Orochimaru paid no attention to Qingyu and Tsunade bickering. Instead, he took a map soaked by the rain from his robes.
He spread the map across the dust-covered table.
The map marked several major towns in the Land of Rain, as well as the recent operational range of Iwagakure's forces.
"According to intelligence, Iwagakure's vanguard has established a forward base in the northwest of the Land of Rain. Our objective is to infiltrate the town near the base and gather information on their troop deployment and Supply Line."
Orochimaru pointed to a location circled in red on the map.
"This town is a transfer station on Iwagakure's Supply Line, with roughly three hundred troops stationed there. According to the original plan, we'll split into two groups. Tsunade, you and Qingyu will be one group, responsible for support and intelligence transmission on the outskirts. I'll infiltrate the base alone."
Tsunade frowned.
"Orochimaru, are you looking down on me?"
"Heh, of course not. It's just that your current disguise is as an orphanage worker. Wandering around near the base with several orphans is safer than following me, and—"
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils flickered slightly.
It would be more convenient for him to act alone.
"If Hanzō is truly alerted, you'll at least be able to send out a signal promptly from the perimeter."
The name Hanzō made Tsunade's expression darken slightly, but she ultimately nodded.
"Then it's settled. Qingyu, Kakashi, Ginka, come with me."
Tsunade turned and headed downstairs, with Qingyu following behind her.
As he passed Kakashi, Qingyu lowered his voice and said something.
"Kakashi, stay alert. There aren't only Iwagakure ninja in the Land of Rain."
Kakashi nodded.
"I know. Kirigakure and Sunagakure spies might also be operating around here."
The four left the abandoned building through a side entrance