Arrogant Genin

"Yes, through the information they leaked, I believe that's the case."

The captain of the Amegakure forces said hatefully, "We risked everything to launch a surprise attack and escape. We didn't dare to engage at all… that Jonin is too terrifying!"

"Of course, he's terrifying… Konoha Jonin Orochimaru, he's the Third Hokage's most proud disciple!"

The commander said coldly. From the Amegakure captain's description, he had already recognized Orochimaru's appearance and unique snake Ninjutsu:

"It seems those three children are not just his subordinates, but also his disciples. He's using this escort mission to train his disciples!"

"How arrogant…"

The Amegakure commander gritted his teeth, but he had to admit that if it were one-on-one, even two of him facing Orochimaru would still mean death.

"Orochimaru is a cunning fellow. Although this looks like a leak caused by his inexperienced disciples, it could also be a plan he arranged!"

Recalling the information collected on Konoha ninjas for this war, the commander tapped on the table:

"The Land of Birds, which requires passing through the Land of Rain to reach, is indeed one possibility. However, it's also possible to reach the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind simultaneously."

"However, the Land of Earth can be reached by passing through the Land of Grass, and the Land of Wind can be reached by passing through the Land of Rivers.

Kusagakure and Konoha have a friendly relationship, so if they were heading to the Land of Earth, there's no reason they wouldn't go that way."

"As for the Land of Rivers, it doesn't even have an Iwagakure, only some influence from our Amegakure. If they were going to the Land of Wind, it would be safer than going through our Land of Rain."

"Indeed, if they must pass through the Land of Rain, the most likely target is the Land of Birds."

After hesitating for a moment, the Amegakure commander's expression turned stern, and he decisively ordered:

"The border defense line cannot be disrupted. Maintain the current situation and send a message to our country. At least a squad of three Jonin is needed to search for Orochimaru, the Third Hokage's disciple leading the Konoha ninja squad, on the border of the Land of Birds!"

"The borders of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth also need attention!"

"Ordinary Konoha Jonin are not worth such a large mobilization, but Orochimaru, the Hokage's disciple, and his disciples are definitely worth it!"

"Yes!"

Satoru and his group, who had traveled through the night and crossed the border defense zone, proceeded to Mr. Ito's property in the Land of Rain according to the address he provided.

They encountered no obstacles along the way. Most of the Land of Rain's forces were guarding the border, leaving the interior with much weaker military strength.

Moreover, Satoru's plan had indeed worked. They had already detected Amegakure ninja squads heading towards the Land of Birds more than once.

Therefore, without much effort, the group smoothly reached an area near the border of the Land of Wind and obtained Mr. Ito's documents.

"I didn't expect Mr. Ito's business to be so large."

Nawaki's mouth was still agape. Mr. Ito's so-called property was a massive factory.

This factory produced the most famous part of Amegakure village's architecture – those large and small steel pipes.

These steel pipes were an important part of Amegakure's drainage system, and Mr. Ito's business involved mining iron ore from the Land of Wind, transporting it to the factory in the Land of Rain for smelting and processing into drainage system components!

They even contracted a portion of the drainage system's construction.

"No wonder you were so nervous about your business in the Land of Wind, Mr. Ito. That's a whole mine!"

Satoru couldn't remain calm either. These guys who owned mines were simply nouveau riche!

"Teacher Orochimaru, you made a miscalculation this time. You could have asked them to pay more!"

"Uh…"

Mr. Ito forced a smile and wiped sweat from his brow, apologizing profusely:

"I'm just an ordinary person who can't even lift a chicken. I rely on your protection. Don't worry, the reward is negotiable, haha, negotiable…"

The unique rainy weather of the Land of Rain made Satoru and his group's movements somewhat stealthy, which didn't attract much attention.

Next, they had to enter the Land of Wind.

However, the defensive forces deployed by Amegakure at the border of the Land of Wind would not be weaker than those at the border of the Land of Fire.

Furthermore, the Sunagakure ninjas of the Land of Wind were also their enemies.

"Then, according to the plan, let's go through the Land of Rivers."

After entering the Land of Rain from the Land of Fire, obtaining the documents, and then detouring through the Land of Rivers to enter the Land of Wind, this was their operational route.

The Land of Rivers did not have its own hidden village, so the border was almost completely unobstructed.

Satoru and his group used the highly concealed reconnaissance of the Mage's Eye to avoid a few scattered groups of Amegakure ninjas and smoothly entered the territory of the Land of Rivers.

The border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind lacked the cover of rain and the unique terrain of the Land of Rain, making their movements too easily detectable.

The most famous scenery of the Land of Wind was its deserts and Gobi.

In this terrain, even though Satoru and his group had made appropriate disguises, they were still very conspicuous.

For a major country like the Land of Wind, routine border surveillance was already quite strong.

Therefore, Satoru and his group were discovered by Sunagakure ninjas as expected.

"Orochimaru-sensei, Sanada-san, Mikoto-nee, you three take Mr. Ito and the butler and go on ahead. Nawaki and I will hold them off."

Satoru calmly arranged things as he looked at the two Sand Village shinobi blocking their path.

This was the breakthrough point they had chosen, the weakest defensive point nearby.

His Mage Eye had confirmed there were no other Sand Village shinobi squads in the vicinity, and in another half day's journey, they would reach their destination for this mission—

The iron mine owned by Mr. Ito, located on the border of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain.

With Orochimaru and Sanada's speed, escorting the client directly there wouldn't take long at all.

"Satoru-kun, let the three of us stay and deal with them!"

Mikoto couldn't help but say nervously upon hearing Satoru wanted her to go with their teacher first:

"It's too much for just the two of you to handle them. They're not from the Hidden Rain!"

"Mikoto, it'll be fine. We don't have to defeat them, just delay them!"

Nawaki's expression was serious. Although there were only two Sand shinobi opposite them, they were undoubtedly Chunin.

Unlike the Hidden Rain, who focused on individual strength and were better at assassination, the Sand Village was clearly stronger in terms of direct combat power and teamwork.

"Leave it to us—you have your own mission."

Satoru whispered a few words to Mikoto, and her eyes widened:

"No way..."

"It's all part of the plan, just keep an eye out."

Satoru shrugged and said earnestly:

"Mikoto-nee, this is an A-rank mission for our three-person squad. Orochimaru-sensei is only here for support and deterrence, so someone from our squad must escort Mr. Ito to the mine."

"You go with them, and we'll catch up soon."

"But..."

"Obey the order, Mikoto."

Nawaki glanced at Satoru and said sternly:

"Satoru is our leader now!"

"..."

Nawaki's words left Mikoto with no room to argue, so she could only nod, turn, and chase after Orochimaru and the others.

"Heh, so confident!"

Looking at the two small figures left before them, the two Sand Chunin felt they were being underestimated.

"Are all Konoha Genin this arrogant?!"

Satoru and the others were no longer wearing their hooded cloaks, so their clothing made it easy to tell that they weren't actually Chunin.

"You probably haven't heard..."

Satoru flashed an enigmatic smile:

"Konoha Genin are the most terrifying!"