Heh, I'm a good judge of character

Days passed, and although the Third Shinobi World War had yet to cease, the heavy losses suffered by Sunagakure and Kumogakure at the Battle of Mount Kikyo forced both nations to exercise restraint.

The intensity of the war subsided slightly, but this did not mean the end was near; rather, it was the calm before the storm.

Inside Orochimaru's laboratory in Konoha Village.

Uchiha Hanazuki sat to the side, bored, watching Orochimaru's somewhat violent dissection technique before finally curling his lip.

"Are you bored already? You don't seem like the type who can sit quietly in a laboratory. Why did you suddenly come here?"

"Anko, go back to the hospital and get me two more of the materials we used yesterday."

"Don't eavesdrop. I have things to discuss with your senior brother, do you understand?"

Anko Mitarashi, who had been officially taken as a disciple by Orochimaru just yesterday, glanced at the two of them suspiciously. Her small face was knotted in conflict, and as she left, a flash of worry flickered in her eyes toward Hanazuki.

"My, my, is there a problem with observing one's teacher conducting experiments? Or is this laboratory a restricted area where 'outsiders' are forbidden?"

"You certainly have a sharp tongue! Ever since that day, you've been hiding at home, claiming you needed to recuperate from excessive chakra usage. This is the first time we've met since we parted ways, isn't it?"

A soul-piercing gaze fell upon him, enough to freeze anyone else in their tracks with sheer killing intent, yet Hanazuki remained unmoved, as if his senses were dulled.

"Is that so? Perhaps my injuries were too severe, and I haven't had the time to pay my respects. So, when shall we begin the lessons?"

"I have always admired Orochimaru-sensei. You are the one in Konoha who has mastered the most forbidden techniques, are you not?"

The half-smile on his face displeased Orochimaru, who pressed down with his scalpel, causing droplets of blood to splatter onto his pale face.

"You want my forbidden techniques? It is rare for someone with your eye to take an interest in them. Very well, I shall give them to you."

A mottled, rusted key was spat out from the winding, serpentine kiss, its disgusting slime making him feel a sense of revulsion.

"The time required to master forbidden techniques is beyond imagination. I do not believe you are the type of person willing to lose yourself in such arts."

"Heh, you judge people well. In that case, I shall take my leave. Please, continue your work."

After his figure vanished, Orochimaru remained silent, turning toward the door and asking softly.

"Anko, where are the materials I requested?"

"Orochimaru-sensei, why... do I feel like I have never truly known Hanazuki?"

The scalpel paused for a moment before landing precisely back on the incision point. Though his actions were crude, he maintained his characteristically rational style.

"That is the difference between talents. He is highly talented and extremely rational; he knows how to keep a low profile when he needs to lie dormant, and when he does reveal his talent, he secures vast gains for himself without crossing the line."

"Sensei, what does that mean?"

Young and unable to grasp the meaning behind Orochimaru's words, Anko looked confused.

"He... Uchiha Hanazuki. What do you think is the biggest difference between you and him? Talent in ninjutsu? Raw strength?"

"No. The biggest difference between you and him is his judgment of the situation in Konoha Village... no, the entire shinobi world."

"He deliberately let the Sunagakure advisor Chiyo go, and despite having the ability to kill the remaining two bloodline limit ninjas of Sunagakure, Rasa and Pakura, he did not take the opportunity to strike."

"It is precisely because Sunagakure still has the strength to defend itself that they did not go all-in and choose to fight Konoha to the death."

Anko only half-understood, feeling a sense of loss as she realized the friend with whom she used to skip class and eat dango was drifting further and further away.

"Are you sad? Anko, it is likely impossible for you to catch up to Hanazuki with your talent. I judge a ninja's potential more accurately than anyone else."

Anko lowered her gaze, then suddenly smiled, speaking to herself.

"Even if that guy pulls ahead, I don't want to be left too far behind. Besides, I have Orochimaru-sensei. You are one of the Sannin; there must be a way to catch up to him, right?"

At that moment, Orochimaru's smile seemed genuine, though the blood-soaked specimen before him somehow transformed into an eye that radiated evil and ominous intent.

Perhaps even I am not his match. Uchiha Hanazuki... that feeling was definitely not an ordinary Sharingan. What exactly is it?

On the outskirts of Konoha Village, outside a dilapidated orphanage.

A middle-aged woman dressed as a nun was hand-washing the children's clothes. It was autumn, and the water was biting cold.

Although she had petitioned the director more than once for a washing machine, the orphanage's finances were too tight to spare the money. The director had recently taken in another child, and if things continued this way, even putting food on the table would become a major problem.

Suddenly, a dark shadow blocked the remaining sunlight. The woman, robbed of the warmth, looked up sharply, her eyes ready to spit fire.

Just as she was about to start scolding, the dark red bandages on his legs and the refined, luxurious fabric of his clothes made her swallow her words.

"Is Sister Nonou in?"

"Are you a ninja? The director is inside. Is this the subsidy from the village?"

The hope rising in her eyes was cut short by his next words.

"No, I am not a ninja sent to deliver subsidies; that is the responsibility of the village administration. I just have some business with Sister Nonou. Has the village subsidy not been delivered for a long time?"

The plump woman led the way, complaining as she walked.

"Indeed! Every time we ask Danzo-sama to authorize funds, those ninjas only say that it is wartime and funds are tight, refusing to give us even a single coin."

"A few days ago, when the director went to ask, those people even claimed that a ninja had taken a 50 million ryo reward for completing a high-difficulty mission, and that all of Konoha's funds were strained."

"Is being a ninja really that profitable? Honestly, if I were a few decades younger, I would have wanted to be a ninja to make money too..."

Hanazuki froze slightly. What was going on? Hadn't he only received 5 million ryo? When did another zero get added to the end?

Even if you added the material costs for the Kusanagi Sword, 30 million ryo would be the absolute limit; whose pockets did the rest of the money go into?

Lost in self-doubt, Hua Yue lowered her head in contemplation, but a loud shout from the stout woman leading the way interrupted a question that would likely never find an answer.

"Director, we have a guest."

Nonou, who had been mending clothes, turned her head to look. Seeing that the visitor was Hua Yue, her smile became bright and gentle.

"Hua Yue... that is the name, correct?"

"Yes, Sister Nonou. There is something I would like to ask for your help with. Consider it a private commission, please."

The sound of a pen nib scratching across paper echoed through the old room. As the heavy check was laid down, the stout woman, who had been eyeing his movements the entire time, watched with glowing eyes and hurriedly leaned in to whisper into Nonou's ear.

"Director, this child... could it be..."