Orochimaru's Decision

As noon approached, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Orochimaru standing in the shadows, flipping through a report from the front lines.

"Anko was attacked, but fortunately, the Jonin in the camp spotted it in time, so she wasn't seriously hurt." Hiruzen studied Orochimaru's impassive face. After a moment's thought, he decided to speak first.

Ever since he'd failed to secure the Fourth Hokage's position, his most talented student had withdrawn from public life. He'd grown distant from his former subordinates, and even Hiruzen, his own teacher, couldn't tell what was on his mind.

These days, only Mitaraishi Anko could get close to Orochimaru. In ten days, Hiruzen would leave Konoha to meet with the daimyo, and he wouldn't be back for about half a month. Someone would need to keep an eye on Shimura Danzō during that time.

Hiruzen knew Orochimaru had been in contact with Danzō, but he trusted Orochimaru's affection for his student, Anko. Danzō's attack on her wouldn't stay hidden from Orochimaru.

As it turned out, Hiruzen was right. Watching Orochimaru walk away, he smiled with satisfaction.

Orochimaru walked down the long corridor. The bright windows kept the cold wind outside, and only the warm sunlight fell across him, dispelling even his gloomy aura.

Ignoring the wary looks of passersby, Orochimaru stood by the window and gazed into the distance, toward Kage Rock.

Over the course of decades, the Hokage Position had changed hands four times, yet Kage Rock still stood firmly in place. It would go on to witness the succession of many more Hokage.

That was why only eternity mattered. The human body was far too frail. If he was to abandon this feeble form, he would need to conduct more experiments.

Konoha was no longer right for him. The web of relationships and competing interests made Orochimaru feel increasingly restless.

This would be the last time, sensei.

"I'll say it one last time: don't open it until the sacred three minutes are up!" Uchiha Yue glared at Senba with wide eyes, baring her little tiger teeth as she warned him. Her right hand pressed firmly down on the sukiyaki pot's lid.

Senba, the team's biggest foodie, finally pulled back his eager fingers and took the sushi Iruka handed him, wolfing it down.

Ten seconds later, after demonstrating how to eat five pieces of sushi in three bites, Senba soothed his grumbling stomach and looked across at their teacher, Genma, who was sipping sake.

"Teacher Genma, you said that if we complete one more B-Rank Mission, we can apply to take the Chunin exams? Is the village really in such a hurry now?"

Senba knew how the village's Chunin promotions worked. He hadn't expected the three of them to face the exams so soon.

Genma Shiranui heard Senba's question, tipped back his head to finish the last of his sake, then let out a satisfied breath and looked at the three children.

"They're making exceptions because these are special times. As long as you stand out in battle, you can qualify for the promotion exams. Don't forget, during the Third Shinobi War, someone in the village became a Chunin at six years old."

At the end, Genma made a point of mentioning the most dazzling talent of his generation. His words held a trace of regret; that person's talent should have carried him beyond Elite Jonin.

If not for the burden of his close friend's keepsake, he might have become the Fifth Hokage.

While Senba and the others pondered the words "making exceptions," the sukiyaki's three minutes were up. The moment they lifted the lid, a rich aroma rose with the steam and filled the air.

From Senba's seat, he could see the broth bubbling vigorously, blending the flavors of beef, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, and the other ingredients. It smelled so good that his mouth was practically watering.

Senba turned down the raw egg Iruka offered him, picked up a perfectly cooked slice of beef with his chopsticks, dipped it lightly in vinegar, then put it in his mouth and chewed slowly.

The beef's rich flavor, paired with the vinegar's tang, filled his mouth with savory juices and whetted his appetite even more.

Yue and Iruka considered Senba's way of eating practically heretical. They insisted that sukiyaki had to be dipped in raw egg to be authentic.

Unfortunately, Senba absolutely refused. He wouldn't eat raw egg, and he wouldn't touch ingredients like sashimi either.

"Teacher Genma, what happens if we fail the Chunin exams?" Senba asked, scooping up another piece of tender tofu and savoring it.

Genma Shiranui, who was having the staff prepare another pot of sukiyaki, fell silent for a moment. "Those who fail will join a new group of recruits and form a Genin team."

"In other words, you might be split up." As Genma Shiranui said this, his gaze fell on Iruka.

He knew he needed to be direct with this child. If Iruka had to guess and figure it out by himself, he might end up worrying unnecessarily.

When Iruka noticed their teacher looking at him, a trace of sadness appeared in his eyes. But he quickly recovered. Becoming the strongest Ninja had never been his dream. That was Senba and Yue's dream.

Seeing how quickly Iruka had composed himself, Senba and Uchiha Yue exchanged a glance, relief showing in their eyes. This might not be a bad thing after all.

Genma Shiranui had seen it too, and a smile tugged at his lips. The next moment, three thick stacks of cash were placed evenly in front of them: their payment for the previous mission.

"Teacher Genma, what about your share?" One glance was enough for Senba to see that the amounts were off. The three of them had received too much.

The payment for missions issued by Konoha didn't include the village's cut, so they received the full amount each time. After that, the team divided it among themselves.

For a Ninja team led by a Jonin like theirs, the Jonin took half, and the three of them split the other half.

Senba weighed the money in his hand. There had to be at least a hundred thousand ryō here. Add in what Yue and Iruka had received, and the total exceeded what they'd usually get for a B-Rank Mission.

"I was very pleased with your performance this time, so I'm not taking a single ryō." Genma Shiranui put a piece of tofu in his mouth from the bubbling broth and took a leisurely sip of sake before answering.

"Don't waste it. Tomorrow, go buy good combat clothes and Ninja Tools that suit you. We'll set out in ten days. B-Rank Missions involve fighting other Ninja."

"Don't get careless. Don't hesitate to spend the money in your hands. Turning it into strength is the right way to use it."

The three of them nodded silently at what their teacher Genma had said. Yue and Iruka needed the money, and so did Senba.

Grandma Momoka's approach to raising children was much like that of a doting mother who spoiled her child rotten. She never skimped on teaching him ninjutsu, but she kept a much closer eye on how he spent money.

Most often, Grandma Momoka would use one of the Konoha Sannin as a cautionary example for Senba. As for which one, Senba had no habit of badmouthing people behind their backs.

He still hadn't had a chance to exchange the unexpected windfall he'd received last time for cash. This payment had come at just the right time.

In high spirits, Senba's appetite grew even bigger. He immediately went into full-on eating mode and began devouring everything in sight.