Chapter 145:
"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!"