This is getting interesting.
Orochimaru's signature smirk widened.
"During those interrogations, some interesting intel came to light: the Hidden Cloud Village is planning to kidnap Kushina."
Xin froze mid-bite before quickly resuming his meal.
"And?"
He didn't need Orochimaru to spell it out for him. Xin had already been preparing for the Hidden Cloud's moves on Kushina.
Luckily, they were both well-prepared.
If the Hidden Cloud tried anything, they'd regret it.
Xin could imagine the chaos when they tried to abduct Kushina. With access to the Nine- Tails' chakra, she'd be terrifying.
Plus, the Nine-Tails itself might even step in to help.
The moment the Hidden Cloud ninjas tried to sneak into her home, they were in for a big surprise.
Wait a minute didn't the investigation uncover some Hidden Cloud spies?
Without insiders helping from within, could the Hidden Cloud really pull off an abduction? That possibility seemed slim.
"So, the village has decided to retaliate. I've been assigned the mission, and I want you to come with me to strike back at the Hidden Cloud."
"Pfft-"
"Cough, cough, cough!!"
"Water!" Xin sputtered, the piece of meat flying out of his mouth as he choked. His eyes watered as he fought to catch his breath.
Getting a hit of spicy broth in his throat was not pleasant.
Things were getting more interesting now.
Seeing Xin's reaction, Orochimaru's grin only widened.
Xin downed half a bottle of water before finally recovering, his throat and nose burning.
He swallowed and asked in disbelief, "You're telling me the village wants to hit back?"
This was crazy. Was this even the same Konoha leadership?
When had Konoha's higher-ups ever been this aggressive?
In the original timeline, the leadership was never this bold. Orochimaru's revenge against the Hidden Cloud was a personal vendetta, not an official village mission.
But now?
The leadership had actually assigned this mission to Orochimaru.
This was next-level. Since when did Konoha's leaders grow a backbone?
The leadership had no problem with passive responses-Xin knew that. After all, that's what led to the war with the Hidden Rain Village.
But to actively strike back? That wasn't Konoha's usual style.
"Is this Danzo's idea?"
After thinking it over, Xin could only come to one conclusion.
The only way the leadership's approach would change so drastically was if Danzo was behind it.
The Third Hokage, along with Koharu and Homura, didn't have the guts for something like this. But Danzo, with his hawkish tendencies, was always pushing for a hardline approach.
So, it had to be his doing.
Whether it was attempting to assassinate the Third Hokage, trying to control the Kage with Kotoamatsukami, or leaking intel about the jinchuriki, Danzo would stop at nothing. Compared to that, a little revenge mission against the Hidden Cloud was nothing.
"So, are you interested, Xin?"
"When do we leave?"
.....
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