The sky hadn't completely darkened yet.
Orochimaru led a group of ninjas as they set out.
After the sky had completely darkened, the group arrived in the forest a few hundred meters away from Hot Spring Village.
Orochimaru glanced at the three sensory ninjas in the team.
The three sensory ninjas immediately understood that it was their time to move out.
They instantly left the group and cautiously approached the Village, sensing the surrounding situation, while the main force remained in place, waiting.
Two hours passed.
The night was already very deep.
Only the rustling of insects could be heard in the forest.
Most people were extremely nervous.
Because the longer the time passed, the smaller the probability of survival for the three sensory ninjas became.
Another half hour passed.
Finally, two of the three sensory ninjas returned.
One of the sensory ninjas had lost his left arm and was clutching the wound, staggering and almost falling.
Minato immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive at the sensory ninja's side, supporting him.
The two sensory ninjas came before Orochimaru and reported the situation.
The third sensory ninja was discovered and killed by the Cloud ninjas stationed outside Hot Spring Village before he could even enter the village.
But also, thanks to this, the other two sensory ninjas successfully entered the Village.
However, when leaving, they were discovered and chased by the sensory ninjas inside.
Having only paid the price of one arm, the two were fortunate to return alive.
At the same time, they had sensed and investigated the approximate distribution of ninjas within the Village.
After reporting the enemy ninja distribution, Orochimaru nodded and said, "You've worked hard, your mission is complete, rest now."
But Minato's heart felt heavy.
The surprise attack hadn't even started yet, and already one ninja had been lost.
Moreover, the Cloud ninjas had already discovered that Konoha ninjas were investigating intelligence in the Cloud Village. In his opinion, this operation would probably end in failure.
After all, it was too difficult and too dangerous to force an attack when the other side was on guard.
However, Orochimaru's next decision made Minato unable to believe it.
"The operation will begin at 4 AM, which is in 5 hours. I and Jiraiya will cause destruction in the Hot Spring Village, and the others will strictly execute the previous plan!"
Minato really didn't understand Orochimaru's decision.
Clearly, the other side had already discovered that three of their ninjas had infiltrated the village to investigate intelligence, so why did Orochimaru still want to continue the plan?
While everyone was preparing, Jiraiya sat beside him and asked with a smile: "Are you very puzzled as to why Orochimaru still chooses to continue the operation even though the Hot Spring Village has clearly discovered our ninjas infiltrating to investigate intelligence?"
Minato nodded: "Yes, Teacher Jiraiya, I really don't understand why Lord Orochimaru still wants to continue the operation."
Jiraiya explained to him: "That's because even if the Cloud ninjas discover it, they will still do what they should do and won't care. We also often send ninjas to infiltrate the Cloud ninjas' base to investigate, but the Cloud ninjas won't change anything."
"They will only think that we infiltrated to investigate intelligence just to find out the current layout of the Cloud ninjas in the Land of Hot Water, and won't think that we will attack them. Because they know our current situation, the difference in strength between us and the Cloud ninjas is too great, and they won't think that we will take the initiative to attack them."
"Especially the Hot Spring Village, as an important base, is garrisoned by a large number of Cloud ninjas and the Hot Spring ninjas.
"In their eyes, if we attack them, it will definitely be a dead end for us, so they won't realize that we will launch a surprise attack on them."
In fact, Minato had already understood Orochimaru's approach when Jiraiya was halfway through his explanation.
Jiraiya was very gratified in his heart; his disciple was indeed smart and understood everything with just a hint.
Before Orochimaru came, everything was handled by him.
Moreover, his approach was completely different from Orochimaru's, mainly focusing on stability and reducing casualties as much as possible.
However, doing so led to their front lines retreating again and again, to the point where there was no room for retreat.
At the same time, as Minato's teacher, Minato trusted him unconditionally.
Therefore, his disciple had previously purely acted as an executor of tasks and had not thought about these things.
Therefore, Minato, who had been on the battlefield for quite a while, was still a bit idealistic.
Jiraiya believed that Orochimaru and Yasu being able to support the Land of Hot Water was truly a great thing.
First of all, he had a clear self-awareness.
He was only suitable as a loner. Letting him work alone was okay, but as a commander, he was really not that good.
But Orochimaru was very good at this aspect. After all, during the Second Ninja World War, their team, him and Tsunade, generally listened to his arrangements.
He could always formulate plans in the most difficult situations, leading them out of danger and even turning defeat into victory.
Moreover, he had also participated in the planning of several large-scale battles.
And Yasu was able to formulate such a plan the first time he went to the battlefield, and his overall view was also beyond doubt.
In Jiraiya's view, Yasu and Orochimaru were really very, very similar. No wonder the two could become teacher and disciple.
In addition to this, their arrival allowed Minato to truly come into contact with the cruelty of the battlefield.
These cruelties were not only brought by the enemy, but also by their own people.
Back then, during the Second Ninja World War, in order to win the victory, countless ninjas died without knowing that they were a bait.
As long as they could win the victory, then sacrificing some of their own people was worthwhile.
Moreover, after Yasu arrived, Minato felt obvious pressure.
This was a good thing, because this way his disciple could grow more quickly under such pressure.
Jiraiya was somewhat looking forward to seeing who would grow faster in this war, his disciple or Orochimaru's disciple.
However, Minato was his disciple, and Jiraiya believed that he was more outstanding than Yasu and would grow faster.
…
Five hours passed quickly, and the group of Konoha ninjas gathered together again.
Orochimaru said to Jiraiya: "Jiraiya, it's time to set off!"
Jiraiya stretched lazily, "It's been a long time since I fought alongside you, Orochimaru. It's really a nostalgic feeling."
"Still the same words, strictly follow the plan! After the Cloud ninjas defending the perimeter enter the village, you can act!"
After saying that, they instantly rushed towards the Hot Spring Village.
As for the remaining ninjas, including Yasu and Minato, they approached the village for a distance before staying in place, waiting for the opportunity to enter the battle.
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