"Kawakaze, your guess is correct," Orochimaru said.
"The Amegakure Ninja are retreating, avoiding direct confrontation with us. There are eyes everywhere, so at most, they'll set up some traps. They have no intention of attacking us directly."
He paused, sipping his sake. "It seems they won't make another move unless we force their hand. For now, this counts as a minor victory."
Orochimaru appeared to be in a rare good mood, having even brought a few pots of sake. Inside a small earthen room in the camp, he drank with Kawakaze and the others, their voices echoing softly in the confined space.
"Their goal is to stall us, not to defeat us," Orochimaru continued.
"As long as we create the appearance of a major offensive, the Amegakure Ninja will suspect a trap. But, regardless, we'll have to push forward."
Kawakaze gave a knowing smile. "Orochimaru, it seems you deliberately left some of their scouts alive."
Orochimaru smirked and took another sip. "It's just a minor strategy. You're giving me too much credit."
Though young, only in his twenties, Orochimaru was already a formidable tactician. Kawakaze's praise seemed to amuse him, and he drank a bit more than usual.
"A major battle is on the horizon," Kawakaze warned as he finished his sake. "You two must stay within my range of perception. If anything happens, the Flying Thunder God Technique will ensure your safety."
"Yes, Sensei/Big Brother," the two younger shinobi replied in unison. They obediently nibbled on the fruits and vegetables Orochimaru had brought, nodding to Kawakaze's instructions.
Turning to another companion, Orochimaru said, "Sakumo, I'll leave the perimeter alert to you."
Sakumo gave a brief nod, raising his cup. "Understood."
The atmosphere lightened as the sake flowed, and the conversation shifted from war to more casual topics. Bonds between comrades with equal status and strength were forged in moments like these.
"Kawakaze," Orochimaru teased, a rare smirk playing on his lips, "if you take Tsunade away, Jiraiya will be heartbroken. He should still be on his way back to Konoha from Mount Myōboku."
Kawakaze laughed heartily. "I'm not stealing anyone's love. There are millions of women in the world—I'll find Jiraiya a good match when I have time."
Kawakaze laughed; there was nothing to be ashamed of—he was simply being honest and wasn't trying to steal someone else's girlfriend.
"Orochimaru, have you ever thought about finding a wife?" Sakumo, clearly drunk, slurred as he spoke. "I'm going to be a father soon."
Sakumo, drunk and bold, didn't hesitate to ask anything.
Kawakaze glanced at his older brother and thought, It has to be you, my brother. He then turned his curious gaze to Orochimaru, wondering how he would respond.
"I haven't found the right person yet," Orochimaru replied without the slightest embarrassment, even raising his glass to clink with Sakumo's.
Kawakaze mused that Orochimaru was still human after all. In the Boruto anime, he even raised a child, so it wasn't as if he was inherently opposed to marriage. At the very least, he seemed to have normal emotions.
"When the time comes, if you fancy someone, I'll tie them up and bring them back for you," Kawakaze joked, laughing as he shared another drink with Orochimaru.
"Fine. When the time comes and I come begging at your door, don't go back on your word," Orochimaru said, his pale face faintly flushed. Perhaps even he didn't know why he found it so easy to talk with Kawakaze. Was it because Kawakaze had once given him a sword?
"I wouldn't even blink if I saw the Kage of a certain village."
Sakumo, noticing his brother bragging, poured him another cup to shut him up. If he keeps drinking, he won't be able to brag for long.
Meanwhile, Duy remained on the sidelines, unable to fully join the conversation. Part of it was the difference in status, but he was also still learning how to boast without looking foolish.
When the drinking finally ended, Orochimaru, tipsy, was escorted back to the tent by Nawaki, while Kawakaze collapsed on the ground. Sure enough, as soon as he got drunk, he stopped bragging.
Sakumo, satisfied, dragged his brother to bed. Looking at the passed-out Kawakaze, Sakumo thought, This is the good brother I know, not that little brat.
His next thought was more outrageous: There's no way I'm letting Kawakaze raise any kids. Otherwise, I'd lose at least ten years off my life.
With those warm yet absurd thoughts, he fell asleep next to his brother.
Poor Duy ended up lying on the ground, but Minato, ever considerate, covered him with a blanket before falling asleep beside the cot himself.
The next morning, the camp buzzed with chaotic but efficient activity as the Konoha Ninjas prepared combat supplies. From a distance, the commotion was observed by Amegakure spies, who quickly sent someone back to report the situation.
At first glance, it seemed as if a major offensive was imminent.
When Yamaru received the reports, unease began to take hold. He paced back and forth in the hall, his thoughts in turmoil.
If we confront them head-on, it'll be like throwing an egg against a rock. But if we don't engage, Lord Hanzō's mission will remain incomplete.
After much deliberation, he could only hope Orochimaru's apparent preparations meant an attack was still aimed at their position, rather than the heartland of the Land of Rain.
"Maintain surveillance and report any movements of the Konoha ninja immediately," Yamaru ordered.
He sat down in his newly appointed chair but, unable to suppress his irritation, removed his mask. The face underneath was lined with worry. If the Konoha forces moved toward the heartland, a direct confrontation would be unavoidable.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kawakaze had decided to extend their preparation time to a full week. Supplies were distributed daily, and the Amegakure spies returned every day to relay updates to Yamaru.
Yamaru's emotions began to fray under the constant tension. The slow, agonizing wait was like a knife slicing away at his nerves.
By the seventh day, Yamaru was on the brink of madness. The latest reports still showed no signs of immediate action. Desperation filled him. He longed to storm into the Konoha camp himself and confront Orochimaru directly:
Where the hell do you plan to fight? Just give me a straight answer!
That evening, Kawakaze and Orochimaru sat together in Orochimaru's tent. A pot of fine tea simmered on the low table between them.
"Orochimaru, I think it's about time," Kawakaze said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"We'll see the results tomorrow when the operation begins," Orochimaru replied.
Kawakaze's grin deepened, clearly pleased with their strategy. There was no doubt in his mind that this plan would push Yamaru to his limit.
"Naturally. After seven days of this torment, I imagine the leader of the Amegakure ninja is already at his breaking point," Orochimaru said, his cold smile unwavering.
"It's possible he'll act recklessly," Kawakaze remarked, unbothered by the ominous tone. Having grown accustomed to Orochimaru's presence, he no longer found his demeanor oppressive.
"If all goes well, a feint can turn into a genuine attack."
"What are your thoughts, Orochimaru?"
Kawakaze relished the sensation of steering the nation and devising strategies. Raising his teacup, he took a sip, savoring the lingering aroma on his lips and tongue, a truly delightful experience.
"Kawakaze, your words resonate deeply with me," Orochimaru replied.
The two exchanged smiles, their mutual trust unparalleled.
The next day, the Konoha ninja assembled at the camp. With sufficient personnel left to guard the food, fodder, and remaining supplies, the rest prepared for battle.
"Target: the Heartlands of the Land of Rain. Move out."
Orochimaru issued the command, and the ninja complied without hesitation. As he glanced north, a flicker of expectation crossed his mind—hoping the Amegakure ninja wouldn't squander the effort he had put into drawing them out.