Naruto: From Kushina Uzumaki onwards, a traitor

Orochimaru's expression was somewhat serious: "If we ask Konoha for reinforcements now, we need at least 60 ninjas to support us so that we can hold our ground after we advance our lines."

Jiraiya frowned and said, "Orochimaru, do you intend to advance the lines immediately? Isn't that too hasty? Shouldn't we wait for reinforcements to arrive before making the advance?"

Orochimaru, without looking up from the sand table, said, "We must advance the front line as soon as possible. Otherwise, once they realize what's happening, our plan to advance the front line will be hindered, and this surprise attack on Yugakure will become meaningless. The ninjas who sacrificed their lives will have been sacrificed in vain."

Jiraiya sighed and said, "I understand. I will follow up on this matter immediately. So, how far should the front line be pushed?"

Orochimaru picked up the current Konoha flag from the sand table and placed it in one of the positions on the sand table: "At least ten kilometers!"

Jiraiya asked in surprise, "Is it that far? Can we defend it?"

Orochimaru said very calmly, "With so few people, of course we can't hold out. Because we can't hold out, we need to push the front line further."

Jiraiya was utterly bewildered: "Why do we push the front line even further when we know we can't hold it?"

Orochimaru explained, "I'll say it again: we need to have some leeway. The ninjas from Konoha who come to support us won't be able to reach Yugakure in just a day or two. If we advance our lines too conservatively and the Cloud Ninja attack us, we'll end up having to retreat back here again."

However, if we advance our lines further out from the start, fighting and retreating until Konoha reinforcements arrive, then we can hold our current positions.

Jiraiya understood Orochimaru's explanation and exclaimed, "Orochimaru, you really have a sharp mind. If you had been the one who came to the Land of Hot Springs back then, you might not be in this situation now."

Orochimaru said bluntly, "It's not a matter of chance, it's a certainty. Jiraiya, you're too conservative. War is like two wild beasts tearing each other apart. Once one side shows signs of weakness, the other side will definitely keep its grip on you until death."

Jiraiya sat down in the chair and said, "I don't want to be so conservative either, but it would be too much to ask of me to attack recklessly like you. By the way, how is the situation on the other fronts in Konoha?"

Orochimaru replied, "The battle lines of Iwagakure and Sunagakure are still manageable. The problem now is that Kirigakure might also get involved. Apart from that, the Kumogakure of the Land of Hot Springs is too troublesome, which is why my teacher sent me to the Land of Hot Springs to provide support."

Jiraiya sighed and said, "It's only been a few years since the Second Shinobi World War ended in peace, and now we're facing another war. Wouldn't it be better if everyone lived peacefully in the shinobi world?"

Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya with his snake-like eyes: "Jiraiya, you're still so naive."

Jiraiya laughed and said, "Sometimes what's wrong with being a little naive? Living as clearly as you do is too tiring. By the way, how's your disciple? Besides carrying me and Nawaki on your back during World War II, it seems you've only carried that kid Chiba."

Upon hearing Nawaki's name, Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed slightly before he calmly replied, "Chiba suffered some minor injuries and was exhausted, but there's nothing seriously wrong with him."

Chapter 62 Bet

Jiraiya mentioning the name of Nawaki caused a slight ripple in Orochimaru's otherwise calm demeanor.

As Orochimaru's first and most beloved disciple, Nawaki always held a place in his heart.

Jiraiya didn't notice Orochimaru's change and continued, "Your teaching skills are still as high as ever. I've already heard about the battle between Chiba and Kuroiwa Tatsuji, the leader of Yugakure."

"That's truly remarkable. I think he's 12 or 13 years old, the same age as Minato. I never imagined he could fight an elite Jonin to that extent, even severely injuring Kuroiwa Tatsuji, while he only suffered minor injuries. It really surprises me."

Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile as he said, "Chiba has great talent. Compared to regular training, this kind of battle can better unleash his potential."

Jiraiya said with a smile, "But my disciple is not bad either. Orochimaru, let's make a bet and see who improves faster and becomes stronger in this war, Senba or Minato."

Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya sideways: "There's nothing to gamble on. Your disciple seems to have good talent, that's all."

Jiraiya retorted, "Orochimaru, I'm not convinced! Minato's talent is amazing, no less than your disciple's. Since you say so, then this bet is settled!"

Orochimaru crossed his arms and stared directly at Jiraiya: "So, what's your wager?"

Jiraiya said with a smile, "I'm currently writing. How about I show you my book first when it's finished?"

"Hmph, boring."

Orochimaru walked straight to the tent entrance, intending to leave.

Jiraiya hurriedly called out, "Orochimaru, what about your bet?"

Orochimaru left after saying, "I will not lose."

Jiraiya got up from his seat, muttered "tsundere" to himself, and left the tent.

Even Jiraiya is feeling exhausted from this battle.

What's more, things will get even busier from here on out, and there won't be much time to rest.

When Jiraiya returned to his tent, he found that Minato Namikaze was not in the tent next door.

Jiraiya sighed, "It seems my disciple is lost again and really needs guidance from his master."

Jiraiya discovered Minato Namikaze sitting on a hilltop, lost in thought.

"What, are you doubting yourself because Qianyu is too outstanding?"

Jiraiya sat down next to Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze replied with a serious expression, "Master, I do have some doubts, doubts about whether my decisions are right or wrong sometimes."

Jiraiya asked, "Oh? Why do you think that?"

Minato Namikaze lowered his head and replied, "Chiba is really rational, to the point of being terrifying. He can unhesitatingly give an incapacitated comrade an explosive tag, causing him to perish together with the Cloud Ninja, thus maximizing his benefits."

But I think he was wrong. He shouldn't have treated the lives of his comrades-in-arms as a tool.

But when I questioned him, his answer left me completely speechless, and even made me feel that he was right and I was wrong.

Jiraiya frowned slightly.

I never expected that Chiba would do something like this during the war in Yugakure.

However, Jiraiya soon came to a realization.

He's Orochimaru's disciple.

normal.

If it were Orochimaru, he would definitely do the same.

Just as Jiraiya was about to comfort Minato Namikaze, Minato continued, "I saw the whole battle between Chiba and the leader of the Yu Ninja, and I admit that I am no match for Chiba."

I thought I had caught up with him in the past few years, but I haven't. In fact, the gap between us is getting bigger and bigger. He is the real genius, while I... am not a genius at all.

What I feel most guilty about is that when Chiba was in danger, I stopped and recalled the scene where Chiba gave the explosive tag to Daigo, asking him to perish together with the Cloud Ninja. At that moment, I had the thought of not wanting to save Chiba.

I wanted to do everything I could to help my companions, but I went against my own heart.

Jiraiya sighed, "It seems that Chiba's arrival has really had a big impact on you. Minato, you are also a human being. You have people you like, and naturally you will also have people you hate. You and Chiba are like two extremes, so it is normal for you to hate each other."

So it's not your fault. Everyone has their own selfish motives, and I'm no exception. There's no need to dwell on it so much.

Qianyu's actions can't be judged as either right or wrong, since it happened on the battlefield.

However, your desire to help your companions is definitely right, so don't doubt your own desire to help them.

Chiyu is indeed a genius. He has been taught very well by Orochimaru. However, Minato, you cannot doubt yourself. Once you doubt yourself, you will forever lose the opportunity to become stronger.

If you don't even believe in yourself, how can you become stronger and catch up with Qianyu?

Minato, let me ask you a question: Do you think I'm a genius?

Minato Namikaze glanced at Jiraiya beside him and replied, "Jiraiya-sensei, you are naturally a genius. You are the Hokage's disciple and one of the Legendary Sannin."

Jiraiya smiled and shook his head, saying, "I'm not a genius. Back then, I was always at the bottom of the class."

Minato Namikaze exclaimed in surprise, "How is this possible?"

Jiraiya said, "I'm not lying to you, it's true. Back then, I was always chasing after Orochimaru. Orochimaru was a recognized genius, but I just couldn't accept it. I felt that I was actually no worse than Orochimaru."

With this belief, I followed in Orochimaru's footsteps, growing stronger and stronger in the process, until I reached my current strength.

So what if you're a genius? As long as you believe you're no weaker than anyone else, and through your own efforts, you will definitely become very strong.

Minato Namikaze let out a long breath, the gloom in his eyes gone: "I understand, Jiraiya-sensei. I will definitely do my best!"

Jiraiya chuckled and patted Minato Namikaze on the head: "What a worrisome disciple. I made a bet with Orochimaru that you would become stronger than Senba in this war."

Minato Namikaze exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? This..."

Jiraiya countered, "What? You lack confidence in yourself?"

Minato Namikaze took a deep breath and shouted, "I have confidence!"

Jiraiya stood up and said to Minato Namikaze, "Go back and rest early. We'll be even busier from now on. Oh, and I have some good news for you. We need to request support from Konoha. I'll explain to the old man and have the ninja bring over the training method for the Flying Thunder God Technique."

After Jiraiya left, Minato Namikaze secretly made a decision in his heart: he must train even harder.

We absolutely cannot betray Jiraiya's trust in him!

Chapter 63 Building momentum

Qianyu lay in the tent for almost a whole day before getting up.

After rubbing her throbbing temples, Chiyu left the tent, intending to meet Orochimaru and then find something to eat.

On her way to find Orochimaru, Chiba encountered several ninjas.

The ninjas' eyes showed surprise and fear when they saw Chiba.

All the ninjas in Yugakure already know about Chiba's achievements in Yugakure.

Everyone found it unbelievable that Chiba was able to severely injure Kuroiwa Tatsuji, the leader of the Tang Ninja.

The traitor who was once despised by everyone has now become so powerful.

The fear stemmed from the fact that, besides Minato Namikaze, others had also witnessed Chiba handing the explosive tag to the ninja named Daigo.

How could they not be afraid of Qianyu, who was so cold and ruthless?

What's more, some of these people were the same ones who used to verbally abuse Qianyu on the street back then.

They were worried that if they got injured in battle, Qianyu might give them explosive tags and make them cannon fodder.

Ignoring the stares, Chiba went straight to Orochimaru's tent.

However, Orochimaru was not there. Chiba guessed that Orochimaru should be in the command tent.

Returning to the command tent, Chiba finally found Orochimaru, with Jiraiya also inside.

"Orochimaru-sensei, Jiraiya-sama."

Qianyu greeted the two of them.

Orochimaru nodded silently.

Jiraiya asked with a smile, "Chiba, how are you? Did you get some rest?"