After leaving Konohagakure, Jiraiya and his team rushed toward the location where the intelligence squad was trapped.
To be honest, Jiraiya had little hope of rescuing them.
Too much time had passed.
From the moment the ninja returned to Konohagakure to deliver the message, a significant amount of time had already been lost. Adding the time it would take for their team to reach the border, the chances of the intelligence squad surviving were slim.
Jiraiya's only hope was that the intelligence squad could hold out a bit longer, buying them enough time to delay the Sunagakure ninja from retreating to Amegakure.
If the intelligence squad could drag it out, Jiraiya might still have a chance to catch up to those Sunagakure ninjas and at least avenge the squad.
But if the squad couldn't hold on, there might not even be an opportunity for revenge.
This was Jiraiya's first time leading an Anbu team on a mission, and he wanted to complete it flawlessly.
Deep down, he prayed the intelligence squad could persevere a little longer.
"If the intelligence squad can't hold out until we arrive, and they're all killed, won't my mission be an automatic failure?" Orochimaru said, his tone betraying a hint of concern.
This mission was part of his jōnin promotion evaluation, and he was determined to succeed.
If the entire intelligence squad were wiped out, his evaluation would likely be deemed a failure.
Orochimaru's current mindset was similar to Jiraiya's—they both desperately hoped the squad could endure a bit longer.
"If the intelligence squad is completely wiped out, we'll find those Sunagakure ninjas and eliminate every last one of them. Don't worry, with me here, your jōnin evaluation is as good as passed," Jiraiya said with a grin.
"I'm quite curious about Sunagakure's puppet techniques myself," Orochimaru added, licking the kunai in his hand.
Jiraiya grimaced at the sight. It seemed Orochimaru hadn't shaken off his old habit, despite the last time he'd been poisoned.
"Sunagakure ninjas are notorious for their use of poison. When fighting them, you'd better avoid licking anything," Jiraiya warned.
"Relax. I brought plenty of antidote pills this time," Orochimaru replied nonchalantly.
Jiraiya was momentarily speechless. Apparently, Orochimaru had already prepared for the likelihood of being poisoned.
"To be honest, I'm also eager for a proper battle to see the gap between our abilities," Orochimaru said. He had spent quite some time training in Ryūchi Cave, and his strength had improved significantly.
"Just make sure you keep your composure," Jiraiya responded.
Orochimaru still hadn't given up on surpassing him, but Jiraiya had the system, making it impossible for Orochimaru to catch up.
At this point, Orochimaru hadn't yet embarked on his path of scientific research or delved into forbidden jutsu. Right now, he was just a civilian-born prodigy without any special bloodline abilities.
Even with his remarkable talent, Orochimaru's growth was steady rather than explosive. Unlike Jiraiya, whose progress was accelerated by the system, Orochimaru's improvements required time and effort.
Even after training in Ryūchi Cave, mastering its secret techniques would take Orochimaru years.
Without the system, Jiraiya himself would have needed a significant amount of time to learn Mount Myōboku's unique techniques. The jutsu of the three great summoning realms were far from easy to master.
Jiraiya worried that once Orochimaru saw the full extent of his strength, his friend might suffer a blow to his confidence.
"As a comrade, I genuinely hope your strength continues to grow," Orochimaru said with a rare smile.
Jiraiya nodded. For now, Orochimaru's mindset was in a good place—he hadn't yet experienced the harsh realities of war or understood the fragility of life.
A few days later, they approached a canyon.
According to the report, the intelligence squad had been trapped in the canyon ahead.
However, the area was eerily silent.
Jiraiya activated his Insight Eye but kept his findings to himself. He didn't want to reveal his ability.
Within the canyon, he spotted no chakra signatures, only the lifeless bodies of Konoha ninjas and shattered puppets scattered across the ground.
"It's too quiet. It seems we've arrived too late," Mitokado Homura commented.
"Orochimaru, since you trained in Ryūchi Cave, you must have contracted several summoning snakes. Use them to scout the canyon and check the situation," Homura ordered.
Jiraiya frowned slightly.
Hiruzen had assigned Homura to act as an advisor, not to lead the team. Jiraiya was the designated captain of this mission. Homura's direct order grated on his nerves.
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya.
"Do as Elder Homura instructed," Jiraiya said, nodding.
Orochimaru obliged but made it clear he was following Jiraiya's lead, not Homura's.
Homura's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly composed himself.
"Summoning Jutsu."
Orochimaru bit his thumb and slammed his hand onto the ground, summoning a small snake whose scales matched the rocky terrain.
While Orochimaru was most known for Manda, he had many lesser-known summoning snakes at his disposal.
He issued instructions to the snake, which nodded and slithered into the canyon.
A short while later, the snake returned.
"I didn't detect any living shinobi. The canyon is littered with shattered puppets and Konoha corpses," the snake reported.
"Are you certain there are no survivors?" Homura asked.
"If the intelligence squad has been wiped out, it's likely that Sunagakure ninjas are lying in ambush," Homura added.
"My summoning snake is reliable. If Elder Homura doubts its capability, you're welcome to scout the canyon yourself," Orochimaru replied coldly, patting the snake's head.
The snake vanished in a puff of white smoke, returning to Ryūchi Cave.
"Orochimaru, what's with that attitude?"
Being dismissed so bluntly infuriated Homura. As a senior member of Konoha's leadership, he was used to being treated with respect.
But Orochimaru showed him none, leaving him seething with anger.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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