Chapter 57 Meeting
In the next few days, Qingming paid attention to the changes in the camp and indeed found some problems.

First of all, the number of ninjas in the base camp is continuously increasing, and many of them look exhausted, and it is obvious that they have been traveling a lot.

Combined with the group of people he met a few days ago, Qing Ming had reason to suspect that these people had all rushed back from the front-line stronghold.

Secondly, the base camp’s external communication channels were tightened, and any person or object entering or leaving would need to undergo several inspections.

Even going to the training ground is not allowed now.

There is also a perception barrier covering the entire camp, which is open around the clock. Any slight movement may attract the attention of patrol troops.

With all these things happening, he didn't believe that there wouldn't be any major action next, even if Qingming was beaten to death.

"Forget it, don't think about it anymore, just continue practicing."

Shaking his head, Qingming withdrew his thoughts and continued his practice.

Now, he couldn't go to the training ground, so he simply used all his chakra to practice the 'Heart-Reflecting Technique'.

In this way, one can gain more than thirty points of proficiency every day, which is equivalent to six points of progress in the Sharingan.

Watching the progress improve little by little, Qingming didn't feel bored at all, but felt very reassured.

And just like that, another three days passed.

·····
This afternoon.

Central base camp.

Inside a tent.

Dozens of Konoha jonin gathered together, sitting on both sides of the long table in silence.

After a moment, a thin man with pale skin lifted the door curtain, walked in, and sat directly on the first seat at the top.

At the same time, everyone on both sides of the long table stood up and greeted, "Lord Orochimaru!"

"Ah."

Orochimaru nodded slightly and motioned for everyone to sit down.

Then, he asked directly: "Are all the personnel in place?"

Upon hearing this, a Konoha Jonin immediately stood up and said, "Your Excellency, as of an hour ago, 90% of the scheduled personnel have arrived, and the remaining personnel will return before tonight."

"good."

Orochimaru replied calmly, then looked at the other person and said, "How is the news blockade going?"

Seeing Orochimaru looking over, the heart of this Konoha Jonin tightened slightly, but he still quickly replied: "There is no sign of information leakage for the time being, but."

"But what?"

Orochimaru asked.

"The Sand Village and the Iwagakure Village seem to have noticed something. In the past few days, the outer patrol teams have discovered several waves of people trying to infiltrate." The Konoha Jonin replied.

"Is this so"

Orochimaru groaned and said, "This is normal. After all, we have transferred so many people back from the front line. As long as the other party is not blind, they will always find some abnormalities. We just need to ensure that the action plan is not leaked."

Hearing this, the Konoha Jonin immediately assured: "Don't worry, sir, the information has definitely not been leaked."

"Ah."

Orochimaru nodded. He believed in the ability of his subordinate. Since he made such a guarantee, it meant that the situation was under control.

After thinking for a while, he turned his head to look at the corner of the tent and asked, "What about you guys?"

Everyone followed his gaze and saw that a figure wrapped in a black robe had appeared there at some point.

This person was none other than the Anbu of Konoha, no, to be more precise, a ninja from the Root organization under Danzo.

Compared to the Anbu ninjas, the Root ninjas are more cold-blooded and ruthless. In order to complete the mission, they can sacrifice everything, including but not limited to their own lives. They are truly mission tools.

Orochimaru took these people from Danzo in order to cooperate with him and complete his revenge plan.

That's right, it was revenge, revenge for the raid launched by the Iwagakure and Sandagakure villages more than a month ago.

The previous all-out offensive was just a prelude to this plan; the next action is the key.

However, Konoha's military strength in the Rain Country battlefield was clearly insufficient to face two major ninja villages at the same time.

So, after careful consideration, Orochimaru finally set his target on the Iwagakure Village, which had a higher level of hatred.

However, the Sand Village cannot be ignored. The two villages had briefly joined forces last time, and no one can guarantee that they will not join forces this time.

Even if they don't join forces, once they take action, their base camp will be empty. If the Sand Village steals their base, it will be a big trouble.

If you want to prevent the Sand Village from causing trouble, you must create some trouble to distract their attention.

Orochimaru transferred the Root Organization ninjas here just to do this.

At this time, hearing Orochimaru's question, the black-robed man immediately replied: "Everything is ready. After the plan begins, several important figures of the Sand Village in the Rain Country will be assassinated."

That’s right, Orochimaru’s plan was so simple and crude.

As long as the Root ninjas can assassinate one or two important figures, the command system of the Sand Village will inevitably be in chaos for a while.

By the time they reacted and reorganized the command system, the operation on their side had already ended, so they no longer had to worry about the other side taking advantage of the situation.

As for whether the assassination will be successful?

If it was an Anbu ninja who came to carry out the task, Orochimaru might still be worried, but if it was a ninja from the Root organization, then there would be no need to worry.

With the organization's mobility, if they know the target person's whereabouts, the assassination can be successful, if not 100%, at least 50% to 60%.

Orochimaru also doesn't expect the Root organization to eliminate all of its target people, because that is unrealistic.

No matter how weak the Sand Village is, it is still one of the five major ninja villages. It is not so easy to assassinate an important figure of such a village.

But as long as he can successfully assassinate a few of them, his plan will go smoothly.

And this is enough.

After making sure everything was ready, Orochimaru no longer hesitated and immediately ordered: "Go down and prepare immediately. Action must be taken on time at 7 o'clock tomorrow night."

"Yes!"

Inside the tent, more than a dozen Konoha jonin responded in unison.

Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

Soon, the tent became empty.

At this time, Orochimaru rubbed his eyebrows hard, and a rare look of fatigue appeared on his face.

To be honest, he didn't like doing these things. Compared to dealing with these "chores", he preferred to study ninjutsu and explore the secret of immortality.

But as a disciple of the Third Hokage, he has the responsibility and obligation to share the pressure for his teacher. Just like Jiraiya took charge of the battlefield in the Land of Wind, he needed to be in charge in the Land of Rain.

"It would be great if there were no war!"

Thinking back to his dead parents, close friends and apprentice, Orochimaru couldn't help but murmur.

Inexplicably, he felt a little irritated and couldn't help wanting to put everything aside and concentrate on his favorite work.

Unfortunately, he couldn't do that.

Closing his eyes and clearing his mind, Orochimaru tried his best to calm himself.

Suddenly, the only sound left in the tent was his faint breathing.

(End of this chapter)