"Who could have imagined that so many things would happen..."

Inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.

After hearing the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the three members of Kakashi's team, feeling thoroughly exasperated.

He truly hadn't expected them to encounter Ao while supporting Shisui's team.

Then, when they turned around to inspect Orochimaru's abandoned laboratory, they ran into his "beloved disciple."

Just how unlucky could they get...

"Still, you performed very well."

Although his feelings were somewhat complicated, a smile appeared on his face when he looked at Hyuga Makoto.

"Especially you, Makoto. You performed exceptionally well this time!"

Hyuga Makoto had truly exceeded his expectations.

Not only had he killed Ao, but he had also remained calm and collected when facing the crisis with Orochimaru, analyzing the situation and making sound judgments.

In the end, he had protected his teammates and escaped unscathed.

Such a performance made him even more certain that he had made the right choice.

"Hokage-sama, you flatter me."

Hyuga Makoto was quite respectful toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. After all, the man had helped him complete his first exclusive mission.

"If I hadn't had Captain Kakashi and Senior Tenzo with me, I couldn't have done any of that."

"Makoto, you don't need to be modest."

Kakashi, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, and Tenzo nodded along.

"That's right. Without you, we'd really have been in trouble."

"Looks like the three of you get along quite well."

Looking at the state of the three, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help smiling.

Although the three of them had been remarkably unlucky, they had ultimately returned safely, and he was satisfied with the atmosphere between them.

After all, the Anbu didn't operate like Root.

"Also, Makoto, you truly don't need to be modest. You were facing Orochimaru, and your performance was beyond reproach."

"Then thank you for your praise, Hokage-sama."

This time, Hyuga Makoto didn't decline the praise. Who didn't like hearing nice things?

Besides, gaining "the recognition of the Hokage and the Anbu" would help advance his main storyline.

Moreover, he planned to push things even further. He still had some tricks up his sleeve.

With that thought, he "hesitated briefly" before continuing.

"Hokage-sama, speaking of Orochimaru, there's one more thing I think I should report."

"Oh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat puzzled. With his pipe between his teeth, he said directly,

"Go ahead."

"Captain, Senior."

Hyuga Makoto didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Kakashi and Tenzo.

"Do you remember what Orochimaru was wearing?"

"I remember. It was a black robe with red clouds."

Tenzo replied somewhat strangely, but Kakashi's brows furrowed.

"Makoto, you suspect... that it was some kind of uniform?"

"Uniform?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately became much more serious. He understood exactly what that implied.

"I can't be certain, but I noticed something else besides the clothing."

Hyuga Makoto gently shook his head, then quickly continued.

"Through the Byakugan, I saw a ring on his hand engraved with the character 'Empty.'"

Those words instantly plunged the entire Hokage's office into absolute silence.

Everyone there was intelligent. One item of clothing might not mean much, but if it was accompanied by a ring symbolizing one's identity...

"It's highly likely that Orochimaru either joined a certain ninja organization or founded one himself!"

How could that not make them nervous?

This was Orochimaru they were talking about. He was extremely dangerous.

"Makoto, are you sure you saw it clearly?"

The matter was so serious that Hiruzen Sarutobi had to ask again. This time, Hyuga Makoto answered with complete honesty.

"Hokage-sama, I saw it very clearly. There can be no mistake."

"Looks like we're facing some trouble..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was genuinely troubled now. Although they couldn't be completely certain yet, he couldn't afford to overlook any information.

If Orochimaru had truly created a ninja organization, what was his purpose? Could he be targeting Konoha?

And if Orochimaru had joined a ninja organization...

"What kind of organization could make the arrogant Orochimaru join? What kind of organization would dare keep a missing-nin like him?"

The more Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it, the more depressed he became. The Uchiha were already causing trouble within the village, and now Orochimaru's threat had emerged outside it.

Worst of all, apart from the clothing and the ring, they knew absolutely nothing else.

"Hokage-sama, I think there's a place we might be able to investigate."

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was at his most frustrated, Hyuga Makoto once again spoke up "at the right time."

"Orochimaru has many laboratories, but where does the money come from?"

"The ninja Black Market?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately understood what Hyuga Makoto meant and nodded thoughtfully.

They had actually investigated the Black Market long ago, but they hadn't found any useful information. Now, however...

"We can investigate and see whether anyone wearing similar clothing has appeared there."

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind, and his gaze once again fell on Hyuga Makoto.

He was truly grateful now that he had agreed to let Hyuga Makoto join the Anbu.

Setting aside the matter of Ao, they might have missed this crucial information about Orochimaru.

"Perhaps I should do something..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered in silence. His idea was somewhat unconventional, and he would need to discuss it with Danzo and the others first.

"Today's events must not be spread."

Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly speak.

"And Makoto, your performance was particularly outstanding. Is there any reward you would like?"

"A reward?"

Hyuga Makoto was stunned, then his expression immediately brightened.

"Anything?"

"Not absolutely anything, but I will give it serious consideration."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with the stem of his pipe between his teeth, completely failing to notice the change in Kakashi and Tenzo's expressions.

But Hyuga Makoto's next words left him dumbfounded.

"Then, Hokage-sama, could Ao's bounty be paid out directly?"

"?"

"Also, could it be claimed in the names of Captain Kakashi and Senior Tenzo?"

"..."

"After all, the bulk of the bounty came from the Hyuga..."

"..."

Kakashi and Tenzo fell silent. They had known something like this would happen.

The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Hyuga Makoto was certainly outstanding, but it seemed he had a few minor shortcomings as well.

"I'm finally back."

At the Hyuga Clan, in Hyuga Makoto's home.

As soon as he arrived home, he collapsed onto the bed. He had been sleeping rough for more than a week and hadn't had a proper rest.

"But all of it paid off..."

A smile spread across Hyuga Makoto's lips. Hiruzen Sarutobi really was generous.

He had already agreed to ask the Hyuga Clan for the money, and it would be distributed within a week at most.

"And Kakashi and Tenzo both voluntarily took less. I've got one 'Asuma' in hand..."

Hyuga Makoto really was short on money. It wasn't that he couldn't get by, but he had to plan for the future.

"My bloodline doesn't have any other attributes, so I'll have to use other methods."

The reason he had been so eager to find Orochimaru was that he had his sights set on Orochimaru's technology.

He wanted to clone bodies with Chakra attributes. That would allow him to adapt to other Chakra attributes ahead of time and accumulate sufficient experience.

Once his bloodline was upgraded, he would be able to master and use them quickly.

"Even if that really isn't possible, I can absorb them through certain secret techniques..."

Hyuga Makoto couldn't help thinking of a certain "senior" from his memories. This vibrant, flourishing world of ninja also possessed the necessary conditions.

"Besides, if I want to become the 'World Nucleus,' I can't just stay in Konoha. Those bodies could help me a great deal..."

[Main Mission: Become the World Nucleus (2%)]

[You already have a decent little circle around you, with everyone enjoying gathering around you, but you are far too insignificant.]

Looking at his status panel, Hyuga Makoto couldn't help nodding.

Although the evaluation hadn't changed, his progress had increased.

After all, during this mission, he had gained the recognition of Kakashi and the Hokage, while also exposing some of Orochimaru's secrets.

This gave him a clearer understanding of the direction his future actions should take.

"Although I could replicate Naruto, and that kid will probably count as the 'World Nucleus' in the future, but..."

Rather than wait until the Fourth Great Ninja War, why not give things a push himself?

Whether as a hero or a villain...

"Forget it. I'll take it slowly."

Hyuga Makoto shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He still had plenty of things to do.

He felt that he really ought to thank Orochimaru.

Because Orochimaru had truly given him a whole heap of technology and ruthless tricks...