Chapter 152: Orochimaru's Plan
The Konoha ninja turned their curious gaze toward the back of the camp.
Under the glow of the sunset, a column of weary figures appeared.
The leader wore a damaged Anbu uniform, looking somewhat rough, yet a chilling, inherent bloodlust unconsciously emanated from his movements, inspiring awe.
His pale, handsome face was marked by dust and exhaustion, but his strange, dark-golden eyes constantly shone with a cold light of intelligence and mystery, leaving a deep impression.
These highly representative eyes revealed the identity of the newcomer: Orochimaru.
This name, well-known to every Konoha ninja, immediately felt like a powerful tonic injected into their hearts upon his appearance on the Western Front. This was not only because Orochimaru was the Third Hokage's prized student but also because of his own chain of miraculous and legendary achievements.
Yakushi Tenshu, currently in a break from treating the wounded and recovering his Chakra, heard the commotion outside. Slightly curious, he lifted the medical tent curtain just as the dust-covered Orochimaru and his group walked past.
He froze for a moment, his eyes filling with surprise. Upon his arrival at the Third Battle Sector, he had reported his encounter with the Sand Ninja ambush squad in the rear and Orochimaru's pursuit. The resulting intelligence confirmed that a Semi-Kage level Sand Ninja had been missing for some time.
His heart had sunk upon hearing that news, but now seeing Orochimaru return safely, he knew clearly that Orochimaru had once again extended his legend.
Orochimaru instructed Jiraiya and the other elite Chūnin to go to the medical tent for treatment. He, along with the brothers Aokita and Aokiya, walked toward the main tent in the center of the camp.
As the three arrived, they saw the two guard ninja at the door pull back the flaps. Akimichi Torobu, Nara Shikahira, and Yamanaka Ryuji—the three clan heads jointly responsible for military operations in the Third Battle Sector—were emerging from the tent.
As the powerful combination famous in early Konoha—the Ino-Shika-Chō trio—their reputation was certainly not to be underestimated.
Furthermore, all three were staunch loyalists of the Hokage's faction. Hiruzen Sarutobi assigning them to oversee the fighting in the Third Battle Sector served as a good balance and containment measure. After all, the two Semi-Kage level commanders on the Western Front belonged to the Uchiha clan. While Uchiha Kagami, the overall commander, could be considered part of the Hokage's faction, he was ultimately not as reliable as the three clans that had supported the Hokage for generations.
Sarutobi dispatching Orochimaru to the Third Battle Sector, which was commanded by the three clan heads, was also suggestive of a deeper meaning.
Akimichi Torobu was a stout and powerful man, easily two or three times the size of an average person. The aura he unintentionally exuded gave people a heavy sense of oppression.
Upon seeing Yamanaka Ryuji, Orochimaru was slightly surprised. He could sense that the current Yamanaka clan head's mental strength was only slightly less than his own vast mental power, which he possessed from two lifetimes. For others, this level of mental power was comparable to a Kage-level fighter, yet Yamanaka Ryuji was currently only a Jōnin.
Moreover, Orochimaru could feel that Yamanaka Ryuji's mental power was exceptionally active and agile, allowing him to clearly perceive the strength of everyone present, except Orochimaru himself.
Nara Shikahira was a middle-aged man with a small black ponytail and a wisp of beard under his chin. He looked harmless, but Orochimaru could catch the fleeting light of wisdom and agility in Nara Shikahira's shifty gaze.
All three possessed Jōnin level strength, but their combined power was easily equal to a Semi-Kage powerhouse.
In his previous life, Orochimaru had already studied the secret jutsu of the three clans. They certainly had their unique merits, but because they required special physiques, the effectiveness and power of learning them were severely limited for others. Even when performed at great cost, the expenditure far outweighed the gain, so Orochimaru's research in this area ultimately came to nothing.
After exchanging pleasantries, Orochimaru and the Aokita and Aokiya brothers walked into the main tent.
As the favorite disciple of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the three clan heads were very cordial toward Orochimaru. With Orochimaru making a conscious effort to be friendly, they quickly became familiar with one another.
Orochimaru briefly summarized the Sand Ninja ambush squad incident, then laid out his entire plan: "Lords Clan Heads, I have a plan now. If successful, I believe it could significantly alter the battle situation of the Third Battle Sector!"
"Oh? What plan is that? Tell us quickly!" Akimichi Torobu was a straightforward man. Hearing Orochimaru's words, he immediately grew excited and asked in a low, rumbling voice.
Nara Shikahira, who always served as the chief strategist among the three, also cast a curious look at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru smiled faintly: "After we completely wiped out the Sand Ninja squad, we preserved all their bodies. I have a method to alter their appearance, allowing our Konoha ninja to impersonate the members of that Sand Ninja squad, with a similarity of absolutely over eighty percent.
Also, we won't need to ambush the enemy's rear like the Sand Ninja, as the danger is too great. We only need to sneak through in advance when the general offensive is launched, circle to the Sand Ninja's deep rear, and with a pincer attack, there is a high probability that we can inflict massive casualties on the Sand Ninja, perhaps even changing the entire war situation in the Third Battle Sector!"
Nara Shikahira's eyes flashed. He immediately seized upon the crucial points in Orochimaru's statement, asking sharply: "Are you certain about the eighty percent similarity? And who would you find to convincingly mimic that Semi-Kage powerhouse's aura and Chakra fluctuation?"
"I think even Lord Yamanaka Ryuji here cannot fully perceive my strength, can he?" Orochimaru smiled wickedly.
Nara Shikahira looked at Yamanaka Ryuji, who nodded.
Putting aside that most critical issue, Nara Shikahira felt the plan had great feasibility. He asked again: "Then, when do you plan to depart?"
Orochimaru paused before speaking: "The sooner the better. After wiping out the Sand Ninja ambush squad, we sped here at full pace. If we delay, the Sand Ninja side might grow suspicious. So I hope to depart tomorrow morning before dawn. And I hope the three of you can coordinate by launching a large-scale general offensive around noon tomorrow!"
Nara Shikahira pondered for a while, mentally simulating the various key points of the plan and calculating the timing.
Composing himself, he asked decisively: "What other requests do you have? If we three can manage it, we will satisfy them all."
Orochimaru knew Nara Shikahira had finally agreed to his plan. He thought for a moment: "My pre-selected personnel are Aokita, Aokiya, Hyūga Blue Bird, Chi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hatake Sakumo—seven people. I also wish to bring twelve experienced Anbu elite ninja, and each person must be equipped with a full set of specialized Anbu gear!"
"Agreed. Tomorrow morning before dawn, after we've prepared everything, we will personally send you off," Nara Shikahira confirmed. He glanced at Yamanaka Ryuji and Akimichi Torobu and, seeing they had no objections, decisively agreed.
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