Chapter 285: Chapter 285: One Day, We Too Get to Enjoy Privileges
Upon entering the command post, Orochimaru sat at the head seat, and Nara Shikaku immediately assumed his role as an assistant. He obediently stood by Orochimaru's side, handing over the prepared documents to the trio.
While Takuya, Minato, and Nawaki were going through the documents and intel, Orochimaru leisurely started brewing tea, looking as though he planned to enjoy a couple of cups.
This war wasn't going to be easy.
As he read through the reports, Minato frowned. Kirigakure was too cunning, never engaging Konoha head-on, instead resorting to constant ambushes. Since they held the initiative, Kirigakure could dictate the pace of battle, while Konoha was left passively responding. "Sensei, we're really on the back foot here," Nawaki said, feeling the weight of the situation. Takuya quietly read, withholding any comments for now.
After finishing the tea, Orochimaru poured a cup for everyone, and Shikaku pushed the cups towards the trio.
"Yes, we are indeed at a disadvantage. The Land of Water is an island nation, while we are not. This means that Konoha lacks sufficient naval vessels, putting us on the back foot whenever a war comes to the sea," Orochimaru said slowly, sipping his tea with a slight smile. There wasn't the faintest hint of anxiety on his face.
After putting down the documents, Takuya spoke up, having figured out Orochimaru's plan: "You want to break Kirigakure's chain of islands, right?"
Kirigakure had constructed military facilities across many small islands, precisely to prevent Konoha from using them as stepping stones for an invasion. No matter who held the initiative, if Konoha launched a direct attack on Kirigakure, Yagura would be forced to abandon his advantage and return to defend. At that point, Kirigakure would lose the upper hand.
Other than ambushing and disrupting the rear lines, they would no longer have any major advantages. Instead, they'd need to worry about defending against Konoha's full assault.
"Exactly," Orochimaru nodded, confirming Takuya's guess. "I need a force capable of being the spearhead, breaking through Kirigakure's chain of islands, capturing some of them, and pushing ever closer to Kirigakure-forcing them into a head-on battle."
"This spearhead needs enough strength. If they're too weak or average, even if they do break through, they'll just find themselves in a crisis, unable to force a direct confrontation."
Classic Orochimaru-when he moved, it was always big and bold.
Takuya couldn't help but admire his daring approach.
Orochimaru smiled. "Your squad, Takuya, will be this spearhead. I believe you can complete this mission. Of course, Jiraiya will be supporting you, along with around twenty additional Jonin."
It was odd-most members of the Nara clan were highly intelligent, yet their emotional intelligence when it came to everyday life was quite lacking. Especially when it came to being henpecked husbands-it seemed to be a family trait.
It almost seemed like no matter how gentle a woman was before marriage, if she married into the Nara clan, her temperament would become as fiery as a chili pepper.
Takuya figured that a lot of it came down to being forced into that role. He was sure that any woman, no matter how patient, would snap if she spent hours preparing a meal only to have her family ignore it for hours. If there was a valid reason, it was one thing-but when they had no excuse and still delayed for hours, that took a special kind of stubbornness. Once in their thinking mode, the Nara clan members could become world-class procrastinators.
"I have some things to attend to, so I'll leave you all to rest. Shikaku, make sure to wash the dishes before coming back."
After eating and drinking his fill, Orochimaru promptly stood up and left.
Shikaku, who was about to follow, froze in place, his expression turning sour as he stared at
the pile of dishes. Washing them seemed like such a hassle.
Why did Orochimaru have to make him do this?
"How did you end up friends with this guy?" Nawaki asked, draping an arm around Minato's shoulders as they watched Shikaku reluctantly scrubbing dishes. "I think the Nara clan
members are pretty amusing."
"They really are," Minato laughed awkwardly.
How he and Shikaku became friends was still a mystery even to Minato. Perhaps it was... birds
of a feather?
No, more like kindred spirits.
Next Bonus: 500 Power Stones. When restarting I will give you two chapters('') J
(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 340+ at patreon.com/Emiko1. _