Epilogue

On the outskirts of Konoha, in an unnamed cave.

This natural cavern had been converted by Orochimaru into a temporary resting place.

Firewood crackled and popped, casting a warm glow throughout the chilly cave.

Lihuo, who had been asleep the entire journey, slowly stirred awake. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw the orange-red flames.

I've been saved, Lihuo thought with relief. I'm never taking a risk like that again.

"Oh my, if it isn't our Konoha genius Genin. How did you end up in such a sorry state?"

Orochimaru's playful voice drifted over, though Lihuo detected a hint of genuine satisfaction beneath the mockery.

Lihuo propped himself up, stood slowly, and looked toward Orochimaru, who was sitting in the shadows.

"Teacher Orochimaru, have all the enemies been dealt with?"

Orochimaru nodded, his voice slightly raspy as he spoke.

"The red-haired brat escaped, but I took care of that Jonin."

Lihuo nodded upon hearing this.

Although he hadn't been able to prevent his intelligence from being leaked, he was satisfied that a major threat had been eliminated.

"However, what surprises me most is that you knew how to neutralize the poison."

Orochimaru looked puzzled, teasing him as he spoke.

"That red-haired brat is a master of toxins. Even I was momentarily stumped by that poison; he has a limitless future ahead of him."

"I truly thought I would have to carry you all the way to find Tsunade."

"Little Lihuo, you really do surprise me."

Hearing Orochimaru's sincere praise, Lihuo couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness.

However, to be safe, Lihuo still looked at Orochimaru.

"Teacher, what about the traces of our battle..."

At these words, Orochimaru laughed as if he had heard a joke.

"Little Lihuo, do you think so little of your teacher? Rest assured, all traces of the battle have been cleared; no intelligence will be left behind."

"Besides, except for that red-haired brat, not a single other enemy survived. They are all dead."

Orochimaru said this with a hint of murderous intent, reminding Lihuo that his teacher was a veteran who had survived the brutal Great Ninja Wars.

Lihuo nodded, indicating he understood.

Orochimaru continued.

"Little Lihuo, this battle must have been a bountiful harvest for you."

Lihuo knew Orochimaru wasn't referring to the loot, but to the invaluable combat experience.

Orochimaru extended his index finger, and a cluster of sharp chakra condensed at his fingertip.

Lihuo could feel that this chakra possessed the power to cut through iron like mud.

Orochimaru used it to draw a small figure on the stone wall of the cave, pointing at it as he spoke.

"Assume this figure is you. Your Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, Genjutsu..."

As he mentioned each point, he used his finger to mark the corresponding patterns next to the figure.

"I can feel that after this training, your physical fitness has improved significantly, basically stepping into the level of a Jonin."

"And your Ninjutsu..."

Orochimaru paused.

"Your Ninjutsu reserves are already comparable to an average Jonin."

The more Orochimaru spoke, the more he felt this youth before him was a monster. Back when he was six or seven, he was still learning at the Ninja Academy.

"Your only shackle is your chakra volume."

Orochimaru tapped the figure's dantian with his finger. Lihuo understood; this was his greatest pain point.

"The Uchiha Clan doesn't have a low average chakra volume. At the very least, genius clansmen generally possess Jonin-level chakra."

"As for you, limited by your age, your chakra volume is still stuck at the Chunin stage."

Orochimaru looked at Lihuo.

"But there is no need to worry for now. As you grow older, your chakra volume will no longer be a shortcoming."

Afterward, the two discussed the mission further. Orochimaru was, after all, an experienced Jonin, and his insights proved immensely beneficial to Lihuo.

In the following days, the master and student rested briefly before setting out on the road back to the village.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, inside the Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage was reviewing files while listening to Xiang report on the mission.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded occasionally upon hearing the key details.

After finishing his report, Xiang knelt on one knee, waiting for the Third Hokage's inquiries.

"So, this scroll was truly sent by Danzo?"

Xiang nodded.

"Based on the analysis of the scene, that is indeed the case."

"Was it discovered by Orochimaru and Uchiha Lihuo?"

"It was Uchiha Lihuo who cleverly located the hidden scroll."

"Hmm, well done. I will ask them for detailed information when they return."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, and Xiang vanished into the shadows like a ghost.

The secret scroll lay quietly on the Hokage's desk.

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the scroll and began to read it carefully.

"Audacious! Danzo, oh Danzo! How could you lay a hand on Sakumo!"

A surge of fury rose in the Third Hokage's heart.

"Summon Danzo to see me!"

At this very moment, Danzo had also learned from his Root members that the mission had failed and the scroll had been seized.

"Useless! A bunch of useless fools!"

Bang!

Danzo slammed his fist onto his massive desk, kicking up a gust of air.

After a moment of thought, he issued a series of cold commands.

"Withdraw those monitoring Hatake Sakumo from a distance."

"Immediately dispatch four Anbu squads to the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind to stand guard, and while you're at it, search for traces of the dead Sand ninja."

Just as Danzo was methodically arranging the aftermath, the Hokage's direct Anbu squad burst in.

"Lord Danzo, the Hokage requests your immediate presence."

Before Danzo could respond, the Anbu vanished like a phantom.

"Damn you, Sarutobi Hiruzen! Damn you, Orochimaru and Uchiha Lihuo!"

Inside the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was locked in a heated confrontation with his old friend. After a long argument, Danzo said in a fit of rage:

"Hatake Sakumo's strength is too great! He is a destabilizing factor for Konoha! I did this for the sake of the village!"

"Nonsense!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was truly incensed now.

"Effective immediately, the Root's budget is cut by twenty percent, and its personnel reduced by thirty percent."

"What?! Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

"Danzo! I am the Hokage."

These words struck the most vulnerable part of Danzo's heart like a heavy hammer. He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

He thought viciously to himself:

"Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Lihuo, Orochimaru—I have marked you all. This is not over!"

Although dark currents surged beneath the surface of Konoha, the village appeared prosperous on the outside, and it was even livelier than usual.

Because this was the time of the highly anticipated Chunin Exams!

At this moment, in the arena for the final match, Kakashi had won with an outstanding performance.

"Congratulations to Kakashi for becoming Konoha's youngest Chunin!"

The examiner announced excitedly; how could such a historic moment not be thrilling?

Kakashi's expression remained as calm as a stagnant well. He looked around at the spectators and said:

"Uchiha Lihuo, I have become a Chunin. Come and surpass me soon."

The entire crowd erupted in an instant!

"Kakashi is openly calling out to Lihuo; geniuses truly cherish one another."

"Wow! Kakashi is so cool!"

"Tch, Kakashi still doesn't compare to my own handsomeness and strength," said an anonymous Uchiha youth.

Meanwhile, the Lihuo who was being talked about was currently on the road back to Konoha Village with Orochimaru.

Several days later, thousands of miles away, in the Land of Earth, at the Tsuchikage Building.

A short, stout old man wearing the Tsuchikage Haori sat upright in the main seat; it was none other than the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki!

He listened intently as an Iwagakure Anbu reported intelligence from the ninja world.

"Oh? So, you're saying the Sand Village has picked a fight with Konoha this time?"

"Good, good, good. Pass on my order: sow discord between the Sand Village and Konoha. The muddier the waters, the better."

Just as the Iwagakure Anbu was about to leave, Onoki added, "Wait, you mentioned a youth with extraordinary strength? What is his name?"

The Anbu pondered for a moment.

"Sasori of the Red Sand?"

"No, no, the other one."

"Uchiha Lihuo."

Upon hearing this name, Onoki's gaze instantly turned fierce, as if he had recalled something.

"Uchiha!"

He looked at the Anbu and continued, "By any means necessary, investigate all information regarding Uchiha Lihuo!"