Just doing a for-fun reread of Kitsune Udon. Had a thought.
With Konoha and the Fox summons being in a treaty, and the foxes being politically powerful through controlling a gate to the elemental nations, it makes a problem for Orochimaru. His snake summons might not be able/willing to risk the political fallout of attacking Konoha, forcing him to not use snakes in the attack if it happens.
With Konoha and the Fox summons being in a treaty, and the foxes being politically powerful through controlling a gate to the elemental nations, it makes a problem for Orochimaru. His snake summons might not be able/willing to risk the political fallout of attacking Konoha, forcing him to not use snakes in the attack if it happens.