The Land of Rice Fields was not far away. It lay north of the Land of Fire, sharing a border with it.
Xia Yu led Root's main force north to the Land of Rice Fields. He gathered everyone together, took out a map, and said:
"The map marks three of Orochimaru's secret bases. He should be hiding in one of them. Split into two groups, one going left and the other right. As for me... I'll head to the one in the middle."
The Root member at the front hurriedly asked:
"Lord Xia Yu? By yourself? Isn't that too dangerous? If Orochimaru happens to be at the middle base, I'm afraid we won't be able to get there in time to support you."
"It's fine. I know my own strength. Orochimaru may be powerful, but not enough to kill me. Having you split into two groups is also for your safety. There's strength in numbers. Anyway, those are my arrangements. Get going, and send word immediately if you see Orochimaru!"
"...Yes!"
The figures instantly vanished, splitting into two groups and racing away.
Watching them leave, Xia Yu knew they would never encounter Orochimaru.
Before setting out, Xia Yu had found Kabuto Yakushi, who was hiding in Konoha, and learned Orochimaru's actual whereabouts from him.
He was at the base right in the middle.
How could Xia Yu bring a whole crowd of third wheels when he was going to see his child's mother...?
Afterward, Xia Yu headed toward the middle base alone.
Along the way, he left marks from time to time for Jiraiya and Tsunade to see...
Before long, Jiraiya and Tsunade arrived there too.
The observant Jiraiya noticed the marks on the tree trunks.
"Looks like Xia Yu went to the middle base... Come on, Tsunade."
"Mm.