The rain fell harder.
Fat raindrops pelted the brim of his hat, pattering like a drumroll.
Inside a makeshift command post disguised as an ordinary boulder on the Land of Fire's border, the air was so heavy it felt like it might drip.
On the sand table in the center, flags of different colors marked the troop deployments of both sides.
The red Konoha flags formed a defensive line, while the blue Amegakure flags were like a sharp blade thrust straight into the heart of the Land of Fire, their intent unmistakable.
Orochimaru stood before the sand table, his gaze deep as the sea.
He was in overall command of the operation.
Jiraiya and Tsunade stood on either side of him, every face set in an unprecedentedly serious expression.
Behind them stood a group of Jonin.
Among them were Aburame Torune of the Aburame Clan, as well as Jonin from the Inuzuka Clan, the Hyuga Clan, and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans. They had all gathered around the map, studying it.
Behind them, a figure stood quietly in the shadows. He was younger than everyone present—and even quieter.
It was Hiroki.
Over the past month, he had frantically absorbed knowledge.
Compared to when he fought Tsunade, Hiroki had gained five new jutsu.
[Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique] [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique] [Shuriken Manipulation Technique]
[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique (44-Hand-Seal Version)] [Wind Release: Great Breakthrough]
The Great Fireball Technique and Fire Release: Flame Bullet had almost identical effects, with little difference between them. Phoenix Sage Fire Technique launched multiple fireballs and paired well with Vacuum Sphere, each fireball consuming about 380 chakra.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough consumed about 800 chakra, and paired better with Fire Release: Flame Bullet than with Vacuum Sphere.
Shuriken Manipulation Technique was completely useless, good