Afterward, Orochimaru got straight to the point, delivering a comprehensive analysis of the current battlefield situation.
Before Minato Namikaze's unit of 2,000 elite shinobi arrived, the forces of Sunagakure had relied mainly on guerrilla tactics—ambushes and harassment, utilizing the terrain to their advantage rather than engaging in open combat. Apart from one large-scale assault, their methods aimed to chip away at Konoha's forces with minimal risk.
Now, with reinforcements arriving from the Hidden Leaf in such a conspicuous and organized fashion, it would be odd for the Sand Village to willingly engage in a decisive battle. Their strategy clearly indicated otherwise.
Everyone present found Orochimaru's assessment logical. Of the Five Great Nations, Sunagakure was the weakest militarily, and it made sense that they would avoid direct confrontation with Konoha's combined forces.
After explaining what he knew and offering his analysis, Orochimaru turned to Minato Namikaze.
"Jonin Minato, as of now, you're the commander-in-chief on the Sunagakure front. The Hokage's directive is clear: we must push for a decisive battle. Do you have a strategy for dealing with those rats who only know how to scurry in the shadows?"
With those words, Orochimaru passed the dilemma he faced onto Minato.
Minato quickly stood and responded politely, "Orochimaru-senpai is too generous. In order to defeat Sunagakure's forces, your assistance is invaluable."
He then walked toward the large tactical map pinned on the wall of the command tent. With a sweep of his hand, he circled a region—a zone where the Leaf and Sand forces were skirmishing in scattered engagements.
"Orochimaru-senpai, based on your report, Konoha has lost over a thousand shinobi in this area alone. However, due to the strategic value of this position, we can't afford to withdraw."
He paused, then continued.
"So, I propose we start here."
Orochimaru gestured for him to go on.
"The Land of Wind is their home turf. Even if we deploy elite squads, the result may only be a prolonged stalemate. They'll drain our resources while continuing to dictate the pace.
My proposal is this: All future squads deployed in this zone should carry Flying Thunder God kunai. The moment they encounter enemy forces, they'll activate the seal. I'll sense it and teleport in instantly to eliminate the enemy."
Everyone looked at Minato in astonishment.
"With this approach, Sunagakure will be forced to choose—either abandon this position or devise a way to eliminate me."
Among the crowd, Aoba Yamashiro was dumbfounded. This Minato Namikaze was different from what he had imagined. He had expected a complex strategy—something intricate and layered.
But this... this was blunt and direct. He was single-handedly taking on the burden, weaponizing his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique to bleed Sunagakure dry.
Still, Aoba couldn't deny the effectiveness. Minato's technique allowed him to roam the battlefield at will, appearing anywhere at a moment's notice.
Then it hit him.
No wonder Minato looked exhausted earlier. Could he have already used this tactic on the Kumogakure front?
Very likely.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru had fallen silent. Minato's strategy was simple, even reckless, but undeniably effective. Only someone like him—who had mastered the Second Hokage's teleportation jutsu and possessed overwhelming combat prowess—could pull this off.
"It seems no one objects. Then we'll proceed as planned," Minato concluded.
He turned to Orochimaru once more. "Orochimaru-senpai, I'll leave this camp in your hands. The Sand shinobi are likely to attempt a nighttime raid in the next few days."
Minato's confidence came from his hard-earned experience on other fronts, particularly against Kumogakure's forces.
Orochimaru nodded. "Minato-kun, you're meticulous as ever. Don't worry—if they come, they won't succeed. Not while I'm here."
As he spoke, Orochimaru's golden, snake-like eyes swept across the camp until they rested on Aoba Yamashiro.
"And Aoba-kun is here as well, isn't he? The shinobi who captured two tailed beasts alive on the Iwagakure front."
Aoba blinked, caught off guard. He hadn't expected to be mentioned in this discussion.
Nevertheless, under the scrutiny of two legends, he stood and replied, "Orochimaru-senpai flatters me. It was merely luck. Capturing two tailed beasts wasn't my doing alone—the sealing corps and barrier team played critical roles."
Aoba had no desire to steal Minato's thunder. He knew his place. Minato was the one destined for greatness, the one who would soon carry the mantle of Hokage.
"Such modesty, Aoba-kun," Orochimaru replied with a slight smile. "That kind of luck doesn't come to just anyone."
Still, Orochimaru soon turned his attention back to the broader discussion—namely, the allocation of command authority.
This confused many present. Minato had unofficially been handed control by Orochimaru when the camp's defense was entrusted to him. Yet now Orochimaru appeared to be voluntarily relinquishing even more authority.
Was he expressing loyalty to the Third Hokage? Was this some kind of political maneuver? Or was he showing goodwill toward Minato?
The only one who seemed to understand was Aoba Yamashiro.
He realized that Orochimaru's heart likely wasn't in this war anymore.
Power, influence—these things meant little to Orochimaru now. His ambitions were no longer bound by the battlefield or even the Hidden Leaf's politics.
The rest of the shinobi couldn't see it, but Aoba did.
To everyone's surprise, Orochimaru officially transferred his command authority to Minato's faction, specifically placing it under the leadership of Nara Shikaku.
Not only were Minato's subordinates taken aback, but even the loyal troops who had served under Orochimaru for the past two years were left stunned.
It was too strange. Even if he were trying to align with the Third Hokage's position, this level of withdrawal was unprecedented.
Kawaki Aoba had seen many things in his life, but at this moment, he truly didn't know how to react to Orochimaru.
He could only sigh inwardly—Orochimaru was both a creation of Hiruzen Sarutobi and his greatest regret.
The cold war between master and disciple had dragged on for over two years. It had not only worn down Hiruzen's patience but likely extinguished the last remaining flickers of affection in Orochimaru's heart.
To be honest, Orochimaru was merely born in the wrong era. If he had been of the same generation as Minato Namikaze, and still accepted as Hiruzen's disciple, there would have been no doubt—he would have been the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
The first Jonin meeting after Minato's appointment concluded more smoothly than anyone expected. Orochimaru didn't create obstacles for Minato, as many feared he might. Instead, he relinquished all authority he still held, without resistance.
After the meeting, Orochimaru approached Aoba Kawaki.
"Jonin Aoba Kawaki… I've wanted to speak with you for some time. Would you mind stepping out for a chat?"
Aoba, cautious yet intrigued, nodded.
A rare smile formed on Orochimaru's face. "Jonin Kawaki… I've been observing you for quite some time. We're alike, you and I."
Aoba: …
No, we're not. I have a girlfriend, he nearly said aloud but held back with effort.
"We both share a passion for exploring the unknown. In truth, you may even possess more talent than I." Orochimaru's serpent-like eyes gleamed with manic energy.
Aoba felt uncomfortable under his intense gaze—then Orochimaru did something that stunned him.
Raising a finger, Orochimaru murmured, "Hadō No. 4: Byakurai."
A bolt of white lightning shot from his fingertip, scorching the sand outside the Konoha forward camp. The charred ground smoked faintly.
Aoba scanned the burn marks with his Observation Haki and fell silent.
Something's wrong… The power of that Byakurai… it wasn't diluted.
Orochimaru had taught Kido-like techniques to others before, but no one had ever produced one this potent without the incantation. Even with it, most results were subpar and chakra-inefficient.
But this… this was a genuine Byakurai. At that strength, it could kill a Genin instantly.
Why? Why hasn't the technique weakened in his hands? What is he relying on?
Just as Aoba pondered this, Orochimaru went a step further.
"Ruler! Mask of flesh and blood, all creation, fluttering wings, bearer of the name of man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus—wait—no… Scorching heat and strife, surging from the southern seas…"
Aoba froze. That was the incantation for Hadō No. 31: Shakkahō.
A second later, Orochimaru unleashed the fireball—full power, flawless form.
Thankfully, they had walked to the outskirts of the camp, or they'd have drawn attention by now.
"Orochimaru-senpai, how… how did you do that?" Aoba asked, stunned.
Orochimaru looked tired, even drained, after casting the spell—odd for a ninja of his level. But beneath the weariness, his excitement was palpable.
He smiled, wide and eerie. "How did I do it? No, Aoba-kun… I should be asking you. How did you do it?
These aren't standard ninjutsu. This is power that touches the soul. If I hadn't been researching soul transference techniques, I wouldn't have uncovered the truth.
Aoba-kun, to wield these arts so freely… What level has your soul power reached?"
Aoba: …
The information overload was real. Aoba hadn't expected Orochimaru to unravel the link between Kido and spiritual pressure so quickly.
Orochimaru was right, though. Aoba's soul was unusually strong—though not for the reasons Orochimaru assumed. The truth lay with the Sacrifice Altar, which allowed Aoba to convert spiritual power into chakra seamlessly.
Seeing Aoba's stunned face, Orochimaru's excitement deepened.
"Aoba-kun, you wield soul-based arts as if they were ninjutsu. Such confidence… Such audacity.
Do you truly believe no one else can surpass you in matters of the soul?"
Aoba: …
Sure, sure, whatever you say. You're connecting the dots perfectly… and totally missing the picture.
Then Orochimaru added something even more baffling.
"Heh… that relic Danzo actually thought to use you, Aoba-kun—to restrain Minato Namikaze. How foolish. But I imagine you were aware of this, weren't you?"
Aoba: ???
What the hell does this have to do with Danzo?
Sure, Aoba's Observation Haki was advanced—powerful enough for mid-range eavesdropping—but he didn't keep it activated full-time, and definitely not on Danzo.
He honestly had no idea why he was deployed to the Wind Country battlefield in the first place.
But Orochimaru was happy to provide an answer.
"Before you even arrived, Danzo's Root approached me. They wanted me to provoke conflict between you and Minato Namikaze—to turn you into rivals. Ideally, you'd clash publicly."
Aoba blinked in disbelief. So that was the reason?
Was Danzo really trying to stir internal conflict just to spite Hiruzen? Or did he simply not want Minato to become Hokage?
Either way, it was a thankless, shortsighted move—and now Aoba found himself caught in the middle.
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