Hiruzen leads a mission along with his ANBU to capture Orochimaru at one of his many caches. Avoiding a battle, Orochimaru escapes from the man who once was his teacher putting himself on the run. On the way to the country's border, Orochimaru suffers an attack by Kakashi, who easily gets defeated. A snake then approaches Orochimaru, unaware of an explosive tag concealed in it, detonating and greatly injuring Orochimaru. Sent by Danz?, Kinoe is on his way to a venue to help Orochimaru cross the Land of Fire's border but once at the place where he should wait for Orochimaru, Kinoe finds a very peculiar clan who lives there to serve Orochimaru. One of the members, a young girl is convinced Kinoe is her long-lost brother Tenz?.