The night was very quiet, without any noise. Except for the calls of insects in the woods, there was only the sound of the bonfire breaking the branches.
Sitting by the campfire, Chao Yanqian was a little depressed.
Originally, Chao Yanqian thought that the village would send him to the front line against Kumogakure (the Village Hidden in the Clouds), but he did not expect to be appointed as the leader of a squad with Sarutobi Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai, participating in the war against Kirigakure (the Village Hidden in the Mist).
In this way, Chao Yanqian undoubtedly lost the opportunity to contact Orochimaru. And when Konoha's battle with Kumogakure ended, Bo Feng Shuimen would become the Fourth Hokage. If Chao Yanqian had no ties with Orochimaru by then, he might really be implicated when Orochimaru eventually defected.
"Doesn't even the heavens want me and Orochimaru to continue to be connected?" Chao Yanqian asked secretly in his heart.
"Chao Yanqian, what's wrong with you?" Girls are more attentive, and it was obvious that Yūhi Kurenai noticed something wrong with Chao Yanqian.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking about this mission," Chao Yanqian said.
"Hey! It's finally my uncle's turn. The old man finally recognized my strength!" Sarutobi Asuma boasted.
"Our mission this time is to destroy Water Country. It won't be easy to kill the ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village," Yūhi Kurenai said worriedly.
"This mission will of course not be easy, but if there is a precise plan, it will not be particularly difficult," Chao Yanqian said.
Konoha was not preparing for a decisive battle with Kirigakure this time, but instead sent a team of a thousand ninjas to infiltrate Water Country's territory and sabotage their infrastructure.
The Land of Water is an island nation, and it is very troublesome to trade with the outside world, relying solely on ships for maritime trade. If Konoha could destroy all the ports and the fishing industry that the people of the Land of Water depended on for survival, then their economy would shrink severely.
Once the Land of Water could no longer sustain itself, the Daimyō of Water Country would inevitably pressure Kirigakure to agree to a truce.
Even if Kirigakure wanted to continue the war by force, without economic support, it would be difficult for them to fight Konoha for long.
The ports were undoubtedly very important to the Land of Water. During wartime, Kirigakure would strictly guard them. It would not be easy to complete the mission, especially within enemy territory. After entering the Land of Water, there could be danger at any moment.
Chao Yanqian understood why the Third Hokage sent him on this mission. The decisive battle against Kumogakure was undoubtedly dangerous; compared to that, the sabotage mission against sunagakure was much easier.
Chao Yanqian not only mastered the [Flying Thunder God Technique], but was also proficient in medical ninjutsu, making him the perfect "babysitter" to ensure Sarutobi Asuma's safety.
Given that the Third Hokage had to send his son, Sarutobi Asuma, to the battlefield, Chao Yanqian was undoubtedly the best protector for him.
Chao Yanqian guessed that in the future, Sarutobi Asuma's falling out with the Third Hokage would probably be partly because of these kinds of excessive protection measures.
"Chao Yanqian, what do you think?" Sarutobi Asuma asked excitedly.
"The village has sent so many ninjas. Whether we are there or not, the mission of destroying the ports can be completed. But I've heard some information the Three-Tails' jinchūriki in sunagakure is about to die, and sunagakure is preparing to choose a new host. If we can sneak into sunagakure and release the Three-Tails, the village will fall into chaos," Chao Yanqian said in a deep voice.
"This! Isn't this a bit too risky? With just the few of us, how could we possibly sneak into sunugakure?" Yūhi Kurenai said in shock.
"Opportunities need to be created. I think we can try!" Chao Yanqian said.
"I also agree with Chao Yanqian's opinion. How can we know if we don't try?" Sarutobi Asuma, determined to prove himself, obviously agreed with the proposal.
At the same time, another squad Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, and koychi had also formed a new team and were sent on a similar mission. But Bo Feng Shuimen was sent to the front lines against Kumogakure, separated from his original team.
Chao Yanqian was very certain this was all part of Uchiha Madara's plan, but he really couldn't figure out how Madara was manipulating things.
Could it be that Madara still had a hidden pawn inside Konoha, and that pawn was a high-ranking official?
Otherwise, Chao Yanqian really couldn't figure out how Madara could influence Konoha's leadership.
If, like in the original events, the Three-Tails were sealed into koychi by sunagakure, and they intended for koychi to return to Konoha and unleash the Three-Tails there, then the Three-Tails' removal from Kirigakure was already inevitable.
As long as the Three-Tails left sunagakure, Chao Yanqian would have a chance to capture the Three-Tails and release it inside sunagakure, devastating the village.
If the plan succeeded, Chao Yanqian would again make major contributions to Konoha. With such military achievements, he could strengthen his relationship with the Third Hokage, Bo Feng Shuimen, and others. In the future, Chao Yanqian would have much more freedom to pursue his ambitions.
"Alright! Now it's two to one. We'll follow this plan!" Chao Yanqian decisively made the decision as their captain.
"Quickly, tell us what we do next!" Sarutobi Asuma asked impatiently.
Even though Yūhi Kurenai had opposed the plan, since both Chao Yanqian and Sarutobi Asuma agreed, she could only follow along. After all, Chao Yanqian was their team leader.
Seeing Yūhi Kurenai's worried expression, Chao Yanqian comforted her: "Don't worry. After we enter Water Country's territory, we will first gather accurate information about the Three-Tails. As for sneaking into sunagakure, I will do it alone."
"Just you?" Yūhi Kurenai exclaimed, her big red eyes full of incredulity. After a moment, she shook her head and said, "No! We're companions. How can we let you take such a risk alone?"
"Yes! The three of us will go together! I don't care if sunagakure is like a dragon's lair!" Sarutobi Asuma said forcefully.
But Chao Yanqian could tell that after his initial bravado, Sarutobi Asuma was starting to feel hesitant he just didn't want to lose face in front of the girl he liked.
"Don't worry about me. I have learned the [Flying Thunder God Technique]. As long as I release the Three-Tails, I can teleport away immediately without any danger. On the contrary, if you two follow me, that would actually increase the risk," Chao Yanqian said.
"Tch!" Sarutobi Asuma curled his lips in dissatisfaction. Though he was scared, he was even more excited to finally earn merit for the village.
"Alright! Then it's settled. The plan is: the Three-Tails Plan. We will cross the sea and enter the Land of Water early tomorrow morning. Let's rest well tonight! Asuma and I will take turns keeping watch!" Chao Yanqian said.
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