It wasn't completely dark yet.
Orochimaru set off with a team of ninjas.
By the time night had fully settled, the group had arrived at a wooded area a few hundred meters away from Yugakure Village.
Orochimaru turned his sharp gaze to the three sensory-type ninjas in the squad. They immediately understood—it was time for them to act.
The sensory ninjas detached from the main group and cautiously approached Yugakure, stretching their chakra senses to scan the surroundings.
Meanwhile, the main force remained concealed in the forest, waiting silently.
Two long hours passed.
Night had deepened, the only sounds in the woods were the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of insects.
The tension was palpable.
Everyone knew that as time dragged on, the odds of the sensory team making it back alive dwindled.
Another half hour ticked by.
Finally, two of the three sensory ninjas returned.
One of them was grievously injured—his left arm had been severed. He clutched the bleeding stump, stumbling forward, his steps unsteady.
Minato Namikaze immediately used the Body Flicker Technique and appeared at the ninja's side, supporting him.
The two wounded sensory ninjas approached Orochimaru and reported.
The third member of their team had been discovered and killed by the Cloud Ninjas before he could even enter the village. However, thanks to the sacrifice, the other two successfully infiltrated Yugakure and gathered vital intel.
Unfortunately, they were detected while escaping, and were pursued relentlessly by Yugakure's own sensory team. Returning with only one arm lost was, all things considered, a miracle.
Even so, they had succeeded in mapping out the approximate distribution of enemy forces within the village.
After their report, Orochimaru nodded solemnly.
"You've done well. Your mission is complete. Get some rest."
Minato Namikaze, however, was deeply unsettled.
The battle hadn't even begun, and someone was already dead.
Worse still, the Cloud Ninjas now knew that Konoha had attempted to infiltrate Yugakure for intelligence. In Minato's mind, that rendered the operation a failure. The enemy would be on guard now—wasn't pressing forward suicidal?
But then Orochimaru made a decision that left him speechless.
"The operation begins at 4 a.m. That's five hours from now. Jiraiya and I will initiate the assault on Yugakure. The rest of you, follow the previously laid-out plan precisely!"
Minato was stunned.
The enemy knew they were coming, yet Orochimaru still intended to proceed?
While the others were preparing for battle, Jiraiya walked over and sat beside Minato.
He smiled gently. "You're wondering why Orochimaru's sticking to the plan, even though the Cloud Ninjas are aware of our infiltration, aren't you?"
Minato nodded. "Yes, Master Jiraiya. I really don't get it."
Jiraiya explained calmly, "It's because even if they noticed us, the Cloud Ninjas won't do anything out of the ordinary. This isn't the first time we've sent scouts into their base. They assume we just want a layout of their defenses—they don't expect us to actually attack."
He paused to let that sink in.
"The Cloud Ninjas know we're outnumbered and believe we're in no position to launch an offensive. Especially not against Yugakure, which is heavily fortified with their troops and local defenders. They're confident we wouldn't be foolish enough to try. That confidence is exactly what we're exploiting."
Even before Jiraiya had finished, Minato's eyes widened in understanding.
Jiraiya grinned, pleased. His student was quick—he grasped the logic instantly.
Before Orochimaru's arrival, Jiraiya had been in charge. His approach prioritized caution, preserving life over gaining ground. But that had led to multiple retreats. The front line had been pushed back so far, they were nearly out of room to maneuver.
Minato had trusted his master implicitly and simply executed orders, never questioning strategy.
But the battlefield had no room for ideals—it was merciless.
Jiraiya was quietly relieved that Orochimaru and Shiranui Riku had joined the front. They brought a sharper edge.
Jiraiya had always known he wasn't meant to be a commander. He was better suited to solo missions. Orochimaru, on the other hand, was a tactician—someone who could think clearly under pressure, devise complex plans, and turn losing battles into unexpected victories. During the Second Ninja War, even Jiraiya and Tsunade had followed Orochimaru's lead in large-scale missions.
And Riku, this was his first time on the battlefield, yet he had a remarkable strategic mind. Jiraiya couldn't help but notice how much he resembled Orochimaru. No wonder they were master and apprentice.
But this wasn't just about tactics. With Orochimaru and Riku here, Minato was finally experiencing the true brutality of war.
That brutality wasn't always from the enemy. Sometimes, it came from your own side.
Jiraiya remembered how, during the last war, many Konoha ninjas had died never realizing they were mere bait in a bigger plan. If sacrificing a few could secure a victory, so be it.
And now that Riku had arrived, Minato was feeling the pressure.
Jiraiya welcomed it. Minato needed that pressure. It would sharpen him—make him grow faster.
He was eager to see which of them would grow faster in this war—his own student, or Orochimaru's.
But in his heart, Jiraiya had faith: Minato was more talented than Shiranui Riku.
Five hours passed quickly.
The ninja squads gathered once more.
Orochimaru turned to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya. It's time."
Jiraiya stretched. "It's been a while since we fought side by side, Orochimaru. I kind of missed it."
Orochimaru gave one last command to the troops.
"Remember—stick to the plan. Once the outer guard from the Cloud side has entered the village, that's when you move."
With that, the two legendary Sannin rushed toward Yugakure, their presence vanishing into the night.
The rest of the forces—including Minato and Shiranui Riku—advanced slowly, stopping at their assigned locations outside the village. Hidden in the shadows, they waited for the signal to strike.