‘Hmm?’ Orochimaru, in the middle of the forced march, suddenly paused.
Relying on the wonderful connection brought by the Summoning Jutsu, he sensed a trace of his own Chakra vanish without a sound.
Orochimaru’s cold face broke into a slight smile, and he whispered: “Interesting, it seems Amegakure isn’t entirely made of useless fools.” As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
They had now penetrated deep into the heart of the Land of Rain.
Orochimaru had sent out that small white snake, not to kill, but simply to track the intelligence movements of the Amegakure side.
However, he didn’t expect the opponent to detect his handiwork so quickly!
Beside him, Jiraiya, who had finally recovered from questioning his own IQ, overheard and asked bluntly: “Orochimaru, what are you talking about now?
Who are you calling a useless fool?” “Shut up!” Orochimaru said irritably: “You have the nerve to ask?
I’m talking about you!” Reasonably speaking.
He was the primary commander of this operation, and Jiraiya was the deputy commander.
According to workplace rules, he should be the one ordering his deputy to handle matters.
But along the way.
Orochimaru had almost become a nagging mother, having to oversee every single detail…
While Jiraiya was leisurely strolling along, as if he were on a Ninja Academy field trip, not worrying about a thing!
Jiraiya was stunned for a moment, then burst into joy, pointing at him and laughing loudly: “That’s right, a useless fool is talking to me!” Orochimaru: “…” Damn it…
He had actually fallen for this idiot’s trick!
Orochimaru couldn’t be bothered to say more to this guy.
He knew that the more he explained, the more this idiot Jiraiya would talk.
In the end, his own IQ would only be dragged down to the other’s level.
Orochimaru stopped, turned around, and looked at the Ninja behind him.
“Everyone, let us part ways here!” Orochimaru gave the order directly: “The battle plan from before departure remains unchanged.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and I will intercept Hanzou the Salamander, while you all will harass Amegakure’s front-line positions and disrupt their defenses!” He cupped his hands, his gaze passing over everyone one by one: “Whether we win or lose this battle determines whether our army can drive deep into enemy territory and even counter-attack the Land of Rain…
everything depends on you!” With that, Orochimaru bowed deeply: “I wish you all great military success!” The Ninja all responded in low voices: “Great military success!” After the simple blessing.
The hundreds of Ninja in front of them quickly broke into small groups and, like streams, vanished into the woods.
Jiraiya was silent, quietly watching as all the Ninja disappeared.
The happy smile from teasing Orochimaru earlier also vanished into thin air.
Orochimaru glanced at him and said calmly: “Jiraiya, out of these eight hundred people, how many do you think will return safely?” Jiraiya’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He was silent for a moment and said with difficulty: “With the antidote Tsunade prepared, at least…
half should be able to return, right?” Orochimaru let out a ‘heh heh’ laugh, as if mocking his naivety.
He held up two fingers: “I think at most only two hundred people will return.” Then he leisurely added a condition: “If the First and Second Hokage’s spirits in heaven can protect Konoha…” Jiraiya’s tone was muffled: “Orochimaru, what exactly are you trying to say?” Orochimaru gave him a deep look, his tone both calm and heavy: “My point is, so that more of those who survive can return, don’t hesitate later.” “I know you’ve never liked killing, but this is war, a war of life and death.” “For every minute longer we tie down Hanzou and the Anbu around him, perhaps one more of these people can survive.” He took out a white, plump Katsuyu from his robes and continued: “Moreover, you wouldn’t want to be held accountable by the old man and those Advisors like Danzo afterward, would you?” Jiraiya let out a sigh.
He lowered his head and whispered: “Orochimaru, don’t worry, I’m not that stupid.
I can distinguish right from wrong when it comes to the big picture.” He stopped speaking, but the determination in his heart only grew firmer.
The Child of Prophecy…
For the peace of the Ninja World…
The words the Great Toad Sage once spoke in Mount Myōboku flashed through his mind repeatedly.
Orochimaru also said no more.
He bent down and spoke softly to Katsuyu, “Lady Katsuyu, please use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to summon Tsunade here.” The white, plump Katsuyu’s voice was gentle, sounding like a small child’s.
“Please don’t say that, Lord Orochimaru.
This is what I should be doing anyway.” As the formula runes for the Reverse Summoning Jutsu spread across the ground…
Poof!
White smoke rose.
A youthful woman with blonde hair tied in twin ponytails stepped out.
She wore a light green short-sleeved top over a form-fitting black fishnet undershirt, with red bracers on her wrists.
She stood ready for battle, exuding a spirited aura.
On her shoulder perched a Katsuyu several times larger than the one from before, making it exceptionally eye-catching.
“Are we in the Land of Rain already?”