Konohagakure, Hokage's Office.
"The Orochimaru Squad has returned. The C-rank Mission to escort the ore merchant has been completed."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, accepted the report written by Kurenai Yūhi, and began reading it.
He then set down his pipe, picked up a pen, and added a C-rank Mission record to the ninja files of the Orochimaru Squad's members.
Half a year had passed since their previous B-rank Mission, and the Orochimaru Squad had gradually matured.
Over those six months, they had hunted down bandits, escorted merchant caravans, and protected nobles of the Land of Fire.
These missions were not merely for accumulating experience; more importantly, they trained abilities that would be useful on the battlefield.
Hunting bandits developed their ability to track and pursue enemies on the battlefield. Escorting caravans gave them experience transporting logistical supplies, while protecting nobles allowed them to accumulate experience in vigilance and camp defense.
Though they were merely a group of children barely in their teens, they could pick up weapons without hesitation and fight their enemies.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved for the brats to leave first, keeping Orochimaru behind.
Seeing this, even Asuma sensibly bowed and withdrew with the other Genin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly had something to discuss with Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, the situation on both fronts is far from optimistic. you need to prepare yourself."
Orochimaru nodded. He had already learned about the situations on the Kumogakure and Iwagakure fronts.
On the Kumogakure front, the Fourth Raikage had matured and now possessed Kage-level strength.
While Jiraiya was fighting the Third Raikage, he had led a large force in a massive offensive. More than three-quarters of the Land of Hot Water had already been occupied by Kumogakure, and Jiraiya could only lead his troops in holding several cities in the south.
On the