After obtaining the complete map of Training Ground 18, everyone felt relieved. Having a clear direction for their subsequent actions was undoubtedly a powerful morale boost.
Orochimaru divided the five—Jiraiya, Tsunade, Chi, Manji, and Bluebird—into two groups. One group would rotate vigilance while the other rested in place, recovering chakra and combat strength.
He personally put away the mission map and began studying the complete map to formulate his next operational plan. After all, they still needed to reach the exit, and they still had one more mission map to seize.
Holding a pencil, Orochimaru marked areas of complex terrain prone to ambush. His dark-golden eyes repeatedly scanned the map, constantly deliberating on possible routes and plans, filtering and selecting the best one.
By the time everyone was fully recovered, Orochimaru had devised an effective route forward. He estimated that because the route involved a large detour, it would take around two days of travel, plus time for breaks and rest, bringing the total to over three days. However, this meticulously selected route had the clearest terrain and was the least susceptible to ambush.
Orochimaru checked his own chakra; it was nearly back to its peak state. Due to the prolonged nourishment from the Yamata aura, not only was Orochimaru's body constantly being enhanced and strengthened, but his chakra recovery rate was also increasing at a slow and steady pace. Over time, the cumulative effect was now quite significant.
After explaining the route to everyone, Orochimaru calmly began arranging the marching formation: "Chi, you'll be hanging on the flank of the team. Don't be stingy with your chakra; use your Bloodline Limit to move through the shadow dimension. The moment we encounter an ambush, you must seize the opportunity to assassinate them, catching them completely off guard!"
Chi stared at Orochimaru and responded with silence, but everyone present knew he would absolutely carry out every single one of Orochimaru's orders.
Knowing Chi's nature, Orochimaru turned to Bluebird: "Bluebird, you will be at the front of the team. Keep your Byakugan active the entire time. The moment you detect a dangerous situation, report it to me immediately!"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" Hyūga Bluebird bowed in acknowledgment.
Orochimaru swept his gaze across the highly motivated group and said with firm emphasis: "Advance in the Wing Formation! Move out!"
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
Orochimaru's group of six moved through the forest, quickly and cautiously heading toward the exit of Training Ground 18 along the predetermined route.
After traveling for about two hours, Orochimaru suddenly felt that something was wrong. He realized the surrounding forest was terrifyingly silent.
Instinctively, he told everyone to stop. Orochimaru himself began to meticulously examine the surroundings for anomalies, repeatedly sweeping the area with his formidable spiritual power.
Manji saw Orochimaru's actions and asked nervously: "Big Brother, what's wrong?"
Orochimaru's spiritual scan found no abnormalities, yet the strange feeling of unease in his heart grew stronger. He replied to Manji: "This surrounding forest is too quiet. It still feels wrong!"
Next, he asked Bluebird, who had his Byakugan active: "Bluebird, has your Byakugan detected any danger?"
Before Bluebird could answer, the surrounding forest provided the answer to Orochimaru.
The breeze rustled the leaves. Orochimaru looked past his teammates and saw pairs of pale-yellow glows, the size of ping-pong balls, flickering on the towering trees around them.
Without waiting for Bluebird's reply, Orochimaru immediately shouted: "Tortoise Shell Formation for vigilance! Prepare to fight!"
The refined teamwork of the past three years allowed Jiraiya and the others to form the formation in a single breath. Led by Orochimaru, they stood back-to-back, kunai in hand, cautiously eyeing the strange pairs of pale-yellow glows around them, ready to defend against attacks from any direction.
Chi, who was moving through the shadow dimension on the side, also closed the distance and hid in the tree shadows, ready to deliver a fatal blow to any approaching enemy.
The pairs of pale-yellow glows crawled out from the shade, revealing their shapes. Their small, triangular heads flashed with two pale-yellow beast eyes. Cold, bloodthirsty bestiality radiated shamelessly from their gaze. Their mouths, dripping with dark yellow, viscous saliva, opened occasionally, revealing four rows of fine, sharp teeth as they flicked out long, scarlet tongues.
Their thick, strong limbs each had five long, curved, sharp, barbed claws, gripping the branches firmly, allowing them to move across any terrain as easily as flat ground.
A tough, yellowish-brown dorsal shell, which could change color according to its environment, covered their entire bodies from head to tail. They ranged in size from five to eight meters. They were all sprawled on the surrounding trees, their bodies occasionally emitting a low, thunder-like rumble from their bellies. The look they gave Orochimaru's group was filled with the predatory aura of hunger and greed.
Orochimaru's gaze narrowed. He recognized them as ten Color-Changing Thunder Sound Lizards. No wonder Bluebird's Byakugan and his spiritual power had failed to detect any anomalies.
These strange and ferocious lizards emit a low, thunderous growl when hungry. They also possess a shell that can block spiritual sensing and chakra fluctuations, making them formidable, rare "assassins" of the jungle.
Orochimaru's dark-golden eyes fixed slightly as he assessed the ten lizards, clearly an entire family. These ten lizards were no threat to Orochimaru himself, but they were perfect for giving Jiraiya and the others some hands-on combat experience.
Orochimaru smiled faintly and instructed: "Be careful of the claws and teeth of these Color-Changing Thunder Sound Lizards. They carry years of bacteria. If you are scratched or bitten, it's highly venomous! Their weakness is the white soft tissue on their bellies! I will cover you from the rear. You should coordinate well and use this as a training exercise!"
The moment Orochimaru finished speaking, the ten ravenously hungry Color-Changing Thunder Sound Lizards launched their ferocious attack.
🗒️NOTE:
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
Explore the Finished Work in advance!