Early in the morning of the next day, just after completing the basic practice, Chao Yanqian was called to the camp of Orochimaru.
As soon as he entered Orochimaru's camp, Chao Yanqian noticed that in addition to his team members, there was another group present.
Minato Namikaze, Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Taido, Rin Nohara, and a yellow-haired person—but Asagina did not recognize him.
"Lord Orochimaru." While saluting,Chao Yanqian secretly glanced at Orochimaru, only to find that Orochimaru hadn't paid attention to him at all, as if nothing had happened last night.
"Everyone is here, so I'll talk about your mission." Orochimaru glanced at the group and said, "According to intelligence, Sunagakure is planning to attack the camp where our medical team is stationed. I need you to infiltrate the Land of Wind and verify the accuracy of this information within three days. Once you arrive, the Anbu will cooperate with you."
Damn it! Sending only one Jōnin for such a mission—aren't they just sending us to die?
If he could defeat Orochimaru, Chao Yanqian would have torn up the mission order right then and there. Although Minato Namikaze was a top-tier Jōnin, the others were at Chūnin or Genin level. Was it really appropriate to send them on such a dangerous mission?
"Yes!" But there was no choice—ninjas couldn't refuse a mission.
"For this mission, Minato Namikaze will be the captain, leading the team of Kakashi Hatake, Taido Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Chinina Asa, Keita Hyuga, Hoshinohara, and Ryo Yamanaka. You need to set out immediately," Orochimaru ordered.
So there's someone from the Yamanaka Clan too.
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.
"Chao Yanqian, wait a moment. I have something to tell you," Orochimaru added.
"Yes!" Chao Yanqian glanced at Orochimaru suspiciously, wondering what he was planning.
"Here." Orochimaru took out a scroll and tossed it to Chao Yanqian.
"What is this?" Chao Yanqian asked curiously, feeling an ominous premonition.
"After entering the Land of Wind, I need you to deliver this scroll to someone. The specific details are in this letter." Orochimaru handed him another letter.
"Do not open it now. Read it tonight after you've entered the Land of Wind. It contains your next instructions." Orochimaru then added in a tempting tone, "Chao Yanqian, I have high hopes for you. Don't let me down."
Even though he was mentally cursing Orochimaru from head to toe, Chao Yanqian still respectfully replied, "I won't disappoint you, Lord Orochimaru!"
---
To enter the Land of Wind from the Land of Fire, one must pass through either the Land of Rivers or the Land of Rain. However, the Land of Rivers had become a battlefield, with Konoha and Suna ninjas everywhere, so Minato Namikaze decided to travel through the Land of Rain instead.
With the help of Keita Hyuga's Byakugan, the team easily avoided Suna's surveillance and silently entered the Land of Wind.
This once again made Chao Yanqian realize how valuable the Byakugan was in war. No wonder so many shinobi villages wanted to obtain it—Kumogakure even resorted to kidnapping Hinata Hyuga to get their hands on the Byakugan.
He had to admit, the Byakugan's ability was truly enticing.
"Let's rest here for a while!" After a long journey, Minato Namikaze stopped and suggested a break.
From their interactions so far,Chao Yanqian found Minato to be an extremely easygoing person—strong, charismatic, and good-looking. People like him were naturally well-liked.
No wonder Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage. Even years after his death, many still remembered him fondly. He truly had a remarkable presence.
However,Chao Yanqian wasn't particularly interested in Minato. He was more intrigued by Minato's wife, Uzumaki Kushina.
Of course,Chao Yanqian had no intention of getting involved with her—what he wanted was the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques.
This was something he had planned for a long time. When Obito Uchiha launched his attack on Konoha in the future, both Minato and Kushina would die. That would be the perfect opportunity for Chao Yanqian to acquire the Uzumaki sealing techniques.
He just had to wait for the right moment.
"Our mission is extremely challenging. If necessary, we may need to capture some Suna shinobi for interrogation. I'll leave that to you, Ryo," Minato said seriously.
"No problem, leave it to me!" Yamanaka Ryo replied confidently.
As for this mission,Chao Yanqian wasn't too concerned. He was more focused on completing the secret task Orochimaru had assigned him.
What was inside the scroll?
Chao Yanqian had no idea.
It could be Konoha's confidential information, false intelligence, or even part of a secret deal between Orochimaru and someone else. There was even a possibility that it was just a blank scroll.
But no matter what it contained, Chao Chao Yanqian was determined to complete this mission flawlessly.
First, proving his competence would make Orochimaru see him as useful. Second, it would help him earn Orochimaru's trust—allowing him to gain access to more of his secrets.
Orochimaru's forbidden techniques had been on Chao Yanqian's mind for a long time. Especially the Summoning Contract with Manda, the boss of Ryūchi Cave. That was something he had to obtain.
Sage Mode,if Chao Yanqian wanted to compete with those who possessed Kekkei Genkai as an ordinary ninja, both forbidden jutsu and Sage Mode were essential.
The power of Sage Mode was undeniable. In that state, jutsu were enhanced several times over, physical strength and speed increased dramatically, and pain was significantly reduced.
Once he mastered Sage Mode,Chao Yanqian would no longer be just another ordinary ninja.
Mount Myōboku… Ryūchi Cave…
Everything had to be planned carefully.
"Now that we've entered the Land of Wind, we need to proceed cautiously. Alright, let's move out," Minato instructed after a brief rest, leading the team deeper into enemy territory.
"Captain Minato, I believe that since the plan to attack the medical unit was carefully orchestrated by Sunagakure, only their higher-ups would be privy to the details. Regular shinobi wouldn't have access to such classified information,"Chao Yanqian pointed out.
"Hmm… That makes sense. Do you have a plan,Chao Yanqian?" Minato asked, intrigued.
"Yes!"Chao Yanqian nodded and continued, "Since Sunagakure wants us to believe they intend to attack our medical camp, we should give them an opportunity. We'll use the medical squad as bait to lure them out, then eliminate the ambushing Suna shinobi."