Chiyu asked Orochimaru whether any ninja from the ninja clans were among the reinforcements Konoha had sent this time.
Orochimaru nodded.
Chiyu continued, "Have people from the Uchiha Clan come too?"
Orochimaru nodded again. "That's right. This time, the Uchiha Clan will send five Chunin and one Jonin as reinforcements."
"Don't worry, Teacher Orochimaru. I won't delay the war effort because of my conflict with the Uchiha Clan."
But Orochimaru shook his head. "No, I'm very reassured about you. You're not the type to act on impulse. I intend to have you lead those five Chunin."
Not only was Chiyu surprised, even Jiraiya was taken aback.
Jiraiya could not help saying, "Orochimaru, isn't this decision too hasty? You know what those Uchiha Clan ninja are like. Since they've sent a Jonin, they definitely intend for that Jonin to lead the five Chunin.
"Given Chiyu's grasp of the bigger picture and his judgment of the situation, I fully agree that he can lead a squad of ninja.
"But if you have Chiyu lead those five Uchiha Chunin, how could they possibly obey his orders?"
No one liked the Uchiha Clan, and Jiraiya was no exception.
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya and said, "Precisely because I know what that group of Uchiha are like, I intend to have Chiyu lead them. What I need are ninja who obey my orders, not ninja who might defy my orders and act willfully."
Jiraiya frowned. "But can Chiyu do it? He performed outstandingly in Hidden Hot Water Village, but suppressing those Uchiha ninja won't be easy, will it?"
Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya and instead looked at Chiyu. "Well? Will you accept this mission?"
Chiyu furrowed his brow and remained silent for quite some time.
Orochimaru did not urge him, merely waiting quietly.
Jiraiya thought that, as rational