For More Seeds, Set Out

The next day.

At dawn, a squad of twenty had already assembled at the entrance to Konoha.

Sen Chisato sat beneath a tree nearby, eating as he sized up the squad.

Besides him, there were two Jonin, twelve Chunin, one Genin, and five others who were all medical ninja.

They were the support team that would soon follow Orochimaru to the battlefield.

There was no need to say much about the two Jonin. One came from the Sarutobi Clan, and the other from the Hyuga Clan. Both were formidable fighters.

But if they really ran into danger, even the two Jonin from prominent clans were expendable pawns, let alone the twelve Chunin, who were also combat units.

After all, aside from Orochimaru, the squad's true support consisted of those five medical ninja.

As for the last Genin...

An old man with a hunched back and a black pot strapped to him—he looked about as old as the Third—seemed to sense Chisato's gaze. He turned to look at him and smiled kindly.

Sen Chisato smiled and nodded back.

The old man might only be a Genin, but aside from him and Orochimaru, he was probably the strongest person in the squad.

After all, this was the legendary Konoha Genin of a Thousand Years—Maruboshi Kosuke!

The old man had once received guidance from the Second. In terms of strength, he was undoubtedly an elite among the Jonin, though very few people in the village knew it.

I wonder how many rewards I'd get if I buried him? Sen Chisato wondered.

Talents like Maruboshi Kosuke had always been "good seeds" in his eyes.

Come to think of it, would it be a bad idea to go over and tell the old man, "Don't worry. If you die, I'll make sure you get a proper burial"? Sen Chisato hesitated.

After all, it sounded like he was cursing the old man.

Just then, a shadow approached.

Sen Chisato looked up and saw the Sarutobi Jonin crouch down in front of him, smiling as he asked, "You're Sen Chisato, right?"

"You know me, sir?" Sen Chisato nodded and asked curiously.

The Sarutobi Jonin scratched his head. "My name's Sarutobi Hakuba. Lord Hokage specially asked me last night to look after you along the way."

Several seemingly casual glances turned their way. Everyone else perked up their ears.

"Huh?"

Sen Chisato blinked, then said shyly, "You're making me feel embarrassed."

Sarutobi Hakuba burst out laughing and patted Sen Chisato on the shoulder. "No need to be embarrassed. Lord Hokage told me a little about you. You're a good kid!"

He gave Sen Chisato a thumbs-up.

Maruboshi Kosuke came over too, smiling warmly. "Lord Hokage told me as well. You're Senri, right? Don't be afraid. Just stay by my side. I may be old, but I'll still protect you."

The other ninja looked indifferent at the sight. The Jonin from the Hyuga Clan frowned even more deeply.

Sen Chisato felt even more embarrassed.

It wasn't because they'd found out he'd gotten special treatment through connections. It was because... he'd just been planning how to bury them.

Of course, he wouldn't go out of his way to hurt anyone. He was a good person, after all.

Their kindness warmed his heart.

"Don't worry." Sen Chisato took a deep breath and said solemnly, "If we really run into danger... I'll take care of your remains!"

He, Sen Chisato, always repaid kindness!

Maruboshi Kosuke and Sarutobi Hakuba froze, then exchanged glances.

Why did that sound so wrong?

Whatever. The kid might not be good with words, but he was young... He meant well.

As they chatted, Orochimaru appeared with the Body Flicker Technique.

Sen Chisato, who had been sitting casually on the ground, sprang up at once and greeted him respectfully. "Lord Orochimaru!"

The others did the same, looking at Orochimaru with admiration.

His strength inspired confidence, and his unique charisma was exceptional. At this point in Konoha's history, beneath the Third, Orochimaru had the highest standing.

Even Jiraiya, one of the Sannin like him, couldn't compare. Only Lady Tsunade, who had saved countless lives, could match him.

Orochimaru nodded and swept his gaze across the group. "According to our orders, we're to reach the battlefield and reinforce it within three days. Hyuga Hihi will take the lead. Maruboshi Kosuke and Sarutobi Hakuba will guard the flanks. I'll bring up the rear. Give priority to protecting the medical ninja."

"Move out!"

"Yes!"

At his command, they dashed through the Konoha Gate and raced toward the Land of Wind.

Ninja traveled fast. In truth, it wouldn't take them three days to reach the battlefield.

But everyone knew the road would be anything but peaceful.

As soon as Orochimaru accepted the mission, the information had been sent out. It hadn't been kept strictly confidential.

A powerful ninja like Orochimaru could turn the tide of battle.

The Sand Ninja wouldn't want him to reach the battlefield. They would surely send ninja to assassinate him.

So their squad was both a reinforcement team and bait. The goal was to disrupt the Sand Ninja's plans, buy the front lines some breathing room, and, ideally, throw their forces into disarray.

Moving at full speed, they reached the border of the Land of Fire in half a day. Beyond it lay the Land of Rivers.

The Land of Rivers bordered the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Rain. Like the Land of Rain, it survived squeezed between great nations. It had long served as a buffer zone between them—and as a battlefield.

After all, no great nation wanted to see war reach its own territory.

The Land of Rivers didn't want that either, but it was too weak to resist.

In the war between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, the main battle zones were the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain.

Using the towering trees for cover, they leaped through the forest.

Suddenly, Orochimaru spoke.

"Stop!"

Everyone halted at once and took up defensive positions.

Orochimaru stood on a massive branch, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile.

The forest was far too quiet. Having fought countless battles, his keen senses picked up what seemed to be a murderous presence lurking within it.

"Hihi."

"Yes!"

Without needing further instructions, Hyuga Hihi activated his Byakugan.

The Byakugan, the Kekkei Genkai of the Hyuga Clan. Under its gaze, nothing could remain hidden.

Through Hyuga Hihi's eyes, the world around him had turned black and white. A large group of ninja were concealed all around them, and even their escape route had been cut off.

"Fifty enemies. Twelve have massive chakra reserves; they're probably Jonin. We're surrounded!" A bead of cold sweat ran down Hyuga Hihi's cheek.

Everyone's hearts sank.

The enemy outnumbered them by more than two to one, and they were all combat ninja. Their own squad had five medical ninja and two Genin... The situation was dire.

"Lord Orochimaru..." Everyone looked to him, waiting for his orders.

But before Orochimaru could speak, Hyuga Hihi's expression changed. "They're attacking!"

Through the Byakugan, he saw the Sand Ninja hiding around them notice that the squad had stopped moving. Realizing they had been exposed, they attacked without hesitation.

Whoosh!

A Kunai tore through the leaves and flew toward one of Konoha's medical ninja.

Clang!

Someone drew a blade and knocked the Kunai aside.

But in the next instant, countless Kunai and Shuriken flew in from every direction.

The hidden threat erupted all at once!

"Everyone, protect the medical ninja!"

Leaving them with those words, Orochimaru charged straight at the enemy instead of retreating.