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 had subsided slightly, but this did not mean it was nearing its end; rather, it was the calm before the storm.

In Konoha Village, inside Orochimaru's laboratory.

Uchiha Hanazuki sat to the side, bored, watching Orochimaru's somewhat violent dissection technique, only to curl his lip in the end.

"Are you bored already? You don't seem like the type who can stay 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?"

Mitarashi Anko, who had been officially accepted as Orochimaru's disciple just yesterday, cast a suspicious glance at the two of them. Her small face was twisted in conflict, and as she left, a flicker of worry flashed in her eyes when she looked at Hanazuki.

"Ara ara, is there a problem with observing one's own teacher conducting an experiment? Or is this laboratory a restricted area where 'outsiders' are forbidden?"

"You certainly have a lot of nerve! Ever since that day, you've been hiding at home, refusing to go out, 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; others would have been frozen stiff by such terrifying killing intent, yet Hanazuki acted as if his senses were dull, showing no reaction at all.

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

"I have always admired Orochimaru-sensei. Among those in Konoha today, you must be the one who has mastered the most forbidden techniques, right?"

The mocking smile on his face displeased Orochimaru, who applied a bit more force to his hand, 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 the techniques I possess. Very well, I shall give them to you."

A mottled, rusted key was spat out from the winding, serpentine mouth; the disgusting slime made him feel a sense of revulsion.

"The time required to study forbidden techniques is beyond imagination. I don't think you are the type of person willing to lose yourself in such arts."

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

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

"Anko, where are the materials I requested?"

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

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

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

"Sensei, what does that mean?"

Still 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? Personal 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 ability to defend itself that they did not go all-in and choose to fight Konoha to the death."

Anko understood only half of what was said, feeling only that the friend with whom she used to skip class and eat dango was drifting further and further away, leaving her feeling a sense of loss.

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

With her eyes cast down, Anko suddenly smiled brightly and spoke to herself.

"Even if that guy pulls away from me, I don't want to be too far from him. 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. For some reason, the blood-soaked specimen before his eyes quietly transformed into an eye that exuded evil and ominous intent.

Perhaps even I am no match for him. Uchiha Hanazuki... that feeling is 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 bone-chillingly cold.

Although she had petitioned the director more than once to purchase a washing machine, the orphanage's current financial situation could not spare the funds. 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, deprived of warmth, looked up abruptly, her eyes burning with fury.

Just as she was about to start scolding, the dark red bandages on his legs and the understated, 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 finally arriving?"

The hope rising in her eyes was interrupted by the following words.

"No, I am not a ninja delivering subsidies; that is the responsibility of the village administration. I am just here to see Sister Nonou about something. Has the village subsidy not arrived for a long time?"

The plump woman led the way while complaining.

"That's right! Every time we ask Danzo-sama to allocate funds, those ninjas only say that it is a time of war 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 because a ninja completed a high-difficulty mission, they took 50 million ryo as a reward, and that all of Konoha's funds were stretched thin."

"Is being a ninja really that profitable? Honestly, if I were a few decades younger, I would want to be a ninja and earn money too..."

Hanazuki was slightly stunned. What was going on? Didn't he only receive 5 million ryo? When did an extra zero appear at the end?

Even if you factored in the material costs for the Kusanagi Sword, 30 million ryo was the absolute limit. Whose pockets had the rest of the money gone into?

Caught in a spiral of 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. Seeing that it was Hua Yue, her smile turned 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. I'm begging you."

The sound of a pen nib scratching against 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, felt her eyes light up and hurriedly leaned in to whisper into Nonou's ear.

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