The moment that pale face appeared, the curses in Hokage Plaza became impossible to contain.
"Wasn't that the Kazekage sitting beside the Third Hokage?"
"That's Orochimaru, the rogue ninja Orochimaru!"
"Why didn't Lord Hokage notice?"
The Third Hokage's hand holding the Adamantine Staff stopped in midair. The blow he had been about to bring down on Orochimaru slowed abruptly. Only when he saw his own face in the water mirror did he realize the entire village was watching.
Orochimaru curled his tongue around the last piece of the mask and peeled it away. He brought his pale face close to the Third Hokage, his laughter carrying through every water mirror.
"Teacher, you've grown old. Can't you even recognize your student sitting beside you anymore?"
The Third Hokage shouted furiously, "Orochimaru, you killed the Kazekage, and now you dare use Sunagakure to wage war against Konoha?"
Orochimaru raised a hand to the brim of his bamboo hat and pulled open his Kazekage robe, revealing the Sound Ninja armor beneath.
"War? Teacher, you were the ones who invited me in. You were the ones who reserved a seat of honor for me."
Kakashi stood outside the barrier. Lightning flared in his palm, then he suppressed it.
"Sasuke, it's public now. We can act."
Sasuke stood at the entrance to the examination arena's passageway, with Yamada Naoto following behind him, holding a communication scroll. Fugaku was leading the Uchiha heavy-armored squad toward the viewing stand.
"Make the water mirrors as large as possible. Have the Yamanaka communications cover the shelters. Don't miss a single word."
Yamada Naoto immediately replied, "Hokage Plaza, the shopping street, the shelters, and the screens outside the examination arena are all connected."
Inoichi's voice came through the Communication Talisman. "The village-wide mental transmission is connected. Whenever Orochimaru speaks, everyone