As Raiden and Orochimaru's team reached about ten kilometers away from the camp, they stopped. They didn't return to the main camp; after all, their mission was to guard the area and keep watch. So they began setting up a temporary camp.
At the edge of the clearing, Orochimaru subtly signaled Raiden to follow him. The two walked toward a large tree nearby. The other ninjas noticed, curiosity flashing in their eyes, but none of them followed. Even Nawaki remained where he was.
Orochimaru turned and looked at Raiden.
"You must be confused," he said calmly, "why I ordered them killed even though I said earlier that our mission was to maintain balance."
Raiden looked thoughtful. In truth, he already had some guesses, but he acted as if he didn't know.
"I did wonder about that, Orochimaru-senpai."
Orochimaru stared at him with his snake-like eyes before speaking again.
"My guess was that they were stalling for the jinchūriki to arrive. Even if we had let them retreat, they would have joined the enemy reinforcements."
He paused briefly.
"And my guess turned out to be correct. The jinchūriki really did arrive."
Raiden had also reached the same conclusion. He wasn't an idiot. Still, there were more questions on his mind. After hesitating for a moment, he asked,
"Orochimaru-senpai… did you already have information that the jinchūriki would appear at this Iwa camp?"
Orochimaru's expression darkened slightly. If he had known, why would he have come with such limited forces? Wouldn't he have brought stronger reinforcements? At the very least, he would have dragged Jiraiya back with him. The intelligence he received contained no warning about a jinchūriki appearing. It almost felt as if someone didn't want him to live… or didn't want him to earn credit.
And he had a suspicion about who that might be.
Raiden observed Orochimaru's expression and understood. But he also realized something else. Nawaki had been ambushed. Orochimaru had no knowledge of the jinchūriki. The jinchūriki had set up a sudden ambush. And as a transmigrator, Raiden knew more than Orochimaru did at this point in time.
Danzo Shimura… the pot king of Konoha.
Raiden's eyes turned cold. He didn't care what Danzo was planning, but Danzo shouldn't have set his fangs on him. If he ever got the chance, he wouldn't mind removing him. If Nawaki had died here, Tsunade would lose focus on the Wind front. Not to mention that without Raiden, even if Orochimaru managed to save himself, this front would have suffered huge losses.
Orochimaru said nothing about Danzo. After all, he wasn't certain himself. Instead, he changed the subject.
"What was that lightning jutsu you used? I've never seen anything like it."
Raiden didn't hide anything.
"I named it Chidori."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I created it," Raiden added with a straight face, completely calm. After all, Kakashi hadn't even been born yet, so claiming credit didn't feel wrong.
Orochimaru was surprised, but he didn't doubt it. Raiden continued,
"It's a seal-less jutsu."
That made Orochimaru even more surprised. Judging by its power, it was at least an A-rank technique. Creating such a jutsu at Raiden's age… he really was a genius.
There was admiration in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Perhaps we should exchange our experiences in ninjutsu sometime."
Raiden had no objection. Soon, the two began discussing various jutsu in detail.
Meanwhile, at the Iwa main camp, the situation was completely different.
Although no elite ninjas were taking direct action, chunin and genin from both sides clashed occasionally in small skirmishes.
Inside the commander's tent, a man with a bandaged eye and a cross-shaped scar on his chin was reading battle reports. Suddenly, a dark shadow entered silently and knelt before him.
"Lord Danzo… the mission failed."
Danzo looked at the shadow, his face indifferent. The air in the room seemed to grow colder. Sweat appeared on the ninja's forehead.
"Speak," Danzo said coldly.
The ninja quickly reported everything that had happened.
After hearing it all, Danzo's visible eye narrowed.
"So this ninja named Raiden… together with Orochimaru, did all this? And he also saved Nawaki?"
His hawk-like gaze sharpened.
"Does this boy possess a bloodline limit?"
"No, Lord Danzo."
Danzo lost some interest, but still said,
"Monitor his movements. Report to me regularly."
"Lord Danzo, Raiden's senses are sharp. He's a sensory ninja. We cannot track all of his movements."
Danzo replied indifferently,
"Do what you can."
The ninja hesitated.
"Lord Danzo… Roshi requested information about Raiden. Should we provide it?"
Danzo thought for a moment.
"You may. But alter some details. He must increase pressure on the Rain front. And even if you cannot kill Orochimaru… do not let his mission succeed."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
The shadow disappeared instantly.
Danzo was once again alone in the dark tent.
He thought inwardly,
"Hiruzen… you must understand. Your students are achieving too many results. They are not suitable to become the next Hokage. For me to become Hokage… and for Konoha's sake… your students must suffer."
A sinister grin appeared on his face as he justified his actions to himself.