The conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha had been simmering for ages, stretching back even to the time of Uchiha Madara.
After all, the Uchiha clan had only joined the village after being subdued by Senju Hashirama.
Back then, many clans within the village harbored grudges against the Uchiha.
However, through the intervention of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, these grudges were temporarily set aside.
Despite this truce, the Uchiha still faced underlying resentment.
As Orochimaru knew, the Uchiha clan only fared well during the First Hokage's lifetime. After his death, things began to deteriorate.
Initially, they were merely watched and guarded against.
The Uchiha retained everything they deserved, without any shortage.
However, when his teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, took the helm, the measures against the Uchiha reached an unprecedented peak.
Hiruzen indeed worked hard to restore the village's former glory.
Yet, despite his efforts, the village declined rather than flourished.
While he spoke of accepting the Uchiha clan, in reality, he gradually marginalized them.
Due to the scarcity of personnel in Konoha, he reluctantly sought the Uchiha's assistance.
Otherwise, the surveillance on the Uchiha would have been even stricter.
Previously, no matter how much Sarutobi Hiruzen targeted the Uchiha, Orochimaru paid it little mind.
But with Uchiha Jin, it was different.
To Orochimaru, Uchiha Jin was special.
He had appeared at an uncannily perfect moment.
When Nawaki died, it wasn't just Tsunade who grieved—Orochimaru's pain ran deep as well.
Jiraiya knew this but did nothing, did he?
Uchiha Jin's arrival at this pivotal moment made Orochimaru, in a way, see him as a stand-in for Nawaki.
Though not master and disciple in name, their bond surpassed that of mere teacher and student.
Thus, he would not allow his disciple to be ensnared in the village's feud with the Uchiha.
Moreover, Uchiha Jin's jutsu research was gradually strengthening Konoha's power.
Orochimaru chose to suppress the information.
While this displeased some jonin present, no one dared to voice complaints, given Orochimaru's authority as commander and his high prestige.
Suddenly, with a poof, smoke appeared as a kneeling shinobi materialized before Orochimaru to report.
"Orochimaru-sama, latest intel from the Land of Wind: two days ago, Hanzo of the Rain engaged Chiyo of Sunagakure, and the fight is still ongoing."
Orochimaru pondered briefly, then inquired, "Are you certain you witnessed the two fighting?"
By now, Chiyo's strength should have declined, given that her puppets had been destroyed by the White Fang, as per intelligence from the Land of Rivers.
Even if she managed to repair them, it wouldn't have been so quickly.
She should hardly be a match for Hanzo, the one with the "Demi-God" title.
"Orochimaru-sama, our scouts couldn't see them fighting directly."
"Their battle was engulfed in poison gas, with Rain and Sand shinobi clashing nearby. Our scouts couldn't get close."
Both Hanzo and Chiyo were famed for their poison techniques, especially Hanzo, who spread poison mist wherever he went.
Orochimaru had anticipated this situation.
"Any intel from Iwagakure?"
Orochimaru glanced at the others in the command room.
For now, the Rain had managed to hold off the Sand. However, the Rain shinobi of the Land of Rain were ultimately too few, freeing up Iwagakure from significant engagements.
One of the jonin had indeed caught wind of something and quickly reported, "Orochimaru-sama, Iwagakure has been pulling back their defenses lately. Their intentions are unclear, though they seem to be merely observing the Land of Rain."
Sensing some underlying scheme, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Notify Jiraiya immediately—seems Iwagakure may be preparing to advance on his position."
"Yes," replied a shinobi before vanishing in a swirl of smoke.
At such a crucial juncture, it was unlikely that Iwagakure would remain idle.
Suddenly, a violent explosion erupted with a deafening boom!
The jonin around Orochimaru steadied themselves.
"Let's go. Seems the Rain's forces this time aren't weak," someone remarked as they moved.
By now, they were accustomed to it; such attacks occurred regularly.
This was the daring tactic of the Rain's suicide squads.
In a series of poof, poof, poof, smoke erupted as several shinobi vanished from the command room.
At the trench line built on the plains not far from the Konoha camp, Orochimaru and his comrades appeared, gazing at the Rain shinobi relentlessly assaulting the trenches.
One of them frowned in confusion.
"Are the Rain shinobi unafraid of death? Why so many suicide troops?"
The frequency of Rain's attacks was high, occurring in close intervals.
Even Konoha would struggle to find so many shinobi willing to face death.
Standing beside the speaker was Might Duy, already dressed in a ninja vest over his tight suit. His normally carefree face bore a rare somber expression.
Hearing the jonin's remark, he slowly responded.
"They have endured too much suffering. Their homeland, devastated by war, leaves them with little choice."
Either they lay down their lives to repel the enemy, or they await the enemy's blade upon them.
While it seemed a choice, it was, in truth, none at all.
Might Duy felt deeply the despair and fury of these people.
The other shinobi shrugged off Duy's sentiment, too familiar with the harshness of war to empathize.
However, they knew Might Duy—a ninja credited with saving many lives, some even claiming he rivaled Orochimaru.
And Orochimaru never denied it.
"Duy-sama, we also have no choice, for Konoha's sake," a nearby shinobi consoled.
But as he said, if the enemy broke through into the Land of Fire, Konoha's fate would be equally grim.
"So be it!"
A surge of green energy burst from Might Duy, his face turning red, and his pupils vanishing.
The Eight Gates Release! Gate Six! Open!
"I shall honor them with my full strength."
In the next instant, green light flickered across the battlefield.
A Rain shinobi, body strapped with explosive tags, screamed, saliva uncontrollably dripping from his mouth—a testament to his terror.
Yet, despite the fear, he charged at Konoha without a trace of hesitation.
"Die, Konoha ninja!"
As his explosive tags ignited, he intended to take down these Konoha "devils" with him.
Taking just one down would make it worthwhile!
Suddenly, a flash of green appeared before him, kicking him in the abdomen before he could react.
The force launched him skyward.
In mid-air, he erupted in a violent boom!
"The Green Beast, Might Duy!"
Bloodshot eyes from a nearby Rain shinobi locked onto the figure, recognizing him as Konoha's second-in-command, and charged recklessly, only to be sent flying by another powerful kick.
Boom!