The Warmth Delivery Squad Has Arrived

Hokage's Office.

"That bastard Jiraiya, you locked him up for peeping on women bathing?"

"Yes, Hokage. According to the Security Division..."

"Alright, alright, dock his pay. Letting him learn his lesson for a while is fine."

Hiruzen clearly didn't want to owe the Security Division a favor over Jiraiya's matter.

He knew his student's personality well.

Womanizing and drinking had caused plenty of trouble.

If this could finally break him of that bad habit, it would actually be a good thing.

What Hiruzen cared about was something else.

"Are you certain it's Orochimaru?"

"Based on Jiraiya's intelligence, Orochimaru has never stopped his human experiments over the years. I think the likelihood is high."

Hiruzen clenched his fist. What the hell was that bastard Orochimaru trying to do?

If he had known this back then, he should have killed him with his own hands.

"Hokage, since Orochimaru is highly suspect and Jiraiya has returned, I believe this is the best opportunity to act."

This time, Hiruzen didn't hesitate.

"In that case, set out as soon as possible. Make sure you get to the bottom of this."

"Yes, Hokage."

Under Hiruzen's orders, a temporary action squad was formed.

Originally, Hiruzen arranged for Jiraiya to lead the team, with Eiji's three-man cell assisting him.

But Eiji refused, reasoning that Orochimaru was an extremely cunning ninja, and a large-scale operation would definitely catch his attention.

If they split up instead, it would improve their efficiency in capturing Orochimaru.

Jiraiya was still annoyed about being held in the Security Division for several days, so he didn't miss the chance to mock Eiji.

"Kid, don't think you're so great. Orochimaru is a hundred times more troublesome than you imagine."

"Please rest assured, Jiraiya-sama. What I'm best at is running away."

Jiraiya curled his lip, not wanting to waste words with Eiji.

"Good luck, then."

With that, he handed the scroll to Eiji and left.

Before departing, Eiji went to find the clan member in charge of logistics supplies again.

"I'd like to request some supplies. Sorry for the trouble, senior."

The clan member's head throbbed the moment he saw Eiji.

"What are you doing here again? Last time you took several years' worth of rations."

Eiji scratched his head awkwardly. "Senior, I really need them urgently."

"You need them my ass. Who do you think you are, the clan head? Taking as much as you want."

"Cough, cough."

No sooner had he spoken than Fugaku emerged from the corner.

"Clan... Clan head, I didn't mean that..."

"Enough," Fugaku said without holding it against him. "Open the warehouse. This mission is dangerous. Having a little extra preparation won't hurt."

"Understood."

An hour later, Eiji came out carrying several scrolls.

"Eiji, this is your first mission. Be careful in everything."

"Please rest assured, I will..."

Eiji thought for a moment and decided not to jinx himself.

"I will definitely eat breakfast on time every day."

"?"

Fugaku couldn't keep up with Eiji's train of thought at all. What was that even about?

A few hours later, Eiji, Kakashi, and Tenzo set out.

Their first destination was a small town on the border of the Land of Fire.

Jiraiya believed that since Orochimaru had his eyes on Konoha, he would maintain a relatively appropriate distance from it.

And this town fit the bill perfectly.

The three of them shouldered their packs and headed toward their destination.

On the road, Kakashi and Tenzo explained some tips to Eiji.

Like how to reduce physical exertion, set up a small trap in the shortest time, and catch cute little animals to stave off hunger.

But these tricks weren't very practical for Eiji.

He just crooked his finger, and little tornadoes sent fish right to his face.

Never going home empty-handed.

At night, the group gathered around a campfire to roast fish.

Eiji pulled some seasonings from his backpack, and even a few bottles of sake.

"Eiji, we're on a mission, not a picnic!"

"A little drink won't hurt, or I could add some while cooking—it'll taste much better."

Kakashi's temple twitched. "Cook? Want me to find a few geisha to dance for you too?"

Eiji's eyes suddenly went wide, a shy expression creeping onto his face.

"I'm still underage, after all—wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? But of course, if Senior Kakashi insists, I could accept it."

Kakashi didn't want to talk anymore.

"Tenzo, use Wood Style to build a house."

"Yes, Senior."

The honest Tenzo formed a few hand seals, and a decent little house rose from the ground.

Eiji was deeply envious. "Senior Tenzo, this jutsu is amazing. I won't ever have to buy a house in the future."

Tenzo thought it over seriously. "It's not about the house—we'd have to apply for a plot of land first..."

Kakashi painfully swallowed a piece of fish.

He was starting to regret going on this mission with Eiji.

Inside a cave, the Masked Man received Zetsu's report.

"Bad news. Konoha has issued a wanted notice for you across the shinobi world."

"And they've already sent out a squad to track your trail—Kakashi is among them."

The Masked Man sneered dismissively. "What could useless Kakashi possibly find? He couldn't even recognize me when we fought head-on."

Zetsu thought the Masked Man was an idiot.

If he could recognize him, what level would Kakashi's Sharingan have to be?

"Also, they seem to think the invasion of Konoha was Orochimaru's doing, and that you're his subordinate."

"Him? Worthy?" The Masked Man snorted coldly.

The Masked Man knew Orochimaru's reputation—one of the Legendary Sannin, and Hiruzen had once said he might inherit the Hokage's position.

But the Masked Man had no interest in any of that.

They were all just fools blinded by a false world.

Still, the Masked Man now found Orochimaru quite useful.

Useless Kakashi focusing his efforts on hunting Orochimaru would ease the pressure on his side.

After all, the Moon Eye Plan would take a long time to complete slowly.

"So, what should we do?"

"While they're running around like headless flies, let's recruit more people."

"Good."

In the lab, Orochimaru was washing his hands, which never seemed to get clean.

A little white snake flicked its tongue beside him, as if conveying some information.

"Blaming me for invading Konoha?"

Orochimaru had no interest in invading Konoha—at least not now.

He still wanted to gain eternal life and learn every jutsu in the world.

But now, he had discovered something more important.

Uchiha Eiji seemed like a fine vessel.

Orochimaru licked his lips, letting out an unpleasant laugh.

In Konoha, he had a spy named Kabuto.

Through Kabuto, he learned plenty of news from the village.

And the suddenly emerging genius ninja Eiji had piqued Orochimaru's interest greatly.

He dreamed day and night of taking over his body.

And now, the opportunity had come.

"An Uchiha with pure bloodline, one Sharingan, and a Wood Style ninja—how fascinating."

Orochimaru could barely contain his excitement.

Was this a squad sent to capture him?

No, this was clearly a delivery of warmth!