Orochimaru set down the documents in his hands.
Clearly printed on the paper was the insignia of Konoha’s Medical Division.
“These people have no idea that the laboratories of Medical Division are the most important part.”
“Kabuto has done very well.”
Recalling the intelligence Kabuto had sent from Konoha, Orochimaru was extremely satisfied.
But then he sighed.
“If only Naraku were still by my side.
These experiments wouldn’t be nearly this troublesome.”
Orochimaru knew perfectly well that was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Even if he could be considered one of Naraku’s teachers, the moment he defected from Konoha, returning was no longer an option.
That’s right.
Orochimaru was also Naraku’s teacher.
Or rather, all three of Konoha’s legendary Sannin had taught Naraku.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru had simply helped Tsunade train ShihōinNaraku.
The main reason was that Tsunade had just suffered the tragedy of losing both her younger brother and the man she loved on the battlefield.
She had been nearly broken by the experience and eventually developed hemophobia.
In that state, Tsunade was in no condition to teach Naraku.
She spent most of her days in a daze.
As Tsunade’s devoted admirer, Jiraiya had taken the initiative to train and teach Naraku.
Later, Orochimaru accidentally discovered Naraku’s talent.
Combined with Naraku’s modern medical knowledge, Orochimaru’s interest was immediately piqued, and he imparted everything he knew to the boy.
At first, Orochimaru had merely intended to train a capable assistant.
But as Naraku gradually demonstrated his knowledge and accumulated experience, he quickly caught up to Orochimaru and became his laboratory assistant.
There were even times when Orochimaru couldn’t keep up with Naraku’s progress.
Instead of being discouraged, Orochimaru was ecstatic.
He began absorbing Naraku’s novel ideas and knowledge in turn.
Later, Orochimaru tried more than once to persuade Naraku to become his disciple, offering him all kinds of benefits.
He even approached Tsunade directly, hoping to take Naraku away from her.
The result?
Tsunade beat him senseless several times and nearly killed him.
What annoyed Orochimaru even more was that Tsunade’s hemophobia had prevented her from returning to the battlefield.
She could only remain in the rear, managing logistics, instructing medical ninjas, and developing new medical techniques.
That gave her plenty of time to teach Naraku.
So she took him away from Orochimaru.
It drove Orochimaru mad.
After the Third Shinobi World War ended and Tsunade left Konoha, Orochimaru approached Naraku again.
By then, Naraku wanted nothing to do with him.
Having already known how the story would unfold, Naraku understood that Orochimaru’s defection wasn’t far off.
Naturally, he kept his distance.
Because of this, Orochimaru came to resent Tsunade even more.
He always felt that Tsunade had deliberately interfered behind the scenes and robbed him of the most talented successor he had ever found.
“Orochimaru-sama…”
A sudden voice interrupted Orochimaru’s thoughts.
He snapped back to reality and looked toward the respectful figure standing before him.
Kaguya Kimimaro.
“How did it go?”
“Orochimaru-sama, we’ve established contact with Sunagakure.
However, the Kazekage is still hesitant.
He seems somewhat concerned about your identity…”
“Is that so?”
A sinister smile spread across Orochimaru’s face.
“It doesn’t matter.
He’ll agree eventually.”
“The situation in Sunagakure will force him to cooperate with us.”
“But I really don’t like him…”
“When the time is right, kill him.”
“That way, I’ll have another excellent experimental subject.”
“The plan is about to begin…”
“Konoha.
The Third Hokage.
ShihōinNaraku.”
“It’s been a long time.”
“Hehehe…”
Orochimaru’s cold laughter echoed throughout the laboratory.
Kaguya Kimimaro continued to stand before him, his expression filled with unwavering respect and admiration.
…
“According to our intelligence, Iwagakure and Sunagakure reached an agreement recently.
The exact contents are unknown.”
“According to the information sent back by our spies, the time and location have already been confirmed.
Iwagakure and Sunagakure will be exchanging supplies in the Land of Birds.
The exchange will take place the night after tomorrow.”
“This is an S-rank mission.
You can decide who you want on your team.”
ShihōinNaraku took the mission scroll from the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and immediately opened it.
This was a typical ANBU mission.
Ideally, they would obtain intelligence from the shinobi of Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
But that wasn’t mandatory.
The most important objective was to eliminate everyone involved in the exchange.
Konoha and Sunagakure might currently be allies, but disrupting this operation and hindering Sunagakure’s development would make the village more dependent on Konoha.
The hidden struggle between the great villages had never stopped.
“By the way.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as he lit his pipe and took a satisfying puff.
“When ANBU members leave the village on missions, everything is highly confidential.
For security purposes, we use codenames instead of our real names.”
“What about you?
Do you have a codename you like?
Or should I come up with one for you?”
A codename?
Hatake Kakashi wore a mask while using Chidori to kill people all day.
Tenzō was just as conspicuous with his Wood Release.
Naraku had no idea how either of them thought that would keep their identities secret.
Still, he went along with it and chose his own codename.
Dragon.
From this day forward, ShihōinNaraku’s ANBU codename would be—
Dragon.
…
ANBU Headquarters.
“Cat!”
“Your team will depart for the Land of Birds immediately.”
“Find the exact location where Sunagakure and Iwagakure will exchange supplies.
Stay concealed.”
“Yes!”
After returning to the ANBU headquarters, Naraku carefully reviewed the mission scroll before immediately issuing his orders.
He sent out the shinobi who specialized in gathering intelligence and tracking down information.
Then he followed with the stronger combat specialists.
…
Land of Birds.
Team Cat had already arrived.
After completing their initial intelligence-gathering operation, the four members regrouped and exchanged what they had learned.
They quickly determined the location where Sunagakure and Iwagakure would be exchanging supplies.
That wasn’t surprising.
All four were exceptionally skilled at gathering intelligence.
Hyūga.
Yamanaka.
Aburame.
Inuzuka.
There were few clans better suited for information gathering.
After discussing the details, the four confirmed that the exchange would take place in a forest southeast of the capital of the Land of Birds.
“Should we move ahead and set up an ambush?”
“No.
There are Sunagakure shinobi hidden in that forest.
Going there now would alert them.”
“There are also Iwagakure shinobi hiding in another direction.
They’re somewhat farther away, but my insects have already detected them.”
“Send the information to Lord Dragon.
Wait for reinforcements.”
“Yes!”
After transmitting the information, the four immediately split up and concealed themselves.
Not a single trace of their presence remained.
“Lord Dragon!
The intelligence is here!”
ShihōinNaraku, wearing a white ANBU mask, took the report and carefully examined it.
Several distinctive markings had been painted on his mask.
At a glance, they vaguely resembled the shape of a dragon.
“Map!”
“Yes!”
An ANBU operative stepped forward and unfolded a map of the Land of Birds.
“It’s here…”
Once the exact location had been determined, things became much easier.
Naraku thought for a moment.
“Moon, eliminate the advance sentries that Sunagakure and Iwagakure have stationed here.
Then have our people replace them.”
“What do you think?”
Naraku looked at the ANBU operative standing quietly beside him.
Moon had once been a member of Root.
“My lord, we can do it.”
“But it will be difficult to obtain their contact codes and other security procedures in such a short amount of time.”
“If we eliminate them without knowing those things, there’s a high chance something will go wrong.”
He was right.
There simply wasn’t enough time.
Even if they captured those two shinobi alive, it would be difficult for the Yamanaka clan member to extract the crucial contact codes from their minds in such a short period.
Doing so might instead put Sunagakure and Iwagakure’s subsequent operatives on alert.
Naraku glanced at Moon, who had fallen silent again.
These former Root shinobi really were exceptionally capable.
Their performance throughout the operation had already demonstrated their outstanding professionalism.
But Naraku hadn’t forgotten one crucial fact.
They still followed Danzō ‘s orders.
Now, he was actually beginning to look forward to seeing whether these people would try to cause trouble under his command.