The other companion beside him let out a ‘ho-ho’ chuckle: “If Tsunade hadn’t neutralized Hanzou’s poison, the decisive battle wouldn’t have come so soon.” Clearly.
These two Ninjas were the commanders of this Konoha operation.
They were also the direct disciples of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—two of the legendary Sannin of the future: the Pervy Sage, Jiraiya, and the Cold Lord, Orochimaru!
At this time, Jiraiya was not yet the greasy, perverted old man of decades later who enjoyed peeping into women’s bathhouses.
Similarly, he hadn’t rebelliously replaced the Konoha forehead protector on his brow with the ‘Oil’ character from Mount Myōboku.
But Jiraiya’s habits were already beginning to show.
Upon hearing this, he instinctively wanted to argue and contradict his good friend Orochimaru, regardless of the circumstances.
This was an instinct carved into Jiraiya’s DNA, regardless of his age…
“I heard that after Sakumo-senpai crushed the Sunagakure forces, Hanzou’s side was also intending to initiate a final battle, weren’t they?” Jiraiya’s eyes darted around as he retorted, “Even if the old man hadn’t given the order, it probably wouldn’t have been delayed much longer anyway, right?” Orochimaru sneered, “You stupid toad, have you considered that if even you know about it, wouldn’t the Amegakure Shinobi know as well?” “With the Sunagakure Puppeteer unit defeated, Amegakure naturally needs to settle things quickly.” “In that regard, Hanzou’s decision to initiate a decisive battle is perfectly sound.” He looked up at the dense forest ahead, his gaze seemingly piercing through the obstacles to see the Amegakure camp: “But for Hanzou to let such critical information spread everywhere before the battle shows exactly what his level is.” “Moreover…” “Despite knowing that rumors of an impending final battle are rampant, he has made no move until now.” “He neither takes the initiative to attack nor clarifies the rumors, simply letting speculation and hearsay ferment.
He must be hesitating in his heart, lacking the confidence for a certain victory.” Orochimaru gave his final assessment: “Fierce in appearance but weak in heart, fond of schemes but lacking in decision!
This phrase describes this Demi-God of the Shinobi World perfectly!” Once this summary was spoken.
The Ninjas behind Jiraiya and Orochimaru immediately began whispering among themselves.
The unit’s morale, which had been flagging, instantly surged visibly.
Jiraiya listened, looking completely dazed.
From the way Orochimaru put it, were they winning even before the fight had started?
That was the Demi-God of the Shinobi World!
Before setting out, the old man specifically instructed the three of them not to seek victory over him, but only to stall him!
You’re way too good at winning, aren’t you?
Yet, he really couldn’t find any flaws in Orochimaru’s words.
For a moment, Jiraiya couldn’t help but have serious doubts about his own intelligence…
“Am I really that stupid?
Not smart at all?” “But the two Sages, Fukasaku and Shima, clearly said things like ‘Little Jiraiya is a genius’…” “Otherwise, why would they entrust such an important mission as finding the Child of Prophecy to him?” Orochimaru glanced at the gloomy, dejected fellow beside him.
He couldn’t help but stick out his long tongue to lick the corner of his mouth, feeling somewhat proud in his heart.
Naturally, this analysis of Hanzou wasn’t something Orochimaru had come up with on the spot.
Before they set out, Orochimaru had already planned it.
He intended to save these words for the middle of the march, to be spoken at an appropriate moment when the Ninjas were resting, in order to boost the unit’s morale.
The reason he hadn’t held back now.
Was mainly because Orochimaru loved showing off his intellect in front of Jiraiya!
He always considered himself a mature and rational person.
But for some reason, whenever he stood before Jiraiya, the desire to show off in his heart would multiply!
—————— In a shadow on the side of the column.
A Ninja wearing an Amegakure forehead protector was trembling all over.
What had he seen?
An entire elite force from Konoha!
To appear in this place at this time…
“No!” “This news must be reported to Lord Hanzou immediately!” The Amegakure Ninja tightly covered his mouth, afraid of revealing even the slightest flaw.
He waited with difficulty until the Konoha Ninjas had disappeared from sight.
Only then did he flicker away, quickly departing via another path.
What he didn’t notice was a small white snake behind him, swiftly slithering through the grass and following him closely!