"Hiruzen-sensei, you called for me?"
Orochimaru walked into the Hokage Office and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting at his desk, holding a scroll.
"Orochimaru, I have an important mission, and I want you to lead it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the scroll to Orochimaru; it contained intelligence related to the mission.
"For this mission, Orochimaru, you will select the personnel to form a squad. This is a crucial mission that will impact the war."
Hiruzen Sarutobi trusted Orochimaru to complete the mission but still reminded him of its importance.
"I understand."
Orochimaru opened the scroll, quickly scanned the intelligence within, and noted the marked Iwagakure supply routes.
Iwagakure had three supply routes, located in the Land of Rain, Land of Grass, and Land of Waterfall, respectively. Iwagakure used these three countries, which bordered the Land of Earth, to transport supplies to the front lines where they were fighting Konoha.
The mission required intercepting Iwagakure supply squads from all three routes quickly and simultaneously, and then attacking the Iwagakure supply camp, to prevent supplies from reaching the Iwagakure forces on the front lines.
In other words, from the outset, this mission required a Surprise Attack Squad to split into three sub-squads, simultaneously intercepting three Iwagakure supply squads. Before intelligence could be relayed to the Iwagakure supply camp, they would reassemble in the Land of Earth to attack the Iwagakure supply camp.
Whether by destroying or plundering Iwagakure's supplies, the goal was simply to prevent the Iwagakure forces on the front lines from receiving them.
Therefore, the squad would need sensory Ninja, combat-specialized Ninja, and tracking Ninja. Only with such a composition could they prevent any Iwagakure supply personnel from escaping and leaking intelligence.
"Hiruzen-sensei, I've already decided on the personnel for the Surprise Attack Squad: the Hyuga Clan, the Uchiha Clan, the Inuzuka Clan, and the Aburame Clan. Each four-person sub-squad should ideally consist of Ninja from these four clans, covering sensing, combat, and tracking. I will form my own sub-squad."
Orochimaru stated his chosen squad members.
"Orochimaru, are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback, feeling it was too risky for Orochimaru to act alone.
"Hiruzen-sensei, a snake doesn't need companions when hunting."
Orochimaru felt it was more convenient to act alone.
"Alright, I will assemble the squad members you need."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, trusting that Orochimaru had already formulated a battle plan.
Orochimaru reached the Hokage Office door, his hand on the handle, then paused and turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Oh, and Hiruzen-sensei, the Aburame Clan Ninja should preferably be those who have contracted with Chimera Bugs. This operation requires speed; if intelligence is leaked, the Surprise Attack Squad could become a suicide squad."
"What?!"
Tsunade's angry voice seemed as if it would tear the roof off Orochimaru's house.
"Orochimaru, why didn't you call me for such an important mission? Is my strength not enough?"
Tsunade grabbed Orochimaru's shoulders, shaking him furiously.
"Tsunade, calm down… Orochimaru didn't mean to…"
Jiraiya forced a smile, trying to appease Tsunade. He wished he hadn't come for dinner, knowing this would happen.
"Jiraiya, shut up! This is between Orochimaru and me!"
Tsunade glared fiercely at Jiraiya.
"I…"
Jiraiya opened his mouth.
"Jiraiya, get out of my way!"
"…"
Jiraiya, feeling dejected, squatted in the corner. "You're right, what does a lovers' quarrel have to do with me… I envy you two…"
"Tsunade, this mission needs to be completed discreetly. Your fighting style would give us away."
Orochimaru had considered bringing Tsunade, but thinking of her unrestrained fighting style, it would be very difficult not to be exposed.
"If the operation goes smoothly, I should be back in about two days."
Orochimaru wrapped an arm around Tsunade, patted her back, and whispered in her ear, "I remember your birthday is coming up soon. Why don't you look forward to what birthday present I'll give you?"
"I'm not looking forward to it at all…"
Tsunade said, her face flushed, her words belying her true feelings. She cupped Orochimaru's face and kissed him hard on the lips.
"Waaah… I wish I had a beautiful older sister to love me, preferably one with a nice figure!"
Jiraiya burst into tears at the sight.
"Shut up, you're too loud!"
Tsunade picked up the teacup from the table and threw it at him.
"Orochimaru, be careful. I… we'll wait for you to come back."
Hyuga Mio placed a forehead protector on Orochimaru.
"Mhm."
Orochimaru smiled slightly, touching the forehead protector. He suddenly thought that the Surprise Attack Squad could disguise themselves as Kumogakure Ninja, which would intensify the war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
He quickly dismissed the idea; Hiruzen-sensei didn't have that intention, so why go to extra trouble? He just needed to do his part.
Soon, all members of the Surprise Attack Squad had assembled. There were 9 people in three squads in total. If the Inuzuka Clan Ninja dogs were included, that would be 11 members.
"I am the leader of this operation and the captain of the Surprise Attack Squad."
Orochimaru's gaze swept over the faces of the Surprise Attack Squad members one by one. He formed hand seals, and mud surged from the ground, forming a map.
"So, the Surprise Attack Squad will be divided into three sub-squads. You will be in four-person, one-dog squads, and I will be in my own squad."
Orochimaru ignored the slightly displeased look from the Inuzuka Clan's dog and continued, "The First Squad will head to the Land of Waterfall to intercept the Iwagakure supply squad. The Second Squad will intercept the Iwagakure supply squad from Land of Grass. I will be the Third Squad, and I will head to the Land of Rain to intercept the Iwagakure supply squad. After successfully intercepting the Iwagakure supply squads, based on distance and time calculated from when we leave Konoha and the official operation begins, we should encounter our respective targets roughly before nightfall."
Orochimaru marked the rendezvous point in the Land of Earth.
"We will rendezvous here at 12:30 AM. The assembly time is 30 minutes. The operation to attack the Iwagakure supply camp will officially begin at 1:00 AM. If you do not arrive here within 30 minutes, please return to Konoha immediately."
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