Although it was said that the two teams would be conducting joint operations, Orochimaru did not opt for a conventional strategic deployment.
Instead, he chose a more dangerous approach.
He split the eight-man squad into three separate teams.
Tsunade led the first team.
She was accompanied by two girls from the Hyuga and Inuzuka clans to conduct a thorough, grid-style search of the area.
In Orochimaru's words, even if they had to turn the entire region upside down, they had to locate the rumored small gold mine.
If they failed, he threatened to report Tsunade's dereliction of duty to the Third Hokage.
Although Tsunade complained bitterly, she had no choice but to follow orders and lead the team.
Uchiha Tatsumi was assigned to lead the third team, made up of Mikoto, Kushina, and Yusuki—whom Orochimaru mockingly referred to as "the three troublemakers."
Their task was to monitor one of the main roads leading into the Land of Rain. This assignment was relatively safer since it only involved patrolling the outer perimeter.
Orochimaru himself acted as the second team, stationed between the positions of Tsunade and Uchiha Tatsumi.
This arrangement significantly increased the risk level.
Keep in mind, their opponents included a jōnin and several chūnin-level enemy shinobi.
Aside from Tsunade, everyone in her group were still academy students, not even genin yet. They were completely outmatched against chūnin-level opponents.
As for Uchiha Tatsumi's team, they were also just academy students.
A real case of "three holes and one plug"—a dangerous mismatch in capability.
However, the advantage of this split formation was clear. By dividing up, they could increase the speed and precision of their search operation.
This method aligned perfectly with Orochimaru's personality—like a venomous serpent lurking in the jungle: dangerous, but capable of slipping in undetected.
From a mission perspective, Orochimaru's strategy was sound.
He simply didn't care about casualties—so long as they didn't involve the people he personally valued.
Before departing, Orochimaru gave final instructions to Tsunade's team, then turned to Uchiha Tatsumi.
He pulled out a detailed map of the border.
Pointing to a section marked in red, he said, "There are six main routes nearby that lead directly into the Land of Rain. The network is dense and complicated."
"Most of these roads don't intersect. Your team will be monitoring this one," he said, indicating a specific route on the map.
"Tatsumi, you have experience. Don't miss any signs—if anything feels off, notify us through the slug summoning network. I'll be stationed nearby at the secondary post."
"Your team may not be strong, but you're at the outermost—and safest—position."
Uchiha Tatsumi nodded, understanding Orochimaru's logic.
Orochimaru would be operating solo, acting as a mobile response unit.
He positioned his temporary base equidistant from both Tsunade's and Tatsumi's teams, allowing him to support either at a moment's notice.
Given Orochimaru's speed, he could traverse the entire sector in very little time.
This seemingly simple setup ensured a thorough investigation while also sealing off escape routes to the Land of Rain.
Uchiha Tatsumi took the map and set off with his team.
Among them, he and Mikoto were the fastest, followed by Yusuki.
All three had previously received speed training from Orochimaru.
Mikoto, especially, had honed her Lightning Release, enhancing her cellular activation—making her even faster than Nawaki.
The slowest was, without question, Kushina.
Though Tatsumi had been teaching her chakra control techniques for years, her raw speed was still a tier below someone like Nawaki.
Tatsumi was already adjusting his pace to accommodate her.
Tsunade might not be a speed-type ninja, but she was still a jōnin—she should've considered this in her planning.
Of course, part of the delay might be from the enormous packs Kushina carried—like she was moving out for good.
Still, thanks to her massive chakra and stamina, she managed to keep up—barely. In fact, that level of endurance showed she had genuine potential.
As they walked, Tatsumi explained the mission objectives to the group.
"Our main goal is to monitor the assigned route."
"Orochimaru-sensei said this sector is safer than Tsunade's, but we can't let our guard down."
"We'll be stationed here for a while. The recall signal will come from Orochimaru-sensei at the secondary post."
"What about communication?" Mikoto asked the question on everyone's mind.
"I'll be maintaining contact with both Tsunade-sensei and Orochimaru-sensei via slugs every day," Tatsumi explained.
"They'll check in with us at regular intervals. All we need to do is monitor and report."
"If anything urgent comes up, use this flare. I'll alert Orochimaru-sensei immediately."
"We're nearly there." Tatsumi glanced at the map and, after a moment of careful comparison, added, "This is the place."
Two hours of travel had brought them to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain.
The dense, oddly shaped forest was imposing—but none of them had time to admire the view.
Tatsumi stopped at a thick copse of trees.
"To stay hidden and observe better, we'll set up camp here," he instructed.
"Mikoto has her Sharingan, and both of us have decent scouting ability. We'll check the perimeter."
"Nawaki, find a good place to pitch the tents. That's your job for now."
"Mikoto and I will also search for a water source. We'll need it since we didn't bring much supply."
"Got it," Nawaki nodded. At the moment, he lacked both detection ninjutsu and scouting skills.
Kushina hadn't awakened her Kagura Mind's Eye yet either.
So the team assignment was reasonable.
"We'll be back in two hours," Tatsumi added. "If we're not back by then, fire this signal into the sky."
"What about me, Tatsumi?" Kushina asked.
"You can gather firewood. Help Nawaki with the tent too. If you run into problems, ask him."
Tatsumi looked over at the redhead and added, "You're in charge of logistics."
With that, he waved, and he and Mikoto headed into the forest.
"What's the plan, Tatsumi?" Mikoto asked as they moved.
Tatsumi didn't check the surrounding vegetation, nor did he search for water.
Instead, he wandered aimlessly through the trees, as if lost in thought—looking for something only he knew.
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