Chapter 145: Subordinates?

"Seriously, why did we have to change clothes as soon as we got here?" Jiraiya muttered as they walked along the dirt road.

Since crossing into the Land of Fields, they had swapped out their battle-worn shinobi gear for simple civilian clothes. Orochimaru and Jiraiya wore plain robes, while Tsunade opted for a white top and dark green shorts. They looked like any other travelers, far removed from the legendary Sannin of Konoha.

The three children, freshly scrubbed and dressed in clean, humble outfits, trailed behind, glancing around curiously. Orochimaru had even ditched his backpack and most of his belongings somewhere along the way, making it clear they were traveling light.

Orochimaru responded to Jiraiya's complaints with a calm explanation, "To avoid unwanted attention. I'm establishing myself here as an independent figure. If the daimyo realizes I'm a Konoha ninja..."

"I get it," Jiraiya nodded, falling silent.

Their group of six continued onward, crossing into the territory of the Land of Rice Field with little difficulty. After a smooth journey, they finally neared Orochimaru's hidden village.

Orochimaru called it "Sound Village," though it was little more than a collection of buildings tucked away in the dense forests of the countryside, far from his more secretive locations like the lab and armory. The village entrance was small and concealed, making it nearly impossible for any outsider to find his other bases.

As they neared, several villagers recognized Orochimaru.

"Ah, Lord Orochimaru!"

"Good afternoon, Orochimaru-sama!"

Some even bowed as he passed, their faces lit with genuine respect and admiration.

Orochimaru nodded to each of them, accustomed to this reverence. In the two years he'd spent in the Land of Sound, he had become something of a patron saint.

Most people here didn't know the true extent of his power, nor the full scope of his activities. But they did know that as long as Orochimaru was around, rogue ninja dared not cause trouble, and the villagers could live in peace and relative prosperity. Orochimaru's presence had, in their eyes, transformed the country into a safe haven.

Watching this display, the rest of the group especially Tsunade and Jiraiya were astonished. They had always seen Orochimaru as cold and distant, but here he was practically revered.

Even Jiraiya, who had always viewed Orochimaru with skepticism, couldn't help but reconsider. Could this really be the same man Toad Sage Fukasaku had mentioned in his prophecies?

"Wow… this is amazing!" Yahiko whispered to Nagato and Konan, his eyes wide with admiration. "Looks like he was telling the truth."

Nagato, usually reserved, even cracked a small smile as he watched Yahiko and Konan's excitement.

Originally, Nagato had been filled with resentment towards Konoha. The ninja from that village had killed his parents, and he'd always sworn he'd never go there, believing Yahiko and Konan shared his views. But when they'd learned that Orochimaru had created a village for orphans like them, something inside them shifted.

Now, standing in this peaceful place, all three of them felt their last bits of doubt disappear. The fields stretched out around them, untouched by war. The air was filled with birdsong, and for the first time in years, they felt a hint of hope.

"This country looks like it's in great shape!" Tsunade remarked, looking around in amazement. "Orochimaru, how did you manage all this?"

"It wasn't that hard, really—"

Before Orochimaru could finish, five or six masked figures suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Stay back!" Jiraiya shouted, instinctively moving to shield the children. Tsunade also stepped forward, ready to fight.

But before they could act, the masked figures knelt in unison before Orochimaru.

"Lord Orochimaru!" they greeted in unison.

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade froze, stunned. What was going on?

Orochimaru gave a slight nod to the masked figures and said, "They're with me. Stand down."

The masked figures immediately parted, allowing Orochimaru and the others to pass. Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged bewildered glances as they fell in line behind him, casting curious looks at the masked men.

Over the last two years, Orochimaru had made significant advancements in cloning technology, allowing these clones to vary in height and build. Though they wore identical masks and outfits, their physical appearances differed.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were deeply unsettled by this sight. Hadn't Orochimaru claimed that his village only had one person in it? So who were these masked soldiers?

Seeing their confusion, Orochimaru casually explained, "If you want to protect a place, you need a certain level of military strength. These are my subordinates."

Since he had already chosen to bring Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan here, Orochimaru was prepared to explain things to Jiraiya and Tsunade. He knew that their ultimate wish was world peace, and what he was doing here didn't conflict with that.

"Your… subordinates?" Tsunade asked, still trying to comprehend.

"How did you get so many people to follow you in such a short time?" Jiraiya questioned, still suspicious.

Orochimaru just smirked. "I'll explain it all later. For now, follow me."

With that, he led the group deeper into the hidden village, leaving Jiraiya and Tsunade to trail behind him, their minds racing with questions.