Yasu and the rest of the Konoha ninja advanced ten kilometers before temporarily setting up camp.
These past few days, the Cloud ninja have been constantly coming to scout out their situation.
However, because traps were set up all around, and there were also ninja patrolling, no battles occurred.
Yasu had it pretty easy these past few days, and he didn't need to do some of the trivial things at all.
So, he had been training and resting these past few days.
On the third day after the camp was set up, news came from the Hot Spring Village.
The Hot Spring Village had returned to a neutral stance, stating that they would no longer participate in the battle between Hidden Cloud Village and Konoha, and Cloud ninja would no longer be accepted to garrison within their Village.
Regarding this outcome, neither Yasu, Orochimaru, nor Jiraiya were that surprised.
After all, the battle that had been stirred up in the Hot Spring Village a few days ago had already greatly damaged its foundation greatly.
If Kuroyama knows what's good for him, he would understand that in their war with Hidden Cloud Village, their small Village was not qualified to take sides.
So, he could only accept Orochimaru's suggestion and return to neutrality.
This way, the Hot Spring Village could still survive in this war that had not yet fully begun.
But these easy days only lasted for four days.
On the fifth day.
Orochimaru asked Yasu to come to his tent.
Inside the tent, there were still only Orochimaru and Jiraiya, now with him added.
Seeing him arrive, Orochimaru said seriously: "Cloud ninja have already begun to gather two kilometers away from here."
Jiraiya asked solemnly: "How many people are there?"
Orochimaru replied: "Roughly estimated to be fifty ninjas, it seems they plan to thoroughly figure out our situation this time, but this time is later than I expected, I thought they would have acted in the past two days."
Jiraiya inquired: "Orochimaru, then shall we rely on the traps we've set up and retreat while fighting?"
Orochimaru nodded and said: "That's right, the traps we've set up these past few days are the main means of stopping the Cloud ninja's advance, but that alone is not enough. Because the composition of those fifty-odd Cloud ninja is currently unclear, Jiraiya, you and I will guard the rear, and block the Cloud ninja as much as possible."
Jiraiya frowned slightly: "You and I guard the rear together? But who will command the team to advance at the front?"
Jiraiya suddenly paused and looked at Yasu, who pointed at himself in confusion: "Are you saying I should lead the team forward?"
Orochimaru nodded and explained: "That's right, here, only you, Yasu, have the leadership ability, even if we retreat while fighting, the speed of retreat can't be too fast."
"Although there are traps, we can't rule out factors such as the traps failing or being discovered, so Jiraiya and I will guard the rear to ensure the speed of the Cloud ninja's pursuit."
"And your task is to guide our ninja to retreat, but there will definitely be Cloud ninja who will detour to the front, and then you will have to organize the ninja to counterattack."
"Thus, you will eventually become a leader to command operations in the upcoming war, so consider this an early adaptation."
Yasu's expression was a little subtle.
Just based on how much Orochimaru valued him, he also knew that he would eventually become a leader.
He originally thought it would start with those five Uchiha unlucky guys, but he didn't expect it to be so fast, and he would directly lead 32 ninjas.
Jiraiya agreed: "Indeed, here Yasu is more suitable to lead the ninja and command their retreat."
At first, when Jiraiya heard Orochimaru say 'only Yasu has leadership ability', he wanted to retort a bit.
Because he felt that his disciple Minato's leadership ability was also very good, after all, Minato had been the commander for several missions before.
But after some thought, compared to Yasu, Minato's leadership level was indeed much worse.
Leadership ability is directly linked to the overall situation, Minato's overall view can only be said to be not bad, and his creed is also to put his companions first, so it is indeed not suitable for Minato to be a leader.
Yasu felt a little pressure.
Suddenly having to lead and command thirty-two people, this was his first time.
The previous agreement to accept leading those five Uchiha Chunin was also because he disliked the Uchiha Clan and wanted to make things difficult for them.
Orochimaru said: "Yasu, there's no need to feel pressured, just perform normally."
Yasu nodded in agreement: "Teacher Orochimaru, I understand, I will command their retreat."
"Very good, then it will be easy to handle next, Jiraiya, go and gather everyone!"
"Okay, I'll go gather everyone now!"
Jiraiya hurriedly left the tent to gather all the ninja together.
Orochimaru stepped forward and patted his disciple on the shoulder, encouraging him: "We are very short of people now, you possess the talent to command people, you just need to use this talent normally, let's go."
Orochimaru then led Yasu out of the tent.
...
All the ninja had already gathered.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Yasu stood at the front of the team.
Orochimaru announced: "Cloud ninja have gathered nearly fifty ninja and are preparing to take action, and we must also begin to retreat, Jiraiya and I will guard the rear of the team to withstand the pressure from the Cloud ninja. And you only need to retreat according to the plan, the one who will lead and command you next is Yasu, he will lead you to retreat!"
Hearing that they would be following Yasu's orders to retreat next, everyone looked at each other and began to whisper.
Yasu stepped forward and said with a cold face: "I know you have some criticisms about me commanding you, but this is an order, so you have no choice but to accept it!"
"Next, all of you will be under my command, and my orders are absolute! If you disobey my orders, then you die, don't blame others! If anyone among you disobeys orders and drags down others, there's no need for the enemy to act, I will kill that person first!"
"You should be very clear in your hearts that I am fully capable of doing such a thing, after all, in your eyes, I am such a ruthless person."
In the ninja crowd, Minato's brow was already tightly furrowed.
Jiraiya looked at Yasu's back, his eyes momentarily dazed, as if he truly saw a miniature version of Orochimaru.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya came to the rear of the team.
And Yasu also began to issue orders.
"Everyone check your ninja tools, and traps still need to be set up during the retreat!"
"32 people, divided into two teams, one team of 16 people, one team continues to maintain formation with 1 shadow clone and 5 clones, and the other team sets up traps, then they rotate in cycles."
"No matter what happens in the rear, if I have not allowed you to participate in the battle, no one is allowed to join the battle! If you understand, then wait for the Cloud ninja to act, and then all of you will set off with me!"
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