Meanwhile, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were having a miserable time.
When the two arrived at Orochimaru's Research Institute, bristling with fury, the heavy metal doors were shut tight, without a single guard in sight.
Although they were former elders who had been stripped of their advisory positions, they still carried the air of authority cultivated over many years.
Mitokado Homura stepped forward and struck the doors with his cane. "Orochimaru! Open up! We know you're in there!"
Only after a long while did Orochimaru's languid voice emerge from the intercom on the door. "Oh? Koharu and Mitokado... what brings you here?"
Utatane Koharu's anger flared. She cut in, her voice shrill. "Stop playing dumb! What's the meaning of that application form? Do you have any respect for the rules, or for your elders?"
A very soft chuckle came through the intercom, seemingly accompanied by the flick of a snake's tongue.
"Elders? Rules?"
Orochimaru spoke unhurriedly. "I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place to throw your weight around. This is a research institute, not a drinking party."
Those words stabbed like icicles.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces instantly turned livid.
What a joke.
Who were they, and where did Orochimaru stand?
They were two old relics who had lost their power, barely maintaining their dignity through seniority and the fact that Naruto had no time to deal with them.
Orochimaru's Research Institute, meanwhile, was currently the safest place in Konoha apart from Naruto's home, and the most important place in the entire village, Naruto's home included.
Twelve ANBU were permanently stationed here, patrolling in three teams across two shifts, while another three took turns waiting for communications from Orochimaru.
And who was Orochimaru?
During the Second Shinobi World War, he, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had faced the "demigod," Hanzo