"You could say that. Now that everything's over, my mission is officially over too. A terrifying battlefield like this really isn't for me."
"I'll move the wounded to Konoha Hospital. News of Mount Kikyo will spread throughout the nations as well, and we can't rule out some country taking advantage of the situation. Konoha isn't their only target."
"Isn't that right? Iwagakure in the Land of Earth, Iwa Ninja..."
A cold kunai silently trained on the Iwa Ninja lurking in the shadows, trying to steal intelligence. Their eyes met, and all the information was laid bare.
"Iwagakure! Is the Land of Earth planning to take advantage of this opportunity to attack Konoha too? No wonder—the current Tsuchikage is notorious for being difficult to deal with. Ōnoki of Both Scales..."
Narrowing his eyes, Nara Shikamaru gave Uchiha Hanazuki a long look, astonished.
When people found themselves in a safe environment, they couldn't help but let their guard down, especially in a rest area full of comrades.
Who would've thought that even after staying here for quite a while, Uchiha Hanazuki still hadn't let his guard down at all? Did he never get tired or relax?
"Leave this Iwa Ninja to you. I'll head back to Konoha and report to Teacher Orochimaru. I'm off."
He vanished, and dozens of seriously injured patients who had received emergency treatment disappeared from the spot with him. 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 in advance. To reach this level at such a young age—he might grow into as fine a ninja as Minato someday. Hahaha..."
"That's not your place to say, Inoichi. You don't even have a child. If you had a daughter, you'd worry about some brat from outside tricking her too."
Yamanaka Inoichi was awkward for a moment, then said with complete nonchalance,
"What are you talking about? Even if I had a daughter, I wouldn't worry as much as you do. He's a genius of the Uchiha Clan, and he can already use the Body Flicker Technique at such a young age. I'd say your daughter..."
"Mr. Inoichi!"
Unable to finish what he'd been saying, Yamanaka Inoichi turned toward the unconscious Iwa Ninja and immediately shifted into battle mode, preparing to use his sensory technique.
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, in the ordinary ward where Hanazuki had set off from,
The young nurse changing the bandages was about to turn and leave when she suddenly spotted wounded patients sprawled all over the floor. The black-cloaked boy sitting on the bed flashed her a toothy grin.
"Could you call in some more members of the Medical Team?"
A flush of pink spread across her cheeks. The young nurse, who had been utterly captivated for a moment, came back to her senses and hurried to the duty room to notify the medical ninja on shift.
Lying in bed, Yuhi Kurenai breathed in the faint fragrance of herbs lingering around her. For a moment, she forgot the pain of her wound and asked without thinking,
"Um, Hanazuki, what are you going to..."
"You handled your opponent beautifully, my adorable student. Hehehehe."
A chilling laugh echoed through the ward. Every hair on Yuhi Kurenai's body stood on end, and she instinctively turned to meet those icy snake-like eyes.
"You're as unpleasant as ever, Teacher Orochimaru."
His cloak fluttered, dispelling the killing intent that filled the room. His eyes were deep as an abyss, and his voice was cool and emotionless.
"You really are gentle, aren't you? So gentle that you hardly seem like a member of the Uchiha Clan. But that doesn't matter. The materials you asked for will be delivered shortly."
"That was a beautiful battle. Nine Mask Svāhā—there are still many ninjutsu in this world that I've never seen. Are you ready to explore the truth of this world with me?"
Orochimaru shot Yuhi Kurenai a discreet glance, then turned and left. Only after his footsteps gradually faded down the hall did Yuhi Kurenai remember to breathe. She gasped for air.
"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 smoothed Kurenai's breathing, smiling as he coaxed 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 in his personality, but he's always pursued his dreams."
For instance, the art of immortality, learning every ninjutsu in the world, and the origins of Senjutsu and the methods ordinary people could use to master it.
He could be called the person in Konoha who understood science most thoroughly, and he 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 recovering. We'll meet again if we get the chance. I'm off."
The sun slanted westward as a few cherry blossom petals danced in the air. Inside the mission hall of the Hokage Administration Building,
Genma Squad, composed of Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raidō, and Tatami Iwashi, was reporting on the details of their mission.
Just then, someone suddenly shoved open the doors and barged in. His gaze swept across the room before settling on the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Third Hokage, Teacher Orochimaru sent me to collect my mission reward."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Hokage Advisors furrowed their brows. Shiranui Genma had no idea who this stranger was, and after exchanging glances with his teammates, they all shook their heads.
"Has the battlefield in the Land of Wind been completely suppressed?"
After a couple of coughs, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe, his expression solemn.
"One hundred and seven Sunagakure ninja in the Land of Wind, including Chiyo, the Kazekage's advisor, have been subdued. At least, they were when I left."
"On Mount Kikyo, only the Fourth Raikage, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa, the Scorch Style Ninja Pakura, and the Cloud Village's Magnet Style Ninja Toroi remain of the Sunagakure–Cloud Village alliance. The deaths of the latter two have been confirmed."
"Mimura Hamaki will relay the remaining intelligence. The S-rank mission to control the battlefield between Sunagakure and Konoha is confirmed complete."
At this point, Hanazuki changed the subject and smiled.
"Five million ryō, at least ten kunai made from materials similar to those used for the Kusanagi Sword, one Kusanagi Sword, some puppet materials, and a full set of ninja tools, including Explosive Tags. Where's my reward?"
Bang! The two Hokage Advisors slammed their hands on the table in anger and berated him.
"What are you talking about? Fine, forget the money and ninja tool materials—this was an S-rank mission, after all. But what's this about a Kusanagi Sword? And ten kunai made from the same material as a Kusanagi Sword? Are you trying to extort us, you brat?"
"Extort you? I risked my life to subdue the entire battlefield by myself, and I even rushed to support the battle at Mount Kikyo as much as you asked. Are you planning not to pay me?"
Utatane Koharu was so angry she could barely keep her expression under control. Only after Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke did the two advisors calm down.
"Have some dignity in front of the younger generation. Calm down. Uchiha Hanazuki, Konoha won't forget what you've done for the village. The full reward will be credited to your account."
"However, you're too capable to remain a Genin. Would you be interested in leading a Chunin squad on future missions?"
Before you continue