"Yes. Based on the information they revealed, I believe that was the case."
The Rain Ninja Captain said bitterly:
"We risked everything and launched a surprise attack to escape. We didn't even dare fight... that jonin was terrifying!"
"Of course he was terrifying... Konoha jonin Orochimaru, the Third Hokage's most favored disciple!"
The commander said coldly. From the Rain Ninja Captain's description, he had already recognized Orochimaru's appearance and distinctive snake-based ninjutsu.
"It seemed those three children were not only his subordinates, but also his disciples. He was using the escort mission to train them!"
"How arrogant..."
The Rain ninja commander gritted his teeth, though he had to admit that even two of him would die against Orochimaru in a one-on-one fight.
"Orochimaru is a cunning man. Though it looked like his disciples' inexperience had led to the information leak, it could also have been a scheme he arranged!"
Recalling the intelligence they had gathered on Konoha's ninja for this war, the commander tapped on the table.
"Land of Birds is indeed one destination that requires passing through the Land of Rain, but the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind can also be reached that way."
"However, the Land of Earth can be reached by passing through the Land of Grass, while the Land of Wind can be reached through the Land of Rivers. Kusagakure and Konoha have a friendly relationship, so if they were heading to the Land of Earth, there was no reason for them not to go that way."
"As for the Land of Rivers, it does not even have a hidden village. There are only some Amegakure forces there. If they were heading to the Land of Wind, it would be safer no matter how one looked at it than passing through our Land of Rain."
"Indeed. If they had to pass through the Land of Rain, their most likely destination was the Land of Birds."
After hesitating for a moment, the Rain ninja commander's expression sharpened as he decisively gave the order:
"The border defenses cannot be thrown into disorder. Maintain the current deployment and send word back home. At least a three-jonin squad is needed to search for and capture the Konoha ninja team led by Orochimaru, disciple of Konoha's Third Hokage, at the Land of Birds border!"
"The borders of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth must also be watched!"
"An ordinary Konoha jonin would not warrant such a massive mobilization, but Orochimaru, the Hokage's disciple, and his own disciples absolutely do!"
"Yes!"
After traveling through the night and crossing the border defense zone, Satoru's group followed the address Mr. Ito had given them toward his property in the Land of Rain.
They encountered little obstruction along the way. Most of the Land of Rain's forces were guarding the border, leaving its domestic military strength relatively weak.
Moreover, Satoru's plan had indeed worked. They had already detected Amegakure ninja teams heading toward the Land of Birds more than once.
Thus, the group reached the area near the Land of Wind border without much trouble and obtained Mr. Ito's documents.
"I couldn't tell Mr. Ito's business was this big."
Nawaki's mouth hung open. Mr. Ito's so-called property was actually a massive factory.
The factory produced the most famous parts of Amegakure's architecture—the steel pipes of all sizes that stood everywhere.
Those pipes were essential components of Amegakure's drainage system. Mr. Ito's business involved mining iron ore from mines in the Land of Wind, transporting it to factories in the Land of Rain for smelting, and processing it into drainage system components!
They had even contracted part of the drainage system's construction.
"No wonder you were so worried about your business in the Land of Wind, Mr. Ito. That was an entire mine!"
Even Satoru could not remain calm. Those people with mines at home were absurdly rich!
"Teacher Orochimaru, you miscalculated this time. We could have asked them for more money!"
"Uh..."
Mr. Ito forced a smile and wiped away his sweat, repeatedly bowing with a placating grin.
"I'm only an ordinary man without the strength to truss a chicken. I rely on all of you for protection. Don't worry, the payment can be discussed. Ha ha, it can certainly be discussed..."
The Land of Rain's unique rainy weather concealed Satoru's group somewhat, making them less conspicuous.
Next, they had to enter the Land of Wind.
However, Amegakure's defensive forces deployed along the Land of Wind border would not be weaker than those at the Land of Fire border.
Furthermore, the Sand ninja of the Land of Wind were enemies to them as well.
"Then we'll go through the Land of Rivers as planned."
Their route was to enter the Land of Rain from the Land of Fire, obtain the documents, then detour through the Land of Rivers and enter the Land of Wind.
The Land of Rivers had no hidden village of its own, so its borders were nearly unobstructed.
Using Mage Eye's highly concealed reconnaissance, Satoru's group avoided several scattered Amegakure patrols and successfully entered the Land of Rivers.
At the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind, without the rainy weather and special terrain of the Land of Rain to conceal them, they were simply too easy to spot.
The Land of Wind was most famous for its deserts and Gobi.
Though Satoru's group had made suitable disguises for such terrain, they were still highly conspicuous.
For a great nation like the Land of Wind, even its routine border surveillance was formidable.
Therefore, Satoru's group was discovered by Sand ninja, just as expected.
"Teacher Orochimaru, Mr. Samurai, Sister Mikoto, take Mr. Ito and the butler and go ahead. Nawaki and I will hold them off."
Looking at the two-man Sand ninja squad blocking their path, Satoru calmly made the arrangements.
This was already the breakthrough point with the weakest defenses they had found nearby.
Mage Eye had confirmed there were no other Sand ninja squads nearby, and after another half day's journey, they would reach the target of this mission—
Mr. Ito's iron mine, located near the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain.
With Orochimaru and Samurai Sanada's speed, it would not take long at all for them to take the client and rush directly there.
"Satoru-kun, the three of us should stay and deal with them together!"
Hearing that Satoru wanted her to leave with their teacher, Mikoto could not help but say anxiously:
"It's too much of a stretch for just the two of you to deal with them. They aren't Rain ninja!"
"Mikoto, it's fine. We don't need to defeat them. We can still delay them!"
Nawaki's expression was grave. Though there were only two Sand ninja before them, they were undoubtedly chunin.
Unlike the Rain ninja, who focused on individual strength and were more adept at assassination, the Sand ninja were clearly stronger in frontal combat and teamwork.
"Just leave it to us—you have your own task."
Satoru whispered several words to Mikoto, and her eyes widened.
"No way..."
"Tricks. It's all tricks. Just keep an eye on it."
Satoru spread his hands and said seriously:
"Sister Mikoto, this is a Rank A mission for our three-person team. Teacher Orochimaru is only here as support and deterrence. Therefore, someone from our team must escort Mr. Ito to the mine."
"You go with them. We'll catch up soon."
"But..."
"Follow orders, Mikoto."
Nawaki glanced at Satoru and said solemnly:
"Right now, Satoru is our team leader!"
"..."
Nawaki's words left Mikoto unable to argue. She could only nod and turn to catch up with Orochimaru's group.
"Heh, how confident!"
Looking at the two little brats who had remained behind, the two Sand chunin felt they were being underestimated.
"Are Konoha's genin all this arrogant?!"
Satoru and Nawaki were no longer wearing hooded raincoats, so it was easy to tell from their clothing that they were not actually chunin.
"You probably haven't heard..."
Satoru revealed an enigmatic smile.
"Konoha's genin are the most terrifying of all!"
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