As it turned dark, the three approached the Konoha base.
A team of ninjas specifically responsible for inspections appeared. After the three took out their appointment letters and confirmed the code, and made sure there were no traces of genjutsu or transformation techniques, they led the three inside.
Inside the base, Konoha ninjas could be seen everywhere, many with bandages wrapped around them, clearly bearing injuries.
These ninjas wore various expressions—confusion, pain, disgust, determination, hesitation.
Only rarely did one see smiling faces, the kind of smiles filled with yearning for the future, the kind often seen in Konoha Village.
War was more brutal than imagined, especially for those ninjas who hadn't experienced the Second War. Only after entering the battlefield could one realize that those names they used to hear on casualty lists each represented a vibrant life.
Because Obito had grown used to such scenes, there wasn't much fluctuation in his heart. Kakashi, wearing his mask, also didn't show much change in expression.
Only Rin had a trace of sympathy appear on her face.
This trace of sympathy was quickly noticed by the Konoha ninja leading them to the commander's tent.
Although the "ninja rank" column listed Rin as a jonin, a rank higher than his, such a young girl was quite deceptive, so he instinctively comforted her, "War is like this. You'll get used to it."
Rin nodded and revealed a slight smile. "Don't worry, I'm okay."
Seeing this scene, Obito couldn't help but "tch."
Rin was much stronger than most people imagined.
Back then, when he was crushed under a giant rock, Kakashi stood dumbfounded on the spot, not knowing what to do.
He was simply useless.
In contrast, although Rin cried, she carried out his request to transplant his eye without the slightest hesitation, transferring it to Kakashi without a single mistake.
Later as well, when Rin discovered her body had been tampered with by the Mist and would bring disaster to the village, she didn't hesitate at all and chose to end herself with Kakashi's hand…
Rin was actually a very decisive girl.
So, although Obito had a strong desire to protect Rin, he wouldn't keep her behind him at all times.
If Rin wanted to charge ahead, he would simply follow closely behind.
Just like during the jonin assessment, he could rest assured letting Yamanaka Inoichi control him with Mind Body Switch Technique, giving the entire performance stage to Rin.
Thinking of this, a smile couldn't help but rise at the corner of Obito's lips.
No one understood Rin better than he did.
Thinking this, he turned to look at Kakashi, "Kakashi, seeing all this, what do you think?"
Kakashi just mumbled as he walked, "War, just like you said, really isn't something good."
Obito turned his head away, 'Useless.'
Soon, under the guidance of the Konoha chunin, the three arrived in front of the commander's tent.
He said, "Sirs, Lord Orochimaru is inside. I haven't received any specific order from him, so I'll take my leave now."
After speaking, he turned and left.
A subtle feeling rose in Obito's heart.
Although he had interacted with Orochimaru a few times, this was the first time in this appearance.
He wondered how Orochimaru's research on Zetsu was progressing?
Had he already started experiments on bloodline transplantation?
Many of his speculations still needed Orochimaru to complete.
Thinking this way, Obito exchanged a glance with Rin and Kakashi and walked into the tent together.
Inside the tent, Orochimaru was alone, studying a topographic map in his hands.
Seeing the three arrive, he put down the map and showed a somewhat gloomy smile.
"You've arrived."
He licked his lips, looked at Rin, and showed a somewhat emotional expression.
"The last time I saw you was at Kushina's wedding. You had just been accepted as Tsunade's student."
"Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, you've already become a capable, independent ninja."
Saying this, Orochimaru couldn't help but think of Anko.
Now, both Jiraiya and Tsunade had excellent disciples worthy of inheriting their legacy.
Among the Three Sannin of Konoha, it seemed only he hadn't found a qualified successor.
He didn't even know why, among so many students back then, he had picked Anko?
Maybe it was just for some amusement.
Rin curiously asked, "Lord Orochimaru, where's Teacher Minato?"
A trace of admiration appeared on Orochimaru's face.
"Him? Before you arrived, he had already cleared out multiple Sand hidden bases nearby."
"In terms of kill efficiency, perhaps no one can match him. Not even me."
"He really is an outstanding young man."
After speaking, he changed the topic, and his tone became full of deeper meaning.
"What do you think about war?"
"Doesn't life seem especially fragile at this moment?"
"With just a kunai, a shuriken, or a few explosive tags, one can take a life…"
"Humans are truly strange. They're the only species I've seen that will kill each other even if they don't follow biological instinct."
Kakashi and Rin were stunned. They hadn't expected Orochimaru to discuss such deep topics with them.
Only Obito looked speechless. Orochimaru was about to start preaching his immortality theory again.
Sure enough, the next moment, Orochimaru said, "In my view, war is meaningless. Only by living, and living long enough, can one understand the truths of the world, right?"
Obito thought, 'If Orochimaru became the Fourth Hokage, will he add strange content to the ninja school textbooks?'
By then, Konoha wouldn't emphasize the Will of Fire, but would start pursuing immortality instead.
That scene was strange just to imagine.
Seeing the three with different expressions, Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled a few times.
"Seems I talked to you about some hard-to-understand topics."
"If you're interested in these matters, we can discuss them privately."
"For now, I have a tricky problem I need you to solve."
After speaking, Orochimaru took out three files and handed them over.
"These are the intel I recently gathered. The Purple-Clothed Dragon King, Sara of the Land of Wind, has had multiple contacts with Sunagakure."
"If she joins Sunagakure and participates in the war against Konoha, we'll be at a great disadvantage."
"After all, a Jinchūriki can display unimaginable destructive power on the battlefield."
"So I hope you will head to Rōran and probe Sara's attitude. Best case, win her over. If not, do your best to sabotage her alliance with Sunagakure."
Saying this, Orochimaru looked at Rin, his gaze unclear.
"Rin, the purple chakra you use is the same as Sara's, right?"
"You probably experienced something during the Rōran mission. Although the memory was sealed, there may still be some unknown connection."
"This matter is most safely handled by you all!"
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y