Orochimaru's Pursuit of Truth

"You could say that. Since the matter is concluded, my mission is officially over. A battlefield as terrifying as this is truly not suited for me."

"I will transport the wounded to Konoha Hospital. News of Mount Kikyo will spread to every nation, and there is no guarantee that other countries won't take advantage of the chaos; their targets are not limited to Konoha alone."

"Am I right? Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, Iwa Ninja..."

A cold kunai was quietly aimed at the Iwa Ninja lurking in the shadows, attempting to steal intelligence. As their eyes met, every piece of information was laid bare.

"Iwagakure! Does the Land of Earth also intend to strike at Konoha while we are vulnerable? It is no surprise, though; the current Tsuchikage is recognized as a difficult opponent—Onoki of the Two Scales..."

Narrowing his eyes, Nara Shikamaru took a deep look at Uchiha Hanazuki, marveling inwardly.

Normal people, when finding themselves in a safe environment, always involuntarily lower their guard, especially in a rest area surrounded by comrades.

To think that even after staying here for quite some time, Uchiha Hanazuki had not relaxed his vigilance in the slightest. Did he never tire? Did he never let his guard down?

"I will leave this Iwa Ninja for you to handle. I am returning to Konoha to report the mission to Orochimaru-sensei. Farewell."

His figure vanished, and the dozens of severely wounded patients who had received emergency treatment disappeared from the spot along with him. Yuhi Shinku bowed his head in thought, suddenly feeling his shoulders grow a bit heavier.

"What is it? If you have your eye on him, you had better make it clear to your daughter in advance. To reach this level at such a young age—he might grow up to be an excellent ninja like Minato. Hahaha..."

"That is not for you to say, Inoichi. You don't even have a child. If you had a daughter, you would be just as worried about her being deceived by some boy out there."

Yamanaka Inoichi felt awkward for a moment, then shrugged it off nonchalantly.

"What are you talking about? Even if I had a daughter, I wouldn't be as worried as you. The other party is a genius of the Uchiha clan; he could use the Body Flicker Technique at such a young age. I think your daughter..."

"Inoichi-san!"

The words died on his lips. Yamanaka Inoichi turned his head to look at the unconscious Iwa Ninja and immediately entered a combat state, preparing his sensory jutsu.

Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, in the general ward where Hanazuki had departed.

The young nurse, who had been changing bandages, was about to turn and leave when she suddenly saw a sprawl of wounded patients lying across the floor. The black-robed youth sitting on the hospital bed flashed a toothy grin.

"Could you call for more members of the Medical Team?"

A rosy flush bloomed on her cheeks. The nurse, who had been momentarily entranced, regained her composure and hurried to the duty room to notify the medical ninja on shift.

Lying on the hospital bed, Yuhi Kurenai felt the faint, fresh scent of vegetation lingering at the tip of her nose. For a moment, she forgot the pain of her wounds and asked subconsciously.

"Um, Hanazuki, what are you going to do next..."

"You solved the problem quite beautifully, didn't you? My cute student. Hehehehe."

A cold, sinister smile echoed through the ward. Every hair on Yuhi Kurenai's body stood on end. She turned her head instinctively to meet those chilling, serpentine eyes.

"You are as annoying as ever! Orochimaru-sensei."

The heavy cloak rustled, dispelling the killing intent that had permeated the room. Hanazuki's eyes, deep as a dark pool, showed no fear, his tone indifferent and cold.

"How gentle you are. So gentle that you don't seem like a member of the Uchiha clan at all. But that is irrelevant; the materials you requested will be delivered shortly."

"A truly beautiful battle, Nine-Faced Svaha. There are still many ninjutsu in this world that I have yet to witness. Are you prepared to explore the truths of this world with me?"

Casting a fleeting glance at Yuhi Kurenai, Orochimaru turned and left. Only after the sound of his footsteps faded down the corridor did Yuhi Kurenai remember to breathe, gasping for air.

"Was... was that one of the Sannin, Orochimaru? He... he didn't seem human. Like some kind of snake wearing a human skin. Hanazuki, are you really going to study under him? Such an existence..."

Gently soothing Kurenai's breathing, Hanazuki smiled to calm her down, speaking words that even he didn't believe.

"In reality, Orochimaru-sensei is one of the few truly intelligent people in all of Konoha. He simply has a more extreme personality, yet he is consistently pursuing his own dreams."

For instance, the secret to immortality, mastering every ninjutsu in the world, or the origins of senjutsu and how ordinary people might grasp it.

He could be called the person in Konoha with the most thorough understanding of science, having touched upon the secrets of the Sage of Six Paths and the Rinnegan with a mortal body.

"Is that so?"

"I suppose so. In any case, focus on healing. If there is an opportunity, we will meet again. Farewell."

The sun slanted toward the west, and a few cherry blossom petals danced in the air. Inside the mission briefing hall of the Hokage office building.

The Genma Squad, consisting of Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raido, and Tatami Iwashi, was reporting the progress of their mission.

Suddenly, a figure pushed open the doors and strode in brazenly. His gaze swept the room, finally settling on the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Third Hokage, Orochimaru-sensei sent me to collect the mission reward."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Hokage advisors furrowed their brows. Shiranui Genma had no memory of this unfamiliar face and, after exchanging glances with his companions, they all shook their heads.

"Has the battlefield in the Land of Wind been completely suppressed?"

Coughing twice, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe, his expression solemn.

"In the Land of Wind, 107 Sunagakure ninja, including the Kazekage advisor Chiyo, have been suppressed—at least as of the time I left."

"As for the joint forces of Sunagakure and Cloud Village at Mount Kikyo, only the Fourth Raikage, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa, and the Scorch Style Ninja Pakura remain. The Cloud Village's Magnet Style Ninja, Toroi, is confirmed dead."

"Subsequent intelligence will be relayed by Mimura Hazumaki. S-rank mission, controlling the battlefield between Sunagakure and Konoha, confirmed complete."

At this point, Hanazuki changed his tone, a smile appearing on his face.

"Five million ryo, at least ten kunai made of materials similar to the Kusanagi Sword, one Kusanagi Sword, several puppet materials, and a full set of ninja tools including explosive tags. Where is my reward?"

Bang! The two Hokage advisors slammed the table in anger, shouting sternly.

"Are you joking? The money and materials for the mission are one thing, as it is an S-rank mission, but what is this about a Kusanagi Sword? And ten kunai made of Kusanagi material? Are you trying to rob us, you brat!"

"Robbery? I risked my life to suppress the entire battlefield single-handedly, and I even went out of my way to reinforce the Mount Kikyo battlefield as you requested. Are you planning to withhold my payment?"

Utatane Koharu was so furious she could barely keep her composure. It was only when Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke that the two advisors calmed down.

"What kind of behavior is this in front of a junior? Calm down. Uchiha Hanazuki, Konoha will not forget your service to the village. The subsequent rewards will be transferred to your account in full."

"However, given your abilities, it is no longer appropriate for you to serve as a genin. Are you interested in leading a chunin squad for future missions?"