"Wait, Sarutobi. No matter how you look at it, five million ryō and the Kusanagi Sword are far too much. How can you hand such an enormous expense over to this Genin?"
Genin? The senbon in Shiranui Genma's mouth fell to the ground, and he didn't even notice. Behind him, Namiashi Raidō and Tatami Iwashi were even wondering if their ears had stopped working.
Since when could a Genin take on an S-rank mission? And the mission had already been completed. The three of them had struggled with all their might to finish an A-rank battlefield support mission. Who on earth was this little Uchiha?
"What do you mean? This is my mission reward. Whether I use the money to fix up my garden or go to a hot spring has nothing to do with you, you old hag!"
"You wretched Uchiha brat! How dare you publicly insult a Hokage Advisor? You—"
The atmosphere in the Mission Briefing Hall grew tense. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the table and glared at her.
"Enough, Koharu! What kind of nonsense is that to say in front of the younger generation? Our comrades from 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 needed to make it, Orochimaru will handle that."
"More importantly, would you be interested in leading a Chunin squad on missions, or joining the Anbu?"
With a kind and benevolent smile, the Third Hokage seemed like an ordinary, kindly old man, chatting with them about everyday matters.
"I refuse. Teacher Orochimaru is going to train me for a while, so I don't have time for missions. I'm off."
Snatching the Konoha check—with a five followed by several zeros—Hua Yue hurried away, giving the Third Hokage and the two Hokage Advisors no time to react. In an instant, he vanished from the spot.
"Ahem, ahem. All right, you may leave as well. Keep working hard, and aim to grow into towering trees. One day, you'll become pillars of Konoha."
At that, Shiranui Genma raised his right hand, unable to contain his curiosity, and asked,
"Who was that Uchiha kid?"
"Hmph. He's just a brat who got lucky and learned the Flying Thunder God Technique. He has no respect for his elders, and he's arrogant about his talents—just like Orochimaru!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brows, deeply displeased. Even if he couldn't see through Orochimaru's intentions anymore, Orochimaru was still his most accomplished student.
"Now, now. He graduated from the Ninja Academy this year, and he's a rare genius. Mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique at that age isn't something hard work could achieve through mere luck."
"The battlefield at Mount Kikyo has quieted down, and the village is safe again, but the Third Shinobi World War hasn't ended. This isn't the time to let down our guard."
The three exchanged glances. Recalling the ninjutsu with which Uchiha Hanazuki had vanished before their eyes, they all recognized the seriousness in one another's expressions.
After the three had left, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. His gaze turned toward his old friend, who had just pushed open the door and entered, and his voice sank.
"Was it your suggestion to have Orochimaru take Uchiha Hanazuki as his student, Danzo?"
"What's wrong with that? Of all your students, Orochimaru is the most talented. Having him teach Uchiha Hanazuki should bring the boy closer to your side—to the Will of Fire, Hiruzen."
"A report came back from the front lines. Orochimaru also made preparations beforehand. Would you like to see how Chiyo, the Kazekage's advisor and a renowned master puppeteer of the old generation, lost to a Genin?"
Danzo gestured, and two Anbu wheeled in a television. After a brief burst of static, the screen showed the battle in full. There was no sound to speak of, only faint audio.
After a brief silence, even Utatane Koharu, who had strongly objected to Uchiha Hanazuki, had nothing to say.
"Monzaemon, the founding master of puppetry, created the greatest masterpiece of all. The old puppet master's trump card was countered by a summoning beast in an instant. Can that Grim Reaper summon steal chakra?"
"Impressive Taijutsu and ninjutsu, well-timed Body Flickers, and a keen grasp of the situation. He really is a genius. But why did it have to be an Uchiha?"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura gave their assessments. Danzo, unusually, even smiled.
"Because he's an Uchiha genius. If he ever betrays Konoha, Orochimaru will eliminate him without hesitation. What's there to be unhappy about?"
Danzo's smile left Hiruzen Sarutobi silent for a moment. His pipe glowed, and wisps of smoke curled around him before finally dissipating.
"But if Konoha is ever in danger, Uchiha Hanazuki must do everything he can to help the village as one of its shinobi. That is a line we cannot cross."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi give in, Danzo smiled broadly and turned to leave.
As Danzo's figure receded into the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face took on a trace of worry.
Orochimaru, have you chosen to join forces with Danzo?
Late at night, at the Root headquarters, where the Anbu were trained.
Danzo leaned on his cane, his expression unreadable. His steady footsteps echoed through the corridor, and his half-smile hinted at delight.
"It seems the terms have been settled. I'll be the one to teach Uchiha Hanazuki. Aside from his personality, the potential he holds may be beyond our imagination."
"Doesn't matter, as long as you keep him away from that decrepit Third Hokage. We're at war now. Once this war ends, he should step down and make way for someone else. Are you ready to become the Fourth Hokage?"
Nearby, two Root members were carrying a body bag in front of Orochimaru. Drops of crimson fell, and Orochimaru looked displeased.
"When did Root start making such low-level mistakes? You haven't even cleaned up all the blood. Or is it..."
"This man's Kekkei Genkai is unusual. If all his blood is drained, his Kekkei Genkai ability disappears too. What happens next has nothing to do with Root."
A giant snake slithered past and swallowed the body bag. Orochimaru turned to leave, but just as he was about to disappear, Danzo called out to him.
"Wait, Orochimaru. Don't forget your mission. Confirm whether Uchiha Hanazuki has awakened the Sharingan."
"Whether he's awakened the Sharingan? I can answer that right now. Without a doubt, he has. Even I can fall into that child's genjutsu if I'm not careful."
"Are you suggesting his eyes could replace the treasure in your right eye?"
Danzo's expression darkened, his already grim face growing more sinister. He gave a cold snort.
"Don't forget, I still control access to the First's cell research."
"The First's Wood Release techniques... I do want that power, the strength to control the Tailed Beasts. But that isn't what I'm after right now."
"My current goal is that adorable student of mine, the one who always manages to surprise me. Heh heh heh..."