The Third Ninja War hadn't started yet, but shinobi from different villages had appeared around Konoha. The small countries bordering Konoha were even worse off; nearly all of them had been invaded and taken over by the great villages.
As the region's hegemon, Konoha wouldn't stand by and let its enemies chip away at its influence.
Fortunately, Konoha was still holding back from war, but clashes kept breaking out!
Many shinobi could sense the Third Ninja War looming. It might only take a tiny spark to set the entire Shinobi World ablaze.
The mission Orochimaru had given them was simple: patrol the area around Konoha.
It was also their first mission outside the village.
Unlike most team leaders, Orochimaru hadn't accompanied them. Konoha's current situation didn't allow him to spend too much time looking after the three of them.
So this time, they had no team leader, which put the three of them in considerable danger. They shouldn't assume that patrolling within Konoha's territory would be safe.
"Does Teacher Orochimaru really trust us to patrol on our own?"
Muzan had to lead his teammates. His abilities were well-rounded, and when it came to sensing, he could pick up even the faintest trace of a scent carried on a breeze. Mari was also an excellent sensory shinobi.
Her abilities didn't focus on sight or smell, but on hearing!
Mari could sense faint vibrations in the ground and use them to determine the direction of an enemy. Her skills were especially effective in dense forests.
Anko, bored out of her mind, sat on a branch, eating dumplings to replenish her strength. If there'd been a bed in the forest, she would've fallen asleep on it in a heartbeat.
"I'm starving! The front lines really aren't as wonderful as they make them sound. Who knows when I'll become a shinobi with a title? I want to fight enemies on the battlefield, not lie around here watching birds!"
Fight enemies on the battlefield?
Muzan smiled helplessly. Genin were sure to end up on the battlefield, but as for killing enemies? They'd be lucky not to end up as cannon fodder.
The Third Ninja War was more brutal than anyone could imagine. Every village was drawn into it, and Madara Uchiha was behind the scenes, stirring up trouble.
And then there was the newly formed Akatsuki, recruiting rogue shinobi from villages far and wide.
Not to mention the terrifying power of the Tailed Beasts, weapons as devastating as nuclear bombs!
"Take it from me: the waters are deep, Anko. You can't handle it. Let me make a name for you instead."
"Damn you, Muzan!"
She tossed a skewer at Muzan's black robe. Anko had been about to keep scolding him when she suddenly sensed something was wrong with his expression.
"You can't seriously be that petty. I didn't mean to..."
A pair of scarlet eyes stared into the distant forest. Mari immediately grabbed Anko and pulled her behind a tree.
They'd both spotted the figures at almost the same time.
Anko was only just realizing it: the enemy had appeared!
"Get down and don't make a sound."
Since they were on the lee side of the slope, Muzan caught a faint, mixed scent on the wind.
Mari put her ear to the ground and quietly listened to the vibrations, then whispered a warning to the two of them:
"There are three people nearby. They're coming fast. They might be enemy shinobi."
"They're not ours."
Their scents were different! They carried an unusually strong seafood smell. Although part of the Land of Fire bordered the sea, Konoha was in the middle of the country. No shinobi from Konoha would smell like seafood.
"They're from Kirigakure!"
Kirigakure, in the Land of the Blood Moon, was the most ruthless of the great villages. It was currently in the era of Karatachi Yagura.
"Oh, good! Here's our chance to make a name for ourselves!"
Anko was fed up with patrolling. Taking out enemy shinobi would be as good as completing a B-rank mission.
"Don't rush! Charging in without knowing what we're up against is suicide." "Mari, pinpoint their exact positions. Tell me when they're close enough."
The three of them stayed close to the tree. Fortunately, they were in the shadows, and their sensory shinobi had detected the enemy in advance. But the enemy came from Kirigakure and probably had more combat experience than Mari and the others. If a fight broke out, Muzan would have to take the front line.
Baishi Haoji moved through the forest. He was in charge of the mission and was also a Chunin. Hearing one of the rookies marvel at Konoha's prosperity, he said:
"So this is Konoha. No wonder it's the richest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. But mapping this area won't be easy."
The fertile land and the ports near the Land of Rivers gave Konoha an enviable geographic position.
By contrast, the Land of Water was made up of islands. Kirigakure, built there, had always lagged behind Konoha because of its location.
"Don't let your guard down! This area belongs to Konoha, and we could run into their shinobi at any moment. If you make us fail this mission, I'll kill you myself!"
That was Kirigakure's rule: the mission came first. Shinobi were tools who didn't need emotional attachments.
"Yes, Lord Baishi!"
To make an attack on Konoha more effective, Kirigakure had sent out a large number of teams in advance to scout the area around the village.
They'd already clashed with Konoha a few times, but fortunately, the fights had only involved small teams, and both sides had held back without revealing their true trump cards.
He remembered that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from this generation had infiltrated Konoha Forest, only to run into Dai. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been reduced to the Lucky Trio: some dead, some injured.
"A Chunin and two Genin. A three-person shinobi team."
In the darkness, a pair of blood-red eyes spotted the three figures. A trace of cruelty glinted in Muzan's eyes.
"I'll take the Chunin. Once I've dealt with him, I'll come support you as quickly as I can. Remember, finish off your opponents fast!"
There might be other Kirigakure shinobi near Konoha Forest, so they had to end the fight quickly!
The instant Muzan moved, Baishi Haoji sensed danger.
"Who's there?!"
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Several black snakes shot out from beneath the black robe, trying to coil around Baishi Haoji and crush him.
"Clang!"
Three kunai struck different spots, pinning the flying snakes down. But another snake landed around Baishi Haoji's ankle.
"Ah!"
Its fangs sank into his flesh, and pain shot from his ankle through his entire body. Only then did Baishi Haoji see Muzan in the black robe.
"Orochimaru? No, one of Orochimaru's disciples?"
If his enemy had been Orochimaru, there'd have been no need for a sneak attack. Though he couldn't see the other's face, the figure was only a child, a Genin at most.
Two more figures emerged from behind a tree and engaged his subordinates. It looked like they'd run into a Konoha shinobi team.
"I didn't expect you to be one of Orochimaru's disciples. Even if this mission fails and I die here, killing you will make it worth it!"
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