However, the four didn't do much in Konoha Village, so Konoha wasn't very clear about their combat strength.
In the original story, after activating their second stage Cursed Seal, the Sound Four temporarily unleashed Jonin-level power and even defeated Shiranui Genma and Mitarashi Anko, who had just returned from a mission.
In the mission to retrieve Sasuke, Choji, Neji, Inuzuka Kiba, and Shikamaru also fought with all their might, and with the help of Temari and her siblings, they finally defeated the Sound Four, showing how truly formidable they were.
As for Kimimaro, he was probably lying in bed, close to death.
According to some online speculation, Kimimaro's Kaguya Clan had some connection with the Hyuga Clan, and it was unknown if this was true.
Perhaps he should tell Neji?
Xia Mu shook his head to clear his thoughts and put away his Water Mirror to avoid being discovered.
The Sound Four were in a hurry and quickly entered the base.
"Since the Sound Four are here, Orochimaru is most likely inside.
I can't go in, or with Orochimaru's keen senses, I'd easily alert him.
However, I can send back information about the Sound Four."
Xia Mu mused secretly, but not long after, he saw the Sound Four emerge in a hurry again, then without a word, they rushed south.
Judging by their actions, they were going on a mission, and at this time, the only mission that would require the Sound Four was to bring back Sasuke.
Orochimaru was about to change bodies!
This was not good news.
Sasuke, Kakashi, and Shino were currently near the northeastern border, not far from here.
If the Sound Four received news and went after them, it was hard to say if Sasuke and his team could truly hold them off.
After all, the power of the Cursed Seal was somewhat of a bug, and with Sasuke and his team knowing nothing about the Sound Four, they might underestimate them.
After the Sound Four left, Xia Mu wasted no time retreating.
He then found a hidden spot to draw portraits of the Sound Four and wrote down some information about them.
Because he was worried about being discovered, he didn't even take photos, which would also make Tsunade and Kakashi take it seriously.
After preparing two copies of the intelligence, Xia Mu summoned an eagle and sent one copy back to Konoha.
As for the other copy, Xia Mu held it with Chakra and then used the Flying Thunder God Technique, directly teleporting the intelligence to Kakashi.
The battery he had given Kakashi earlier had a Flying Thunder God Technique formula specially left on it!
It was for convenience at this very moment!
Of course, Kakashi knew about this and didn't object.
At the same time, Kakashi's team was patrolling near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, finding no signs of Kumogakure infiltration.
While it was a relief, Sasuke was annoyed.
He had been hoping to encounter a strong opponent to test the effectiveness of his Chidori.
To become stronger, he was naturally eager for battle.
Everyone said the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared, and Sasuke was back in action, with the mocking voices being too harsh.
In reality, the reason Sasuke always got beaten when he got ahead of himself was because he always liked to challenge opponents above his level, and only through the tempering of various strong individuals could he grow faster.
Those who only dared to bully the weak often made very limited progress, didn't they?
Just then, Kakashi's expression tightened, and in the next second, a scroll abruptly appeared in front of him.
Sasuke and Shino immediately became alert.
Shino quickly questioned his insects but received no answer, immediately realizing something: "The insects didn't detect anyone approaching, and for a scroll to appear out of thin air, could it be Xia Mu?"
Sasuke also thought of it: "Is it that Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"That's right! It's Xia Mu using the Flying Thunder God Technique to send intelligence!"
Kakashi took the scroll, "Intelligence that he would go so far as to use Flying Thunder God to transmit must mean something has happened.
I wonder if Lady Tsunade knows."
He then opened the scroll, and after reading it, his expression became solemn.
He handed the scroll to Sasuke and Shino, who had different expressions after reading it.
Shino's tone was unchanging: "Orochimaru sent the Sound Four to bring back Sasuke, intending to take over Sasuke's body?"
Sasuke, however, smiled: "Bring it on.
My body has been rusting for a month.
Let these so-called Sound Four taste the power of my Chidori!"
Kakashi sighed helplessly but still warned: "Xia Mu's intelligence says that these four have all been implanted with the Cursed Seal by Orochimaru, allowing them to use the Cursed Seal's power to temporarily reach Jonin-level strength.
So we cannot be careless.
Fortunately, Xia Mu seems to have investigated their abilities and has written them in the intelligence.
This is our advantage!"
Clearly, Kakashi had no intention of avoiding them.
Since Orochimaru had implanted Sasuke with the Cursed Seal, he could definitely sense Sasuke's location; there was no hiding from him.
Given this, it was better to use their intelligence advantage to defeat the Sound Four, which would also weaken Orochimaru's forces.
Furthermore, there had been no movement from Kumogakure for the past month, so it was likely Kumogakure wouldn't attack.
As Sasuke said, they had been rusting for a month, so it was a good opportunity to stretch their muscles.
"I'll monitor the enemy's movements."
Shino said no other unnecessary words; since they were going to fight, they should start preparing.
"Good.
Just in case, let's make some arrangements..."
"Kakashi-sensei, I'll be the decoy."
Sasuke directly interrupted Kakashi, "Since their target is me, I am the best choice for a decoy.
You and Shino hide and look for opportunities to attack.
Since they can temporarily unleash Jonin-level power using the Cursed Seal, a three-on-four fight would put us at a disadvantage, so a sneak attack is better."
Kakashi opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't object.
Logically, letting a student be a decoy was a very risky move and shouldn't be done.
But Kakashi quickly realized that Sasuke was no longer a Genin but a Chunin who could start to stand on his own.
A mere decoy, how could he not handle it?
Moreover, Sasuke's analysis made sense; if three against four was a disadvantage, then they should use a decoy for a sneak attack.
Since it was correct, there was no need to object.
Additionally, Kakashi wasn't too worried because Xia Mu was in the Land of Rice Fields.
Even if Sasuke was captured, Xia Mu would rescue him halfway.
Kakashi even felt that Xia Mu would suddenly flash over with the Flying Thunder God, and the so-called Sound Four were nothing to worry about.
"Alright, then, we'll go with Sasuke's plan!"
All three nodded, and then Shino immediately released a large number of insects for reconnaissance.
Sasuke found an open space to stand, waiting for the Sound Four to find him, while Kakashi found a hidden spot to conceal himself.
Just as they were preparing, Konoha Village also received Xia Mu's intelligence.
Tsunade's head throbbed after reading the intelligence: "Orochimaru's hideout has been found, but that poisonous snake has sent four formidable individuals to find Sasuke. It seems Orochimaru is truly after Sasuke's body."
Shizune also looked at the intelligence, and her expression turned grave, especially when she saw that the Sound Four could use the power of the Cursed Seal.