In Konoha, I collected corpses on the battlefield for ten years

Kifū.

To be honest, Kifū, who was just processing corpses, was dumbfounded when he was summoned to the camp by the Anbu ninja.

Those seated were all big shots—elites from the Uchiha clan, Hyūga clan, Nara clan, Yamanaka clan, Akimichi clan, and other prominent Konoha clans. It was truly awkward for him, a mere Chūnin, to be there.

But there was no choice. According to Orochimaru, Kifū, who was in charge of the corpse disposal squad, was considered an independent squad and needed to participate in this meeting.

Even though the corpse disposal squad consisted of only Kifū.

However, he tried his best to remain invisible, avoiding attracting the attention of the big shots.

At this moment, a map of the border area was placed in the middle of the camp.

Orochimaru looked at the map, pondered for a moment, and said, "What do you think should be our first step?"

His gaze swept over everyone, his snake eyes revealing a chilling intent.

After a brief silence, Uchiha Shin reached out and pointed to a place not far from the Land of Fire's border, within the Land of Waterfall, "Torimori Outpost."

He paused for a moment and continued, "The vanguard of Iwa ninjas wouldn't just retreat after a single raid. It's highly likely they've occupied our Torimori Outpost and are using it as a base to concentrate the war on our Land of Fire's border."

Orochimaru didn't speak. Hyūga Hanma glanced at Uchiha Shin and said in a deep voice, "There's also a possibility that the Iwagakure vanguard is hiding somewhere within our Land of Fire, without leaving."

Indeed, both were possible.

"Torimori Outpost is important, but the first thing our vanguard needs to do is stabilize the situation. So, I think we need to first eliminate possible threats within the Land of Fire." It was Nara Chūichi who spoke, his words neutral, not offending either Uchiha or Hyūga, and clarifying his own views.

Orochimaru still didn't speak, his gaze falling on Kifū in the corner. He licked his lips, "Kifū-kun, what do you think?"

Kifū blinked.

The gazes of all the big shots in the camp fell on him, giving him a feeling of being pricked by thorns.

What the hell?

Why ask me at a time like this?

I'm just a corpse collector!

I'm a Chūnin!

Are you out of your mind?

Kifū was inwardly furious but didn't dare to disobey Orochimaru's order, even though the others' gazes had become somewhat strange.

His presence here as a Chūnin corpse collector was already surprising enough. Now, Orochimaru was actually seeking his opinion, which was quite intriguing.

To be valued so much by Orochimaru, no one dared to underestimate him.

Many even suspected that this unknown corpse collector was Orochimaru's disciple?

Definitely!

Otherwise, why would Orochimaru value him so much?

Orochimaru's disciple!

Thinking of this, the gazes of the big shots instantly changed.

Orochimaru, as Sarutobi Hiruzen's most valued disciple, belonged to the pure Hokage lineage and had a great chance of inheriting the Hokage position in the future. Then Kifū would also become part of the Hokage faction, and who knew, maybe he could even compete for the Hokage position someday.

Thinking too far ahead.

But the ninja world is also a relationship-based world, especially the teacher-student relationship, which can be said to be no less important than the father-son relationship.

Of course, Orochimaru had guessed some of what these people were thinking, but he didn't deny it. Instead, he smiled and said nothing.

This made them even more convinced that their guess was correct.

Amidst the many meaningful glances, Kifū could only think for a moment before uttering, "I don't know."

But in his heart, he answered the question himself.

If I were the commander of the Iwa ninja vanguard, I would launch a surprise attack when the Konoha vanguard had just arrived here and was preparing to rest, taking advantage of the Konoha ninjas' exhaustion and disorganization...

Because he remembered that there seemed to be a ninjutsu called "Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique" that could hide deep underground, avoiding some detection and making it very suitable for ambushes.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Before he could finish his thoughts, a violent rumble suddenly occurred outside the camp.

A ninja rushed in, "Orochimaru-sama! Iwa ninjas... Iwa ninjas are attacking!"

"..."

Kifū silently completed the words he hadn't finished saying.

...that would have a higher success rate.

That shouldn't count as being a jinx, right?

Was I blessed?

Was I?

Chapter 45: Clash (Seeking collections, recommendations, and monthly tickets)

Kifū's jinx came true.

But the big shots in the camp didn't hear it.

There was no choice. The enemy attack was already at their doorstep. If they didn't quickly go out and contain the ambush, this vanguard was likely to suffer heavy losses.

They all rushed out of the camp.

When Orochimaru walked out, he gave Kifū a deep look, a look that was thought-provoking.

Kifū smiled sheepishly.

He followed the big shots out of the camp.

He really just said it randomly. Who knew the Iwa ninjas were really planning to do that? This made him very awkward.

After all, this Konoha vanguard consisted of very experienced ninjas. There was no reason they wouldn't check the surrounding environment before setting up camp, making sure there was no real danger before turning to building the camp.

Especially since there were several Hyūga clan ninjas in the vanguard. Under the sweep of the Byakugan, ordinary ninjas had nowhere to hide.

"Damn it! What are the sensory ninjas and the Hyūga's Byakugan doing? Didn't they notice anything?" Uchiha Shin couldn't help but roar as soon as he walked out of the camp.