Why Uchiha?

"Wait, Sarutobi. No matter how you justify it, a reward of 5 million ryo plus the Kusanagi Sword is excessive. Are you really going to hand over such a massive expenditure to a mere genin?"

A genin? Shiranui Genma didn't even notice the senbon falling from his mouth, while Namiashi Raido and Tatami Iwashi behind him wondered if their ears were playing tricks on them.

Since when could a genin carry out an S-rank mission? And he had actually completed it! The three of them had struggled with every ounce of their strength just to finish an A-rank battlefield support mission. What exactly was the background of this Uchiha brat?

"What do you mean? This is my mission reward. Whether I use this money to landscape my garden or go to a hot spring is none of your business, you old hag!"

"You wretched Uchiha brat, how dare you openly insult a Hokage advisor! You..."

Tensions flared in the mission briefing hall. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, slammed his hand against the desk and glared at them.

"Silence, Koharu. What kind of nonsense is this to spout in front of the younger generation? Our comrades in Konoha are risking their lives on the front lines; how can we withhold their mission rewards just because the amount is large?"

"Uchiha Hanazuki, here is your reward. As for the Kusanagi Sword and the materials for its forging, I will have Orochimaru take charge of that."

"Beyond that, do you have any interest in leading a chunin squad for further missions, or perhaps joining the Anbu?"

With a kind and gentle smile, the Third Hokage looked like nothing more than an amiable old man chatting about daily life with the youths before him.

"I refuse. Master Orochimaru is going to train me for a while, so I don't have time for missions. I'm leaving."

Snatching the Konoha check—which started with a five followed by several zeros—Hanazuki vanished instantly, leaving no time for the Third Hokage or the two advisors to react.

"Cough, cough. Very well, you three may head out as well. Continue to work diligently, aiming to grow into towering trees; one day, you will become the pillars of Konoha."

At that moment, Shiranui Genma raised his right hand, unable to suppress his curiosity.

"Who was that Uchiha kid?"

"Hmph, just a brat who got lucky enough to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique. A guy who doesn't know how to respect his elders—arrogant and full of himself, just like Orochimaru!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows were tightly locked, his heart filled with deep dissatisfaction. Even if he couldn't see through Orochimaru's true intentions, the man was still his most prized disciple.

"Now, now. He is a graduate of this year's Ninja Academy and a rare genius. Mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique at his age is not something that can be dismissed as mere luck."

"The battle at Mount Kikyo has ended and the village is safe, but the Third Shinobi World War is not over yet. This is no time to let our guard down."

The three of them exchanged glances, recalling the jutsu Hanazuki had used to vanish, and they all recognized the gravity of the situation.

After the three left, Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent, his gaze shifting toward his old friend who had just stepped through the door. His tone was low.

"Was it your suggestion to have Orochimaru take Uchiha Hanazuki as his student, Danzo?"

"Is there something wrong with that? Isn't Orochimaru the most talented among all your disciples? Having Uchiha Hanazuki receive his guidance should bring him closer to your side, closer to the Will of Fire, Hiruzen."

"The front lines have sent back reports. Orochimaru prepared something in advance. Do you want to see how Chiyo, the advisor to the Kazekage known as the legacy puppet master, was defeated by a genin?"

Danzo gestured, and two Anbu members pushed a television into the room. After a burst of static, the screen displayed the scene of that battle without reservation, though the audio was faint.

After a brief silence, even Utatane Koharu, who had been highly critical of Uchiha Hanazuki, fell silent.

"The greatest masterpiece of the puppet ancestor Monzaemon, the trump card of that old puppet hag, was countered by a summoning beast in an instant. Can that death-god summoning beast steal chakra?"

"Excellent taijutsu and ninjutsu, perfectly timed body-flicker, and a keen grasp of the situation. He is indeed a genius, but why does he have to be an Uchiha?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura gave their assessments, and Danzo revealed a rare smile.

"Precisely because he is a genius of the Uchiha clan, if he ever shows signs of betraying Konoha, Orochimaru will eliminate him without hesitation. Are you still dissatisfied with such an outcome?"

Danzo's smile made Sarutobi Hiruzen fall silent for a moment. He lit his pipe, and wisps of smoke curled around him, eventually dissolving into nothingness.

"However, when Konoha Village faces danger, Uchiha Hanazuki, as a ninja of this village, must do everything in his power to help. That is an unshakable bottom line."

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen relent, Danzo smiled broadly and turned to leave.

As his figure receded into the distance, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew faintly worried.

Orochimaru, have you chosen to join forces with Danzo?

Late at night, at the headquarters of Root, the training division of the Konoha Anbu.

Danzo leaned on his cane, his face expressionless. His steady footsteps echoed through the corridor, and the hint of a smile on his face carried a trace of joy.

"It seems the terms of the negotiation have been met. I will take charge of Uchiha Hanazuki's training. Aside from his personality, the talent that child possesses may be beyond imagination."

"It doesn't matter, as long as you don't let him come into contact with the decaying Third Hokage. We are in the midst of war; once this war ends, he should step down and make way for the worthy. Are you prepared to become the Fourth Hokage?"

Not far away, two Root members were moving a body bag in front of Orochimaru. A few drops of crimson blood dripped out, causing Orochimaru to look displeased.

"Since when does Root make such low-level mistakes? You didn't even clean up the blood. Or is it that..."

"This guy's bloodline limit is somewhat special. If the blood is drained completely, the ability of the bloodline limit will vanish along with it. The rest has nothing to do with Root."

A giant, winding python swallowed the body whole. Orochimaru turned to leave, but just as he was about to vanish, Danzo called out to him.

"Wait, Orochimaru. Don't forget your mission: confirm whether Uchiha Hanazuki has awakened the Sharingan."

"Whether he has awakened the Sharingan? I can give you the answer right now. Without a doubt, he has indeed awakened it. That child's genjutsu is so potent that even I could fall into it if I were careless."

"Do you think his eyes could replace the treasure currently in your right eye?"

His expression turned gloomy, and his already dark, aged face became even more sinister. Danzo let out a cold snort.

"Don't forget, the research authorization for the First Hokage's cells is still in my hands."

"The First Hokage's Wood Release, that power to control Tailed Beasts... I certainly desire it. Unfortunately, that is not my goal at the moment."

"My current goal is that cute disciple of mine who always manages to surprise me. Hehehehe..."