First Mission

"The Sand Village currently has the intention that Satoru mentioned, but they will only make a move when we Konoha are bogged down by the Rain Village and suppressed."

Orochimaru took out another small map and spread it out next to the mission documents. The positions of the Five Great Nations and the smaller countries were clearly marked on it.

"And before that, they won't go all out against the Rain Village. Instead, they'll slack off, or even actively create conflict to draw the Rain Village's forces towards us."

Orochimaru's finger traced the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain on the map, tapping on the area of the Land of Rain.

"As you all know, the Five Great Nations, being the five most powerful countries, also have the five strongest hidden villages."

The three nodded, and Orochimaru continued, "But that's only in terms of overall strength. If we're talking about individual power, the Rain Village has a man who is considered the 'pinnacle of the Shinobi World'..."

His vertical pupils contracted slightly, and Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips, a wicked curve forming at the corner of his mouth:

"Known as the 'Demigod of the Shinobi World,' the leader of the Rain Village, 'Hanzo of the Salamander'!"

"'Demigod of the Shinobi World'..."

Satoru clicked his tongue, while Nawaki and Mikoto's mouths hung open in surprise:

"Is... is he stronger than Lord Third Hokage?"

"Lord First Hokage's title back then was 'God of the Shinobi World'," Orochimaru chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "But this 'Demigod' is on a completely different level."

"As for Lord Third Hokage, although he hasn't fought Hanzo, I believe my teacher would only be stronger than Hanzo—it's just that because my teacher is so famous for mastering various ninjutsu, the title 'Professor of Ninjutsu' overshadows his power."

"The reason Hanzo is so famous isn't just because of his individual strength. Do you know how his title came about?"

"Title? What title?"

Nawaki and Mikoto were a bit confused, and Satoru couldn't help but laugh:

"It's 'Salamander.' That's his title. His name is Hanzo, he's not surnamed Salamander."

"Oh..."

Only then did Nawaki and Mikoto realize. Orochimaru nodded:

"That's right, 'Salamander' is Hanzo's summoning, and it's even more famous than he is."

"This thing is highly poisonous. Combined with Hanzo's secret poison, it's not just for small-scale ninja duels; in large-scale wars, it's an extremely terrifying war weapon!"

"Hanzo has even pushed the Land of Iron into a rout, but that's a neutral country with not-so-great living conditions, and Hanzo didn't gain much from it."

Although referred to as the "poison" among Konoha's gamblers, perverts, and poison masters, Orochimaru didn't actually use poison as his primary attack method.

He just insidiously coated his ninja tools with poison; the "poison" referred more to his "vicious" heart.

On the contrary, Tsunade, as a medical ninja, had a deep understanding of poisons.

After all, medicine and poison are closely related.

"Moreover, the environment of the Rain Village is very special," Orochimaru pointed to the sky. "There are almost no sunny days there; it rains constantly throughout the year."

"Fighting in such an environment, the Rain Village has a significant advantage."

"Therefore, Hanzo is so confident that he's declared war on both us Konoha and the Sand Village."

Satoru stroked his chin and nodded. What Orochimaru said was basically the judgment made by Konoha's higher-ups after such a long period of border skirmishes.

"So, that means our mission not only requires us to pass through the Land of Rain, where we will almost certainly encounter Rain Village ninja, but we might also encounter ninja from the Sand Village, who are actually our enemies?"

Nawaki and Mikoto realized this, seeing it as a ready-made opportunity for merit!

It was unlikely the Rain and Sand Villages would let them complete their mission peacefully!

"Precisely. The mission objective requires crossing two conflict zones, so this is a genuine A-rank mission!"

Orochimaru nodded slightly, pleased to see that his students showed no fear.

"However, normally, such a mission would not be something you mere Genin could handle."

Speaking of "mere Genin," Orochimaru's expression turned somewhat strange. He knew perfectly well what level these three Genin students were currently at.

It was just that it was wartime, and there were no Chunin Exams.

"But firstly, the small merchant caravan that needs escorting actually only has three people—to be precise, only the caravan owner and his steward. The third person is his bodyguard samurai."

Satoru and the other two widened their eyes. A three-person caravan?

"In other words, our mission objective is just to escort the caravan owner. The steward and the guard..."

Without finishing his sentence, Orochimaru gave a cold smile: "If necessary, prioritize your own safety!"

Satoru frowned. The current Orochimaru clearly still didn't care about the weak, even if they were his escort targets.

All he cared about now was the lives of his comrades, and in the future...

But wasn't Satoru himself like this?

Completing missions at all costs... Heh.

"So, do you have confidence?"

"Of course!"

Nawaki patted his chest confidently, "We've trained so hard; it's time to test our results!"

"We can definitely complete the mission!" Mikoto also said firmly, "I definitely won't bring shame to the Uchiha!"

Mikoto was filled with confidence. Fugaku had personally taught her many of the Uchiha clan's combat techniques over the past period.

Furthermore, Mikoto had learned from Fugaku that the Uchiha clan, as part of the Military Police Force, would not be able to participate in this war.

As for Uchiha members who were not part of the Military Police Force, they were actually subtly restricted, and most of them lacked the necessary strength and talent.

Therefore, as the only Uchiha who could appear on the battlefield at this stage, Mikoto's performance, in a way, represented the Uchiha!

"I definitely won't let down Fugaku's expectations!"

Mikoto secretly resolved.

Orochimaru and Satoru glanced at Mikoto without a change in expression.

Orochimaru had been personally informed by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and naturally knew what was going on.

While Satoru didn't know the details, anything involving the Uchiha made things sensitive.

"Alright... we'll talk to the client tomorrow. I hope no overly reckless individuals try to disrupt our mission."

Satoru nodded. Although it was an A-rank mission, Orochimaru was in a completely different league than ordinary Jonin.

With the three of them, who were not ordinary Genin, this A-rank mission was actually feasible.

Satoru simply admired businessmen who were still conducting business at this time, rushing towards danger, truly risking their lives for money.

"Very well, then, dismissed!"

After returning, Satoru specifically went to see his three companions: Akimichi Choza, Shikaku Nara, and Inoichi Yamanaka.

They still needed at least a month of practical combat training before they could be assessed.

The three companions expressed their envy and jealousy towards Satoru.

For the children of Konoha, being able to go to the battlefield and fight desperately to protect the village was an incredibly glorious thing.

However, in reality, Satoru, who was forced to go to the battlefield prematurely, was the most helpless.

But since he had to go to the battlefield, the rest would be dealt with after he returned alive.

Satoru chatted with the three of them and left enough special magic bread for Choza before bidding farewell.

The next morning, the three of them arrived at the village entrance.

Shortly after, Orochimaru arrived with the mission client, the wealthy merchant Mr. Ito, his butler, and his guards.

Satoru's first mission as a ninja, and his first A-rank mission, was about to begin.