Board Thread:Episode Discussions/@comment-1512913-20180920112737/@comment-31152149-20180920153838

I think that is the real White Snake Sage, just taking on a human form. It has a lot of the same characteristics, like the hair and the hat. I do think Orochimaru refered to it as a man, so maybe it taking on a female form is part of it's jutsu. Maybe Orochimaru learned that from it.