Chapter 41: Yue Yan: By then, I'll team up with Orochimaru. I don't believe those guys can get away.
"That guy isn't Guy's dad, is he? Why is he also at the front line?"
Asuma looked really confused. After all, he knew Might Duy, a Genin who had remained at that rank for ages. He'd also heard that many squads wouldn't even take him on low - level missions because he could suddenly get all fired up and start shouting about youth.
"Although Uncle Duy is a nice guy, the front line really isn't suitable for a ninja like him."
Yue Yan ignored Asuma's grumbles and recalled the original story. It seemed that Might Duy sacrificed himself during the Third Ninja World War. He faced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and then opened the Dead Gate.
In that case, since Might Duy had come to the front line, it meant the war between Konoha and the Mist Ninjas was about to intensify.
Coincidentally, Yue Yan wanted to test his current strength. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, a squad composed entirely of elite Jonin, were a perfect match for him.
Even if he couldn't beat them, Yue Yan could rely on his speed in the Gale Lightning Mode to get away. After all, in this state, although Yue Yan might not be as fast as with spatial - type ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique, his speed was definitely comparable to that of the Raikage clan. None of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were speed - type ninjas, so there's no way they could catch up with Yue Yan.
When it was time to rest at night, Yue Yan turned to Xiaolan.
"If Guy comes to the front line later and takes on a mission like patrolling, Xiaolan, you go with them. When you meet seven guys with all kinds of ninja swords, inform me immediately. You can use the Summoning Technique I taught you before."
As a Pokémon, Xiaolan could learn ninjutsu. However, Xiaolan thought those ninjutsu weren't suitable for him and skills were more useful. So, he hadn't learned many ninjutsu, but he could use the Summoning Technique.
After hearing this, Xiaolan nodded and agreed. Xiaolan never questioned Yue Yan's words.
The front - line commanders also knew about Might Duy. So they gave him a task that was perfect for him to show his youthful spirit, which was to carry supplies, just like Asuma's group.
As long as he could be of help, Might Duy was really happy. He didn't mind moving things. When he got to the logistics department, he started sweating in the name of youth.
Although Might Duy's ninja skills were not great, he was really strong. And when he was carrying supplies, he didn't seem to get tired at all. From start to finish, he was full of enthusiasm.
Just as Yue Yan had expected, after the war intensified again, Konoha sent some Genin with average abilities to the front line, like Might Guy's group.
After Might Guy's group reached the front line, the task they took on was to patrol and explore an area around there.
Yue Yan managed to get Xiaolan into Might Guy's squad while they were still in the camp.
Might Guy was naturally delighted that Xiaolan, who had trained with him before, was going to join them on the mission. Although he was a bit puzzled as to why Xiaolan had grown so much from a small puppy, with his thick - headed nature, he soon stopped caring.
Seeing that everything was arranged, Yue Yan also focused on conducting experiments with Orochimaru.
Just as today's experiment ended, Orochimaru approached Yue Yan.
"Yue Yan - kun, you assigned your summoning beast to those Genin squads. You must have some plan, right? Can you let me in on your little plan?"
Hearing this, Yue Yan, who was organizing the experiment log, shrugged and told Orochimaru with a prepared excuse.
"Guy is a very good friend of mine. I heard before that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would come to cause trouble around our camp from time to time, so I sent Xiaolan to tag along with them."
"Oh? So, Yue Yan - kun, you have great confidence in your summoning beast named Xiaolan?"
Orochimaru became a bit interested. Considering himself well - informed, he had never heard of a canine summoning beast like Xiaolan that could walk upright. Therefore, he was a bit curious.
As for wanting to put Xiaolan on the dissection table to find out, Orochimaru didn't have such an idea. After all, he didn't want to ruin his relationship with Yue Yan over such a small matter.
"I have great confidence in Xiaolan. It should be enough to deal with ordinary Jonin. As for elite Jonin like the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Xiaolan can just summon you and me over."
Hearing this, Orochimaru was slightly surprised. Thinking that Xiaolan seemed to have a high level of intelligence, he understood.
"In that case, if we really encounter the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, can you take me with you, Yue Yan - kun?"
Looking at Orochimaru's sly smile, Yue Yan just thought for a moment and understood.
Orochimaru at this time hadn't turned evil yet, and he was still the most promising candidate for the Fourth Hokage. As the ace force of the Mist Ninjas, known as a group capable of destroying a country, if Orochimaru could take the heads of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, it would be a significant military achievement for him.
To be honest, Yue Yan felt a bit sad about Orochimaru.
He lost his Mother and Father at a young age. Wandering in confusion, he was taken in by Hiruzen Sarutobi as his apprentice. This was like a guiding light in his gloomy life.
In the subsequent war, having witnessed too many lives' deaths and the death of his own apprentice Nawaki, Orochimaru developed a desire and pursuit for immortality.
But Orochimaru at this time could still be saved. Even though he conducted human experiments in private, he still kept his bottom - line. Even when he later cooperated with Tanzō, he only held a nominal position. If Tanzō's misdeeds were exposed, Orochimaru would be slightly affected. However, he could still get out of the situation unscathed.
Due to the bond in his heart, Orochimaru almost regarded Hiruzen Sarutobi as his second Father and worked hard strictly according to Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectations.
Hiruzen Sarutobi expected Orochimaru to become his most outstanding disciple, and Orochimaru strived in that direction. Hiruzen Sarutobi expected Orochimaru to become the Fourth Hokage, and Orochimaru also worked hard towards that goal.
But later, coincidentally, Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered Orochimaru's human experiments. Realizing Orochimaru's intentions, for some reason, he ignored their years of master - disciple relationship and Orochimaru's feelings. He didn't even give Orochimaru a chance to explain. Then he axed Orochimaru from the list of candidates for the Fourth Hokage and picked Minato Namikaze, a young guy, instead.
This was not what made Orochimaru most disheartened. What really crushed his spirit was that Hiruzen Sarutobi actually chose Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya's disciple, to be the Fourth Hokage.
If it had been Jiraiya who became the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru wouldn't have said a word and wouldn't have had the intention to leave Konoha.
But Minato was Jiraiya's disciple. It was as if Orochimaru, who always regarded Jiraiya as a fool and a loser, couldn't even compare to his disciple.
With Orochimaru's pride, this was absolutely unacceptable.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't be held fully responsible for Orochimaru's disheartened departure from the village, he was at least 80% to blame. One could only say that Hiruzen Sarutobi was really old.
"Sigh~~~"
When Orochimaru saw Yue Yan suddenly sigh and look at him with a pitying expression, Orochimaru was completely confused.