Chapter 39

'DNA Overwrite was originally used to make compatible organs for transplants...'

Neat but useless...

For now...

I sighed and put down the book, I was still having trouble with DNA Splicing...

So, I turned to the archives hoping for an answer to magically appear.

But so far, no dice...

Orochimaru had left to the land of frost so he could engage in hostilities with Kumo who had also declared war against us, leaving me to bumble around by myself.

Though I did get permission to use one of his labs...

Which was a plus...

Now that I had been science-ing without smelling a room of forty rabbits I couldn't go back...

Which led to the release of most of the rabbits.

Now there was a bunch of rabbits with Genin-level reserves messing with the sensors and causing havoc...

I heard they were sending the Uchiha after them.

I smothered my smile with a hand.

Imagining those assholes catching rabbits brought me joy.

Though I guess having the alarms raised every time one of the sensors senses a foreign chakra signature was annoying...

...

We were officially four months into the war and as of yet, the clans have not contributed to the war effort.

Which had earned the ire of most of the other ninja.

Even I who was only eleven got cursed as I walked the streets, though it was only when I was wearing obvious clan clothing.

Things were coming to a head, soon the clans would have to send out some of their men.

I thought I might as well get ahead of the curve.

Though I wasn't interested in bringing my mother and Duy along...

So, I wouldn't...

...

I left a note and set off towards frost, I was going to be stationed there as Orochimaru's assistant.

Meaning I was supposed to follow him like a little duckling and do as I was told.

Whatever that may be...

The trip would take a day and a half even at full speed so I elected to draw it out and arrive in around two days, hopefully with mostly full reserves.

Though I guess I'd see, I might run into trouble after all...

...

I ran into no trouble on my way and found myself disappointed.

I passed through The Land Of Hot Springs and into Frost.

Hot Springs was currently neutral and thus was holed up in their villages, Frost on the other hand had allied with Kumo and told us to fuck off with a nice stab to the back during an alliance meeting.

So Konoha and Kumo were having a blast fighting all over Frost, destroying many of their villages and burning what little crops they could produce themselves.

Recently the battlefield commander was assassinated, so Konoha sent a Nara in, who was also subsequently assassinated.

Now Orochimaru insisted he should go take care of things of frost, the Third didn't want to escalate by sending an S-Rank ninja to the field but didn't want any more casualties so he sent him anyways.

Or at least that was the situation as I understood it.

I could be wrong...

...

Frost was aptly named, as most Naruto countries were.

Everything seemed to have a layer of frost that melted around mid-day.

It was an interesting climate.

Lightning country to the north-east was more mountainous but had no daily frost as far as I knew.

And to the south, there was Hot Springs who also had no daily frost.

Quite unusual.

But maybe this was normal in the Naruto-verse...

I wasn't an expert in Naruto-verse climate after all.

...

I approached the camp and nearly had a heart attack when Orochimaru Shunshined next to me.

"Hello, Sensei."

Orochimaru didn't acknowledge my greeting.

"You took your time getting here."

I just nodded.

"I wanted my reserves to be full."

Orochimaru stared at me with half-closed eyes, but eventually turned and started making his way into the camp.

"What's your combat potential?"

What? I blinked at him.

"What's... your... combat... potential...?"

He repeated himself but this time slower like he was talking to a child.

"I'm somewhere between Jonin and Elite-Jonin."

I'd put myself above Elite-Jonin level with my Seal active, but a little under Elite-Jonin without the Seal.

"Here."

Orochimaru pressed a scroll into my hand.

I raised an eyebrow and he gave me an unimpressed stare.

I unfurled it and started reading.

"So... An escort mission?"

He just nodded.

"I need someone competent to protect our supplies, I've already lost a shipment and some of my ninja."

Meaning he had a spy problem and he needed to root them out, he probably wouldn't be talking about it out in the open otherwise.

As much as being called competent warmed my heart I wasn't too interested in being bait.

"Alright."

An order was an order though.

"Any requests?"

I sent Orochimaru a wink.

"Send a message."

Make it messy and leave one survivor.

"Alrighty..."

Make them hesitate to raid future supply caravans.

...

Rice Country was just half a day from Frost, it was nestled between Hot Springs and the Land Of Iron and shared its southern border with the Land Of Fire.

It was aptly named and covered in rice patties with a few villages dotted throughout the country.

It was also a shithole.

The only village that wasn't made from mud and wood was the capital and even then, it wasn't much.

The population was uneducated and mainly consisted of farmers.

They also had little contact with ninja, they likely wouldn't see more than a few ninjas during their lifetime.

This led to them crowding me and asking annoying questions.

"Where's the shipment?"

I ignored the children crowding me and looked at the slightly better dressed old man standing a distance away.

He waved me over and started walking towards a building.

He went around back and opened a door to a cellar.

The cellar was packed with bags of rice and was surprisingly well put together.

I bet someone used Earth Release to put it together.

"How much can I take?"

The old man handed me a scroll.

I unfurled it and gave it a quick scan.

Orochimaru had already purchased all of his rice from Rice's Dinamo.

These people probably wouldn't see any money from the rice...

I blew a breath out of my nose and handed the man the scroll I had gotten from Orochimaru.

Even If I gave them any money it would likely get then killed or heavily taxed...

"Thank you."

The old man sent me a smile.

"Anytime young one."

I flickered my Byakugan when the old man turned to leave.

Good thing I had a ton of paper and ink.

...

I had sealed the rice up and my kunai pouch was bulging with scrolls.

Now I just needed to be wary of an attack on the way to Frost.

I made my way out of the cellar and disappeared with a Shunshin after sending the old man a wave.

...

I arrived at the border of Hot Springs and Frost with my Byakugan active.

And there was not a ninja in sight.

Did I travel too fast?

I briefly considered doubling back and making the trip again but dismissed it after a moment.

I'd just continue as I was...

...

I arrived at the camp and was directed to the commander's tent.

Where I was met with Orochimaru's usual stare the moment I stepped past the flap of the tent.

"I see your back."

I shrugged.

"Yea there was a lack of trouble during my trip."

I was feeling a tad disappointed about it.

"We took care of the trouble on our side before it could become a problem."

Meaning he rooted out the spy/traitor.

I walked over to a semi-clear table and started unloading my scrolls.

"Alright, I'm going to claim a tent."

Orochimaru stopped looking at me and turned his focus onto a map of Frost's surroundings.

"Do so."

I sent him a backward wave as I left.

...

This morning I had wandered into Orochimaru's tent wondering what he was up to.

It seemed he was going to stare at the map some more.

I took over a desk in the corner of the tent and started unsealing my Fuinjutsu equipment.

I wasn't going to take on a job when I could use my free time to study.

...

I watched as Orochimaru ordered different people around all day.

A scout had found a Kumo occupied camp to the north-east of us and Orochimaru wanted to hit it tomorrow night.

Orochimaru wanted to send some grunts to harass Frost's ninja village with a few Jutsu bombardments while he and the Jonin swept up the camp.

Judging from the look I got, I was also a member of the grunt team.

Which sucked...

I wasn't interested in attacking a village full of civilians nor was I interested in fighting people who were desperately defending their families.

Sigh...

...

Orochimaru stood solemnly in front of the map.

"Shiro, you're in charge of this mission. Your job is to hit Shimogakure's west wall with your biggest Jutsu and then flee into Hot Springs, from there you will cross over the border near Haran Bay and make your way back to camp."

He interspersed his order with a few vague gestures at the map.

"Any Questions?"

I nodded.

"Does it matter if anyone from my team survives?"

Orochimaru cracked a smile.

"Not in the slightest, their only job is to defend you while you prepare your Jutsu."

Alrighty...

"How many people am I working with?"

Orochimaru shrugged.

"How many do you want?"

How many meat-shields do I need?

I guess it depends on what jutsu I use...

Do I want to hit the walls with Heavens Palm or a Giant Lightning Construct?

Or something else...

Either way, I would need to use my seal to do any real damage.

Though I guess their walls might not be as strong as Konoha's.

"Can I get twenty-four?"

That's two squads or half a platoon, which was an extremely small amount for our current number.

"Have a whole platoon."

Orochimaru grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote something down.

"Wait by the gate tomorrow morning for your troops..."

Alrighty...

"...And strike as soon as it's dark."

I got up and started making my way out of the tent, I had no idea how this would work out...

I was elven after all...

I doubted anyone would be enthused to listen to me...

...

I briefly eyed the squads.

Twelve to a squad with each squad having three Jonin while the rest of the space was occupied with Chunin.

Twelve Jonin and thirty-six Chunin...

That was a lot of meat-shields...

Perhaps Orochimaru didn't trust my ability to escape?

Or maybe there was some old monster lurking in Frost's hidden village.

I handed the closest ninja a scroll.

"Read this."

He looked befuddled but did as he was told after unfurling the scroll.

"Attack Shimogakure's west-most wall an hour after dark and immediately retreat towards the..."

...

I eyed the Squads again this time closer.

They were unremarkable, each wore the standard uniform and there was a distinct lack of clan markings among them.

"I hope all of you can hide your chakra."

I saw a lot of nods, but also a few head shakes.

"Those of you who can't, will be setting traps at the border to cover our escape."

I again saw some nods.

"Those of you who can, will set traps closer to Shimogakure."

I saw a few more nods.

"We will then leave the Chunin behind and the Jonin will advance as much as we can before launching an attack at the west wall. Any questions?"

I saw two hands fly up and I pointed at the closest one.

"Who's launching the attack?"

Me obviously...

"Me. Next question."

I pointed to the next guy.

"Will we get reimbursed for any ninja tools used?"

Sure?

I don't think 'soldiers' have to pay for their weapons?

"Yep, as long as you live through the mission."

A few chuckled, though I hadn't meant for it to be a joke.

"Alright let's set off, we're going to take a roundabout route, so there's no time to waste."

The sooner we arrived the sooner we could set up some traps.

...

We traveled the Hot Springs and Frost border, or at least what was roughly considered the border.

We arrived at where our exit was supposed to be and I ordered them to start setting traps.

"Alright, you, and you, are staying." I pointed to two Jonin.

Shimogakure wasn't far from the border so just had a little trip to make and we would be there.

"Ok, let's go."

Hopefully, this wasn't a total shitshow.

...

"Alright, gather-round."

I pulled two stacks of explosive notes from my Kunai Pouch.

After a moment of thought, I just handed one of the Chunin the whole pouch, it only had explosive notes in it anyway.

I had a second one on my other leg full of most of my other tools.

"Explosive tags...?" I stared dully at the Chunin who spoke.

Yes... Thanks, genius...

"Yep, though these have Five times the blast radius and are a little more 'firey' than the normal ones."

They were more of a napalm bomb and less of an explosive tag.

"I want to see these blow up anyone who approaches." I singled out the one who spoke and looked at him specifically.

I activated my Byakugan and took a thorough look around.

"You and You, stay here." I again pointed at two different Jonin.

Nothing was amiss so I deactivated my Byakugan.

"Everyone else who is not a Jonin stays, and makes traps before retreating to the border."

I broke off from the group and sped up, I had shed most of the dead weight in the previous two stops so I didn't need to take it too slow anymore.

...

Orochimaru wanted me to bash the walls and distract Shimogakure while he took care of a Kumo camp.

I'd do him one better though...

I'd destroy that wall...

"Alright, lets approach." I activated my Byakugan after I spoke.

I saw the remaining eight Jonin nod, so I looked away and focused my attention on Shimogakure and started my approach.

I was slightly annoyed at Shimogakure's positioning.

It was nicely nestled between two mountains with only the west and north-east being easily assessable.

It was better naturally defended then Konoha.

Sigh...

"Alright, let's get closer..."

...

We weren't far from the wall and I was thinking about just entering the village and causing some Havoc.

But that was probably a dumb idea.

I shouldn't be launching any attacks in what was bound to be a mostly civilian village.

So, it was just the wall I was targeting...

Heavens Palm would just singe the wall...

It was more of an anti-personal attack.

Oh, I know...

"Alright, get ready to protect me, as soon as I start charging my attack they're going to sense us."

I sent a tendril of chakra to the seal on my forehead and gave it a twist.

My body was flooded with chakra and a manic grin split my face.

I held both my hands above my head and a Rasengan started to spin into existence.

It got bigger and bigger...

And bigger...

"Alright, run as soon as it hits!

I finished my sentence by anchoring my feet so the ground and smashing the Rasengan at the wall.

Boom*

...

A shockwave scattered the Jonin sending them flying.

I took part of the wall down but it wasn't too impressive...

Though I guess the dust cloud was neat.

I launched the Rasengan away from me and into the village, I aimed it at a vaguely important looking building.

"Alright start running!"

A quick hand-seal later and I was surrounded by more than twenty clones.

That was a little sloppy...

They ran off to different parts of the walls.

Each clone raised their arms above their heads and started creating Giant Rasengans.

Once they were created, one by one they started smashing their Rasengans into the remaining sections of the walls.

Boom* Boom* Boom* Boom* Boom* Boom* Boom* Boom* Boom*Boom*

The wall crumbled and I activated my Byakugan.

The civilians were evacuating, and some ninja were gathering at the base of the wall and digging through the rubble looking for people trapped underneath.

While others cautiously made their way through the dust cloud.

Surprisingly no one was coming after me, I had believed I would be swarmed but it hasn't happened yet.

I decided it was time I take off.

"Alright kill as many as you can, and take out some buildings"

I waved my clones into the village and started running.

There were a few remaining Jonin, I made sure to remember their faces.

The one's who fled so soon were either cowards or good at following orders.

"Let's go!"

I liked the ones who stayed better...

"Yes sir!"

I sent another tendril of chakra to my forehead and closed the seal.

"Leave a trail, don't cover your tracks."

I scanned the area around me and was slightly annoyed at the lack of pursuers, I had expected to be chased by a hoard of angry ninjas.

Whatever...

...

We made it to the first checkpoint safe and sound, we had a few Anbu following us but those were easily dealt with.

Clones for the win...

"Alright Keep going!"

One of the Jonin had stayed behind and waited for us, I took note of his face and mentally labeled him as one of the good ones.

I think we weren't chased because the civilians took priority, now that they were evacuated, they were likely organized and chasing us.

"No more tracks! Cover them to the best of your abilities!"

...