Although it was supposed to be a joint operation between two teams, Orochimaru decided to take a different approach. Instead of relying on a large coordinated group, he chose a far riskier plan — one that reflected his ruthless precision.
He split the eight members from the two teams into three smaller units.
The first unit was led by Tsunade. She commanded two kunoichi from the Hyuga and Inuzuka clans, ordered to conduct a full-scale sweep of the surrounding terrain.
In Orochimaru's own words, they were to "turn this entire area upside down until you find that gold mine." If they failed, he threatened to report Tsunade's so-called "laziness" to the Third Hokage.
Though Tsunade grumbled and cursed under her breath, she still carried out the mission seriously — she knew Orochimaru wasn't one to make idle threats.
The third team, led by Hayashi, included Mikoto, Kushina, and Nawaki. Orochimaru called them the "support unit," though everyone knew it was just a polite way of saying they were the least experienced group. Their task was to guard the outer perimeter — the main road leading toward the Land of Rain. It was the safest zone, at least on paper.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru himself operated alone as the second team, positioned between Tsunade and Hayashi's groups. It was a bold configuration, but it also meant the danger level had multiplied.
The enemy was rumored to have at least one Jonin and several Chunin among their ranks. Aside from Tsunade, everyone on the Konoha side was still a student. They weren't even official Genin yet — mere academy trainees facing real combatants.
Hayashi's squad in particular was, as some might put it, "one genius carrying three burdens."
Still, there were benefits to Orochimaru's setup. Dividing the units increased coverage and tightened the net of surveillance. It was a risky move, but one that matched his nature perfectly.
Like a snake slithering deep into the shadows — dangerous yet precise — Orochimaru knew how to strike from the dark.
When it came to completing missions, no one could deny that his methods worked. He simply didn't care about casualties — as long as the people he valued most survived.
After finishing his instructions to Tsunade's group, Orochimaru turned to Hayashi's team.
He unrolled a detailed border map marked with red ink. "There are six transport routes leading toward the Land of Rain," he explained, his tone calm but sharp. "They're scattered, and most of them don't intersect. Your team will monitor this section."
He tapped a spot on the parchment before continuing. "Hayashi, your experience is solid. Don't miss even the smallest sign of movement. If you sense anything off, use Katsuyu to request immediate support. I'll establish a secondary base nearby."
He paused briefly, his golden eyes narrowing. "Your group may be the weakest, but you'll be stationed on the outer perimeter. It's the safest zone — relatively speaking."
Hayashi gave a short nod. He understood Orochimaru's reasoning all too well.
Orochimaru's mobility and precision allowed him to act as both reinforcement and vanguard. By setting up his secondary base between the two units, he could provide rapid backup to either side.
At his speed, crossing the entire border would only take moments.
It was a flawless plan — efficient, calculated, and utterly ruthless.
After receiving his orders, Hayashi collected the map and led his team out.
Among them, the fastest were Hayashi and Mikoto, followed closely by Nawaki. The three had undergone specialized training under Orochimaru to improve their reaction speed and mobility.
Mikoto, in particular, had developed impressive skill with Lightning Release. The chakra stimulation of her cells made her movements even swifter than Nawaki's.
Kushina, on the other hand, lagged behind.
Despite years of training under Hayashi's guidance in chakra control and application, her speed was still a step below the others. Hayashi, however, never complained — he had grown used to pacing his stride so she could keep up.
To be fair, Kushina's endurance was remarkable. Even burdened with her overly stuffed pack — filled with gear, food, and who knows what else — she still managed to run alongside them without falling too far behind.
Hayashi found himself sighing softly. "Honestly, carrying that much and still keeping up… she's got talent in her own way."
As they moved through the dense forest, Hayashi briefed his team.
"Our mission is simple — surveillance. We're to monitor this section of the border for any signs of enemy movement."
"According to Orochimaru-sensei, our zone is safer than Tsunade-sama's," he continued, glancing at the map again. "But that doesn't mean we can relax."
"For the next several days, we'll be living here until we receive a withdrawal signal from Orochimaru-sensei's secondary base."
Mikoto raised a practical question. "How will we handle information handover?"
"I'll report daily through Tsunade-sama's Katsuyu clone," Hayashi replied. "Either Orochimaru-sensei or Tsunade-sama will communicate back at a fixed time. Our task is to maintain full observation."
He gestured toward the flare gun strapped to his belt. "If anything happens — anything at all — we send up a flare and I'll contact Orochimaru-sensei immediately."
He looked at the map once more, his expression tightening. "We're close."
After nearly two hours of travel, the group reached their assigned location — the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain.
The dense forest here had a haunting beauty, mist curling through tall trees that stretched endlessly toward the gray sky. It was a breathtaking sight, but none of them were in the mood to admire it.
Hayashi came to a stop, scanning the area carefully. "We'll set up our base here. The forest canopy provides good cover from aerial detection."
He turned to the team and issued instructions. "Mikoto and I have the best detection range. We'll scout the area for threats and search for a nearby water source."
"Nawaki, find a good spot for the tent and start setting it up."
He then looked at Kushina. "You'll assist with logistics — gather firewood and help Nawaki set up camp. If you need help, ask him. We'll be back within two hours."
Nawaki gave a thumbs-up. "Got it!"
Kushina puffed her cheeks but nodded obediently. "Fine, fine. Don't take too long though."
Hayashi smiled faintly and handed Nawaki a red flare. "If we're not back within two hours, fire this into the sky."
With that, he motioned to Mikoto. "Let's move."
As the two disappeared into the forest, Mikoto glanced at him curiously. "So… what's the plan now, Hayashi?"
Hayashi didn't respond immediately. He wasn't checking tracks or searching for water sources like he'd told the others. Instead, he seemed to be wandering — his gaze flicking from tree to tree, as if searching for something invisible.
Mikoto frowned slightly. "You're not really lost… are you?"
Hayashi didn't answer, his eyes narrowing as a faint breeze brushed past. For a brief second, his eyes flickered to life, scanning the forest depths.
Something in the air felt off.
He exhaled quietly. "No. Not lost. Just… confirming a suspicion."
And with that, the forest around them fell silent — as if holding its breath
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