Due to the change in the war situation, Konoha's previous main camp had been relocated to the border of the Land of Waves, facing the Land of Water across the sea. It was a strategic location that allowed for both offense and defense.
Some Konoha ninjas had entered the territory of the Land of Water, causing considerable trouble for Kirigakure.
With the loss of six members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kirigakure's mobility and attack power had greatly declined. On the battlefield, more Bloodline Limit ninjas from Kirigakure appeared. However, apart from the bellicose Kaguya clan, other clans were rather hesitant in battle.
Bloodline Limit ninjas were indispensable talents for a clan. It was extremely difficult for each clan to produce a Bloodline Limit ninja. Not every clan was like the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, where members could awaken their Bloodline Limit almost after being stimulated.
Their Bloodline Limit needed to be awakened, and not every clan member could do so.
Bloodline Limit ninjas were very precious. They possessed powerful strength and represented the prosperity of the clan. They couldn't afford to die on the battlefield.
This was why the Bloodline Limit ninjas on the battlefield didn't dare to fight desperately, and thus couldn't drive the Konoha ninjas out of the country.
Instead, it allowed the Konoha ninjas to gain a foothold in the Land of Water.
Seisuke and the other two were still led by Hizashi, forming a scouting team, shuttling through the forest. With Hizashi around, they didn't need to be on guard at all. His Byakugan had already surveyed the scene within a one - kilometer radius.
It was just a routine patrol.
Hizashi said, "All right, that's it for today. There's nothing around the camp."
The temporary camp of Konoha in the Land of Water was led by Orochimaru. As for those two seemingly useless elders, he had arranged for them to go to the main camp in the Land of Waves to manage the logistics.
He didn't want those two old guys to interfere when he was commanding the battle.
Orochimaru wasn't the good - tempered Third Hokage who would tolerate the influence of the two advisors on his decisions. Implementing the system of Hokage advisors was a way of dividing power and weakening himself. He wouldn't do such self - destructive things.
Seisuke and the others returned to the camp. After reporting their patrol situation, Seisuke was stopped by Orochimaru. "Seisuke - kun, stay behind. I have something to talk to you about."
"Oh."
Seisuke didn't know what Orochimaru wanted from him, but it probably wasn't anything good.
Hizashi and the others left. In the tent, only Orochimaru, Seisuke, and Anko were left.
As for why Anko was here?
Orochimaru had arranged it. Keeping Anko by his side was convenient for teaching and could also protect her. Unless the main camp was breached by the Kirigakure ninjas, no one could harm her.
"Teacher Orochimaru, what's the matter?"
"I need you to carry out a mission alone."
"What kind of mission?"
"Capture a member of the Hozuki clan. I want to study the differences between your body and their secret techniques."
"..." Seisuke
So you still haven't given up.
He still remembered the time when he led Orochimaru astray. Orochimaru didn't sleep for several days and finally gave up due to exhaustion. Unexpectedly, after coming to Kirigakure, his research desire was reignited.
"Me... alone?"
"Yes."
Shouldn't you send some people to support me?
"The Hozuki clan has a small number of members, and they are difficult to capture on the battlefield. Moreover, with the abundant water resources in the Land of Water, they almost have no weaknesses. It's impossible to capture them head - on, so we can only do it secretly."
"But my characteristics don't match those of the Hozuki clan. I'm basically restrained by them."
"I know, so you have to do it secretly. The village won't allow me to study the Hozuki clan. Although it's a bit dangerous, I believe your abilities are sufficient to handle it. Just one Hozuki clan member who has mastered the Hydration Secret Technique will do."
Curiosity flickered in Orochimaru's snake - like eyes. He wanted to study the principle of the Hydration Secret Technique of the Hozuki clan and then infer Seisuke's secret from it.
As a researcher, curiosity was an important driving force for their progress.
The curiosity about all things unknown was also the reason for the progress of humanity.
Seisuke said, "But it's hard to see members of the Hozuki clan on the battlefield now."
"That's why we need you." Orochimaru gave a cold smile, which made Seisuke have a bad feeling.
...
Dissolving Imitation Technique!
This technique dissolves and takes the face of another person, and then pastes it on one's own face for disguise. Compared with the Transformation Technique, the biggest advantage of this disguise method is that it's not easily seen through by powerful ninjas.
As long as the imitation is perfect enough, no one can tell.
But the only drawback is that the means are too cruel.
Seisuke felt a chill and strongly refused.
"Not bad. You seem to dislike it."
"Yes, it's disgusting." Seisuke said, "Isn't there any other jutsu? Teacher, I can't accept this one."
"You're still too young. This jutsu can make it difficult for the Kirigakure ninjas to see through you. After all, you'll be hiding among them."
"I just need to sneak in." Seisuke waved his hand and said, "As long as you send me into Kirigakure, I have a way to find a member of the Hozuki clan."
"Sneak in? What, are you going to kill everyone who sees you?" Recalling Seisuke's joke from before, Orochimaru said with a smile.
Creating chaos and taking advantage of the confusion is always the best way to hide myself." Seisuke said.
"In that case, I won't interfere. You can escape, right?"
"Of course. My escape skills were taught by you, teacher."
When it came to life - saving skills in the ninja world, if Orochimaru claimed to be the first, no one would dare to claim the second. He even had the ability to come back to life after death.
Although he hadn't reached that level yet, in the current ninja world, the number of people who could capture Orochimaru was less than five.
And Seisuke, who had received Orochimaru's true teachings, had life - saving skills, if nothing else.
"In that case, I'm not worried. I'll send you there."
Bang——
A snake suddenly appeared in the tent. Before Seisuke could react, the snake swallowed him whole.
With a bang, it disappeared.
Anko asked curiously, "Teacher, did you send senior - brother to Kirigakure?"
"Kirigakure has a barrier. I can't send him directly in, but I can send him near Kirigakure. The rest depends on your senior - brother finding a way to sneak in."
Orochimaru said with a smile, "This is also a trial for him. Anko, your senior - brother is different from you. He possesses extremely powerful strength, but he just hasn't used it yet. He's always just playing around, and he can't grow like that."
The power contained in Seisuke's body was huge, but this little guy just hadn't unleashed it. That wouldn't do.
Only by overcoming the immature self of the past can a person grow!
Seisuke, he needed to grow!
When he gave it his all, he would have nothing to fear!