Perched on a hidden large tree beside the bandit fort, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade meticulously observed every movement within the camp.
Orochimaru crouched low, his body concealed behind the thick foliage, only his dark-golden eyes visible. Yet, no clash or skirmish among the bandits escaped his notice. Even a few bandits going to the latrine were perfectly clear to him.
The fort was a medium-sized camp, occupying several acres. Orochimaru's sensory perception counted one hundred and eighty-seven common bandits, including visible and hidden sentries. They operated in three groups: two groups went down the mountain to raid, and one remained to guard the fort, rotating shifts.
However, aside from a few individuals who seemed to be low-level chiefs giving orders, Orochimaru had yet to see the bandit leader appear. This was the reason he had delayed setting a time for action.
He paid special attention to the height of the outer wall, which was about seven or eight meters high. This made him frown; Genin could not jump that high.
Behind the main gate was a spacious open ground. In the center lay the embers of a bonfire, along with some training equipment, weapons, and knives. On both sides were rows of crude wooden houses, which Orochimaru frequently saw the common bandits entering and exiting, suggesting they were their barracks.
At the far end of the open ground and the two rows of houses was a hall with a noticeably grander architectural style. Behind it was a stone courtyard, much larger and more refined than the common bandits' housing. Orochimaru occasionally saw bandits bringing newly plundered goods here. It was likely the bandits' storage room, or perhaps the leader's quarters were located within.
Sunrise to sunset. In the blink of an eye, Orochimaru and his teammates had been observing the fort for two days. All three wore signs of fatigue. Jiraiya's restless nature even showed a hint of impatience and frustration in his eyes.
Jiraiya had suggested taking action several times during this period, but Orochimaru had always stopped him. Although Jiraiya felt frustrated, the calm tone and seasoned experience in Orochimaru's words and actions made him subconsciously choose to comply.
Tsunade stayed silent by their side. She vaguely sensed what Orochimaru was worried about.
Throughout these two days of observation, Orochimaru had not detected the presence of the fort's leader, and his internal unease grew stronger.
Looking at the sunset about to drop below the horizon, Orochimaru turned to Jiraiya and Tsunade. "Tonight will be our last night, and our last chance!"
His dark-golden pupils radiated a long-suppressed bloodlust. After seeing Jiraiya and Tsunade visibly brace themselves, he said sternly, "Can either of you perform the Tree Climbing or Water Walking training?"
Jiraiya looked confused.
Tsunade replied clearly, "I've practiced the Tree Climbing training, but I can't go very high!"
Orochimaru was only testing them, but Tsunade's response gave him a small surge of hope. He pointed toward the fort's gate: "Can you manage this height?"
Tsunade's face instantly showed embarrassment, and she shook her head.
Orochimaru didn't dwell on it and continued with his plan: "Soon, I will use the Transformation Jutsu to sneak in among the returning bandits. When it's midnight, I will open the main gate. You two must immediately take care of the sentries in the surrounding woods and rush inside!"
Orochimaru looked at them. "Any problems?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Orochimaru displayed the imposing demeanor of a master strategist from his past life, the conviction and charisma in his words making them irresistible.
Jiraiya was about to say something, but Orochimaru, knowing his friend's mind, interrupted, "No need to argue. We don't know if the leader inside is a ninja, or what their skill level is! My strength is the greatest here, and only if I handle the infiltration will our operation have the maximum chance of success! Besides, I've been looking for an opportunity to test my own tolerance and nerve, heh heh!"
As he finished speaking, Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint, sinister smile. Intense excitement surged in his dark-golden pupils, and he licked his lips, faintly emitting an inexplicable aura.
Jiraiya and Tsunade stiffened slightly. The vague aura emanating from Orochimaru was cold and chilling. Though not directed at them, it made them feel a profound sense of threat!
The sun set. The last batch of bandits, dragging their plunder, returned from the mountain in succession. The sounds of women crying, the bandits' crude laughter, and curses rang out simultaneously. As they entered the fort, a black shadow flashed through the nearby jungle—unnoticed by everyone—landing on one of the carts carrying various goods. It followed the bandits into the fort.
"Rumble, rumble—"
"Hu, where do you think the three chiefs went?"
"Rumble, rumble—"
"Stop it, Ye. Don't worry about where they went. As long as we eat, drink, and have women to sleep with, why do you have so many questions? Huh?"
The cart stopped.
"Hu, why don't we secretly pocket a bit of the loot?"
"Ye, you've gotten brave now. You want to die, but don't drag me into it! I'm only telling you this because we're from the same village—you know what happened last time the chief came back and executed a few men! Besides, those head officers aren't easy targets; they were brought in by the three chiefs and are fiercely loyal. If they find out, hmph!"
"Ninjas are tough! Haha, you're right, Hu. Let's go, let's go drink and play with the women! I'm telling you, the ones we grabbed today... that skin, that feeling... Heh heh, they're really fresh!"
"Haha, let's go, let's go!"
"..."
Orochimaru, having transformed into a sack of grain using the Transformation Jutsu, lay in the ox cart. As the voices of the two bandits gradually faded, his heart tightened. It seems three ninja are the leaders here. No wonder the subordinates are still so self-disciplined even when the leaders are away. Their authority must be immense! Since the leaders aren't present, the remaining small fry pose no threat!
Orochimaru's mind settled with this realization. He released his sensory perception. The noise outside was a cacophony of shouting, men's lewd laughter, whipping sounds, and even the suppressed gasps of women being violated...
Orochimaru quietly sensed it all, his mind unmoving, without sorrow or joy, simply waiting for midnight.
The outside clamor gradually faded until the area was completely silent. Orochimaru calculated the time in his mind. About three hours passed.
"Poof—"
With a puff of smoke and a soft sound, Orochimaru jumped out of the cart and opened the door. Moonlight spilled in.
Orochimaru looked up at the sky. A crescent moon, like a sickle, seemed to hang in the night sky with a faint, blood-red tint. The silver-white moonlight clearly reflected the demonic glint in Orochimaru's dark-golden snake eyes—a mixture of bloodlust, excitement, killing intent, and rapture.
He licked his lips, and a habitual, sinister smile slowly formed on his face.
The slaughter had begun!
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