Notify Fugaku, the clan leader, and have him prepare to meet the challenge in his best state.

"So, if I complete this mission, will I obtain the Will of Fire of a Jonin?"

Uchiha Ruohuo held onto the scroll, asking once more.

He wasn't in any rush to become the clan head or anything of the sort.

While the position of Uchiha clan head was not quite on par with the Hokage, being seven years old was simply too abstract.

Gaara was already the Kazekage at a little over ten, after all.

By comparison, he was currently more curious about Orochimaru's true intentions.

"That is not quite the case." Orochimaru shook his head.

"Becoming a Jonin is far more rigorous than passing the Chunin exams. Beyond the ability to independently complete high-risk missions, the requirements in every aspect are extremely high."

"A single mission is certainly not enough... but this mission will serve as the starting point for Ruohuo-kun to become a Jonin."

"I see..." Ruohuo nodded thoughtfully, then stood up and performed a hand seal.

"Then let's set off immediately, Teacher."

Orochimaru was slightly surprised by this.

Based on his understanding of this child over this period, he had assumed Ruohuo would not be so easily persuaded.

After all, Ruohuo had always been obsessed with challenging Fugaku and becoming the clan head.

He cast a subtle glance toward the direction of the Hokage Office Building.

Just as Orochimaru was about to say something, he saw a Shadow Clone of Ruohuo appear, carrying Ruohuo's thoughts from the previous second, and say:

"I will go inform Grandmother and my younger brother. Should I also send a formal declaration of war to Clan Head Fugaku while I'm at it?"

"Of course." Ruohuo said earnestly, "Saving people is a major matter. Let me complete the mission first, and I will go challenge Clan Head Fugaku when I return."

The Shadow Clone nodded, "Understood. I will have Clan Head Fugaku prepare himself and train hard so he can strive to welcome you in his best state."

The Shadow Clone ran off, expressionless.

Ruohuo then looked at Orochimaru, "Every second is precious when it comes to rescue missions, so let's set off quickly, Teacher."

Orochimaru hesitated for a moment, but still smiled and agreed, "Very well."

Inside the Crystal Ball, Orochimaru and Ruohuo had already begun heading toward the village exit.

The Third finally looked toward the three elders.

"You have all seen it. Orochimaru gave no hints throughout the process, yet the moment this child received the mission, he chose to set off for the rescue."

"I have said it before... although Ruohuo is young, the Will of Fire within him is very strong..."

The Third leisurely loaded tobacco into his pipe, condensed chakra at his fingertips to form a flame, lit it, and took a satisfying puff.

"But this child's interpretation of the Will of Fire seems rather abnormal, doesn't it?" Utatane Koharu frowned, "What is this about Chunin and Jonin? It sounds too absurd."

Because they did not understand it, they found it absurd; this was the typical mindset of those in power.

Mitokado Homura, however, understood, "Perhaps it is a tacit understanding between Orochimaru and the child? Much like how parents give rewards when children achieve a goal; I have educated the children in my own family this way as well."

"Uchiha Ruohuo is, after all, very young. It is quite normal for Orochimaru to act this way."

Utatane Koharu frowned, "But could Orochimaru be using this... tacit understanding to plant suggestions in Uchiha Ruohuo's mind?"

"Koharu." The Third tapped the table lightly, interrupting her, "You are overthinking it."

After saying this, he felt something was off and turned his gaze toward Danzo.

Danzo had not said a word all day; ever since he entered the office, he had been sitting with his eyes slightly closed, resting his mind. He was truly being too quiet.

Noticing the Third's gaze, Danzo half-opened his eyes and said coldly, "My stance has not changed from the very beginning."

"No member of the Uchiha Clan has the qualifications to be promoted to Chunin, especially this brat who passed the exam by cheating."

"He also severely damaged the exam venue during the second stage, nearly causing harm to Konoha itself."

"An Uchiha like this... my suggestion is to revoke his Chunin qualifications, or at the very least, have him return to the Konoha Military Police Force and maintain surveillance on him to prevent..."

"That is enough, Danzo." The Third raised his voice slightly to interrupt, "You are being too extreme!"

"This is my way of doing things, and it is the original intention behind the establishment of Root."

Danzo stood up directly and looked at the Third with cold eyes, "Monkey... the Uchiha are not the same as the Senju. You will regret this sooner or later."

"..."

Orochimaru and Ruohuo set off directly, but they suddenly stopped shortly after leaving Konoha.

Three masked ninjas caught up to them.

"Lord Orochimaru, these are the supplies you requested just now." One ninja offered a Space-Time Scroll with both hands.

"You've worked hard. Go back now; this mission does not require many people."

"Yes!"

Orochimaru remained meticulous; before departing, he had used a shadow clone to notify his subordinates to bring over equipment.

This way, they would neither waste time nor have to head to the battlefield empty-handed.

The Space-Time Scroll contained various ninja tools: long swords, kunai, shuriken, flash bombs, and explosive tags.

There were also some Military Ration Pills wrapped in wax paper and dried plums (for quenching thirst), all of excellent quality and in generous quantities—truly the perfect choice for traveling, killing, or looting.

The amount was neither too much nor too little, just enough for two people.

"No matter the mission, preparation is always of the utmost importance, Ruohuo."

Orochimaru distributed the gear to Ruohuo while instructing him, "Just as you said, every second of rescue time is precious, but if the mission fails due to inadequate preparation, then the time you fought for will have been wasted in vain."

"I understand, Teacher."

Ruohuo kept stuffing items into his ninja tool pouch; although he likely wouldn't need them, they could be sold for money.

He had elders to support and youngsters to raise at home, and whether he wanted to buy a house, get married, have children, or lead his clansmen in an uprising later on, all of it would require money.

If only I could find an investor, Ruohuo thought to himself.

And it can't be someone from the village; it would be best if it were a wanderer like Kakuzu.

The Third's surveillance was just too underhanded.

Regarding Orochimaru's unusual behavior today, Ruohuo had made a brief assessment earlier.

He found that the indices for lying and deception were both under 30%. Aside from the "Promotion of the Will of Fire Theory" that Ruohuo himself had proposed, Orochimaru seemed to be genuinely offering him advice.

He couldn't detect any flaws or ulterior motives.

Combined with that faint gaze he had sensed the moment he revealed his Three Tomoe...

Ruohuo had reason to suspect that this mission was, in all likelihood, some sort of test from the Third.

After all, a rescue mission like this was the best way to reflect a person's moral character.

That was why Ruohuo had set off in such a hurry—to highlight his own excellent character.

It was just a rescue mission, after all...

He was the successor to the Will of Fire; he had nothing to fear.

What a coincidence.

Orochimaru was thinking the exact same thing.

Having just finished an S-rank mission, he had been handed a B-rank rescue mission...

Although his teacher had said on the surface that he should take this opportunity to properly educate the child, Ruohuo, how could Orochimaru not know that this was his teacher's warning regarding the six Konoha ninja who had sacrificed their lives in his previous mission?

It was only a B-rank rescue mission...

It was just a matter of trying to bring people back to Konoha alive; how hard could it possibly be?