Teaming Up with Snake Uncle for a Surprise Attack

Uchiha Lan said nothing. The Uchiha Clan had never been well-liked to begin with. Believe it or not—sooner or later, they would have to fight there anyway.

Orochimaru's gaze lingered on Uchiha Lan for a moment, a hint of approval flashing through his eyes.

"Lan-kun, your idea is quite interesting. However, the focus of this mission is to probe the enemy's strength, not to immediately set up defenses."

"We can discuss Mount Kikyo later. As for this mission, I need a promising young man to accompany me and gain some experience. You are the most suitable candidate."

Everyone: Huh...?

"Orochimaru-sama, are you saying... you will personally lead the team?"

An uproar swept through the meeting tent. Everyone was left dumbfounded by Orochimaru's words.

"Orochimaru-sama, if you go personally, isn't that too risky?"

A Jonin could not help speaking up.

"You are one of Leaf Village's pillars. If anything happens..."

Orochimaru smiled faintly, confidence in his eyes.

"That's right. There is no better choice here than me. Even if we encounter Hidden Sand's main force, I am confident I can withdraw unscathed."

"This is also an opportunity to test Lan-kun's idea."

"Lan-kun, are you willing to come with me?"

Uchiha Lan froze. He had not expected Orochimaru to invite him personally.

Although his analysis had just earned Orochimaru's approval, he had never imagined he would act alongside Orochimaru.

He took a deep breath and tried to look calmer.

"Orochimaru-sama, I... I am willing. It would be my honor to act alongside one of the Sannin."

Orochimaru nodded, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

"Very good, Lan-kun. I greatly admire your courage and potential. I will personally guide you on this mission and teach you more."

The moment those words were spoken, some of the seasoned veterans present caught on.

The atmosphere in the meeting tent became even more delicate.

If they had previously been surprised that a Genin had been singled out by one of the Sannin, they were now shocked by the almost apprenticeship-like implication in Orochimaru's words.

Several Jonin who had originally opposed the idea exchanged looks, their meanings complicated and difficult to decipher.

Although Uchiha Lan's analysis had been rejected by the experienced faction, his sharpness and courage, far beyond his age—especially his Jonin-level strength—had long earned him the title "Konoha Spark."

It was not strange for Orochimaru to develop an appreciation for talent. After all, Orochimaru only had one living disciple now, Anko Mitarashi, and her talent was average. Taking in another genius disciple was perfectly normal.

Some had even begun to think that, as the future disciple of the Third Hokage's disciple, Uchiha Lan might not be without a chance of competing for the position of Hokage someday.

If it had been an ordinary Uchiha clansman, such as Shisui or Itachi, they would definitely have accepted with delight. It would build a bridge between the clan and Konoha's upper ranks!

But only Uchiha Lan knew that this was Orochimaru's hidden child-snatching trait awakening.

"'Personally guide you'? 'Teach you more'? Listen to that! How grand and righteous it sounds!

Only those who truly knew him understood how those words should be translated.

They meant: 'I am very interested in your body—mainly your eyes—and your potential. Come with me. I will help you find meaning in life, show you the wonderful world of human experimentation, and incidentally turn you into a candidate for my perfect vessel!'"

He knew all too well what Orochimaru's "appreciation for talent" was really like.

It was a fanatical urge to collect rare materials, a greedy desire to study unique bloodlines and talents! All in the name of pursuing truth.

For example, when Kimimaro had been imprisoned by his clan as a secret weapon, Orochimaru took him in under the pretense of "giving him a reason to live." Then he instilled in him the idea that becoming a vessel was the highest honor, making him willingly offer up his body.

When Guren was shunned by her fellow villagers, Orochimaru extended a helping hand and trained her into a core force of the Hidden Sound Village. By implying, "Only I can accept your power," he made her blindly loyal.

Then there was Sasuke. Orochimaru exploited his obsession with revenge, promised him power, and planted a curse mark on him during the Chunin Ninja Exams as a tracking mark. After luring him away, he trained him in the name of taking him as a disciple, while actually planning to turn him into a reincarnation vessel. Unfortunately, Sasuke killed him instead.

That was also the one time Orochimaru had failed to abduct someone and gotten played instead.

Still, without Uchiha Itachi's help, Snake Uncle might have found an opportunity to reincarnate inside Sasuke's body.

What deep bond between master and disciple? It did not exist! Aside from Anko and Sasuke, perhaps everyone else had merely been sacrifices in his experiments.

Going with him meant risks and opportunities coexisted, but the opportunity would most likely end on a dissection table or inside a culture tank!

But right now, Uchiha Lan had no room to refuse.

One of the Sannin, Orochimaru, had personally spoken. In the setting of a wartime meeting, that was equivalent to an order.

Refuse? That would not only be ungrateful, but also a challenge to the authority of the upper ranks. The consequences would be hard to predict.

What was more, the bait Orochimaru had thrown out was indeed tempting—getting close to a Sannin-level powerhouse, learning the finest ninjutsu and knowledge, even receiving protection and guidance on the battlefield—this was an open scheme!

And although Uchiha Lan found Orochimaru's hobbies unbearable to look at, he had to admit that this guy was genuinely skilled at training children.

His greatest successes were Kimimaro and Sasuke. In the later days, Kimimaro could go head-to-head with the Fourth Kazekage, and Sasuke needed no explanation. After awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, he had directly dared to challenge the Four Kage alone.

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes locked onto Uchiha Lan, carrying the interest of someone examining a rare specimen.

"Lan-kun, prepare yourself. Gather at the west gate of the camp in three hours."

"Shikaku, select thirty Jonin and thirty Chunin. We will launch a night raid on the Hidden Sand camp tonight."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable air of command.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama!"

Three hours later, at the west gate of the main camp.

The setting sun dyed the vast mountain ranges of the Land of Rivers crimson.

The wind swept up dry grains of stone, stinging their faces faintly.

Orochimaru was already standing there. His green Jonin vest made his pale skin stand out even more, while his posture was as relaxed as though he were taking a stroll.

Behind him stood a group of Konoha Jonin wearing identical vests.

When Uchiha Lan arrived after settling Uchiha Tetsuka and the others, this was what he saw—one of the legendary Sannin, naturally imposing beneath the blood-red dusk.

"Let's go."

Orochimaru wasted no words. Turning around, he shot into the mountain range at astonishing speed.

The others remained silent as well and swiftly followed.

Uchiha Lan took a deep breath, gathered chakra beneath his feet, and used the Body Flicker Technique to follow.

The wind howled past his ears as Uchiha Lan worked hard to regulate his breathing and chakra distribution.

He noticed that Orochimaru's path was not a straight line. Instead, it was as unpredictable as a snake's slither, cleverly making use of the shadows cast by dunes and rocks.

This use of terrain and movement technique far exceeded the imagination of Uchiha Lan, a modern man.

So it could be used like this!