Hearing the offer, Hua Yue showed a rare flicker of emotion before falling into thought.
"The right to leave the battlefield? That's certainly tempting. Why are you so fixated on me?"
Getting straight to the point, Orochimaru pondered for a moment before giving an unexpected answer.
"To put someone's suspicions to rest. You also have the talent to make me take you on as a student. Uchiha Hanazuki, setting aside all that empty chatter, what are your ideals?"
"Ideals? The Third Shinobi World War has broken out. Only those who survive have the chance to seek their ideals."
"Human life is far too fragile. Even if you're lucky enough to live out your full lifespan, you still can't leave your mark on the inexorable wheels of history."
Orochimaru's expression grew complicated. He hadn't expected to hear such a similar outlook from a child.
"Are you afraid of death?"
"Are you willing to give yourself up, lose everything, and die for the village, Teacher Orochimaru?"
A deathly silence fell. The smile at the corner of Hua Yue's mouth grew more pronounced. If Orochimaru were willing to give up everything for the village, why would he develop the Immortality Jutsu?
"I'll make the proper arrangements for you, my dear student."
After Orochimaru left, the shadows lurking around the hospital room disappeared as well. Lying against the bed, Hua Yue furrowed his brow and pondered, vaguely guessing what was going on.
If I refuse, will the Anbu or Root come after me? Orochimaru's position is surprisingly delicate right now.
As a student of the Third Hokage, Orochimaru had made a name for himself in the Second Shinobi World War. Salamander Hanzo, the current leader of Amegakure known as the Demigod of the Ninja World, had bestowed the title of Sannin upon him. His achievements on the battlefield were immense.
Yet his methods and obsessive nature happened to align with Danzo's, putting him in his current predicament.
His obsession with immortality and his pursuit of every jutsu in existence had set him on the path to truth: science.
The more you know, the less you care for the Will of Fire. No wonder he's one of the only researchers in Konoha—and a talented one who's still going strong this late in the game.
Of course, the main thing is that he knows a lot of jutsu.
Character Check-In: Orochimaru Abilities: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, Fire Style: Great Fireball, Summoning: Rashomon, Wind Style: Wind Cutter... Random draw in progress... Check-in successful. Today's reward: Earth Style: Earth Clone!
Back in his inner world, the Black Nine-Tails, who had been pretending to sleep, quietly pricked up his ears. He acted as if he didn't care, but he was still quite curious.
"If you're awake, get up."
"Those guys are gone. Come to think of it, what would you do if they decided to come after you?"
A feral grin spread across the slightly pudgy fox's face. Hua Yue slowly raised his head, his smile bright.
"Then I'd launch the Konoha Crush Plan and show the inheritors of that evil Old Senju White-Hair's will what a little Uchiha Shock looks like."
Late that night, someone knocked on the door of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"This is an emergency, Lord Third! We've received urgent intelligence!"
Hurrying to the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen snatched the report from the Intelligence Division shinobi and skimmed it. His deeply wrinkled face creased even further.
"Sand Ninja and Cloud Hidden have reached an agreement and formed the Shinobi Allied Forces. They've advanced to Mount Kikyo? The force is led by the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. On the Sand Ninja side, there's the Magnet Release ninja Rasa and the Scorch Style Ninja Pakura..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened. No wonder Chiyo had appeared on the Sand Ninja's main battlefield. She'd used herself as bait; the Cloud Hidden's elite squad from last time had only been scouting the area in advance.
"Two Kekkei Genkai users, the Fourth Raikage, famed for his Body Flicker, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. No wonder you're in such a bind, Teacher Sarutobi."
A low, cold laugh laced with mockery echoed through the room. The Intelligence Division shinobi glared instinctively at the speaker, then froze in shock.
"Need help? I have someone in mind who'd be a good fit. Heh heh heh..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly lifted his head and turned to look at Orochimaru, his expression complicated.
This was the student he'd once regarded as the inheritor of the Will of Fire, the pride and joy who would carry on his legacy and master his jutsu. But lately, Orochimaru's actions had become harder and harder to understand.
"Are you willing to step in?"
"No, not me. My new student, Uchiha Hanazuki. He has the power to turn the tide of battle. Shall I send him in?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen went rigid and looked up, studying Orochimaru for a long moment.
"You're willing to take on a student now? That's unusual. Have you stopped that strange research of yours?"
"I simply happened to meet a talented child. Now, have you decided whether to send him to the battlefield in the Land of Sand or to Mount Kikyo, the main front? What do you think, Teacher Sarutobi?"
The question was placed before Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. After a long deliberation, he let out a quiet sigh.
"It's a difficult choice. Chiyo is a veteran of the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, and her puppetry lets her take on many opponents at once."
"Mount Kikyo is a strategic location in the Land of Fire, and it isn't far from Konoha. If the mission fails, the village will inevitably be caught in the flames of war. To put all this on a child's shoulders..."
"As his teacher, shouldn't you lead by example—"
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish, a cold laugh cut him off. Orochimaru had no interest in being dragged into the war unless an interesting research subject turned up.
"If Teacher Sarutobi can't make up his mind, then I'll make it for you. Uchiha Hanazuki will reinforce the battlefield in the Land of Sand and face Chiyo."
"As for his payment, I'll negotiate with him on your behalf. Let Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya's student, handle the fighting at Mount Kikyo. How does that sound?"
Covering his face with one hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
"Given the circumstances, that's our only option. Classify this as an S-rank mission and relay it to Uchiha Hanazuki. If he needs anything prepared, the village will provide some support."
Orochimaru's smile grew brighter, softening even his cold features. He turned and left, either failing to notice Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression or not caring in the least.
Orochimaru, my most valued student... Why have you suddenly taken Uchiha Hanazuki on as your student? Have you completely sided with Danzo?
The Intelligence Division shinobi who'd delivered the report glanced around, unsure what to do. Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and snapped at him.
"What are you still standing there for? Go tell Minato to return to Mount Kikyo at once and deal with the Fourth Raikage!"
"Yes, sir!"
The shinobi took off running. After he'd disappeared into the distance, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help sighing.
"Is it really right to leave this to Orochimaru and that child?"
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital.
"That's all the money you've got? It's really hard to get me to work for you for that!"