"It's been a long time, Jiraiya."
The sinister man hung in midair, bound by Jiraiya's long hair. His long black hair spilled over his shoulders, making his skin look even more deathly pale as he spoke coldly.
"Yes, it's been more than fifty years since we last met, hasn't it? Your eyes are as vicious as ever."
"Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru?!
The exchange between Jiraiya, the Pervy Sage, and the strange man named Orochimaru brought a peculiar look to Mineko Yuki's face. A powerful sense of déjà vu rose within her.
Jiraiya, Orochimaru...
A flash of inspiration struck Mineko Yuki. She finally remembered. In the folk tale her grandmother had told her as a child, The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya, the main villain was a wicked man who could command venomous snakes. His name was Orochimaru!
Because the name Jiraiya, rendered as JiRalYa, differed slightly from the folk hero's JiRaiYa, she had not remembered right away. But the name Orochimaru instantly unlocked Mineko Yuki's memories.
Was a Princess Tsunade who could control slugs going to appear next?
Mineko Yuki couldn't help looking at Orochimaru with curiosity tinged with scrutiny, beginning to profile this mysterious man.
She estimated his height at just over 170 centimeters and his weight at under 60 kilograms. Judging solely by his appearance, he was about the same age as the Pervy Sage.
His entire presence was cold and evil. His cheeks were gaunt, his skin sickly pale, and purple eye shadow extended down toward the sides of his nose. His eyes were pale gold, with vertical pupils like a snake's...
Orochimaru seemed to sense something. His neck twisted an eerie 120 degrees, and his icy gaze met Mineko Yuki's!
"Hiss! Hiss!"
In an instant, Orochimaru's body began to swell, twisting and distorting. Scales grew across his face