Frontline Deputy Commander

"Then your plan is going to fall through."

Jiraiya said with a feigned sigh.

"Why?"

Orochimaru asked in confusion.

"You know White Fang, right?

That's the title Sakumo earned recently. Last time, he infiltrated behind enemy lines and directly killed two of Sunagakure's top officials on the front.

After that, Chiyo took the lead in joining forces with Hanzō, and they began working together against Konohagakure."

The rapid shift in the situation surprised Orochimaru. Before he had left for Kumogakure, Sunagakure and Amegakure had still been enemies.

"They had clearly fought each other just before I left for Kumogakure. I didn't expect the war to change so quickly. Still, it's a good thing that Sakumo has become so strong now. He can shoulder a great deal of the pressure."

"I'd really like to know who's stronger now, you or Sakumo, Orochimaru!"

Jiraiya said carelessly.

At that moment, an Anbu suddenly flickered into view nearby.

"Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, Lord Jiraiya, the Third Hokage requests that the three of you report to the Hokage Building."

"Jiraiya."

Tsunade suddenly called out.

"Hm?"

"Looks like we're heading to the Land of Rain. Your curiosity might just be satisfied."

Inside the Hokage Building, in the Hokage's Office. The Third Hokage was unusually not smoking. Instead, drool dripped from his mouth as his eyes turned into bouncing hearts while he stared at the crystal ball.

The scene displayed within the crystal ball was shrouded in steam. It showed one of Konohagakure's bathhouses.

Suddenly, as if he had sensed something, the Third Hokage cut off the Crystal Ball Jutsu at lightning speed, arranged the documents in his hands, wiped the drool from his mouth, and lit his pipe again.

Sure enough, in the next instant, the Main Gate of the Hokage's Office was kicked open by Tsunade.

The Third Hokage took a casual puff of smoke, calming his previously hurried breathing, then straightened up and sat properly.

"Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, you're here."

The Third Hokage exchanged a brief greeting.

No one answered. They all knew the Third Hokage's habits. Whenever he spoke to young people, he liked to begin with nonsense. The important part started with the second sentence, and he always ended with the Will of Fire.

"Are you all prepared to head to the front lines?"

"Of course, old man! An outstanding ninja like the great Jiraiya is always ready for battle anytime, anywhere."

"I have always had absolute confidence in my exceptional Disciples, but that isn't what I'm asking.

Rather... Orochimaru, are you ready to serve as the Frontline Deputy Commander?"

Once the Third Hokage felt his breathing had settled, he put down his pipe and stared solemnly at Orochimaru.

"What about Elder Danzo?"

Orochimaru asked. It was not merely his own question; the other two wondered the same thing.

After all, everyone knew that the Third Hokage and Danzo were the closest of comrades.

Whenever the Third Hokage went to the front lines, he would inevitably serve as commander in his capacity as Hokage.

And Danzo, who worked most seamlessly with the Third Hokage, would inevitably become his deputy and serve as Frontline Deputy Commander.

At present, Danzo was the frontline commander, while Hatake Sakumo served as the Frontline Deputy Commander.

"As for Danzo, his greatest threat does not lie on the frontal battlefield, but in intelligence gathering.

Danzo will return to the village to oversee intelligence work. The other two elders will handle logistics and administration, and Sakumo will also be returning."

The Third Hokage spoke slowly.

"Why withdraw such a powerful fighter as Sakumo?"

Tsunade was somewhat curious.

Orochimaru wondered whether the Third Hokage had begun suppressing such a distinguished figure from outside the Hokage faction.

"Hahaha, Sakumo's wife is about to give birth. As a Father, I understand very well how eagerly every father anticipates the arrival of his child.

I believe your current strength, Orochimaru, is enough to fill the gap left by Sakumo."

That was indeed a good reason, but the second point was the truly important one, wasn't it?

The Orochimaru of the past might not have understood. Ninja education was generally lacking; their classes were all related to ninja and warfare, after all, a ninja's greatest purpose was to deal with war.

As for history, they might only know that the ninja system had been created by the Sage of Six Paths and that Konohagakure had been founded by the great First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. That was the extent of most ninjas' understanding of history.

But the memories within Orochimaru's soul from Earth contained five thousand years of history. The experience within them told him that whether it was ancient emperors or the Hokage of Konohagakure, successors had always been what subordinates cared about most.

It concerned whether the village would remain strong in the future, whether the successor could keep their clans prosperous, and whether their own power would be affected.

As someone outside the Hokage faction, if Hatake Sakumo rose to become Hokage, a whole group of people outside the Hokage faction would inevitably be promoted alongside him, and the current beneficiaries would certainly suffer losses.

But given the current situation, among the younger generation, the strongest, most capable, and most qualified person to succeed the Hokage was Hatake Sakumo alone.

That was why the Third Hokage needed the three of them to rise to prominence at this time and break this situation.

Otherwise, many people would gravitate toward Hatake Sakumo, the man most likely to become Hokage. After all, no merit surpassed backing a future ruler. Once Sakumo's faction grew too powerful, it would not necessarily be good for the Hokage faction.

But if the Third Hokage's three disciples suddenly rose to prominence, there would be more than one possible successor to the Hokage.

Even if they performed slightly worse than Sakumo, with the status of being the Third Hokage's disciples bolstering them, their chances of becoming Hokage would not necessarily be lower than Sakumo's.

This would divert a considerable number of opportunists toward them, though it might also cause them to remain on the fence.

Naturally, this was a good thing for Orochimaru, and he had no reason to refuse.

Hiruzen Sarutobi began explaining his strategic arrangements to Orochimaru and the others.

"The main force will follow me in attempting to crush the weaker Amegakure first.

"After all, I have fought Hanzo before and know him to some extent. Amegakure's shinobi are also inferior to Konohagakure's, so I will lead the main force in prioritizing the defeat of Amegakure's shinobi.

"The three of you will take a secondary force and keep Sunagakure tied down, denying them any chance to provide support."

The Third Hokage gave his orders.

This strategic allocation was actually quite reasonable. And if Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan succeeded, the greatest credit for this battle would naturally go to him as well.

All they needed to do was delay Sunagakure for a while. There would be pressure, but it would not be too great. As long as someone could hold Chiyo off head-on for a time, achieving their strategic objective was nearly certain.

Besides, they had Tsunade, the medical master. Chiyo's poison techniques would be largely neutralized, so it could be said that half this credit was practically being handed to them.

Since the plan had a chance of succeeding and there was credit to be earned, Orochimaru naturally did not object.

However, that meant whether they could win this war would depend entirely on whether the Third Hokage could lead the main force in crushing Amegakure within a short period of time.

After all, Hanzo of the Salamander could currently be called the true pinnacle of the Shinobi World. It could be said that the Third Hokage was taking the greatest risk in pursuit of the greatest achievement.

On the way out of the Hokage's Office, Jiraiya became unable to sit still and started bragging again. In truth, he especially loved boasting in front of anyone, particularly before his friends and rivals, as well as the girl he liked.

"I'm telling you, not long ago, the Great Toad Sage specifically summoned me to Mount Myōboku and gave the great Jiraiya an extremely important prophecy!"

"A prophecy?"

Tsunade was somewhat curious.

"A prophecy? I've never believed in that sort of thing. I only believe in myself."

Orochimaru curled his lip, though he knew this prophecy could be said to have shaped Jiraiya's entire life.

"Haha, Orochimaru, you must be jealous of me."

Seeing an opportunity to show off in front of Tsunade, Jiraiya continued boasting wildly.

"The Great Toad Sage said this was something only the great Hero Jiraiya could accomplish. In the future, I'll encounter the Child of Prophecy and take them as my disciple.

"According to the Great Toad Sage, the Child of Prophecy will possess earth-shaking power and bring either peace or destruction to the Shinobi World. As long as I find the Child of Prophecy and guide them correctly, peace will arrive soon enough."

"Looks like the Great Toad Sage doesn't have very good judgment. Did he really describe you as a 'great Hero'?"

Tsunade turned and asked.

"Hey! You flat-chested violent woman, you're just jealous of my future achievements!"

Jiraiya failed to notice that Tsunade's aura was gradually becoming dangerous.

At that moment, Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth and spoke.

"Hehe, Jiraiya, if merely finding the Child of Prophecy can bring peace, then what are all the others striving for peace? A joke?"

After saying that, Orochimaru immediately left. One reason was that there was still an Eight-Tails Chakra test subject he needed to arrange, and the other was...

"Jiraiya, what did you just call me?!"

Bang!

That was the sound of Jiraiya being smashed away by Tsunade.

The other reason was that Tsunade was about to explode. He had no intention of stopping her. He was certain that if he intervened, Tsunade would beat him up along with Jiraiya. Don't ask—he had experience. Experience beaten into him by Tsunade.