Giant trees, thick enough to be embraced by several or even a dozen people, covered the forest. Their spreading branches and lush leaves formed colossal, emerald canopies, completely blocking the August heat and sunlight, allowing only scattered specks of golden light to filter through.
A long, emerald green caterpillar was slowly inching its body along a branch.
"Flap, flap, flap—" A slight sound of wings fluttered. A palm-sized pale-yellow bird swooped down and, with lightning speed, plucked the caterpillar into its beak.
However, before the bird could flap its wings and soar away, "Hiss, hiss, hiss—", a striped giant python, as thick as a basin, flicked its slender tongue and opened its terrifying mouth, swallowing the bird whole.
Suddenly, the python seemed to sense something and swiftly slithered down the tree.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
Orochimaru and his two teammates, having just entered Training Ground 18, leaped over, using their chakra-enhanced footing.
Thud—
Orochimaru landed and stopped on a large tree.
Jiraiya and Tsunade also stopped next to him.
Orochimaru surveyed the dense forest. His formidable spiritual energy swept out like radar. After confirming there was no danger, he said to Tsunade and Jiraiya: "Jiraiya, take out the lot you drew. Let's see what we got."
Tsunade nodded, looking at Jiraiya with curiosity.
Jiraiya, excited and making empty boasts, grinned and said: "Don't worry, with Lord Jiraiya here, we definitely drew the map information! If..."
But before Jiraiya could finish speaking, he saw the contents of the slip of paper he pulled from his clothes and froze in embarrassment.
Orochimaru peered at it. The slip was completely blank, containing no information about the Training Ground 18 map.
Tsunade clenched her black-gloved fist, grinding her teeth in anger. Her large eyes glared fiercely at Jiraiya, making him incredibly nervous.
Orochimaru gave a helpless smile: "Alright, let's go. We need to find a safe place first and wait for Manji and the others."
Jiraiya immediately nodded frantically.
Tsunade had no choice but to forgive Jiraiya for the moment and followed closely behind Orochimaru.
The three traveled for about half an hour. Suddenly, as Orochimaru sped along the treetops, his eyes lit up.
Hidden behind two towering ancient trees was a clearing in the woods, about a dozen square meters in size. It was very difficult to spot unless Orochimaru was deliberately paying attention to the surroundings, making it suitably hidden.
Most importantly, Orochimaru was interested in the medicinal herbs growing on the small patch of grass, as well as the venomous insects living among them.
Orochimaru stopped and said to Tsunade and Jiraiya: "Let's go. We'll wait for them here."
With that, he dashed straight into the secluded forest clearing without waiting for their reply.
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged glances and followed close behind.
The majority of the small clearing was occupied by the medicinal herbs. Orochimaru first gave Tsunade and Jiraiya some instructions outside, and only then did the three cautiously step into this natural herbal garden.
After having Jiraiya and Tsunade set up some Ninjutsu traps around the periphery, Orochimaru walked alone among the herbs, identifying each one. He took out some simple equipment he carried on his lower back and dug up some useful herbs, also collecting some venomous insects.
Half an hour later, Orochimaru joined Jiraiya and Tsunade, placing some of the venomous insects and toxins extracted from certain poisonous herbs onto the perimeter Ninjutsu traps.
Next, Orochimaru distributed a few herbs to Jiraiya and Tsunade, asking them to grind them with a large rock. Orochimaru then used his simple equipment to mix the results and seal the concoction in a small porcelain bottle.
Under the curious gaze of Jiraiya and Tsunade, Orochimaru waited for half an hour until the aromas and medicinal properties in the porcelain bottle had completely blended. He then took it out and removed the stopper. A rich, clear fragrance immediately wafted out of the bottle.
Orochimaru said to Tsunade and Jiraiya: "Take this porcelain bottle and fumigate yourselves thoroughly. I noticed there was an insect-controlling clan from the Stone Village. The mixed scent of these herbs can effectively prevent an insect manipulator from messing with you."
Jiraiya and Tsunade showed a look of admiration upon hearing this. They immediately complied. Orochimaru himself also passed the bottle over his body, allowing the herbal scent to cover him completely.
After the three had finished, Orochimaru's heart suddenly stirred. He sensed Yamata's presence. He smiled slightly: "They've arrived!" Saying this, he sped towards the perimeter.
As soon as Orochimaru saw the trio, the intelligent little Yamata eagerly turned into a faint golden flash and zipped back into Orochimaru's clothes.
Bluebird's group had an easy journey, and to Orochimaru's surprise, Bluebird had actually drawn a lot with the mission map information.
While Manji's group used the porcelain bottle, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya began studying the information Bluebird had drawn.
It was a slip of paper the same size as the one Jiraiya had drawn, but it clearly contained a miniature map. A red dot marked a location on the map, which was presumably where the mission map was located.
After identifying their current position, Orochimaru confirmed the direction. He collected the traps and poisonous insects, summoned everyone, and quickly set off.
After an hour of travel, a clear, azure stream appeared before them.
Numerous birds and animals drank and played by the stream bank. A faint breeze, mixed with moisture and the scent of flowers, blew past. Everything looked beautiful and harmonious.
However, there was no sign of the mission map.
Jiraiya looked at the situation, which seemed like searching for a needle in a haystack, and asked: "Orochimaru, what do we do now?"
Orochimaru gave a wry smile. It's never that simple, indeed!
He then turned to Hyūga Bluebird at his side and said: "Bluebird, activate your Byakugan and look for the mission map's location!"
Bluebird nodded. He focused his chakra, and the skin around his unique, white eyes strained with chakra ripples. The pale-blue veins bulged: Byakugan, Activate!
Bluebird searched for about a quarter of an hour before suddenly speaking: "Lord Orochimaru, the three Cloud ninja candidates are gathered two hundred meters ahead!"
Hearing Bluebird's report, Orochimaru's heart sank slightly. He hadn't expected to run into ninja from a Great Nation so quickly.
Orochimaru said: "Bluebird, check if they have the mission map on them!"
The faces of the others also darkened. They knew the strength of the Great Nation ninja would be formidable. All eyes were fixed on Bluebird.
Bluebird's voice held a note of excitement: "Lord Orochimaru, they haven't gotten the map! It's in a bird's nest high in the tree canopy right above them! They haven't found it yet and seem to still be searching."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes flashed. He quickly strode past the others and dashed out at full speed.
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