Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

The sky had not yet fully darkened.

Orochimaru led a group of ninja on their departure.

After nightfall, they arrived at the forest several hundred meters away from the Hidden Hot Water Village.

Orochimaru glanced at the three sensor ninja among the group.

The three immediately understood—it was time for them to move out.

The sensors left the main force and cautiously approached the Hidden Hot Water Village after sensing the surroundings.

Meanwhile, the main group remained in place, waiting.

Two hours passed.

The night had grown very deep.

Only faint rustling sounds from insects could be heard in the woods.

Most of the ninja were tense.

Because the longer they waited, the less likely it became that the three sensor ninjas would return alive.

Another half an hour passed.

Finally, two of the three sensor ninja returned.

One of them had lost his left arm and clutched his wound, staggering like he was about to collapse.

Minato quickly used [Shifting Body Technique] to reach the sensor ninja's side and supported him.

The two sensors reported to Orochimaru.

The third sensor hadn't even entered the Hidden Hot Water Village before being discovered and killed by Cloud Ninja stationed outside the village.

However, thanks to that, the other two sensors successfully infiltrated into the Hidden Hot Water Village.

They were discovered and hunted by Hidden Hot Water Village's sensor ninjas when leaving, but still managed to escape with just one lost arm—an incredible stroke of luck.

At the same time, they had sensed and mapped out the approximate distribution of ninja inside the Hidden Hot Water Village.

After reporting the sensed ninja distribution within the Hidden Hot Water Village, Orochimaru nodded and said, "You've done well. Your mission is complete—take a break now."

A heavy feeling weighed on Minato's heart.

The raid hadn't even begun yet, but they'd already lost one ninja.

Plus, the Cloud Ninja had already caught Konoha ninjas scouting near their village. In Minato's eyes, this operation was bound to end fruitlessly.

After all, launching a forced attack while the enemy was on high alert would be both unreasonable and extremely dangerous.

Yet what Orochimaru decided next stunned Minato beyond belief.

"We begin at 4 AM—that's five hours from now. Jiraiya and I will carry out destruction inside the Hidden Hot Water Village. Everyone else follows the plan exactly as discussed!"

Minato really couldn't understand Orochimaru's decision.

They had clearly been discovered already—their three ninja infiltrating had been noticed. Why did Orochimaru insist on continuing?

While everyone was preparing, Jiraiya sat beside Minato with a smile and asked, "Confused, aren't you? Wondering why Lord Orochimaru insists on proceeding even though our spies were found inside the Hidden Hot Water Village?"

Minato nodded. "Yes, Jiraiya-sensei—I truly don't understand why Lord Orochimaru still wants to go forward."

Jiraiya explained to Minato, "That's because even if they spot us, they'll stick to their plan—they won't panic or alter their strategy out of fear."

We've frequently sent ninjas to infiltrate Cloud Ninja territory for reconnaissance, but the Cloud Ninjas never change their assumptions.

They only consider that our infiltration aims to uncover Cloud Ninja deployments in the Land of Hot Water, not suspecting any intent to launch a real attack.

They know our current situation—our strength pales in comparison to theirs—and would never imagine us initiating an offensive.

Especially the Hidden Hot Water Village, a critical stronghold guarded by numerous Cloud Ninjas and local Hidden Hot Water shinobi.

To them, attacking the Hidden Hot Water Village would be tantamount to suicide. That's why they don't anticipate a sudden strike from us."

Actually, halfway through Jiraiya's explanation, Minato Namikaze already understood Orochimaru's reasoning.

Jiraiya felt deeply pleased—his student really was brilliant, able to read between the lines instantly.

Before Orochimaru arrived, Jiraiya had managed everything himself.

His approach stood in sharp contrast to Orochimaru's—always cautious and defensive, focused on avoiding losses wherever possible.

But this strategy caused their frontline to retreat again and again until there was nowhere left to fall back.

Being Minato's mentor, Jiraiya had always received his unwavering trust.

Therefore, Minato had previously acted purely as an executor, carrying out orders without deep reflection.

That's why, even after spending so much time on the battlefield, Minato remained somewhat naïve.

Jiraiya sincerely believed that Orochimaru and Chinya arriving to reinforce the Land of Hot Water was truly good news.

First, Jiraiya possessed clear self-awareness.

He knew he was best suited for solo missions—he thrived working alone, but commanding large forces simply wasn't his strength.

Orochimaru, however, excelled in this area. Back during the Second Great Ninja World War, their small team—comprising him, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—typically followed Orochimaru's lead.

Orochimaru could always formulate strategies even in the most dire situations, leading them out of danger and transforming defeat into victory.

Plus, he had participated in planning multiple major battles.

As for Chinya, even on his first time at war, he devised an impressive strategy—clear proof of his exceptional strategic mind.

In Jiraiya's view, Chinya and Orochimaru were incredibly similar. No wonder they became master and apprentice.

Beyond that, Orochimaru and Chinya's arrival exposed Minato to the brutal reality of war.

These horrors didn't just come from the enemy—they also came from their own side.

Back during the Second Great Ninja World War, countless ninjas fell in battle, unaware they were being used as bait to secure victory.

To achieve victory, sacrificing some of one's own forces was seen as a necessary cost.

Since Chinya's arrival, Minato had clearly felt pressure.

This was a good thing—it meant Minato could grow faster under pressure.

Jiraiya felt eager anticipation—curious to see, within this war, which would develop more quickly: his own student or Orochimaru's student.

Still, since Minato is *his* student, Jiraiya firmly believed Minato surpassed Chinya and would mature more swiftly.

Five hours passed quickly.

Once again, the group of ninja reassembled.

Orochimaru said to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya, it's time to go!"

Jiraiya stretched lazily. "It's been a long time since we last fought side by side, Orochimaru… Brings back some memories."

"Just like always—strictly follow the plan! Once the Cloud Ninja guarding the perimeter enter the village, you can begin your move!"

After saying that, Orochimaru and Jiraiya launched their advance toward the Hidden Hot Water Village.

Meanwhile, the remaining ninja, including Chinya and Minato Namikaze, moved within a short distance of the Hidden Hot Water Village before halting in place, waiting for the right moment to engage.

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