Minato didn't really want to see Jiraiya's teammate from their generation in Konoha.
It wasn't because he had competed with him for the position of the Fourth Hokage, but because, whether in the past or now, there was always a special feeling in his mind that made him want to avoid the man.
"Lord Orochimaru, what can I help you with?"
Minato asked. Because the war was in the attrition stage, Jiraiya was the only disciple of Sandaime sent to the battlefield.
Orochimaru stayed behind as the person in charge of the village's protection mission, and Tsunade was also on this mission, acting as the medical ninja in charge.
"Nothing, just to tell you something," Orochimaru smiled faintly and said. "Your sensei sent back information from the front line, saying that the Sand Village and the Rock Village are growing tired of this long-term tug-of-war, so they are preparing to take large-scale actions in the near future." Minato wasn't surprised when he heard this.
The three major countries—Fire, Earth, and Wind—are all powerful, but the national strength of the other two countries is much weaker than that of the Land of Fire.
This is due to the geographical locations of each country. The Land of Wind is located in the desert, where most of the land is barren, while the Land of Earth is mostly composed of desolate rock walls.
In comparison, the Land of Fire is not only the largest in area but also has a superior geographical location and abundant resources.
After three or four months of tug-of-war, the Land of Fire and Konoha might find it insignificant, but the other two countries couldn't sit still.
Minato looked at Orochimaru and said with a slightly surprised expression, "Lord Orochimaru, what you've told me is confidential information. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to share it with me like this?"
Although this information didn't need to be hidden, it wasn't something to be casually spread.
Especially to a new Genin like Minato, such information could easily cause panic in the village.
Orochimaru had been observing Minato's expression, but he didn't see the reaction he was expecting. Then he smiled and said, "Indeed, if it were other Genin, I wouldn't say anything. But you're different."
"I'm different?" Minato asked in confusion.
"Because when Jiraiya sent back the information, he also submitted a request to Sandaime, asking to send you to the battlefield to directly participate in the war," Orochimaru smiled.
Minato was slightly stunned when he heard this.
"What a cruel teacher, wanting to push his disciples into such a harsh war," Orochimaru said, trying to detect fear in the now-stunned Minato.
He thought that what Minato had said at Mito's memorial service was just empty talk.
However, as Minato's stunned expression gradually returned to calm, the expression Orochimaru expected to see did not appear on his face.
"Is that so?" Minato replied calmly, then respectfully added, "Lord Orochimaru, thank you for telling me this."
Seeing this, Orochimaru's mood shifted slightly, and he said, "Kid, do you know what war really means? You may lose your life on the battlefield at any time!"
Orochimaru, who usually remained aloof, couldn't stand Minato's calm demeanor.
"I know," Minato said, his blue eyes still calm. "But as I said before, I inherited the will from our ancestors, and as the heir, I will protect it." Orochimaru was speechless.
This was the second time in his life that he felt defeated, and it was at the hands of a kid.
This kid was the apprentice of that foolish Jiraiya.
"If you have nothing else to say, Lord Orochimaru, I will take my leave. It's time for me to prepare my supplies. Thank you for informing me of this."
Minato bowed to Orochimaru and turned to leave.
Orochimaru stood still, gradually questioning himself. *Is Minato Namikaze really only ten years old?*
After returning home, Minato sealed all the dozens of Flying Thunder God Kunai that he had made into the ninja tool scroll.
Because he couldn't use Flying Thunder God perfectly yet, he didn't prepare too many.
Aside from that, there wasn't much else for him to prepare.
Minato was only momentarily surprised that Jiraiya wanted to send him to the battlefield. He could probably guess what his teacher was thinking.
Since the Great Toad Sage had said that he had a chance to prevent the disaster in the ninja world, he couldn't stay in Konoha forever.
The only thing he cared about now was the specific situation on the battlefield. Although Orochimaru had described the general situation.
Minato knew that the real situation was definitely not that simple.
Konoha Village, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure were planning to make a big move. But first, Amegakure wouldn't let them cause too much damage to the area. Of course, it was possible that Hanzo would simply watch from afar.
Minato thought that Sandaime should also be cautious about this. In fact, the most troublesome thing was Kumogakure, which hadn't directly participated in the war yet.
The actions of these two countries were difficult to predict. According to the history Minato was familiar with, Kumo would launch an attack on the Land of Earth in about a year.
Geographically, although the Land of Lightning is close to the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, the Land of Fire is separated by the Land of Hot Springs, Hot Spring Village, and several other small countries.
The Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth are separated by deserted deserts with no inhabitants and no country.
However, even though the broad strokes of history remain the same as Minato knows them, the specific details are different.
For instance, in the past, the war had already broken out in the Land of Rain.
The most famous event during this time was the battle between the Sannin and Hanzo.
Nawaki should also be on the battlefield at this time. In a few months, he will die because of an enemy ninja's trap.
However, the ninjas of Nawaki's generation are still carrying out the task of protecting the village, like Minato and others.
So if Nawaki were to stay in the village until the end of the Second Ninja War, his fate could be different.
The Land of Water and Kirigakure had a very weak presence in the Second Ninja War, becoming a completely closed country a few years after the war ended.
The Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, Yagura, also began implementing an extremely cruel regime.
So, in Minato's time, Kirigakure had earned an extremely bloody title.
The Blood Mist Village.
Quickly comparing his own memories with the current situation, Minato couldn't find much useful information.
Because the current war was no longer the same as the war he was familiar with.
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