The Third Kazekage's expression turned serious as he retorted:
"You're not the one who gets to decide whether my people are capable. Save your snide remarks until you make it out alive!"
With that, the Third Kazekage waved his hand, apparently unwilling to waste any more words on Orochimaru.
The Sunagakure Elders behind him all charged eagerly toward Orochimaru, as though he and his three companions were already juicy meat within reach of their mouths.
Seeing this, Tsunade and Minato Namikaze immediately took up fighting stances, ready for the fierce battle ahead. Ye Feng, however, remained standing leisurely in place.
Orochimaru showed no fear either. White light shone around his right hand, and with a swing of his right arm, an invisible stream of true qi shot out, cleaving a half-meter-wide fissure in front of the Sand Ninja.
The Third Kazekage's expression changed sharply at the sight, his pupils contracting as astonishment filled his mind:
When did Orochimaru become this powerful? Or has he been hiding his strength all along?
The senior Sand Ninja looked even more frightened. They could not help looking at the fissure of unknown depth. Pitch-black, it resembled a monster with its maw spread wide, seemingly ready to swallow them at any moment, sending a chill through them.
The Sand Ninja were not the only ones surprised. Tsunade and Ye Feng also looked astonished, while Minato Namikaze appeared considerably calmer.
Tsunade had thought she knew Orochimaru better than anyone, but the power he had displayed far exceeded her understanding. In her eyes, Orochimaru had become mysterious.
What surprised Ye Feng, however, was Orochimaru's use of true qi. Orochimaru was still in the Body Tempering Period, and his body could not yet store excess power, but he could rapidly gather true qi in his hand to produce