Hokage Building, Hokage's office.
An Anbu member led Uchiha Xia Yu inside.
"Lord Hokage, you wanted to see me..."
"Yes." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded lightly and gave the Anbu member a look. "You may leave."
"Yes, sir!"
After the Anbu member left, Hiruzen Sarutobi handed Xia Yu the map he was holding.
"Three locations are marked on this map of the Land of Rice Fields. They are Orochimaru's secret bases, which Jiraiya found through years of investigation. I want you to lead Root and split up to investigate them. Set out now..."
"Once you confirm Orochimaru's location, you may act immediately if an opportunity presents itself. Jiraiya and Tsunade will remain hidden to support you..."
"Huh?" Xia Yu was a little puzzled. "Remain hidden?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Yes. Orochimaru is extremely cunning. If he sees Tsunade and Jiraiya, he certainly won't fight and will try every possible means to escape. If he really gets away, all our efforts will have been wasted..."
Hearing this, Xia Yu raised an eyebrow. "So... I'm bait?"
"No, you're not bait..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly:
"I don't want to arrange things this way either, but this is the best strategy I can think of! From what I know of Orochimaru, he seems very fond of the Sharingan. With you leading the charge, we can definitely draw him out..."
"Xia Yu, I know you're upset, but this is all for the village's stability... Just think: if Orochimaru tampers with the women in the village again and happens to get all your wives and concubines pregnant, would that really be a good thing...?"
"That isn't something I want to see, and I believe you don't either..."
"The difficult task of eliminating Orochimaru has become urgent! Xia Yu, I believe you certainly won't mind making this small sacrifice..."
"Remember,