Chapter 21: Plotting Deviously! Prepared!

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Orochimaru's POV (Hidden Sound Base)

Orochimaru sat contentedly in his underground lab, Zetsu had gone to meet with an Ikam follower. The Sannin was eager to ally with them as the Uzumaki subjects were both pleasant and powerful allies to have. With both the Leaf and another force hot on his trail, he could certainly use the added strength. Moreover, his first encounter with the Leaf was imminent. His forces were strategically positioned around a bandit camp, awaiting the arrival of a team of shinobi whom they could ambush. It was bound to be an intriguing few days for the Sannin.

As if on cue the ground in his lab shifted. As the conjoined Zetsu swam out of the ground. "Hello, master! Orochimaru." The two greeted.

"Hello there, how did the meeting with Ikam's man go?" Orochimaru asked getting straight to business.

"It was so much more interesting than we had thought! Obito and Itachi Uchiha are alive and in service of the Leaf." Zetsu replied evenly.

Orochimaru was taken aback for a moment, but quickly began to formulate plans in his mind. Itachi and Obito Uchiha were highly skilled shinobi with powerful Sharingan abilities, and obtaining their eyes would make him unstoppable in achieving his ultimate goal. Ikam was aware of this and was seeking Orochimaru's help in dealing with them. "What does he want from us? Kukukuku."

"He asked for our assistance in killing them! We get the bodies! He asked for either manpower, weaponry effective towards the Uchiha, or a more powerful compound to ensure they can crush the two. Providing we do this he preserves the eyes for us and offers a seal to counteract their effect on a non-Uchiha."

"Perfect. Inform them this is fine. They will have all three. And what of the other news?"

"You were right as always, master! They sent a team! The team is Team Seven. They are a Genin squad part of the new program the shinobi world enacted. Neji Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka, Naruto Uzumaki, and Kakashi Hattake."

"Interesting, the Side House has little value. An heir of the Yamanaka family could prove to be a useful asset. As for Naruto Uzumaki, I believe my subordinate Ikam would relish a new target. However, Kakashi may pose a problem. I will send another squad of Sound Jounin, along with the Genin from Team Tremble and Bass. This should suffice for such an unremarkable group. It is time to demonstrate the strength of my shinobi to the world!"

"Understood. Whatever."

Orochimaru wondered if Hiruzen even realized the Leaf would soon be in peril.

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Orochimaru sat contentedly in his underground lab, Zetsu had gone to meet with an Ikam follower. The Sannin was eager to ally with them as the Uzumaki subjects were both pleasant and powerful allies to have. With both the Leaf and another force hot on his trail, he could certainly use the added strength. Moreover, his first encounter with the Leaf was imminent. His forces were strategically positioned around a bandit camp, awaiting the arrival of a team of shinobi whom they could ambush. It was bound to be an intriguing few days for the Sannin.

As if on cue the ground in his lab shifted. As the conjoined Zetsu swam out of the ground. "Hello, master! Orochimaru." The two greeted.

"Hello there, how did the meeting with Ikam's man go?" Orochimaru asked getting straight to business.

"It was so much more interesting than we had thought! Obito and Itachi Uchiha are alive and in service of the Leaf." Zetsu replied evenly.

Orochimaru was taken aback for a moment, but quickly began to formulate plans in his mind. Itachi and Obito Uchiha were highly skilled shinobi with powerful Sharingan abilities, and obtaining their eyes would make him unstoppable in achieving his ultimate goal. Ikam was aware of this and was seeking Orochimaru's help in dealing with them. "What does he want from us? Kukukuku."

"He asked for our assistance in killing them! We get the bodies! He asked for either manpower, weaponry effective towards the Uchiha, or a more powerful compound to ensure they can crush the two. Providing we do this he preserves the eyes for us and offers a seal to counteract their effect on a non-Uchiha."

"Perfect. Inform them this is fine. They will have all three. And what of the other news?"

"You were right as always, master! They sent a team! The team is Team Seven. They are a Genin squad part of the new program the shinobi world enacted. Neji Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka, Naruto Uzumaki, and Kakashi Hattake."

"Interesting, the Side House has little value. An heir of the Yamanaka family could prove to be a useful asset. As for Naruto Uzumaki, I believe my subordinate Ikam would relish a new target. However, Kakashi may pose a problem. I will send another squad of Sound Jounin, along with the Genin from Team Tremble and Bass. This should suffice for such an unremarkable group. It is time to demonstrate the strength of my shinobi to the world!"

"Understood. Whatever."

Orochimaru wondered if Hiruzen even realized the Leaf would soon be in peril.

They had moved out at the crack of dawn. Kakashi would get them close and then allow them to formulate their strategy of attack. And all of them felt at least a touch of nerves but with their leading them it was all too soon they arrived close to base.

"It's important for each of you to gain experience in decision-making. You won't always have a commanding officer present, and you may even encounter an incompetent one. It's crucial to know how to think independently," Kakashi emphasized, before stepping back and indicating he wouldn't be offering assistance. There was a brief pause before Naruto spoke up.

"Well, we should probably check 'em out first. Make sure we know what we're dealing with." Naruto started.

"Makes sense to me. Would also make sure there's nothing like prisoners or some kinda destructive weapon." Ino added.

"Sound logic." Neji complimented. "I believe Kakashi and I would be best for scouting them." Ino nodded at this. Her brow creased as she thought hard.

"Maybe Naruto should surround the camp? Would give us a safety net if any managed to sneak by." Ino offered.

"Great Idea! Plus if for some reason someone else comes along who's hostile they could either take them out, hold them off, and get info to me no matter where I am." Naruto added happily. "But how do we do the attack itself?"

"Well while Kakashi and Neji scout from the outside why don't Naruto grab a guard? With my Mind Body Switch Jutsu, I can get on as an actual member. I could sabotage them and set traps so when we launch the actual assault they are even more vulnerable."

"Hmmm, what if I had some of my clones transform into kunai?" Naruto asked quizzically. "You could plant them throughout the camp and they could release whenever they pleased. But if you get in trouble you'll have backup."

"Excellent idea Blondie." Neji replied. Both ignore Naruto crying out about not Neji too with the Blondie thing.

"Ok so assuming this camp has one to two exits we need to split our forces. Plus I need someone to guard my body." Ino continued.

"Maybe Neji? He could keep an eye on all of us with a shadow clone. One of us get in trouble or he does dispel it and every clone out will know it." suggested the blonde male.

"I believe that's a good plan," Neji concurred. "Kakashi, being our strongest fighter, should be positioned at the primary entrance as our main defense. He could also be backed up by additional clones, just in case he requires assistance. Naruto can be positioned at the secondary entrance or exit. After that, we'll just have to wait until Ino signals that she's ready. A simple flare will suffice. By that point, it won't matter if they become aware that something is amiss."

"Whaddya you think Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked.

"Eh, it sounds like it could work." Kakashi responded noncommittally. "Alrighty are you all ready to start?"

"Hai!"

"Just remember to have fun. We'll meet up again to discuss scouting and our future prisoner." Kakashi ordered, all of them then leaping off.

Naruto and Ino were hiding in the woods, carefully observing the camp. Overseen by the waiting and shot caller Neji. The camp consisted of a large group of tents and hastily assembled buildings. A fence and planks of wood had been used to create a rudimentary wall, which would not stop most people but was high enough to require either climbing or destruction. They were watching one of the outer guards who was lazily patrolling the perimeter around the camp. Being bandits, each member was observed as they passed by. Naruto and Ino picked an older man who seemed to be under the influence of some substance. He was bald and fairly overweight and carried a club. He was an easy target for the shinobi duo.

They waited patiently for the man to walk close by. Ino had chosen him as their target, while Naruto and his clone were the shooters. Ino gave the signal when the man's back was turned. Without a sound, Naruto hurled his clone like a sack at the man, who never saw it coming. He was hit square in the back of the head with a flying kick, and Ino doubted he felt a thing. The clone then picked up the man, and the three of them hurried back to the meeting place, hoping that the scouting party had good news.

Silently, Neji jumped through the forest surrounding the camp, taking note of the number of men and any significant events. He counted around fifty confirmed enemies, with ten individuals in cells that he couldn't confirm as enemies due to his limited sight. As he looked up, he spotted Kakashi teleporting above him, seemingly finished with his part.

Kakashi informed Neji that he had discovered weapon caches that were heavily armed with swords, bows, cannons, and explosives. He marked them on a map that he had drawn and suggested that Ino should trap them before they go for the prisoners.

"Only makes sense. I think we have what we need." Neji decided.

The members of Team Seven reconvened, with a new prisoner in tow. They updated each other on the current situation. Ino's mission was to secure the weapon rooms and free any captives. Naruto and Kakashi were responsible for launching an aggressive attack from both sides. Neji would protect Ino and oversee the operation, ensuring everyone was informed. Each member would have Naruto clones to assist with information sharing and backup.

"Alright, I'm going in. Make sure to watch my body Neji!" Ino added as she relaxed into her stance for her family's famous jutsu.

"Of course."

With that, Ino nodded and called out. "Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

She suddenly dropped limp, caught by a ready Naruto. The portly bald man rose slowly. His movements were awkward and unsure for a moment. Before he seemed to relax slightly. "This guy is one sick bastard." She said in the man's voice. "Glad we're taking them out." Naruto nodded at this summoning ten clones who all became kunai. Ino grabbed these and stashed them in the pockets of the man. They all nodded as the Ino-possessed man walked off towards the entrance. Naruto and Kakashi both disappeared as they went off to their positions.

Neji stashed Ino in a space in a bush. He sat close by, not close enough to where if he was engaged they would hurt or discover Ino. Team Seven was prepared.