Chapter 99
White Zetsu Afei
Chapter 99 White Zetsu Afei
With the Sand Village forces now crippled, they will definitely retreat across the board and defend this important strategic location with utmost care.
This is likely to be a tough battle.
If Orochimaru and his group can complete their training and lead the team, that would be fine. But if they can't, many people will probably die.
"There's no need to worry too much about the pressure. The operation will begin tonight, but it's just preliminary reconnaissance and probing. The real attack will only begin once the intelligence ninjas have a clear understanding of the situation."
At that time, Orochimaru will also reappear and resume leading the team.
Furthermore, other teams from villages in the direction of the Land of Wind will come to provide support; you will learn the specific arrangements then.
Mokumu Kōdō clearly knew what the others were thinking, and immediately gave instructions.
Orochimaru is about to appear?
And there are other arrangements?
That's alright.
This indicates that Orochimaru also approved of this battle strategy and knew more details.
Since he thinks it's feasible, then there's probably not much of a problem.
That evening, Uchiha Gen's squad regrouped and began reconnaissance deep into the Asuka Mountains.
Their squad's reconnaissance capabilities are actually top-notch, mainly because of Hyuga Hizashi. The Byakugan gives them an advantage in reconnaissance that other reconnaissance ninjas cannot replace.
In addition, Uchiha Gen's ninja crows can monitor from a distance in the sky, and the snake-like summoning beasts of Ryuchi Cave also have excellent scent-catching abilities, making them almost as useful as Inu-kaku clan ninjas. Their configuration in this regard is absolutely top-notch.
"There is a Sunagakure patrol team one kilometer to the west. It is advisable to avoid them."
Hyuga Hizashi held a drawing board in his hand, drawing the terrain and Sunagakure's military deployment as seen by his Byakugan, and spoke as he did so.
"Next, we head south. The ninja crows have located the Sand Village's stronghold from high in the sky, but it's protected by a barrier, so we can't get close. We'll have to go there again."
Genji Uchiha fed a few pieces of dried meat to a ninja crow perched on his arm and calmly spoke.
"Okay, I'll lead the team."
Hinata Hinata nodded.
Meanwhile, inside the target base that Uchiha Gen and the others had headed for.
The Jonin captain in charge of guarding the outpost watched helplessly as his trusted subordinate ambushed him and caused him to lose consciousness.
Even though he was quite strong, when caught off guard and ambushed by someone stronger than himself, he had no time to react.
"Oh dear, what bad luck! You were almost killed by the person closest to you. Too bad I'm not your 'girlfriend'."
Amidst the playful voices, a female ninja wearing a Sand Village uniform transformed into a vortex-faced White Zetsu.
This is Tobi, the most powerful and unique White Zetsu in Madara's possession.
"Hmm—I wonder if your body can give me the urge to defecate? I'm really looking forward to it. If you don't believe me, I'll definitely kill you after I complete Lord Madara's mission."
Afei patted the face of the unconscious Sand Village Jonin, and the vortex on his face opened, engulfing his body like a flower bud. Then, after another transformation, he took on the appearance of that Sand Village Jonin.
"Hey! Has that guy arrived yet?"
Ah Fei stomped his foot on the floor and whispered.
"He has arrived at the designated area. Although the Byakugan's reconnaissance range is large, it is ultimately limited by distance. The ninja crows and summoning snakes also have their own ways to hide. As long as an encirclement is formed outside the Byakugan's line of sight, no matter how they hide, it will be in vain."
A half-black, half-white head emerged from the wooden floor and explained in a hoarse voice.
"What's with all the whining and explaining? Since everything's arranged, let's get going! I can mobilize all the ninjas in this base. As soon as they get close, I can start killing them, right?"
Afei gestured wildly, but when this action was performed by a burly, bearded Sand Village Jonin with a serious face, a thick beard, and broad shoulders, it looked inexplicably comical.
"That's true in theory, but you should at least make this character seem convincing, otherwise who in this base will listen to you?"
Black Zetsu looked at Tobi's appearance and remarked with a sense of normalcy.
"Ahem, don't worry, I've been observing this person for three days. I've learned almost everything about his words, actions, and demeanor. He won't give anything away."
Ah Fei said with a serious expression, "It really does look like that."
"Hey, watch out for the other White Zetsu's signals, they're almost here."
Black Zetsu left behind a final sentence before slowly sinking into the ground and disappearing.
A few minutes later.
One kilometer away from the stronghold.
Uchiha Gen and the others formed a circle, protecting Hyuga Hizashi in the center. The latter's eyes were bulging with veins, and his Byakugan stared at the base's security guard as his hands flew across the drawing board, sketching out all the intelligence he had observed.
This was the last place they needed to explore on their trip, and also the place where they penetrated deepest into the territory of local forces.
He had only drawn halfway when Hizashi Hyuga stopped, looking astonished, and exclaimed, "We've been discovered!"
Discovered?
Uchiha Gen suddenly moved and looked up at the sky.
Several blurry attacks appeared in the sky, heading towards the ninja crow.
Are there also sensory ninjas on the other side with a large range? And their range is comparable to the Byakugan? Or has something else happened?
"Bang!"
With the hand seals completed, the ninja crows in the sky were released from their summoning.
Several attacks aimed at the ninja crows missed their target, and Uchiha Gen turned to look at Hyuga Hizashi.
"Which direction should we retreat in?"
"I'm searching, but—it seems we're surrounded! Several Sand Village teams have blocked off all directions. If the enemy has sensory ninjas, we'll be trapped no matter which way we go!"
Gen Uchiha's face immediately turned gloomy.
"Our reconnaissance area was selected based on intelligence reports. Apart from the senior ninjas who gave us the mission and the intelligence personnel, no one should be able to predict our route!"
Sarutobi Enjun gritted his teeth and said.
This means that a traitor leaked the intelligence!
Uchiha Gen also guessed this way, and his first suspicion immediately pointed to a certain Konoha elder.
Given that he was both a member of the Uchiha clan and a disciple of Orochimaru, a future Hokage candidate, and the "Successor of the Will of Fire" certified by Mito, it seemed reasonable that Danzo would target him.
But that guy is currently fighting against Kumogakure with Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Land of Hot Springs. Can his reach still extend this far to the Land of Rain?
But if it wasn't Danzo, then who could it be? Or what if it wasn't betrayed by a spy, but some other, more complicated situation?
But now is not the time to think about these things.
Since the enemy had planned ahead and laid an encirclement around their squad, they had no choice but to fight their way out!