Orochimaru would not care about the White Snake Sage's mood after his plan backfired and caused him harm. The White Snake Sage's intention in guiding him to Ryuchi Cave was impure from the start.
Setting aside the White Snake Sage's base act of flipping his benevolent expression to a hostile one, the intelligent creatures within Ryuchi Cave, excluding Manda who had already surrendered his soul contract, including the White Snake Sage and the three Sacred Beauties, all harbored a deep-seated malice towards Orochimaru that had never truly disappeared. This proved just how necessary Orochimaru's prior preparations had been.
"Heh!"
"The next time we meet, it will be when I return to repay my debt of gratitude!"
Looking back at Ryuchi Cave, which had once again disappeared into the swirling mist, a cold smile played on Orochimaru's lips. He turned and strode away.
...
From entering Ryuchi Cave to obtaining Sage Mode and the Sky Blade, Orochimaru had only stayed within the cave for less than a day. Subtracting the time spent cultivating the Body Revitalization Secret Technique in Konoha and the travel, he still had nearly twenty days left from the two-month leave granted by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
With nothing pressing to do, Orochimaru felt a desire to visit an old haunt.
Ryuchi Cave was located at the border of the Land of Bears and the Land of Demons. The former possessed a meteorite from outer space that could help one cultivate the Peacock Myōhō, while the latter was said to be sealed with the true body of the ancient demon, Mo Gyo. Orochimaru was naturally interested in both, but his time was not abundant, and he had a more important matter to attend to.
Traveling a short distance north, he entered the Land of Earth within half a day.
This old adversary, who had nearly driven him, Tsunade, and Jiraiya to their doom last time, had always been on Orochimaru's mind.
Continuing towards Iwagakure for about a day, Orochimaru finally reached the village's sphere of influence.
He released a group of small summoning snakes and then, using the Transformation Jutsu, disguised himself as an ordinary resident of the Land of Earth, wandering around to gather information.
Although the living conditions of the residents near Iwagakure were not as comfortable as those in Konoha, the mental state of everyone was largely the same.
As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, relying on the formidable power of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, and the unyielding Stone Will inherited by Iwagakure, these common people, who lived under the constant assault of rock rain, all possessed a sense of pride befitting residents of a Great Ninja Village.
He found a tavern, ordered a bottle of sake and two servings of the stone-grill popular among Iwagakure ninjas, and sat in a corner, pouring his own drinks.
It wasn't that Orochimaru had forgotten the ninja rule about not drinking alcohol during missions; he was simply waiting.
Waiting for a ninja who enjoyed drinking and happened to be returning to Iwagakure after a mission.
According to the intelligence gathered by his summoning snakes, this tavern offered the fairest prices and was well-received by many low-to-mid-level wandering ninjas. Chunin or genin returning from missions would often stop here for a drink or two before officially reporting back to the village, as long as their mission delivery deadline hadn't passed.
His strength was irrelevant; Orochimaru merely needed an identity to enter Iwagakure smoothly.
He didn't have to wait long. Just as he finished his second cup of sake, Orochimaru heard a conversation.
"Brother Yidan, I just don't understand why you have to stop at this tavern every time you pass by for a couple of drinks?"
"You know ninjas aren't supposed to drink during missions. Aren't you afraid of being punished by Lord Tsuchikage?"
"Hmph! Stop with the nonsense, the mission is already completed, isn't it?"
"Are you coming in or not?"
"Ichigan, the stone-grill here is amazing. Have it with some sake, and I guarantee you'll never forget the exquisite taste!"
Orochimaru slightly raised his head, and like the other customers in the tavern, he instinctively glanced over before looking away.
Two Iwagakure ninjas, one tall and one short, entered. The taller one, around thirty years old, had a rough face and a gluttonous look associated with heavy drinkers. He impatiently walked to the tavern owner, greeted him familiarly, and, like Orochimaru, ordered a bottle of sake and two servings of grilled meat.
The shorter one still looked like a teenager who hadn't fully developed, following behind with a helpless expression. He sat down with the other.
"Hooah!"
"So comfortable!"
"Ichigan, aren't you considering having some?"
The middle-aged Iwagakure ninja, named Yidan, drained his cup of sake and exhaled contentedly. He waved the sake towards Ichigan opposite him, his words filled with temptation.
Ichigan leaned his head back, shaking it as if to say "no, thank you."
"Please, I'm not old enough to drink yet. Have you forgotten the Three Prohibitions for Ninjas?"
Ichigan flipped the grilled meat on the stone with his chopsticks, pouting at the other.
"Haha, then wait two more years!"
"For now, let me enjoy it alone!"
Yidan laughed heartily, poured himself a full cup, took a slow sip, and slowly savored it with the grilled meat slices.
What followed was a conversation devoid of any substance. For ninjas on missions, discussing mission details was absolutely out of the question.
Orochimaru didn't expect to get any useful information from these two seemingly low-ranking Iwagakure ninjas. Although the younger one's name sounded somewhat familiar.
Perhaps he would become an important figure in Iwagakure in the future, but he was too young now to be worth any action.
Thus, while listening to the two of them chatter about mundane matters, and leisurely eating the food on his table, Orochimaru squinted, enjoying the rare moment of leisure.
After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, Yidan, reeking of alcohol, stood up to pay and leave. The young ninja Ichigan followed behind him, muttering about being questioned by the guards upon their return to the village.
Orochimaru slowly finished the meal on his table, took the last sip of sake in his cup, and nodded with satisfaction before standing up and walking towards the tavern owner.
"Boss, the bill!"
The tavern owner, a middle-aged man with a developing paunch, smiled and bowed to Orochimaru, handing him the bill.
"Is the guest satisfied with the food?"
"Grilled meat one serving at 200 yen, sake at 100 yen. The guest's total consumption is 500 yen. Here is the bill, please review it!"
Orochimaru glanced at it, smiled, nodded, and paid 500 yen.
"Very good! The price is also reasonable. Thank you for your hospitality!"
The tavern owner's smile deepened. He took the payment with both hands, bowed to Orochimaru, and said:
"Thank you for your praise, and welcome back next time!"
Orochimaru nodded noncommittally and bid the owner farewell.
After leaving the tavern, Orochimaru deliberately strolled around the town for a while before silently tracking the location of his summoning snakes.