Chapter 341: Is This Reinforcement or Dead Weight?

As Orochimaru's assistant, he was well aware of how difficult things were for Orochimaru right now.

Due to wanting to showcase his capabilities and the village's strategic decisions, Konoha's forces were far fewer than those of Kirigakure.

It wasn't too bad in the early stages of the war, but as time went on and the battlefield expanded, the drawbacks of having fewer troops began to show.

If any one direction was breached by the enemy, it would completely disrupt Orochimaru's plans and arrangements.

When would the village's second wave of reinforcements arrive?

It had been days since he'd had a proper night's sleep.

Nara Shikaku just hoped that Konoha would send reinforcements soon, ideally sending a few more talents to help ease his burden.

So he could get a few days of rest and recharge.

While longing for reinforcements and rest, Shikaku noticed the smile on Orochimaru's face suddenly disappeared, his snake-like pupils dilating.

It seemed like something wasn't right. Had something unexpected happened?

Shikaku pondered.

He never would have guessed that, one moment Orochimaru looked surprised, and the next, he was smiling again.

And he looked genuinely happy.

Someone who didn't know better might have thought Orochimaru had just picked up fifty million on his way out.

"Hehehe, not bad, not bad at all. As expected of Takuya-kun, I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

"Hehehe..."

"..."

Did Orochimaru lose it or something?

"Shikaku."

"Yes, sir!!"

Shikaku snapped back to reality and quickly bowed his head in response.

Whether Orochimaru had lost it or his brain wasn't quite right, Shikaku just needed to do his job properly.

As for everything else, it wasn't his concern. He knew better than to be overly curious.

The moment Orochimaru put the scroll away, Shikaku knew this was no simple matter.

Orochimaru was delighted because he'd found the Mangekyo Sharingan he had been seeking.

Even though it wasn't likely he'd be able to obtain those eyes, it didn't stop him from being in a good mood.

Even if he couldn't get them himself, with his current relationship with Takuya, Orochimaru believed that asking for some basic information wouldn't be met with refusal.

"Go and assemble a group of one hundred men. Include five medical ninjas and take enough supplies. Head to the Land of Bears, and all these men are to follow Takuya's command.

Also, let him know that with the battlefield too spread out, the Land of Bears is still an important place, and ask him to hold out a while longer.

Once the frontlines are stable, I'll arrange for his replacement."

"Understood, sir."

Shikaku swiftly took note of Orochimaru's instructions and then asked:

"Sir, how should we select this hundred-man team?"

This was where it got tricky, and Shikaku didn't feel confident making that decision.

Sending a few jounin along with a group of chunin also constituted a hundred-man unit.

Sending no jounin, no special jounin, and only a group of chunin would also make up a hundred-man unit.

They could even include some genin in charge of escorting supplies...

It all depended on what kind of personnel the one in power wanted to allocate.

After tapping his fingers on the desk a few times, Orochimaru spoke:

"Right now, we're short on personnel here at the camp, so we can't send too many of our main forces. Let's do it this way."

After thinking for a moment, Orochimaru finalized the roster.

"Select some chunin, and also include some genin who are responsible for supplies and other minor tasks. Didn't the old man want these guys to get some experience?

Then let's send them to Takuya."

"Uh..."

Is that really a good idea?

Shikaku broke out in a cold sweat. He felt that if they sent this group over, Takuya would likely start cursing them out.

Was this really reinforcement, or just a bunch of rookies?

So, Takuya would have to both guard the Land of Bears against possible attacks from Kirigakure and babysit the village's genin?

"Trust me, this lineup is enough."

Orochimaru smiled confidently.

Ugh... You're the boss, I'll do as you say. Besides, if things go wrong, it won't be on me.

Shikaku forced a wry smile, nodded awkwardly, and went to make arrangements.

"The Mangekyo Sharingan... I bet Danzo will be quite surprised when he hears this."

Talking to himself, Orochimaru calculated a bit, and his expression turned grim.

He felt it was necessary to give Danzo a little reminder, letting him know that as a partner, he needed to handle things promptly, or else their cooperation might fall apart.

"Take this scroll to Danzo and tell him to deal with what needs to be dealt with as soon as possible, or our cooperation will be difficult to continue."

In the command center, an Anbu member appeared, kneeling respectfully to receive the scroll from Orochimaru before quickly leaving the camp and heading to Konoha at top speed.

"Orochimaru, damn you!!"

When the news came back, Takuya immediately began cursing Orochimaru's entire family.

That white snake really had no shame.

The Third Hokage wanted the new recruits to get some experience, but couldn't they just stay at the camp to get a feel for the war?

Instead, Orochimaru was sending them all to him to babysit?

Why didn't Orochimaru come himself?

No one knew whether Kirigakure would launch an attack on the Land of Bears. What if, right after these people arrived, Kirigakure's forces attacked, and Takuya couldn't protect them?

If there were heavy casualties, he'd be the one to bear the blame.

He might even end up taking the fall for it.

Watching Takuya rant on and on, the Uchiha members were collectively sweating.

They were an arrogant bunch, but they still held great respect for Orochimaru, including Uchiha Fugaku.

After all, Orochimaru's strength, status, and reputation spoke for themselves.

If it were them, they wouldn't dare to curse like Takuya did.

Even if they were unhappy, they would only complain silently or mutter a few words in private.

But Takuya was openly cursing.

He didn't care if someone tattled on him, and even if Orochimaru found out, it didn't matter.

If he dared to curse, he wasn't afraid of anyone knowing.

The Uchiha members all looked towards Uchiha Mikoto, who simply waved her hand dismissively.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 400+ at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

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I will give you two chapters for the effort. The next goal is 1500 for 2 chapters

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