Orochimaru's golden snake eyes flickered slightly, the smile on his face unchanged.
"Senior Torifu, you worry too much. I have always been dedicated to contributing my strength to the village. The situation with Iwagakure is temporarily stable, which is why I was able to break away."
He glossed over it briefly, clearly not wanting to elaborate on the topic.
Immediately, his gaze swept seemingly inadvertently over Sora in the corner of the tent.
Orochimaru's eyes and Sora's gaze behind the mask met briefly in the air.
There was no spark, no killing intent, only a kind of cold, mutual understanding and calmness.
Thoughts raced through Orochimaru's mind.
Previously, his secret base in the Land of Rice had been completely destroyed, resulting in heavy losses. His first suspect was Sora, who had a grudge against him and was mysterious and unpredictable.
He had secretly mobilized considerable resources to investigate, even having people tail Sora for a period, but there was no evidence linking Sora to the destruction of the Land of Rice base.
The base had been destroyed very thoroughly, leaving no valuable clues. The person who did it was clearly experienced and extremely powerful.
'The location of the base in the Land of Rice was extremely secret, even Danzo didn't know about it. Given Sora's whereabouts at the time and the level of strength he displayed, it would have been impossible for him to be so clean and efficient.' Orochimaru pondered internally.
He ruled out Sora as a suspect, turning his suspicion to other forces operating in the shadows.
This made him more cautious recently. After all, being targeted by an unknown, powerful enemy was definitely not a pleasant thing.
However, this did not mean he had given up his "interest" in Sora. That unique and powerful force within Sora was still research material he dreamt of obtaining.
Only now, he needed to be more patient.
Orochimaru withdrew his gaze, as if it had just been a casual glance.
At that moment, a flash of golden light appeared in the tent, and a weary looking Namikaze Minato appeared.
"Senior Torifu, Senior Orochimaru."
Namikaze Minato nodded to the two, then looked at Sora in the corner, also nodding in a friendly manner. "Green Snake, it's good that you're alright."
Sora slightly inclined his head in response.
"Minato, you've worked hard."
A smile appeared on Akimichi Torifu's face. "I already know about the situation on the western side. Well done."
"This is what I should do."
Namikaze Minato said modestly, then his expression turned serious. "Kumogakure's probing attack this time was repelled. They likely won't take large scale action again in the short term, but their main force is undamaged, and the Third Raikage is unhurt. We still need to remain highly vigilant."
Akimichi Torifu nodded in agreement. "Correct. Next, we will adjust our deployment."
His gaze swept over Namikaze Minato and Sora. "Minato, you are still responsible for overall mobile support. Utilize the Flying Thunder God Technique to assist all sides at any time."
"Understood." Namikaze Minato nodded.
Akimichi Torifu finally looked at Sora, his eyes showing obvious appreciation.
"Green Snake, your performance today was seen by everyone. Being able to directly confront the Third Raikage and buy precious time for the defensive line is a great achievement. From today, you, like Minato, will be assigned mobile combat duties. You will no longer be fixed to defending a specific area. Wherever you are needed, you will go there."
This arrangement meant granting Sora significant autonomy and trust, equivalent to acknowledging he possessed tactical value on par with Namikaze Minato at the forefront.
Sora understood internally. This was Akimichi Torifu showing him goodwill and also further binding him to Konoha's war efforts.
"Yes, Commander."
"Orochimaru."
Akimichi Torifu looked at Orochimaru again. "Your troops will serve as the strategic reserve, temporarily stationed on the flank of the camp, ready to receive orders at any time."
Orochimaru licked his lips, revealing a somewhat ambiguous smile. "No problem, Senior Torifu."
"Good! Everyone, although Kumogakure has retreated, the war is far from over. Proceed to your posts, remain highly vigilant, and do not slack off." Akimichi Torifu ordered solemnly.
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, then left the tent one after another.
...
After leaving the command tent, Sora was assigned an independent single person tent. This was a small privilege for elite ninja, also convenient for him to carry out mobile missions.
Simultaneously, the command headquarters assigned a Chunin from the intelligence squad to liaise with him, responsible for conveying intelligence and orders.
This Chunin was named Fujiwara Kenta. He was a young man who appeared somewhat thin but had very alert eyes, showing great reverence towards Sora, this Anbu expert who could directly confront the Third Raikage.
"Gre... Green Snake-sama, this is the frontline reconnaissance intelligence just received. There are suspected signs of Kumogakure squad activity in Area Three." Fujiwara Kenta respectfully handed a scroll to Sora.
Sora took the scroll and quickly glanced over it. "Understood."
Over the next few days, Sora began executing the mobile combat tasks arranged by Akimichi Torifu, using the camp as a center.
He acted like an efficient firefighter, relying on astonishing speed and powerful individual combat capability, operating actively along the long border line.
...
Kumogakure Frontline Camp.
The Third Raikage was like a volcano about to erupt. The blood mark left by Namikaze Minato's kunai had scabbed over, but a deeper fury burned in his chest.
He suddenly punched the metal desk in front of him.
"Speak! What exactly is going on?! That 'Azure Dragon'! Why does he know our village's highest secret technique?!"
The several Kumogakure Jonin standing in the tent were as quiet as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Muchi, who had hurriedly come from Kumogakure's headquarters, now also wore a grave and helpless expression.
He hadn't even had time to report on village affairs before being taken by the Raikage-sama to attack Konoha, and only now found an opportunity.
"Raikage-sama, please calm your anger."
Muchi stepped forward, saying solemnly, "Regarding the leak of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, I was just about to report to you."
"Speak!"
The Third Raikage stared fixedly at Muchi.
Muchi took a deep breath.
"According to the joint investigation by the village's remaining elders and Anbu, it is confirmed that the scroll for Lightning Release Chakra Mode was stolen approximately three months ago."
"Three months ago?" The Third Raikage frowned deeply.
"Yes."
Muchi nodded. "At that time, an internal village inspection was conducted, but the source of the theft was not found. However, recently, combining all clues, the suspect has finally been identified."
"Who is it?!" The Third Raikage's voice was almost squeezed through his teeth.
Muchi uttered a name. "It's… 'The Walking Witch.'"
"That Konoha spy who lurked in the Land of Lightning for many years?!"
The Third Raikage's pupils constricted sharply, followed by boundless rage.
"She was lurking right under our noses for so long?! And stole the Lightning Release Chakra Mode?! Those trash in the village! What were the Anbu doing?! Letting a spy steal the highest secret technique!!!"
He trembled with anger, punching the desk again. This time, the desk was smashed to pieces.
Killer B stood to the side, his eyes filled with gravity, lacking his usual rap rhythm.
The Fourth Raikage's face was similarly livid, fists clenched.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode was a symbol of Kumogakure. Now that the enemy had learned it, it was a great humiliation.
"The Walking Witch…"
The Third Raikage repeated the name, killing intent chilling the air. "Where is she now?"
Muchi shook his head.
"Just recently, she suddenly vanished. Our people lost all trace of her. It is judged that she likely successfully withdrew to Konoha. And that Sora is probably closely related to 'The Walking Witch.'"
"Bastard!!!"
The Third Raikage roared, the sound wave almost lifting the tent's roof.
Everything connected now.
"The Walking Witch" stole the secret technique and passed it to Sora, with whom she was closely connected.
After learning it, Sora used it on the battlefield, slapping Kumogakure's face hard.
New and old hatreds piled together, pushing the Third Raikage's killing intent toward Sora to its peak.
"Sora… 'Konoha's Azure Dragon'! I swear I will not be human if I do not kill you!"
After roaring to vent his fury, the Third Raikage forced himself to calm down.
Anger would not solve the problem. What he needed now was strategy.
He walked to the sand table, his sharp gaze sweeping over Konoha's defensive layout, finally settling on the dragon shaped marker representing Sora.
"This brat, his methods are bizarre. Not only are his strength and speed astonishing, his defense formidable, but he also possesses flight capability."
The Third Raikage said gravely. "Last time in the Land of Lightning, he escaped by flying away. This time on the battlefield, although he didn't fly, we must guard against this."
He looked at Muchi, Killer B, and the others. "In the next direct confrontation, I will keep him in my sights from the first moment. I won't give him any chance to take flight."
Killer B spoke up. "Yo~, fool elder brother~, don't worry~, my tails~ will seal the sky~, bastard guy~, won't escape again~."
Muchi also added.
"We can prepare some powerful anti air ninja tools and sealing formulas. The moment he shows signs of taking off, immediately interfere and block. His chakra reserves don't seem particularly vast. Maintaining that high intensity state and flight for a long time must consume a huge amount."
The Third Raikage nodded, approving Muchi's suggestion.
"Let's do it this way! Next time, I will personally wring off his head. Use his blood to wash away Kumogakure's disgrace!"
Having decided on the strategy against Sora, the Third Raikage's frown did not relax. He turned to ask about the war situation on another front.
"How is the situation in the Land of Earth?"
Muchi's expression grew even more grave.
"Reporting to Raikage sama, the situation… is not good. Ever since you left the main battlefield, the pressure from Iwagakure's side increased sharply. That old geezer Ōnoki is personally overseeing operations. His ninja forces' offensive is fierce. Our defensive lines are under enormous pressure. Losses… are not small."
The Third Raikage was silent for a moment, his face dark.
He could not be away from the main battlefield with Iwagakure for long. He needed to resolve the trouble with Konoha quickly.
At the very least, he needed to hit Konoha hard, force them to contract their defenses, then Kumogakure could concentrate its forces against Iwagakure.
Thinking of this, a flash of determination crossed the Third Raikage's eyes.
"Relay my orders!"
"All units, make use of the time to rest, resupply, and drill tactics!"
"Half a month! I only give you half a month!"
"After half a month, assemble all available forces. Launch a total offensive against Konoha's northeastern defensive line!"
"In this battle, we must crush Konoha's main force, capture and kill 'Konoha's Azure Dragon', Sora!"