His golden vertical pupils swept over the three of them as they arrived.
When he saw Nawaki, a rare trace of warmth appeared on his face.
Finally, his gaze paused on Tianyi for half a second.
Tianyi felt an invisible pressure, as though he had been seen through inside and out.
He immediately lowered his head and assumed a respectful posture.
Without giving a mission briefing, Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Move out."
As soon as the words fell, he turned and took the lead, darting toward the mountains and forests beyond the camp at a speed that was not particularly fast.
Nawaki and Moonlight Kaede immediately followed. Tianyi also suppressed every distracting thought in his mind.
As he kept up with the group, he vigilantly observed their surroundings.
Orochimaru kept his speed at a level a Genin squad could barely maintain at full sprint.
The route he chose was also relatively concealed, seeming to confirm Tianyi's initial suspicion.
The mission itself might not have been particularly difficult. The enemy probably was not very strong.
Was I really overthinking it? Was this just an ordinary mission to clear out an outpost?
Orochimaru was simply taking Nawaki along to gain experience?
Tianyi pondered silently as he ran.
Yet the sense of foreboding deep in his heart—
especially those two flag-raising remarks from Moonlight Kaede and Nawaki—remained impossible to shake off, hanging over him like dark clouds.
About thirty minutes later, Orochimaru stopped at the edge of a mist-shrouded woodland.
Ahead, the outlines of several watchtowers and bunkers could vaguely be seen.
It was deathly quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Orochimaru turned to face the three slightly panting young Genin.
The corner of his mouth seemed to twitch upward ever so slightly.
"Up ahead." He raised a pale finger and pointed toward those silent outlines.
"Is a small Hidden Rain Village outpost, used for reconnaissance and supplies.
"According to the intelligence, the strength of its garrison is... roughly on par with the three of you."
His golden snake eyes swept across their faces one by one, his voice calm yet cold.
"Clear them out. That is your mission this time."
"Remember, from this moment on, even if all of you die, I will not intervene."
"Prepare to wager everything.
"Either complete the mission, or... die here."
The icy words froze the excitement on Nawaki's face.
Moonlight Kaede silently wiped down his blade.
As for Tianyi, his heart finally settled completely.
It seemed this was a blooding mission Orochimaru had specially prepared for his disciple, Nawaki.
He had probably been added to the squad because Orochimaru valued his medical abilities, so he could save Nawaki's life at a critical moment.
After saying that, Orochimaru's figure seemed to melt into the night, vanishing without a trace.
Nawaki, Moonlight Kaede, and Hyuga Tianyi quickly gathered together.
"I'll scout." Without the slightest hesitation, Tianyi gave a low shout and formed hand seals. "Byakugan, activate!"
Veins bulged around his temples as his black-and-white penetrating vision instantly pierced through the trees and mist.
He took in the outpost's structure and personnel distribution more than a hundred meters ahead at a glance.
A moment later, he deactivated his Byakugan and rapidly explained in a low voice.
"A medium-sized wooden-and-stone sentry post. Four people inside.
"One has significantly more chakra and should be a Chunin. He is resting in the central area.
"Three Genin. Two are resting in the outpost, while one is standing watch on a simple elevated platform outside.
"They patrol regularly. There are simple warning traps around the perimeter, mainly tripwires and Explosive Tags."
The moment Nawaki heard this, he immediately rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Four people! And one Chunin!
"Perfect. I'll handle the Chunin, while you two hold off the other three Genin. We'll attack from the front—"
"Rejected." Moonlight Kaede cut him off coldly.
Tianyi could not help rubbing his forehead. He gave Nawaki a speechless look and silently grumbled to himself.
Nawaki, Nawaki, that is the kind of approach only protagonists use. Even Naruto can use Shadow Clones.
What can you do? I seriously suspect Hashirama Senju had the same personality, because he was simply too strong.
So he could always survive until the end. Besides inheriting your grandfather's personality, what else did you inherit, Nawaki?
No wonder in the original story... forget it.
He immediately crushed that ominous thought and spoke in a deep voice.
"Nawaki, shinobi are not samurai. We should achieve the greatest results at the smallest cost.
"A reckless frontal assault is always the worst possible choice.
"It means putting both our advantage and our lives on the gambling table."
Moonlight Kaede nodded slightly in agreement.
Nawaki opened his mouth, then saw the serious expressions on his two teammates' faces.
He scratched his head. "Then... then what do you think we should do?"
Tianyi crouched down and quickly drew a simple layout of the outpost on the ground with a branch.
"The plan has three steps...
"First, clear the traps along our approach route and around the perimeter, ensuring that our escape route and infiltration path are clear.
"Second, eliminate the visible sentry. We will stealthily approach the post in a triangular formation.
"I'll use my Byakugan from the front to lock onto the sentry Genin's position and identify his blind spots.
"Kaede, from this position, draw his attention for an instant.
"I'll use that opportunity to get close from the other flank and take him out.
"Finally, we'll surround the outpost.
"Nawaki, this is your turn.
"Use your strongest ninjutsu to bombard the main structure from the front.
"Create the greatest possible commotion and destruction, force everyone inside out—
"and draw their main attention, especially the Chunin's.
"Kaede and I will remain hidden. Once they rush out in confusion and their attention is drawn to Nawaki—
"we'll launch surprise attacks from both sides, prioritizing the other two Genin.
"Finally, the three of us will surround the Chunin."
After hearing Tianyi's plan, Moonlight Kaede agreed.
"The roles are clear. It makes use of our traits and advantages."
Moonlight Kaede gave his concise assessment.
"Feasible."
Nawaki's eyes lit up as he listened, and he nodded repeatedly.
"Hehe, Tianyi, your brain really works!" Nawaki gave Tianyi's shoulder a hard pat.
He said excitedly, "I've decided! From now on, anything involving planning and thinking will be left to you!
"Kaede and I will just follow your command!"
Moonlight Kaede also gave a slight nod, showing his approval.
With the Byakugan's precise scouting ability, Tianyi was indeed the best choice to devise targeted operations.
The three of them looked at one another.
"Move!"
Before you continue