Chapter 100: Eight Hundred Ninja Is Enough

Amidst the cheers, the Konoha Ninja parted ways one after another, respectfully seeing Orochimaru off.

Their hearts were filled with hope for a bright future.

Orochimaru did not go home, nor did he go to his laboratory; instead, he returned to the house where he lived when he was young—no, it should be said, when he was a child.

Ever since he officially became a Genin at the age of 12, this house on the outskirts of Konohagakure had been abandoned.

He returned here, looked at the dilapidated house in silence for a long time, and then began to tidy up the room with his own hands.

When Yamanaka Chujiu finished processing all the spoils of war, arranged for the four thousand ninja to disperse and rest, and arrived at this house, Orochimaru had already tidied it up.

He looked at Yamanaka Chujiu and said, "From now on, this will be my place to stay."

Yamanaka Chujiu was still far away when he clearly sensed Orochimaru's sorrowful emotions, and thus knew that Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen had had a falling out.

After entering, he silently closed the door and asked, "Teacher Orochimaru, is this place secure?"

"You have had a falling out with the Third Hokage; although he would not dare to openly deal with us, he will certainly mobilize the Anbu to monitor us, and he may even look for opportunities to assassinate us."

"If this place is not safe, you won't be able to sleep soundly in the future."

Orochimaru pulled out a tea set and tossed it to Yamanaka Chujiu, saying, "Brew me a cup of tea."

Yamanaka Chujiu said "Oh," and placed the tea set on the stone table in the courtyard.

He first used Water Style Ninjutsu to clean the tea set, then used Water Style to fill the teapot with fresh water, and used Fire Release to heat the teapot until the water boiled.

Finally, he took a bag of tea leaves from his bosom and poured them into the teapot to slowly brew the tea.

A moment later, Orochimaru drank the fragrant green tea, and a look of satisfaction flashed in his golden snake-like pupils.

Only then did he reply, "This is my home, the place where I lived with my parents since I was small."

"Although I moved out later, every time I studied Sealing Technique and Barrier, I would practice them here."

"Accumulated over time to this day, the barriers and seals around this courtyard are so numerous that even I cannot keep track of them; it can be considered one of the safest places in Konohagakure."

"So, rest assured."

"Moreover, my teacher Sarutobi Hiruzen, although he will not tolerate me threatening his power and that of the Sarutobi Clan, he will not go against his own morals and immediately take action to suppress us."

"Of course, even if he really did take action, I wouldn't be afraid of him."

He paused and continued, "Chujiu, I know you can see three steps ahead for every one you take; what is your plan for us next?"

Yamanaka Chujiu nodded: "I do indeed have a plan, Teacher Orochimaru."

"Your prestige is currently very high, and the Konoha Ninja are practically fanatical, but it is still not enough to support you in taking action against the Third Hokage."

"In other words, we cannot take the initiative to attack Sarutobi Hiruzen, but we are qualified to ignore the Third Hokage and take the initiative to do anything that is beneficial to Konohagakure."

Orochimaru's eyes brightened: "To be able to find an angle for an active offensive in this, it is truly admirable."

"Specifically, what is there that I can do?"

Yamanaka Chujiu said: "The first thing, and also the most urgent, is to command the East Front Konoha Ninja, defeat Kirigakure, and bring complete peace to Konohagakure."

Orochimaru said subconsciously: "Teacher Sarutobi will not allow me to go..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence, and he and Yamanaka Chujiu looked at each other and laughed.

"Oh hehehe, I actually forgot right away; you said that I am now qualified to ignore the Hokage's orders and do whatever I want."

"That's right."

Yamanaka Chujiu said confidently: "Kumogakure has surrendered, the North Front has completely quieted down, but I have just learned that the commander of the East Front battlefield, Danzo, has been slow to return."

"Nearly ten thousand Konoha Ninja have lost unified command and are retreating steadily under the continuous attacks of the Mist Ninja; the situation has become unprecedentedly severe."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen was previously busy suppressing Danzo and currying favor with the Cloud Ninja; now his heart is full of maintaining his power, and he has completely ignored the East Front battlefield."

"We will use our actions to tell the Konoha Ninja that the enemy the Third Hokage fears, Orochimaru can defeat, and the war the Third Hokage cannot attend to, Orochimaru can bring to a clean and swift end."

"The peace that the Third Hokage desperately promotes, forcing Konoha Ninja to pay with their lives, yet cannot obtain—Orochimaru can lead them to win it in a dignified manner!"

Orochimaru was incited by Yamanaka Chujiu and felt a long-lost surge of hot-blooded excitement.

A look of excitement flashed in his eyes: "You mean, we lead four thousand elite Konoha Ninja, regardless of the Third Hokage's obstruction, and go directly to the East Front battlefield to take over command?"

Yamanaka Chujiu nodded, a confident smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "Once we arrive at the East Front battlefield, we will inevitably achieve even greater merits."

"Defeating the Mist Ninja will be easy, and it is not impossible to even push into the Land of Water."

"As long as we force Kirigakure to surrender, Teacher Orochimaru, your prestige in Konoha will reach a new height, creating even greater pressure on Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Orochimaru nodded and said: "Your idea is excellent."

"In fact, the strength of the Konoha East Front is very strong; even with the dense rivers and lakes that are favorable for the Mist Ninja to exert their strength, they should not have been forced into such a sorry state."

"Even if I go there myself, I am confident I can defeat the Mist Ninja."

"If you go with me to march into the Land of Water and force Kirigakure to surrender, it should not be difficult either."

Yamanaka Chujiu nodded: "I am indeed confident."

Orochimaru was very satisfied and said: "Then assemble four thousand Konoha Ninja and prepare to head to the East Front."

Yamanaka Chujiu said: "Hmm, I have a proposal."

Orochimaru: "Speak."

Yamanaka Chujiu said: "Since we are not short on troops, why bother assembling four thousand ninja to go together?"

"Eight hundred, eight hundred ninja is enough!"

Orochimaru: "?"

Yamanaka Chujiu explained: "The four thousand ninja on the North Front are elites, but they have been fighting for a long time and urgently need rest; they need to reunite with their families and alleviate the mental suppression caused by the war."

"Carefully selecting eight hundred of the most fanatical Konoha Ninja who have no family burdens, no weaknesses, and are single-mindedly focused on earning merit and fighting will be enough to build momentum for you, Teacher."

"I believe that when the Konoha Ninja on the East Front see Teacher Orochimaru, they will certainly be willing to follow us."

"You must command them directly, without being separated by four thousand Konoha Ninja, in order to win them all over to our camp."

"In addition, I have other tasks arranged for the remaining Konoha Ninja."

Orochimaru thought for a moment and accepted Yamanaka Chujiu's suggestion.

He did not ask what the remaining Konoha Ninja were going to do, and simply ordered: "Go make the arrangements; we will set out early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, teacher!"

Yamanaka Chujiu turned and left to select the most elite ninja.

Orochimaru sat on the stone stool, picked up his teacup, took a light sip, closed his eyes, and emptied his mind.