53. The Surprise Attack Begins

It wasn't completely dark yet when Orochimaru led the group of Konoha shinobi toward their target.

By the time the sky was cloaked in darkness, the team had reached the woods a few hundred meters away from Yugakure Village.

Orochimaru's cold, calculating eyes swept across the group, settling on the three sensory-type shinobi in their ranks.

Without a word, the three sensing ninjas understood their cue. They immediately broke away from the group and began moving cautiously toward Yugakure Village, using their abilities to sense the area for enemy activity.

The rest of the shinobi remained in place, waiting in tense silence.

Two hours passed.

The night had grown deep and oppressive, the stillness broken only by the faint rustling of insects in the underbrush.

The longer they waited, the more the tension built. Many of the shinobi were visibly uneasy, their nerves fraying. Everyone knew the reality—if too much time passed, it could only mean the sensory shinobi had been killed.

Another thirty minutes dragged by before two of the three sensory ninjas returned.

One of them was grievously injured—his left arm was missing, blood soaking through his hastily applied bandages. He staggered as he approached, clearly on the brink of collapse.

In an instant, Namikaze Minato used the Body Flicker Technique to appear at the injured shinobi's side, catching him before he could fall.

The two sensory ninjas approached Orochimaru and delivered their report.

"The third member of our team was discovered and killed by Kumogakure shinobi on the outskirts of Yugakure Village before he could infiltrate," one of them began, his voice strained.

The injured shinobi added, his tone pained but resolute, "However, that diversion allowed the two of us to infiltrate the village successfully. We've mapped the approximate distribution of their forces."

He paused, his expression grim. "When we left, we were pursued by the sensory team stationed in Yugakure Village. I... I lost my arm during the retreat, but we managed to make it back alive. It was luck, nothing more."

Orochimaru nodded, his expression unreadable. "You've done well. Your mission is complete. Rest and recover."

The injured ninja sank to the ground, exhaustion finally overtaking him.

Namikaze Minato, standing nearby, couldn't shake the growing sense of unease.

The operation hadn't even begun, and they'd already lost one shinobi. The Kumogakure forces were clearly on high alert, aware that Konoha had sent scouts to gather information.

To Minato, the idea of continuing with the plan seemed reckless—borderline suicidal. Attacking a well-prepared enemy in such a situation was far too dangerous.

But then Orochimaru made his next move, one that left Minato stunned.

"The operation begins at 4 a.m.—five hours from now," Orochimaru announced coldly. "Jiraiya and I will infiltrate Yugakure Village first and cause as much chaos as possible. Everyone else will proceed exactly as planned."

Minato's breath caught in his throat. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

The enemy was already aware of their presence; their scouts had been intercepted, and yet Orochimaru was determined to proceed as if nothing had changed.

As the rest of the team began their preparations, Minato sat in silent turmoil.

Sensing his student's inner conflict, Jiraiya sat down beside him, offering a comforting smile.

"You're confused, aren't you?" Jiraiya asked lightly, though his tone carried a knowing edge. "You're wondering why Orochimaru is pushing forward with the plan, even after it's clear that the enemy has discovered us."

Minato hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes... I don't understand. Wouldn't it be better to call off the mission? If we attack now, knowing the enemy is prepared, aren't we just walking into a trap?"

Jiraiya chuckled softly, his expression a mix of amusement and seriousness. "That's a fair question, Minato. But let me explain..."

Namikaze Minato nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yes, Jiraiya-sensei. I really don't understand why Orochimaru-sama insists on moving forward with the plan."

Jiraiya gave a small chuckle and then began to explain, his tone calm and reassuring. "Minato, that's because even if Kumogakure has discovered our scouts, they won't think much of it.

"We've sent shinobi to infiltrate their bases plenty of times before. Cloud Shinobi is used to it now, and they've never changed their approach. They'll assume we were gathering intelligence, trying to get a sense of their current layout in the Land of Hot Water.

"They'll never believe that we're actually planning to attack them. Why? Because they know our current situation. The disparity in strength between Konoha and Kumogakure is enormous right now. To them, the idea of us initiating an attack—especially on a key stronghold like Yugakure Village—sounds like suicide.

"Yugakure Village is a critical base for Kumogakure forces. Not only are there large numbers of Cloud Shinobi stationed there, but the local Yugakure shinobi are also under their command. From their perspective, if we were to attack, it would be nothing less than a death wish."

Jiraiya watched his student closely, and sure enough, halfway through his explanation, Minato's eyes lit up with understanding.

Minato nodded slowly. "I see... Orochimaru-sama's plan isn't reckless after all. He's banking on their overconfidence and the element of surprise."

Jiraiya smiled, pleased with Minato's quick comprehension. His students had always been sharp, able to grasp even the most complex strategies with little explanation.

Before Orochimaru's arrival, Jiraiya had been in charge of their operations. His approach, however, had been fundamentally different. Jiraiya prioritized stability, always opting to minimize casualties whenever possible.

But that cautious strategy had only led to their forces retreating further and further until they were backed into a corner.

For Minato, who had absolute trust in Jiraiya, the transition had been jarring. He had followed orders as an executor, rarely questioning the broader strategy. As a result, even after spending considerable time on the battlefield, Minato still held on to an idealistic view of war.

In Jiraiya's eyes, the arrival of Orochimaru and Sora was a necessary change.

First and foremost, Jiraiya was honest with himself—he wasn't suited to be a commander. He could operate effectively as a lone agent, but he lacked the decisive ruthlessness required for leadership on a battlefield.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, thrived in such a role. During the Second Shinobi War, it had always been Orochimaru who devised their strategies. Both Jiraiya and Tsunade had followed his lead in countless battles, trusting his ability to turn the tide even in the most desperate situations.

Sora, too, displayed a similar knack for strategy despite his lack of experience. His ability to devise a plan on his first deployment to the battlefield left no room for doubt—he had the same sharp, calculated mindset as Orochimaru.

No wonder Sora had become Orochimaru's disciple. In many ways, the two were eerily alike.

Jiraiya glanced at Minato. The arrival of Orochimaru and Sora had brought another benefit—one that Jiraiya didn't want to say aloud but knew was true.

The war was cruel, not just because of the enemies you faced but because of the sacrifices you were forced to make among your own comrades. During the Second Shinobi War, countless shinobi had died as bait to ensure victory.

Minato, however, had yet to truly face that side of war. He still believed in protecting everyone, no matter the cost. Orochimaru and Sora's presence would force him to confront those harsh realities.

At the same time, Sora's skill and intellect placed undeniable pressure on Minato. And Jiraiya knew that pressure would push Minato to grow—faster and stronger than ever before.

Deep down, Jiraiya was eager to see who would grow faster in the crucible of this war: his disciple or Orochimaru's.

But in his heart, Jiraiya was certain. Minato was his student, and he would surpass Sora.

The five hours passed in a blur of tense preparations.

The shinobi regrouped, gathering together in silence as Orochimaru stepped forward.

"It's time," Orochimaru said to Jiraiya.

Jiraiya stretched lazily, though there was a glint of excitement in his eyes. "It's been a long time since I fought alongside you, Orochimaru. Feels nostalgic."

Orochimaru ignored the comment, his tone sharp and precise. "Stick to the plan. Once the Cloud Shinobi guarding the outskirts are drawn into the village, the rest of you can begin your assault."

With that, Orochimaru and Jiraiya disappeared into the night, rushing toward Yugakure Village.

The remaining shinobi, including Sora and Minato, moved closer to Yugakure Village, stopping just within striking distance. They crouched in the shadows, waiting for their signal to begin.

The night air was heavy with anticipation.

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