No matter how much Rinya cursed in his heart, on the surface, he could only pretend that nothing had happened.
Orochimaru seemed to be calmly asking for their opinions, but in reality, he gave them absolutely no room to refuse.
If they dared to say the word “No,” the current Snake Uncle would absolutely not mind cleaning house on the spot and using them as a sacrifice.
The current Orochimaru was entirely focused on achieving great feats; for the sake of a mission, he could even personally sever his bonds.
In the original story, when the Sannin were surrounded by Hanzou, Orochimaru had almost killed the injured Jiraiya!
“Very well.” Seeing the two acknowledge the order, Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction.
“Go to the medical unit to treat your injuries first. Assemble at the camp entrance in half an hour and set out as part of the Third Special Operations Team!”
After saying this, Orochimaru turned around and continued to lower his head to study the terrain on the sand table, ignoring them further.
Takagi stepped forward, nimbly sealed the charred corpse, and hurriedly pulled Rinya out of the tent.
The two made their way to the medical unit’s tent.
Chiba Mai was already waiting inside.
It was rare to have professional medical Ninja on the front lines.
This was only because they were at the main base camp; if they were in a regular squad, they would basically have to endure injuries on their own.
Equipping every combat squad with a medical Ninja was merely a beautiful vision of Tsunade’s after losing her younger brother; it was completely unrealistic on a battlefield that functioned like a meat grinder.
Out of respect for Orochimaru’s personal order, the medical Ninja did not dare to delay and immediately began treatment.
Driven by Chakra, that cure-all, the cuts on Takagi’s arm quickly stopped bleeding and scabbed over.
Although Chiba Mai had previously been healed of her fatal wounds by Rinya’s life force, she still honestly accepted a thorough examination from the medical Ninja to prevent any hidden injuries.
As for Rinya, he basically hadn’t suffered any injuries.
At most, his clothes had been slashed by a Kunai earlier, so he simply lay on the hospital bed, pretending to be injured, and enjoyed a Chakra massage from the medical Ninja for relaxation.
When the half-hour was up, the three walked out of the medical unit, leaving the medical Ninja collapsed on their chairs, not wanting to move a single finger.
It was no wonder that the major Ninja villages did not place enough importance on the medical system.
They were exhausted just from treating a few wounded; in large-scale melees involving thousands, this amount of healing was a drop in the bucket.
In the entire Ninja World, only Tsunade, relying on the Yin Seal and Katsuyu, could pull off the incredible feat of healing an entire army by herself.
Leaving the medical tent, the three headed straight for the logistics supply depot.
Takagi collected enough military rations and explosive tags.
Chiba Mai blushed and ducked into a corner, changing as quickly as possible out of her top, which was reduced to mere rags, into a brand-new tight-fitting combat uniform.
Although the fabric was intact, the tight material only served to accentuate the young girl’s exquisite curves, making Rinya unable to resist taking a few extra glances.
Rinya didn’t hesitate either, stripping off the clothes bearing the Uchiha fan emblem.
Although things like family pride were highly valued in Konoha, Rinya’s head was very clear.
Wearing Uchiha clan clothing onto the battlefield was equivalent to having a giant red target on his head, inviting enemy fire wherever he went.
He asked the logistics officer for a standard, unmarked black combat uniform, and while he was at it, put on the green Chunin vest he had just received.
Although he was still handsome, he would be completely inconspicuous when mixed in with the crowd.
When the three arrived at the camp gate, quite a few people were already standing in the open space.
“Lord Orochimaru!”
Takagi walked up quickly and reported loudly, “Takagi squad has finished resting, requesting to rejoin the ranks!”
Orochimaru was standing in front of everyone, scanning the crowd with a cold gaze.
“Takagi-kun, take your people and join the ranks.” Orochimaru’s hoarse voice carried across the field.
“The Third Operations Team will be led by Senju Ken. Your objective is to wipe out the Iwagakure rats in the southern forest area. Move out immediately!”
“Yes!”
Everyone shouted in low unison, following a middle-aged Ninja at the front.
In an instant, they turned into a dozen afterimages, rushing out of the camp and plunging into the vast night.
Rinya followed closely behind Takagi, leaping rapidly through the treetops.
He was quickly calculating the current situation in his mind.
According to Takagi, this temporarily assembled Third Operations Team consisted of thirteen people in total.
Among them were three Jonin and ten Chunin.
The combat configuration was quite luxurious.
The captain leading them in front was named Senju Ken.
He looked to be in his early thirties, exactly the golden age for a Ninja.
Rinya stared at Senju Ken’s retreating back as he sprinted, his mind becoming active.
A member of the Senju Clan!
This was the first time he had seen a living member of the Senju Clan since he transmigrated.
To complete the child-bearing mission issued by the system, manipulating Tsunade was the only way to break the deadlock.
He just didn’t know what attitude these Senju blockheads, who were filled with the “Will of Fire,” had toward the Uchiha.
He would find an opportunity later to cozy up to them; perhaps he could even find out some private information about Tsunade.
But for now, the most important thing was to snatch a few more kills in the upcoming melee.
His twelve teammates were all strong competitors for kills!
He had to sweep all the spoils into his own pockets before they could strike!
Rinya followed closely behind Senju Ken, leaping rapidly through the thick treetops, his brain still calculating how to cozy up to the Senju Clan.
Boom!
Just then, a deafening roar suddenly came from the depths of the dense forest a few kilometers away.
A towering blaze instantly tore through the night sky of the forest, startling a flock of birds into flight.
The strong tremor even made the branch under Rinya’s feet shake twice.
Zooming in.
The leading vice-captain, Sarutobi Takumi, was knocked to the ground by the violent shockwave, rolling several times before barely stabilizing his figure.
“Enemy attack! Scatter and defend!”
Sarutobi Takumi roared hysterically.
The only female medical Ninja in his squad, Yui, had fallen directly into a mud pit just now while trying to dodge an explosive tag.
The aftermath of the explosion mercilessly tore through her tight combat uniform.
“Scum from Iwagakure! They really know how to hide!”
Sarutobi Takumi gritted his teeth, staring fixedly at the pitch-black woods around them.
“Hyuga Shinichi! Activate your eyes! Find out how many enemies are around!”
“Byakugan! Activate!”
The Chunin called Hyuga Shinichi formed hand seals, and hideous veins instantly bulged around the corners of his eyes.
His gaze penetrated through layers of tree obstacles, and Hyuga Shinichi’s tense nerves relaxed slightly.
“Captain! There are fifteen Iwagakure Ninja in total! We’re surrounded!”
Fifteen?
A full-strength assault squad!
A flash of shrewdness crossed Sarutobi Takumi’s eyes, but his face immediately put on an expression of panic.
He shouted at the top of his lungs: “Everyone, attention! Use Ninja tools for long-range counterattacks first! Wait for the enemy to close in, then find an opportunity to break through!”
His voice was extremely loud, and even the Iwagakure Ninja hundreds of meters away could hear it clearly.
Upon hearing this, the Iwagakure Leader immediately jumped out from the shadows and waved his hand to order: “Tighten the encirclement! All engage in close-quarters combat! Don’t let these Konoha rats escape!”
Once the order was given, the fifteen Iwagakure Ninja immediately abandoned long-range probing and pounced like mad dogs toward the Konoha squad surrounded on the hill.
Kunai and explosive tags intertwined and collided in the sky, kicking up clouds of dust.
If not for the few huge rocks nearby serving as cover, the Konoha squad would have been hacked to death by now.
On a battlefield that was like a meat grinder, except for elite Kage-level figures, low- and mid-level Ninja didn’t dare to release large-scale Ninjutsu casually.
Chakra is life!
Once Chakra is exhausted, a random flying Kunai could cost you your life.
If it can be stabbed to death with a blade, absolutely do not use Ninjutsu.
Close-quarters hand-to-hand combat is the most cruel and realistic way for low-level Ninja to be ground up like meat!