an old fossil. Strength is what counts in the shinobi world," A shot back with a sneer.
"Boy, it seems you want me to test whether you're worthy of being called Raikage." As Ōnoki spoke, he prepared to attack.
"Then let me see whether those old bones of yours are still any use!" Lightning flared around A's hands.
"Lord Raikage!"
"Father! Don't!"
Just as the two were glaring at each other, ready to fight, Mabuyi and a burly man beside Ōnoki hurried forward and stepped between them.
"Move aside, Mabuyi. Today, I'm going to show this old fossil what it means to be Raikage!"
"Boy, the title of Raikage is a joke on you. Let me teach you what it means to respect your elders and care for your juniors!"
"Lord Raikage, Lord Tsuchikage, let me remind you of something. We're still on Konoha's territory. Our village only