Orochimaru set down the documents in his hand, clearly seeing the Konoha Medical Emergency Team logo printed on the paper.
"These fools don't understand that the medical emergency laboratory is the most vital," he hissed to himself.
"Kabuto has done excellent work."
Reviewing the information Kabuto had sent from Konohagakure, Orochimaru felt satisfied but then sighed deeply. "If Naraku were still with me, these experiments wouldn't be so troublesome."
Yet Orochimaru knew this was merely wishful thinking. Although he could be considered Naraku's sensei, he had defected from Konoha, making a return impossible.
Indeed, Orochimaru was also Naraku's teacher.
Or rather, all of Konoha's legendary Sannin were Naraku's teachers.
Specifically, Orochimaru and Jiraiya had assisted Tsunade in training Shihouin Naraku.
This arrangement began when Tsunade experienced the tragedy of losing both her younger brother and lover on the battlefield. The trauma had nearly crippled her mentally and even caused her to develop hemophobia—a fear of blood.
In that broken state, Tsunade couldn't properly teach Naraku, spending her days in a daze.
Jiraiya, being Tsunade's most devoted admirer, volunteered to train and mentor Naraku.
Later, Orochimaru accidentally discovered Naraku's talent. Combined with Naraku's modern medical knowledge, Orochimaru became excited and taught him everything he knew.
Initially, Orochimaru merely wanted to train a qualified assistant, but as Naraku's knowledge emerged and accumulated, he quickly matched Orochimaru's pace and became his experimental partner.
Sometimes, Orochimaru couldn't even keep up with Naraku's progress, which thrilled him. He began absorbing new ideas and knowledge from his supposed students.
Eventually, Orochimaru tried multiple times to seduce Naraku into becoming his official disciple, promising him numerous benefits.
Orochimaru even approached Tsunade, attempting to steal Naraku from her tutelage, but was beaten severely each time—nearly killed by Tsunade's monstrous strength.
What frustrated Orochimaru further was that Tsunade's hemophobia prevented her from going to the battlefield. She could only manage logistics and instruct medical-nin in lifesaving techniques from the rear or research new medical ninjutsu. This gave her more time to teach Naraku, keeping him away from Orochimaru's influence.
This situation enraged Orochimaru deeply. When the Third Shinobi World War ended and Tsunade left Konohagakure, Orochimaru approached Naraku again, but Naraku avoided him.
Naraku, familiar with future events, knew Orochimaru would soon defect from the village, so he deliberately kept his distance.
Because of this rejection, Orochimaru's hatred for Tsunade grew even stronger.
He always believed it was Tsunade who had secretly caused him to lose his most promising successor.
"Orochimaru-sama..."
The sudden voice interrupted Orochimaru's thoughts. He looked up to see the respectful Kaguya Kimimaro standing before him.
"What news?" Orochimaru asked.
"Sir, we have contacted Sunagakure. However, the Kazekage remains hesitant. He has concerns about your... identity..."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru's face twisted into a sinister smile. "No matter. He will cooperate eventually."
"Sunagakure's harsh environment and desperate situation will force him to work with us, though I don't particularly like him..."
"When the time is right, kill him!"
"Then I shall have excellent experimental material."
"The plan is about to begin..."
"Konohagakure, Third Hokage, Shihouin Naraku... It's been quite some time."
"Kukuku..."
His eerie laughter echoed throughout the laboratory while Kaguya Kimimaro continued to face Orochimaru with unwavering respect and admiration.
...
"According to intelligence, Iwagakure and Sunagakure recently established a cooperation agreement, though the specific details remain unknown."
"Based on information from our spies, the time and location have been confirmed. Iwagakure and Sunagakure will exchange supplies in the Land of Birds two nights from now."
"This is an S-rank mission. You may select your team members as you see fit."
Shihouin Naraku accepted the mission scroll from the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and immediately unrolled it to read the contents.
This was a typical ANBU mission. While gathering information from Sunagakure and Iwagakure shinobi would be ideal, it wasn't mandatory. The primary objective was to eliminate everyone involved in the supply exchange.
Though Konohagakure and Sunagakure were allies on paper, disrupting their operations now and hampering Sunagakure's development would make them more dependent on Konohagakure.
Secret conflicts were never absent in the shinobi world.
"By the way," Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as he lit his pipe and took a puff. "When ANBU members undertake missions, they operate with utmost secrecy. To maintain this secrecy, they use code names."
"Do you have a preferred code name? Or would you like me to assign one?"
Code name?
Naraku thought sarcastically about how Hatake Kakashi wore a mask and used Chidori to kill enemies openly while Yamato happily displayed his Wood Release techniques. He wondered how they believed they kept their identities secret.
Nevertheless, Naraku followed tradition and chose a code name for himself.
Dragon!!!
From that moment, Shihouin Naraku's ANBU code name became [Dragon]!
...
At ANBU headquarters.
"Cat! Your squad will depart for the Land of Birds immediately."
"Locate the exact position where Sunagakure and Iwagakure are exchanging supplies and remain hidden at all costs!"
"Hai!"
Back at ANBU, Naraku carefully studied the mission scroll before issuing orders.
He dispatched shinobi skilled in intelligence gathering first, planning to follow with members possessing stronger combat abilities.
...
Land of Birds.
[Cat] Ban had arrived in the Land of Birds.
After preliminary reconnaissance, the four squad members gathered to exchange information.
They quickly determined the location where Sunagakure and Iwagakure would exchange supplies.
This was expected, as these four shinobi specialized in information gathering.
The ninjas from the Hyūga, Yamanaka, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans were ideally suited for reconnaissance missions.
After discussing their findings, they confirmed the mission location was in the forest southeast of the Land of Birds capital.
"Should we set up an ambush in advance?"
"No, Sunagakure shinobi are already hiding in that forest. Going now would alert them!"
"There's also an Iwagakure ninja concealed in another direction. He's quite distant, but my kikaichu have detected him."
"Report this to Dragon-sama! We'll wait for reinforcements."
"Hai!"
After relaying the message, the four separated and disappeared without leaving a trace.
"Sir! The information has arrived!"
Shihouin Naraku, wearing a white mask with markings vaguely resembling a dragon, took the report and examined it carefully.
"Map!"
"Hai!"
An ANBU member stepped forward and unfolded a map of the Land of Birds.
"It's here..."
Now that they had identified the exact location, Naraku considered their options.
"Yue, first eliminate the guards stationed by Sunagakure and Iwagakure, then have our people replace them. What do you think...?"
Naraku glanced at the ANBU member standing silently beside him. Yue was formerly part of Root.
"Sir, replacement is possible. However, obtaining their communication codes and warning protocols in such a short time would be difficult. Eliminating them rashly could lead to serious mistakes."
Indeed, time was limited.
Even if they captured those shinobi, it would be challenging for the Yamanaka clan to extract crucial communication codes from their minds quickly enough.
Acting carelessly would alert the incoming Sunagakure and Iwagakure shinobi.
Observing Yue's composed demeanour, Naraku acknowledged that these Root shinobi were truly exceptional, with their outstanding qualities evident throughout the mission.
But Naraku hadn't forgotten that they still ultimately followed Danzō's orders.
Now, he was curious whether these operatives would cause trouble under his command.