Hearing Inuzuka Kaze's words, Miyuki also took it seriously. This was the first ninja clan to actively show goodwill towards the Uchiha.

It seemed that with the former big brother, the Senju clan, being in such a state in the village, the Inuzuka clan, which served as full-time veterinarians in Konoha and found it difficult to enter the center of power in Konoha, also had some special thoughts. However, out of caution, they had not yet made a formal decision to take sides.

However, the fact that Inuzuka Kaze, a Jonin, brought this up to Miyuki was a clear sign of goodwill. The Inuzuka clan was not like the Uchiha, with dozens of Jonin in the clan who could fill several rows at clan meetings. Inuzuka Kaze's status in the Inuzuka clan was probably second only to their clan leader.

"Brother Kaze, this news really solves the urgent need of our police force," Miyuki said. "The newly recruited ninjas haven't grown strong enough yet. With the assistance of the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs, it would be perfect."

Miyuki naturally accepted the Inuzuka clan's goodwill. The Uchiha had not yet officially stepped into the spotlight, and the Inuzuka clan's current attitude was already a pleasant surprise for Miyuki.

The Inuzuka clan's goodwill represented a good start.

"Speaking of which, the treatment of the police force is really enviable," Uzuki Yugao suddenly said. "After learning about the police force's treatment, I even thought about resigning from the Anbu and joining the police force."

"Yugao, that's not a good thought!" Miyuki said seriously. "Isn't working anywhere about serving Konoha? If the Third Hokage hears this, he might think I'm forming cliques."

"Oops, I was just saying," Uzuki Yugao stuck out her tongue. "I've worked hard to reach the rank of Special Jonin in the Anbu, and there's no need to resign."

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, everyone, cheers!" Miyuki raised his cup, clinked glasses with everyone, and drank the wine in one gulp.

Throughout the meal, Kakashi, who was sitting next to Miyuki, remained silent, but his eyes were always observing what was happening at the table, deep in thought.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they returned to the inn.

Early the next morning, they set off again.

However, this time, there was no basic communication between the group and Torin Kin and Mito Homura.

At noon that day, the group arrived at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields.

Before reaching the specific area indicated by the clues, Kakashi began to fulfill his duties as the overall leader of this mission.

"Inuzuka Kaze, you and Gama will search along the scent. Hyuga Keiji, Hyuga Ken, you two pay attention to the surroundings, make sure to always have one Byakugan activated. Everyone else, be prepared for battle."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Understood," everyone, including Miyuki, nodded in acknowledgment. Even Torin Kin and Mito Homura, who had basically already broken ties with the group, had no objections.

In Orochimaru's experimental base within the Land of Rice Fields.

Orochimaru, as if sensing something, put down the test tube in his hand.

Orochimaru, who was still working for the Akatsuki, had not yet thought of establishing the Sound Village, but he had set up an experimental base here for research. This small country, located between major countries and without a ninja village, was a lawless land for powerful ninjas like them.

Although Orochimaru had defected from the village, he still had some backup plans in Konoha.

The recent changes in the village, especially the death of Danzo, who had once cooperated with him, and Miyuki's recent major actions, were all clear to Orochimaru.

Moreover, as soon as the team to capture Orochimaru set out from the village, the spies Orochimaru left in the village sent back the news.

Not wanting to cause trouble, Orochimaru's first thought upon learning of the pursuit team's news was to flee.

However, upon learning that the pursuit team included Miyuki, an Uchiha who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Orochimaru also had a few thoughts of testing him.

Although Orochimaru was not yet so pathologically obsessed with the Uchiha clan's bloodline, the Mangekyo Sharingan was, after all, the eyes of the legendary strongman Uchiha Madara from the previous generation. Out of the instinct of a scientific researcher, Orochimaru naturally felt a bit of curiosity.

During the pursuit team's search of the surrounding area, the ninja dog suddenly tensed up and let out a low growl.

Hyuga Keiji, who was on guard, also noticed something unusual and shouted a warning: "There's a chakra reaction underground, and a large individual is approaching rapidly from the west. It's a snake!"

"Prepare for battle!" Kakashi shouted, assuming a combat stance.

"Watch out underground!" Hyuga Keiji shouted, then pulled Hyuga Ken beside him to jump and dodge.

At that moment, the ground around them shook violently, and several giant white snakes burst out of the ground, opening their crimson mouths from below.

The targeted individuals leaped high at the critical moment, each using their own methods. Inuzuka Kaze immediately merged with Mokumaru, using the clan's secret technique to transform into a giant two-headed dog, dodging the attack from the ground. Uchiha Inaho and Uchiha Saito shot kunai wrapped with wire to the surrounding trees, pulling themselves to change direction in mid-air, then formed hand seals and used the Great Fireball Technique to heavily strike the giant snakes attacking from below.

Although Nagai Seiichi looked somewhat lost in the face of this attack, he also used a water clone to dodge the fatal blow at the critical moment.

On the other hand, the Special Jonin in the field were slightly slower to react and fell into crisis.

Fortunately, just as they were about to be swallowed by the snakes, a blue lightning flashed. Miyuki, who had entered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, moved like a phantom and in the blink of an eye brought them to safety.

However, Torin Kin and Mito Homura, who had taken the initiative to distance themselves from the group during the search due to internal conflicts, were not so lucky.

The attacker had intended to first deal with the isolated individuals, the number of summoned giant snakes attacking them from underground was as many as four. In addition, because of the distance, the two needed some reaction time to respond to Hyuga Keiji warning. Under all these factors, this sudden attack directly caused heavy losses to the two.

Torin Kin, who was relatively strong, managed to survive the sudden attack, but his entire right arm was bitten off. Mito Homura, who was only a Special Jonin, was directly swallowed by the snake.

Before everyone could think too much, in the direction previously indicated by Hyuga Keiji, amidst the dust raised by the falling trees, the figure of a giant snake tens of meters high loomed.