"That's pretty good," Mu nodded when he heard Hōzuki Gengetsu's words.
After he stepped down as Tsuchikage, he and Hōzuki Gengetsu worked together on movie promotions.
He became a plagiarist, adapting famous works into Ninja World versions.
And in Iwagakure, these films became so popular that even the Daimyo of various countries bought televisions specifically to watch them.
...
"Orochimaru, this is an A-rank infiltration mission. I need you to infiltrate Hidden Rain Village and ascertain Hanzou's true strength..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Orochimaru solemnly.
With war imminent, Hiruzen Sarutobi needed to gather intelligence on neighboring countries.
Even a small Ninja Village like Hidden Rain Village.
Originally, the mission to infiltrate Hidden Rain Village should have been given to Jiraiya.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was concerned that Jiraiya's carefree personality might lead to exposure, so he assigned this mission to the cautious Orochimaru.
Orochimaru casually glanced at the contents of the scroll.
Then he handed the scroll back to Hiruzen.
"Teacher, I don't want to infiltrate Hidden Rain Village," Orochimaru flatly refused.
"Oh? Are you worried about Hanzou's strength?" Hiruzen Sarutobi thought Orochimaru was afraid.
After all, Hanzou did have some strength.
Although he hadn't been tested in actual combat, his theoretical strength seemed good.
However, Orochimaru's next sentence made Hiruzen Sarutobi's jaw drop.
"I want to infiltrate Iwagakure! I want to carry out a spy mission in Iwagakure!" Orochimaru looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.
He had thought that Orochimaru didn't want to go to Hidden Rain Village because he was afraid of danger.
He didn't expect him to pick the most difficult one directly.
"Orochimaru, that place is too far, difficult to enter and exit. I don't think it's suitable for you to go," Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly.
Iwagakure is built among towering mountains.
It's difficult to enter and exit; once inside, getting out requires passing through many checkpoints.
"Teacher Sarutobi, I know. I have the means and the confidence to get out," Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth with his tongue, a smile forming.
The reason Orochimaru chose the most difficult Iwagakure.
Of course, it wasn't for Konoha's benefit.
It was for Orochimaru's own benefit.
Ever since he went to Iwagakure as a child, he only took two years to read all those books.
After finishing them, Orochimaru was still unsatisfied.
He wanted to go to Iwagakure again.
But at that time, he was too young, and the relationship between Iwagakure and Konoha wasn't particularly close, so he could only regret it.
And now.
His strength had reached the Jonin level, and he could try to go to Iwagakure to gain better knowledge.
Orochimaru knew.
The reason Iwagakure's technology was so advanced must be because they had specialized departments.
If he went there to steal a certain technology, knowledge, or scientific research, it would greatly benefit Orochimaru.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru's heart stirred slightly.
"Orochimaru, do you really want to infiltrate Iwagakure?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked solemnly.
He wasn't without the idea of sending people to Iwagakure for intelligence.
But it was only due to insufficient manpower and not daring to act rashly...
He originally wanted to send Sakumo Hatake, but Sunagakure couldn't be left without anyone.
"Teacher, you know my abilities." Orochimaru looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After a long while.
"Alright! I approve it. The mission is elevated to S-rank. If you encounter danger, you can choose to abandon the mission and return directly!" Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Orochimaru the privilege to abandon the mission.
Orochimaru excitedly licked the corner of his mouth and nodded.
As he was about to get up and prepare to leave,
Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to Orochimaru again.
"Wait, Orochimaru!"
Orochimaru was slightly puzzled, turning his head to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Teacher, what is it?" Orochimaru asked.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face flushed.
"Hehe, Orochimaru, remember to bring some Iwagakure cigarettes for your teacher. Bring a few packs. Your teacher likes that brand the most. It should be the newest model, I think it's called Yan Yue or General, I forgot. Just buy a few packs of each..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a red face.
War was about to begin, and if it started, trade routes might be affected, and goods from Iwagakure might be cut off, preventing him from getting his cigarettes.
Although Konoha also had imitations, the feeling wasn't the same.
A dark line appeared on Orochimaru's forehead, and he nodded faintly.
Then he left.
In the darkness, Danzo Shimura slowly appeared.
"Hiruzen, the latest intelligence: Uzushiogakure is under siege."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi trembled.
"Who is besieging them? Hidden Mist? Or other small countries...?" Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't surprised, just didn't expect it to happen so quickly.
"Many, more or less, are involved. Some Ninja clans have already launched attacks on Uzushiogakure. Now Uzushiogakure is asking us for help, hoping we will fulfill our original agreement to support Uzushiogakure," Danzo Shimura said coldly.
The so-called fulfillment of the original agreement was from the First Great Ninja War.
What Senju Tobirama promised Uzumaki Ashina.
Whenever the two Villages encountered difficulties, they had to overcome them together and send troops to help each other.
During the First Great Ninja War, Uzumaki Ashina led the Uzumaki army to help Konoha through difficult times.
Now that the Uzumaki are in trouble, Konoha should help.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his cigarette.
Konoha was on the verge of war, and the entire Konoha war strategy could not be disrupted just for the Uzumaki Clan.
At the Konoha gate.
Tsunade and Jiraiya had been waiting for a long time.
"Orochimaru~~ I heard you're going to Iwagakure. Can you bring me something~?" Jiraiya casually hooked his arm around Orochimaru's shoulder.
Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya and walked towards Tsunade.
"Tsunade, while I'm away, Nawaki's training cannot fall behind. This is the scientific training plan I prepared for him. Give it to him." Orochimaru handed a training book to Tsunade.
Tsunade nodded and took it.
"You need to be careful. Iwagakure is very dangerous." Due to her grandfather, Tsunade had a strong dislike for Iwagakure, even though Iwagakure was the Ninja World's largest economy.
"Orochimaru, Orochimaru, are you listening to me, Orochimaru~~~?" Jiraiya kept pestering Orochimaru.
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya helplessly and asked hoarsely, "Idiot, what is it?"
"Hehe, help me bring something back from Iwagakure..." Jiraiya showed a lewd smile and then whispered into Orochimaru's ear, "I heard Iwagakure AV has a new series out, called 'Ninja Widows Series'. Can you bring me a few back~? I even bought a TV... I really want to watch it..."
Orochimaru's face darkened.
He was going on a spy mission, not a vacation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted him to bring cigarettes.
Jiraiya wanted him to bring adult films.
"Come on, come on, please! Your snakes can swallow them and then summon them back. It's easy for you, Orochimaru!"
"Orochimaru, I'm doing this for research~"
"Orochimaru-kun, you wouldn't want me to keep peeking into the women's bathhouse and affecting our reputations, would you?" Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru with bent eyes and a mischievous smile.
"Idiot!" Orochimaru left directly, heading towards Iwagakure.
"Orochimaru! Don't forget~~~!"
"I want the Widow Series!!" Jiraiya shouted urgently.
(In real life, when you encounter difficulties, you must work hard to overcome them and persevere. As long as you work hard and persist, there will be a day when you succeed. The author deeply feels this. The Will of Stone is not only a fictional concept in the novel, but also my life belief: to be tenacious, unyielding, and to work hard to overcome any difficulties, and eventually, you will see the light. I also wish all readers to persevere and have an open mind!)