Trading with Orochimaru

"Next, Mikoto." Tsunade's gaze shifted to Uchiha Mikoto, her tone softening slightly.

Mikoto took a deep breath and slowly raised her head, a hint of resolve flickering within her gentle features. "My name is Uchiha Mikoto, my favorite food is three-colored dango, and the person I like the most..."

She paused, stealing a glance at Bai Lin, her earlobes turning crimson. "...is someone who can fulfill their promises and protect the Uchiha Clan."

"My dream is for the Uchiha Clan to be fully integrated into Konoha, no longer subject to isolation or prejudice. I want my clansmen to live peacefully under the sun, coexisting with all other families, and for the Three-Tomoe Sharingan to be a power that guards Konoha, rather than a weapon to be feared."

Her voice was not loud, yet it carried a heavy weight, her eyes sparkling with longing for the future.

Tsunade looked at her deeply and nodded.

She held no prejudice against the Uchiha Clan; Konoha was her home, and every person and every family within it deserved to be treated equally.

Wasn't the peace that her grandfather, Hashirama, spent his entire life pursuing exactly this—a world without tribal divisions, where everyone protected one another?

Although her granduncle often ranted about the "naturally evil Uchiha," she knew he treated the Uchiha Clan with the same standard as everyone else.

The existence of the Uchiha was simply too unique; once influenced by extreme emotions, the power of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan could bring harm to the village, which was why her granduncle was wary and unsure of how to handle them.

"Alright, since everyone has finished their introductions."

"I have a few things to tell you all."

Tsunade spoke to the three of them with a serious expression.

Bai Lin stopped his playful demeanor, his face turning earnest as well.

"Because of Hanzo of the Salamander of Amegakure, the situation in the Ninja World is looking grim. The village's mission system has come to a complete halt, so I can no longer take you on missions to help you grow."

"The village's ninjas will be deployed under unified command. Rest assured, you will remain by my side, and I will ensure your safety."

Tsunade's voice was heavy, shattering the previous lighthearted atmosphere.

"Tsunade, does the village have any recent plans?" Bai Lin asked.

He didn't care about missions; he already had his own agenda.

"The teacher has divided the village's ninjas into four squads:"

"The first squad is led by Orochimaru. Starting tomorrow, they will head to the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, responsible for pinning down the main force of Hanzo of the Salamander to prevent him from invading Konoha, while also keeping watch on the unknown intentions of Iwagakure."

"Jiraiya and I are assigned to the same squad, though I am joining as a medical ninja. We depart in three days with the logistics team, and you will be coming with me then," Tsunade explained carefully.

"Oh? The timing is different?" Bai Lin nodded, deep in thought.

He remembered that Nawaki died this year. If that was the case, given Nawaki's performance, he seemed completely inexperienced; it was highly likely he would fall into a trap during this mission at the border of the Land of Rain due to his eagerness to prove himself.

He wondered what Orochimaru had actually taught him for him to be blown up by an Explosive Tag.

"The second squad is led by Hatake Sakumo. They also depart tomorrow to garrison the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, guarding against a surprise attack from Sunagakure and uncovering their troop deployments and battle plans."

"The third squad is led by Torifu Akimichi, garrisoning the northeastern border of the Land of Fire, while also guarding against the movements of Kirigakure and Kumogakure. If any abnormalities are discovered, they are to report back to the village immediately to avoid being attacked from both sides."

"The final squad is led by the teacher himself, garrisoning Konoha to oversee the overall situation and respond to any emergencies."

After hearing Tsunade's words, Bai Lin began to construct his own plan in his mind.

A moment later.

"Tsunade," Bai Lin said in a deep voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness, "I have a request—let me depart early with Orochimaru's squad."

Tsunade frowned. "What are you trying to do? Orochimaru's squad is only leaving a few days before us; there's no need to rush."

"I know, but I have my own plans."

"But..." Tsunade hesitated, but Bai Lin interrupted her.

"Mikoto will come with me, and Kushina will depart with you."

Ever since he gained the strength of Sasuke Uchiha, these past few days had been a complete waste of time. It would be better to leave the village early and test his theories about the system.

The system's requirements for money were: doing business, completing missions, and killing enemies.

Once they entered a state of war, there would be no shortage of funds gained from killing enemies, but it would ultimately waste too much time on combat for the system's sake. To quickly reach the required monetary threshold, he had to open up more avenues.

As for why he was taking Mikoto, he had his own plans and would not be staying with Orochimaru. Once they left the village, he would act on his own and take the opportunity to train Mikoto, who had just awakened her Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Kushina was too weak, making it inconvenient to look after her, so it was better for her to travel slowly to the battlefield with Tsunade.

"Brother Lin, I want to go with you too," Kushina said anxiously, seeing that Bai Lin wasn't taking her.

Bai Lin patted her head and said gently, "Kushina, be good and go with Tsunade."

"Practice hard while I'm not by your side. The battlefield isn't child's play; even I cannot guarantee my own safety at all times. You wouldn't want to hold me back because you're too weak, would you?"

"This is a ninjutsu I created, called the Rasengan. Once you finish your previous training tasks, you can practice this."

Bai Lin handed a scroll to Kushina from the system space.

"Oh." Kushina felt dejected upon hearing this.

The night grew deeper.

Following the address provided by Tsunade, Bai Lin found Orochimaru.

"Bai Lin, why have you come to see me so late?" Seeing Bai Lin's arrival, a flash of surprise crossed Orochimaru's eyes, followed by a meaningful smile. "Is there something you wish to learn?"

"I always said Tsunade wasn't suited to be your teacher; I have no idea what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking."

"Lord Orochimaru." Bai Lin gave a slight nod, his tone calm. "I have already requested permission from my teacher to depart with you tomorrow for the border of the Land of Rain."

"Oh?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Is your heart already impatient because this is your first time stepping into a war?"

"You really are just a child. These next few years aren't likely to be peaceful, so what difference does a few days make?"

"Heh," Bai Lin chuckled softly. "Indeed, it makes little difference, but I simply cannot sit still for these few days."

"I came to find you because there are a few things I would like to trade with you."

"A trade?" Orochimaru asked, puzzled. "What could you possibly want to trade with me? If it concerns ninjutsu, regardless of whether you are Tsunade's student, I can teach you as if you were my own."

He didn't know why, but seeing Bai Lin gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He felt as if he were looking at his own reflection in the boy, and he felt a strange, impulsive urge to mentor him.