After hearing Uzumaki Kushina's reply, Sora decided to take advantage of the good weather to focus on training.
As Sora stepped out of the room, every shinobi who caught sight of his rare smile almost dropped what they were holding.
Normally, whenever they see Sora, his expression is icy, as if the entire world owes him a debt.
But today, he was smiling—a genuine, startling smile—that gave everyone the uncanny impression that Sora might actually be human.
Jiraiya, who had been heading out to check on Namikaze Minato's training, froze in his tracks when he saw Sora's expression. Without a second thought, he turned around and sprinted toward Orochimaru's quarters.
"Something's wrong, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya burst in, interrupting Orochimaru, who had been examining a scroll of advanced ninjutsu.
Orochimaru, unperturbed by the intrusion, glanced up lazily. "What is it? Has Kumogakure launched another attack?"
Jiraiya shook his head, his expression filled with disbelief. "No, it's worse—your disciple, Sora, smiled!"
Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly. "And? Is that really so strange? It's not as though Sora has never smiled before. Do you need to cause such a commotion over it?"
Jiraiya threw his hands up. "You're calling that sneer of his a smile? Come on, Orochimaru." He sighed dramatically before muttering, "Then again, I suppose you'd see it that way. To you, a sneer probably does count as a smile. You two are cut from the same cloth—master and apprentice. Never mind, I'm the one making a fuss here."
Orochimaru returned his attention to the scroll in his hands, though he smirked faintly. He understood what Jiraiya was implying.
For Sora to smile like that, there could only be one reason—someone special enough to shake even Jiraiya's composure.
Without looking up, Orochimaru finally spoke. "You've come at the right time. Now that our camp is built and the situation has stabilized, it's time to launch another offensive and clear out the surrounding Kumogakure strongholds."
Jiraiya immediately straightened, his playful demeanour shifting to something more serious. "With the reinforcements we've received, I agree. This is the right time."
Orochimaru closed the scroll with a quiet snap and called for someone to summon Nara Shikaku to their quarters.
Soon, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Shikaku were seated to discuss strategy.
There were currently more than a hundred shinobi stationed at their camp. After a thorough discussion, they decided to organize three-man squads for the operation while ensuring that at least fifty shinobi remained behind to guard the camp.
For each stronghold they targeted, the number of shinobi deployed would depend on the number of Kumogakure shinobi stationed there.
As the conversation shifted, Jiraiya turned to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, are you planning to have Sora take over that group of five now?"
Orochimaru gave a slight nod. "It's time."
Nara Shikaku, who had been listening attentively, furrowed his brow in confusion. "Jiraiya-sama, Orochimaru-sama, who exactly do you mean by 'that group of five'?"
Shikaku assumed it was standard for Sora to lead a small team, given his prior leadership experience. But the way Jiraiya had emphasized this particular group piqued Shikaku's curiosity—they didn't seem like ordinary shinobi.
Jiraiya leaned back, arms crossed. "Orochimaru intends for Sora to take command of five Uchiha Chūnin. Sora's already agreed to it."
"What?" Shikaku's eyes widened in surprise.
Nara Shikaku was shocked.
They were going to let Sora, an abandoned child of the Uchiha clan, lead five Uchiha shinobi.
Was that even possible?
Nara Shikaku chose his words carefully. "Lord Orochimaru, those five Uchiha shinobi are currently under the direct command of another Jōnin from their clan."
Orochimaru turned his gaze toward Shikaku, his tone cold. "So what?"
"Uh..."
Shikaku was at a loss for words. Of course, such details didn't concern Orochimaru.
Jiraiya broke the silence with a knowing smile. "Shikaku, when you were acting as their leader before, how did those six Uchiha perform?"
The question visibly unsettled Nara Shikaku, but Jiraiya gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Relax. It's just the three of us here—say whatever's on your mind."
Shikaku sighed, finally speaking candidly. "They were... unruly and self-willed. They didn't respect me and barely followed orders. They prefer to act as they please."
Jiraiya snorted. "That's exactly why Orochimaru wants Sora to take over. This is no accident."
Shikaku hesitated but finally asked, "Is this about Sora's recent accomplishments? I've heard he's talented, calm, and has a... firm approach, much like Lord Orochimaru."
He paused, then added tactfully, "But does Lord Orochimaru truly believe Sora can control those Uchiha shinobi? Is it even possible?"
In truth, Shikaku had already guessed Orochimaru's intent when Jiraiya brought up the Uchiha team's insubordination. Yet he doubted the plan. Sora was still young, and while his recent achievements were notable, his lack of authority within the Uchiha clan was glaring. In addition to that, there was tension between Sora and the rest of his clan, and it seemed nearly impossible for him to gain their respect, let alone their obedience.
Orochimaru's expression hardened. "Sora has both the strength and the methods to suppress them. On the battlefield, I need shinobi who follow orders completely, not those who defy them."
Shikaku fell silent. Orochimaru's tone left no room for debate.
Despite his reservations, Shikaku couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity. How would Sora—someone who carried so much of Orochimaru's expectations—handle those notoriously proud Uchiha?
Orochimaru interrupted Shikaku's thoughts. "Shoji, gather all the shinobi in the camp."
"Understood."
When all the shinobi had assembled, Orochimaru stepped forward to address them.
"First, I will outline the personnel changes. Effective immediately, Jiraiya and Nara Shikaku will serve as acting commanders. Unless I issue a direct order, their commands are to take the highest priority."
Orochimaru continued, "There will also be four acting captains: Nara Kensuke, Nara Shogo, Hyūga Keio, and Yamanaka Taishi. Each acting captain will oversee the division of teams into three-man squads for the upcoming missions. A team leader will be designated within each squad to manage the operations."
He paused briefly, his piercing gaze sweeping over the assembled shinobi.
"Finally," Orochimaru continued, "Uchiha Ryuhei, Uchiha Keiichi, Uchiha Kyosuke, Uchiha Raito, and Uchiha Jinno—you will form a single team. Your captain will be Sora."
The moment Orochimaru's words registered, an anxious voice rang out.
"Lord Orochimaru, please wait!"
The speaker was Uchiha Kazuo, a Jōnin of the Uchiha clan. His tone was deferential, but there was urgency in his words.
Meanwhile, the five Uchiha shinobi whose names had been called looked visibly uneasy, their expressions betraying a mix of surprise and apprehension.
Orochimaru's gaze locked onto Kazuo. "What's the problem?"
Kazuo bowed deeply. "Lord Orochimaru, I am the direct commander of these five shinobi. I respectfully request that I be allowed to continue leading them."
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