Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

After advancing ten kilometers, Chinya and the other Konoha ninjas temporarily set up camp.

In recent days,

Cloud ninjas had kept showing up to scout their position.

However, thanks to surrounding traps and patrolling units, no battle had occurred.

Chinya had it pretty easy these days — there weren't any trivial matters requiring his personal attention.

So he'd been training nonstop for the past few days.

On the third day after establishing the camp, news arrived from the Hidden Hot Water Village.

The Hidden Hot Water Village had officially restored its neutrality, declaring it would no longer take part in the conflict between Kumo and Konoha. Cloud ninjas would no longer be allowed stationing within the village.

As for this outcome, neither Chinya, Orochimaru, nor Jiraiya felt surprised.

After all, the recent battle that erupted inside the Hidden Hot Water Village had already dealt them a significant blow.

If Tatsuji Kuroiwa possessed even basic wisdom, he should understand that in the war between Kumo and Konoha, a small village like theirs simply lacked the qualifications to take sides.

He could only accept Orochimaru's advice and restore neutrality.

Only then could the Hidden Hot Water Village hope to survive this conflict before it fully escalated.

But such peaceful days lasted only four days.

On the fifth day,

Orochimaru summoned Chinya to his tent.

Inside the tent, as usual, stood only Orochimaru and Jiraiya; now, plus him.

As Chinya entered, Orochimaru wasted no time getting serious. "Two kilometers away from our encampment, the Cloud ninja have begun gathering."

Jiraiya furrowed his brow. "How many are there?"

Orochimaru replied, "Rough estimate puts it at about fifty ninjas. Seems like this time they truly intend to figure out our strength. Though honestly, their timing is later than expected—I thought they'd act two days ago."

Jiraiya asked, "So, shall we fight while retreating using our traps?"

Orochimaru nodded, "Exactly. The traps we laid these past few days will serve as our primary tool to halt their progress, but that alone won't suffice.

Since we don't yet know the exact composition of those fifty Cloud ninjas, Jiraiya and I will guard the rear, doing our best to delay their pursuit."

Jiraiya furrowed his brow again. "You mean you'll stay with me guarding the rear? Then who leads the team forward?"

Suddenly pausing, Jiraiya turned his gaze toward Chinya.

Chinya gave a confused look and pointed at himself. "Am I supposed to lead everyone forward?"

Orochimaru nodded and explained, "Precisely. Among us here, only Chinya possesses leadership capability. Even though we're gradually retreating, we can't retreat too quickly.

Although the traps exist, we cannot ignore possibilities like them being rendered ineffective or discovered entirely. Therefore, Jiraiya and I will protect the rear to control how fast the Cloud ninja pursue.

Your task, Chinya, is to guide the ninjas during their withdrawal. Naturally, some Cloud shinobi will attempt flanking maneuvers ahead—you'll need to organize counterattacks when that happens.

Chinya, sooner or later in this war you will inevitably step into a leader's role commanding battles, so consider this your first real test of leadership."

Chinya's expression became somewhat complicated.

Chinya already knew he would eventually become a leader, just based on how much Orochimaru valued him.

Chinya originally thought it would start with those five unfortunate Uchiha Chunin, but never expected things to move so quickly. Now he was directly leading thirty-two ninja.

Jiraiya agreed, saying, "Indeed, Chinya is more suitable here to lead the ninja and command their retreat."

At first, when Jiraiya heard Orochimaru say only Chinya possessed leadership qualities, he wanted to argue slightly.

Jiraiya felt Minato Namikaze also had excellent leadership skills. After all, in many previous missions, Minato led operations as the commander.

But compared with Chinya, Minato's leadership clearly fell short.

Leadership ability is directly tied to strategic vision. Minato's vision was merely decent. Moreover, Minato always prioritized his teammates, making him quite unsuitable as a leader.

Chinya felt a bit pressured.

It was his very first time commanding over thirty people at once.

Previously, he had agreed to lead those five Uchiha Chunin partly because he disliked the Uchiha Clan and wanted to make them suffer a little.

Orochimaru said, "Chinya, don't feel pressured. Just perform normally."

Chinya nodded and replied, "I understand, Lord Orochimaru. I will command their retreat."

"Good, then everything else will be easier," Orochimaru continued. "Jiraiya, go assemble everyone!"

"Alright, I'll gather everyone right away!"

Jiraiya rushed out of the tent to assemble all the ninja.

Approaching Chinya, Orochimaru patted his shoulder and encouraged him, "We're severely understaffed now. You possess this talent—just use it normally. Let's go."

Orochimaru led Chinya out of the tent.

...

All the ninja had fully assembled.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Chinya stood at the front of the formation.

Orochimaru announced, "The Cloud Ninja have gathered nearly fifty combatants preparing for action. We must begin our retreat as well. Jiraiya and I will guard at the rear, resisting pressure from the Cloud Ninja forces.

You simply need to retreat according to plan. From now on, your leader and commander will be Chinya. He will lead you all in retreating!"

Upon hearing they were to follow Chinya's orders for retreat, everyone looked at each other in surprise and began whispering among themselves.

Stepping forward, Chinya spoke coldly, "I know many of you have doubts about my command, but this is an order—you have no choice but to accept it!

From this moment onward, every one of you will obey me exclusively. My commands are absolute! Disobey my orders and die? Don't blame anyone but yourself!

And worse, if anyone's disobedience puts others at risk, I'll kill that person myself—no need for the enemy to lift a finger!

You should clearly understand I'm fully capable of doing such things. After all, in your eyes, I am precisely this kind of ruthless person."

Among the ranks, Minato Namikaze had already tightly furrowed his brows.

Jiraiya stared at Chinya's back, momentarily stunned—as though he were staring at a younger Orochimaru.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya moved to the rear of the group.

Chinya then began issuing orders.

"Everyone, check your ninja tools. During the retreat, we still need to set up traps!

Divide the 32 people into two teams—one group of 16 will continue using 1 Shadow Clone and 5 bunshins to maintain formation, while the other team sets up traps. Then they will switch in turns.

No matter what happens behind us, don't engage unless I say so!

If you've understood, once the Cloud Ninja move in, fall in behind me!"

[End of command.]

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