Hokage Office.
Hiruzen asked, "Jiraiya, that scoundrel, was caught by you for peeping on women bathing and thrown into jail?"
Satoshi nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama. According to the Konoha Military Police Force..."
"Alright, alright, just keep him locked up. It's good to teach him a lesson."
Hiruzen clearly didn't want to owe the Police Force a favor because of Jiraiya's actions.
He knew what kind of personality his student had. His lust and drinking had caused him to mess up many things.
If this incident could make him get rid of this bad habit, it would actually be a good thing.
What Hiruzen was concerned about was something else.
"Are you sure it's Orochimaru?"
Satoshi said, "According to Jiraiya-sama's intel, Orochimaru has never stopped human experiments over the years. I think it's highly possible."
Hiruzen clenched his fists.
What exactly was that scoundrel Orochimaru trying to do?
If he had known this, he should have killed him with his own hands back then.
"Hokage-sama, since Orochimaru is highly suspected, and Jiraiya-sama has returned, I believe it's the best opportunity to act."
This time, Hiruzen didn't hesitate. "In that case, you should depart as soon as possible and make sure to investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Under Hiruzen's instructions, a temporary action squad was formed.
Originally, Hiruzen arranged for Jiraiya to lead the team, with Satoshi and two others assisting him.
However, Satoshi refused, stating that Orochimaru was a very cunning ninja, and a large-scale operation would definitely attract his attention. If they split up, it would increase the efficiency of capturing Orochimaru.
Jiraiya was still annoyed about being detained in the Konoha Military Police Force for several days, so he didn't miss the chance to mock Satoshi.
"Brat, don't think you're so great. Orochimaru is a hundred times more troublesome than you imagine."
Satoshi calmly said, "Please rest assured, Jiraiya-sama. What I'm best at is escaping."
Jiraiya pouted, not wanting to waste words with Satoshi. "Then I wish you good luck."
After saying that, he handed the scroll to Satoshi and left.
Before departing, Satoshi once again sought out the clan member responsible for logistics within the clan.
"I'd like to request some supplies. I'll trouble you, senpai."
When that clan member saw Satoshi, his mind instantly buzzed.
"Why are you here again? Last time you took several years' worth of supplies."
Satoshi scratched his head awkwardly. "Senpai, I really have an urgent need."
"Urgent need my foot. Do you think you're the clan head, taking as much as you want?"
"Cough, cough."
As soon as he finished speaking, Fugaku emerged from the corner.
"C-Clan head, I didn't mean that..."
"Alright." Fugaku didn't bother with him.
"Open the warehouse door. This mission is very dangerous, so it's fine to prepare a bit more."
"Understood."
An hour later, Satoshi emerged carrying several scrolls.
"Satoshi, this is your first mission. Be careful with everything."
"Please rest assured, I will definitely..."
Satoshi thought for a moment, deciding not to jinx it.
"I will definitely eat breakfast on time every day."
"?"
Fugaku couldn't keep up with Satoshi's thought process at all. What was all this about?
A few hours later, Satoshi, Kakashi, and Tenzo set off. Their first destination was a small town on the border of the Land of Fire.
Jiraiya believed that since Orochimaru was eyeing Konoha, he would definitely maintain a relatively suitable distance from Konoha. And this small town was very suitable.
The three of them carried their packs and walked towards their destination.
Along the way, Kakashi and Tenzo explained some small tricks to Satoshi.
For example, how to reduce physical exertion, how to quickly set up a small trap, and how to catch cute small animals to fill their stomachs.
However, these techniques weren't very practical for Satoshi. He just wiggled his fingers, and small whirlwinds delivered fish right to his face, ensuring he would never come back empty-handed.
At night, the few of them gathered around a campfire, grilling fish.
Satoshi took out some seasonings from his backpack, and even a few bottles of sake.
Kakashi complained, "Satoshi, we are on a mission, not a picnic."
Satoshi waved his hand. "A little bit won't hurt, will it? Or add a bit when cooking, it will taste much better."
Kakashi's temple twitched. "Cooking? Do you want to find some geishas to dance with you?"
Satoshi suddenly widened his eyes, a shy expression appearing on his face. "I'm not an adult yet, so wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? Of course, if Kakashi-senpai insists on doing so, I can accept it."
Kakashi didn't want to speak anymore. He shifted his focus. "Tenzo, build a house with Wood Release."
"Alright, senpai."
Tenzo formed a few hand signs, and a decent small house rose from the ground.
Satoshi enviously said, "Tenzo-senpai, this Ninjutsu is excellent. You won't need to buy a house, right?"
Tenzo thought seriously for a moment and said, "It's not about the house, we first need to apply for a piece of land..."
Kakashi painfully swallowed a piece of fish. He now somewhat regretted going on a mission with Satoshi.
—
Inside a cave, Obito received Zetsu's report.
"I have bad news. Konoha has issued a bounty for you."
"And they've already dispatched a small squad to track your whereabouts, including Kakashi."
Obito seemed very disdainful. "What could that useless Kakashi find out? He couldn't even recognize who I was when we fought head-on."
Zetsu thought Obito was indeed an idiot. If Kakashi could have recognized him, what level would Kakashi's Sharingan be?
"Also, they seem to think that this invasion of Konoha was Orochimaru's doing, and that you are Orochimaru's subordinate."
"He's worthy?" Obito snorted coldly.
Obito knew Orochimaru, one of the former Sannin. Hiruzen had even said that he was a man who might inherit the Hokage position in the future.
But Obito was completely uninterested in any of that. They were all just fools whose eyes were blinded by a false world.
However, Obito thought Orochimaru was quite useful.
With the useless Kakashi focusing his energy on pursuing Orochimaru, it would relieve a lot of pressure on his side.
After all, the Eye of the Moon Plan still needed a very long time to be completed.
Zetsu asked, "So, what should we do?"
Obito said, "While they're running around like headless chickens, let's recruit some more people."
"Alright."
—
In a laboratory, Orochimaru was washing his hands, which would never truly be clean.
A small white snake flicked its tongue beside him, seemingly conveying some information.
"Can the crime of invading Konoha also be blamed on me?"
Orochimaru had no interest in invading Konoha, at least not right now. He still wanted to achieve eternal life and learn all the Ninjutsu in this world.
But now, he had discovered something even more important.
Satoshi seemed like a good body.
Orochimaru licked his lips, letting out an unpleasant laugh.
In Konoha, he had an undercover agent named Kabuto. Through Kabuto, he learned a lot of news about the village.
Orochimaru was even more interested in the suddenly emerging genius ninja, Satoshi. He dreamt of possessing his body. And now, the opportunity had arrived.
"A pure-blooded Uchiha, a Sharingan, and a Wood Release user. It's very interesting."
Orochimaru could barely suppress his excitement.
Were they here to capture him?
They were clearly here to deliver him goods.