"That's one way to look at it. Now that it's over, my mission is officially over too. A battlefield this terrifying really isn't suited to me."
"I'll move the wounded to Konoha Hospital. News of what happened at Mount Kikyo will spread to every country, and we can't rule out someone taking advantage of our weakness. Konoha isn't the only target, either."
"Right? Iwagakure in the Land of Earth... Iwagakure Ninja..."
A cold kunai silently took aim at the Iwagakure Ninja lurking in the shadows, trying to steal information. Their eyes met, and every detail of the situation was laid bare.
"Iwagakure! Is the Land of Earth planning to take advantage of this and attack Konoha, too? No wonder. The current Tsuchikage is known to be a real handful—Ōnoki of Both Scales..."
Nara Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and gave Uchiha Hanazuki a long look, marveling inwardly.
When people found themselves in a safe environment, they naturally let their guard down, especially in a rest area crowded with companions.
He'd been here for quite a while, yet Uchiha Hanazuki hadn't let his guard down at all. Did he never get tired? Never relax?
"I'll leave this Iwagakure Ninja to you. I'll head back to Konoha and report to Teacher Orochimaru. See you."
He vanished, and dozens of severely wounded patients, already given emergency treatment, disappeared from where they lay as well. Yuhi Shinku lowered his head in thought, suddenly feeling a little heavier on his shoulders.
"What? If you've taken a liking to him, you'd better tell your daughter first. To be so capable at such a young age, he might grow into an excellent ninja like Minato someday. Ha ha ha..."
"That's not for you to say, Inoichi. You don't even have a child. If you had a daughter, you'd worry about some brat outside tricking her, too."
Yamanaka Inoichi looked awkward for a moment, then shrugged it off.
"What are you talking about? Even if I had a daughter, I wouldn't worry like you do. He's a genius from the Uchiha Clan, and he can use the Body Flicker Technique at such a young age. Your daughter, on the other hand..."
"Mr. Inoichi!"
Unable to finish what he'd been about to say, Yamanaka Inoichi turned toward the unconscious Iwagakure Ninja and hurriedly shifted into battle mode, preparing to use his sensory technique.
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, in the ordinary ward where Hanazuki had arrived...
A young nurse finishing a dressing change was about to turn and leave when she suddenly saw injured patients sprawled all over the floor. The black-robed boy sitting on the bed flashed her a grin.
"Could you call in a few more members of the Medical Team?"
A blush spread across her cheeks. The nurse, utterly dazzled for a moment, came to her senses and hurried to the duty station to notify the medical ninja on call.
As she lay in bed, the faint scent of plants and trees lingered around Yuhi Kurenai's nose. For a moment, she forgot the pain of her wound and asked without thinking,
"Um, Hanazuki, what are you going to..."
"You dealt with your opponent beautifully, my adorable student. Heh heh heh..."
A sinister chuckle echoed through the ward. Every hair on Yuhi Kurenai's body stood on end, and she turned instinctively to meet the chilling gaze of a pair of snake-like eyes.
"You're just as unpleasant as ever, Teacher Orochimaru."
His cloak billowed, dispelling the killing intent that filled the room. His eyes were as deep as an abyss, yet held no hint of fear. His voice was cold and indifferent.
"How kind of you. So kind that you hardly seem like a member of the Uchiha Clan. But that hardly matters. The materials you asked for will be delivered shortly."
"An impressive battle. Nine Mask Svāhā. There are still so many ninjutsu in this world that I've never seen. Are you ready to explore the truth of this world with me?"
Orochimaru glanced discreetly at Yuhi Kurenai, then turned and left. Only after his footsteps faded down the corridor did Yuhi Kurenai remember to breathe. She gasped for air again and again.
"Th-that was one of the Sannin, Orochimaru? He... he doesn't seem human. He's like some kind of snake wearing human skin. Hanazuki, are you really going to study under him? Someone like that..."
He gently soothed Kurenai's breathing and smiled, reassuring her to calm down. Then he said something even he didn't believe.
"Actually, Teacher Orochimaru is one of the few truly intelligent people in all of Konoha. He's just a little extreme, but he's always pursued his dreams."
Such as the Immortality Technique, mastering every ninjutsu in the world, and learning the source of Senjutsu and how ordinary people could master it.
He was arguably the person in Konoha with the deepest understanding of science, and had even touched upon the secrets of the Sage of Six Paths and the Rinnegan with a mortal body.
"Is that so?"
"Probably. Anyway, focus on healing. We'll meet again if we get the chance. See you."
The sun sank in the west, and a few cherry blossoms danced in the air. Inside the mission assignment hall of the Hokage Office Building...
The Genma Team, made up of Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raidō, and Tatami Iwashi, was reporting on the mission.
But suddenly, someone flung open the door and barged in without a care. His gaze swept across the room before settling on the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Third Hokage, Teacher Orochimaru sent me to collect my mission rewards."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Hokage Advisors furrowed their brows. Shiranui Genma didn't recognize the stranger at all. He exchanged a glance with his teammates, and they all shook their heads.
"Has the front in the Land of Wind been completely subdued?"
After coughing twice, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe, his expression solemn.
"The Land of Wind. One hundred and seven Sunagakure Ninja, including Kazekage Advisor Chiyo, have been subdued. At least, that's how things stood when I left."
"As for the allied forces of Sunagakure and Cloud Hidden at Mount Kikyo, only the Fourth Raikage, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa, and the Scorch Style Ninja Pakura remain. The Cloud Hidden Magnet Release Ninja Toroi has been confirmed dead."
"Mimura Hamaki will relay the follow-up intelligence. The S-rank mission to control the battlefield between the Sand Ninja and Konoha has been completed."
At that, Hanazuki changed the subject and smiled.
"Five million ryō, at least ten kunai made from materials like those used for the Kusanagi Sword, one Kusanagi Sword, some puppet materials, and a complete set of ninja tools, including Explosive Tags. Where are my rewards?"
Bang! The two Hokage Advisors slammed their hands on the table in anger and shouted,
"What kind of joke is this? Fine, we can overlook the money and ninja tools, considering it was an S-rank mission. But what's this about a Kusanagi Sword? And ten kunai made from the same material? Are you trying to rob us, you brat?"
"Rob you? I risked my life to subdue the entire battlefield on my own, and I even did my best to reinforce the Mount Kikyo front, just as you asked. Are you planning not to pay me?"
Utatane Koharu was so angry that she could barely keep her expression under control. It took Sarutobi Hiruzen's intervention to calm the two Advisors down.
"What kind of example are you setting in front of the younger generation? Calm down. Uchiha Hanazuki, Konoha won't forget what you've done for the village. The rest of your rewards will be credited to your account."
"However, with your abilities, you're no longer suited to being a Genin. Would you be interested in leading a Chunin squad on future missions?"