"Kawaki-kun, your guess was right."
"The Rain ninjas are pulling back again. They don't want to engage in a direct confrontation with us."
"There are only lookouts outside, and at most they've set up some Booby Traps."
"They have absolutely no intention of harassing us."
"It seems they won't make any more moves unless we act first."
This could be considered a small victory, and Orochimaru was in a good mood. He even brought a few flasks of sake.
Right now, in the small earthen house at the camp, he was drinking with Kawaki and the others.
Still, only the voices of two people echoed in the earthen house.
"Their goal is to hold us back."
"Not to defeat us."
"As long as we make a big deal out of launching a massive offensive, even if the Rain ninjas suspect it's a trap, they'll have to charge in."
"Orochimaru - kun, you're really good at scheming."
"I bet you deliberately left those Rain ninjas' lookouts there, right?"
Kawaki saw right through Orochimaru's plan. It was more of an overt scheme.
The Rain ninjas would definitely attack, and there'd surely be a fierce battle.
"It's just a little trick. Don't laugh at me, Kawaki - kun."
Orochimaru was only in his twenties. After being praised by Kawaki, he couldn't help but have a couple more drinks.
"A big battle is coming. You two stay within my Sensor range later."
After finishing the sake in his cup with Orochimaru, Kawaki didn't forget to remind the two young ones.
As long as they were within his Sensor range, the Flying Raijin was enough to keep them alive.
"Yes, sensei (Aniki)."
The two young ones were munching on the fruits brought by Orochimaru. They both nodded and replied to Kawaki.
"Sakumo - kun, I'll leave the perimeter guard duty to you later."
Orochimaru didn't stand on ceremony with Sakumo. As the commander appointed by the Third Hokage, arranging this kind of thing was no problem for him.
"Sure."
Sakumo didn't say much. He clinked his cup with Orochimaru's.
The more they drank, the more excited they became. After discussing the battle, they began chatting about daily life.
The relationship between them was quickly getting closer. Communicating with each other on equal footing in terms of status and strength made everyone feel comfortable.
"Kawaki - kun, when you took Tsunade away, Jiraiya was really heart - broken."
"He should still be on his way back to Konoha from Mount Myoboku now."
Orochimaru was also good at gossiping.
"Haha, I'm not stealing her away from under someone else's nose."
"There are so many women in the world. I'll find a good match for Jiraiya when I have time."
Kawaki laughed. He took Tsunade openly, not by underhanded means, so there was nothing to hide.
"Orochimaru - kun, don't you want to find a wife?"
"I'm going to be a father soon."
Sakumo was really bold when he was drunk.
Kawaki glanced at Aniki. As expected of you, bro.
Then he looked at Orochimaru curiously, waiting for his response.
"I haven't found the right person yet."
Orochimaru showed no sign of shyness. He was very straightforward and clinked his cup with Sakumo's.
Kawaki figured that Orochimaru was just an ordinary guy. In the Boruto era, he even created a child by himself. He wasn't born averse to starting a family.
At least he still had normal human emotions now.
"Once you take a fancy to someone, I'll even tie her up and bring her to you.
Kawaki joked with Orochimaru with a smile, and they drank another cup.
"Alright, Kawaki - kun, don't back out when someone comes begging at your door!"
Orochimaru's pale face was already flushed.
Maybe he himself didn't know why he got along so well with Kawaki. Was it just because he had accepted a sword from him?
"I won't even bat an eyelid for any Kage of any village."
Seeing Kawaki bragging outrageously, Sakumo poured him another cup.
He won't brag after getting drunk.
Dai couldn't really get into the mood. One reason was the status gap, and the other was that he was learning how to brag to seem less dull.
In the end, they all got a bit drunk. Nawaki sent Orochimaru back to the tent, and Kawaki just collapsed on the ground.
Sure enough, when Kawaki was quiet, he stopped bragging.
Only then was Sakumo satisfied as he dragged his younger brother to the bed.
Looking at the drunk Kawaki, this was the well - behaved younger brother in his mind, not that little rascal.
His next thought was that, damn it, the kids definitely can't be left in Kawaki's care.
Otherwise, he'd shorten his lifespan by at least ten years.
With these absurd yet warm thoughts, he fell asleep beside his younger brother.
Poor Dai was lying on the ground, but thankfully the kind - hearted Little Minato covered him with a blanket.
Then Minato went to sleep on a small bed beside him.
The next day, the camp was in a noisy yet orderly chaos, with a grand commotion.
The Konoha ninjas were all getting their combat supplies. This scene was seen by the Rain ninja scouts who were keeping surveillance in the distance.
They immediately sent someone back to report.
It's obvious they're up to something big at first sight.
When Yamaru received this news, he began to get a bit restless.
He paced back and forth in the hall.
Fighting head - on would be like hitting a rock with an egg.
If they didn't fight, they wouldn't be able to complete Lord Hanzō's mission.
After much thought, he could only pin his hopes on Orochimaru's move still being an attack on them rather than the inner part of the Land of Rain.
"Keep watching and report the movements of the Konoha ninjas in a timely manner."
After giving the order, Yamaru sat down on the new seat and irritably took off his mask.
There was a worried look on the face under the mask. If the Konoha army was heading towards the inner part of the Land of Rain, he would have no choice but to fight.
Orochimaru and Kawaki decided to extend the preparation time for this operation to a week.
They distributed supplies every day, and the Rain ninjas reported back every day.
Yamaru's emotions began to get out of control.
A slow and steady torture is the most unbearable.
On the seventh day, when Yamaru received the news that the Konoha ninjas were still preparing, he was almost crazy.
He wished he could rush to the Konoha camp and question Orochimaru face to face.
Damn it! Where the hell are you gonna attack? Give me a damn clear answer!
That night, Kawaki and Orochimaru were alone in Orochimaru's tent.
There was fine tea brewed on the low table, and they sat facing each other.
"Orochimaru - kun, I think it's almost time."
"We'll set out tomorrow and the outcome will be decided."
Kawaki had a big smile on his face and was very satisfied with their strategy.
Undoubtedly, this was to inflict pain on Yamaru.
"Of course. After seven days of suffering, I believe the leader of the Rain ninjas is almost on the verge of a mental breakdown."
"He might do something really stupid."
Orochimaru-kun's cold and elegant smile was really beautiful. After getting used to it, Kawaki-kun no longer felt the oppressive and gloomy feeling.
"If things go smoothly, a feigned attack can turn into a real one," Kawaki-kun said.
"What do you think, Orochimaru-kun?"
Kawaki-kun was now really enjoying the feeling of directing the situation and making strategies.
He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and the fragrance lingered on his lips and teeth. It was so relaxing.
"Kawaki-kun, your words really strike a chord with me," Orochimaru-kun replied.
The two exchanged a smile, feeling that there was nothing better than having a kindred spirit.
The next day, the Konoha ninjas gathered at the camp.
Enough people were left to guard the rations and remaining supplies, and the rest went into battle.
"Our target is the heart of the Land of Rain. Let's go!"
At Orochimaru-kun's command, the ninjas filed out one after another.
He glanced casually to the north. Having spent so much time gathering his troops, he hoped the Rain ninjas wouldn't let this chance go to waste.
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