With Such Little Money, It's Really Hard for Me to Do Anything for You!

Upon hearing this condition, Uchiha Hanazuki displayed a rare flicker of emotion, which quickly settled into deep contemplation.

"The right to leave the battlefield? This condition is indeed tempting, but why are you so fixated on me?"

Cutting straight to the point, Orochimaru pondered for a moment before giving an unexpected answer.

"To dispel someone's suspicions, and because you possess the talent that makes me want to take you as a disciple. Uchiha Hanazuki, setting aside empty and useless chatter, do you have any ideals?"

"Ideals? We are currently in the midst of the Third Shinobi World War. Only those who survive have the possibility of seeking ideals."

"Human existence is far too fragile. Even if one were lucky enough to live until the end of their natural lifespan, they would still be unable to carve their own mark upon the rolling wheels of history."

With a complex expression, Orochimaru had not expected to hear views similar to his own from the mouth of a child.

"Do you fear death?"

"Are you willing to abandon yourself, lose everything, and die for the village, Master Orochimaru?"

After a deathly silence, the smile on the corners of his mouth became even more pronounced. If Orochimaru were willing to give up everything for the village, why would he have developed the art of immortality?

"I will make proper arrangements regarding your situation, my dear disciple."

After Orochimaru left, the shadows lingering around the hospital room also departed. Leaning against the hospital bed, Hanazuki frowned in thought, vaguely guessing the truth.

If I don't agree, will the next thing to follow be an assassination attempt from the Anbu or 'Root'? Orochimaru's current situation is unexpectedly delicate.

As a disciple of the Third Hokage, Orochimaru had carved out a formidable reputation during the Second Shinobi World War, earning the title of "Sannin" from the current leader of the Hidden Rain Village, the man known as the demigod of the shinobi world, Salamander Hanzo. His war record was illustrious.

However, his conduct and paranoid attitude happened to coincide with Danzo's, which had led to his current predicament.

His obsession with immortality and his pursuit of all the ninjutsu in the world had driven him onto a path leading toward the truth: science.

The more knowledge one gains, the more disdainful one becomes of the Will of Fire. He is truly the only researcher in Konoha, an excellent talent who successfully lived until the end of the version cycle while remaining active.

Of course, the most important thing is that he has enough ninjutsu.

[Character Sign-in: Orochimaru]

[Abilities Owned: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, Fire Style: Great Fireball, Summoning: Rashomon, Wind Style: Wind Cutter...]

[Random Draw in Progress... Sign-in successful, today you have obtained Earth Style: Earth Clone!]

Returning to his inner world, the Black Nine-Tails, who had been pretending to sleep, quietly pricked up its ears. Although it acted as if it didn't care, it was actually quite curious.

"If you're awake, get up."

"Those guys have already left. Come to think of it, if they had chosen to make a move on you, what would you have done?"

The slightly chubby fox face revealed a ferocious smile. Hanazuki slowly raised his head, his smile brilliant.

"Then I would have initiated the Konoha Crush Plan and let the successor to the will of the Old Senju White-Hair witness a little Uchiha Shock."

Late at night, the door of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was knocked upon.

"This is bad, Lord Third, urgent intelligence!"

Rushing to the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen snatched the report from the hands of the intelligence squad. After a quick glance, his face, already deeply lined with age, became even more furrowed.

"The Sand and Cloud have reached a consensus, forming a joint ninja army and advancing to Mount Kikyo? The leading ninjas are the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, while the Sand side has the Magnet Release ninja Rasa and the Scorch Release ninja Pakura..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew increasingly grim. No wonder Chiyo had appeared on the main battlefield of the Sand; she had been using herself as bait. The previous Cloud elite squad had merely been scouting ahead.

"Two ninjas with Bloodline Limits, the Fourth Raikage known for his Body Flicker, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki—no wonder you are in such a difficult position, Teacher Sarutobi."

A low, cold, and mocking laugh echoed. The intelligence squad ninjas instinctively glared, but their expressions soon turned to shock.

"Do you need help? I have a good candidate to recommend, hehehe..."

Slowly raising his head, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at Orochimaru, his expression complex.

This disciple, whom he had once regarded as the successor to the Will of Fire and the heir to all his teachings and ninjutsu, had recently begun acting in ways that were increasingly difficult to understand.

"Are you willing to take action?"

"No, not me. It is my newly accepted disciple, Uchiha Hanazuki. He possesses the power to change the course of the battle. Shall we let him take the stage?"

His hands stiff, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up and stared deeply at Orochimaru.

"You are willing to take a disciple? That is truly rare. Has your strange research recently come to an end?"

"I just happened to meet a child with talent. So, the battlefield in the Land of Wind or the main battlefield at Mount Kikyo—have you decided, Teacher Sarutobi?"

The question was pushed back onto Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. After weighing the options for a long time, he let out a faint sigh.

"It is a difficult choice. Chiyo is a veteran who has experienced the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, and she is a puppeteer who excels at fighting against superior numbers."

"Mount Kikyo is a vital location in the Land of Fire and is not far from Konoha. If the mission fails, the flames of war will inevitably reach Konoha. To press all of this onto a child..."

"As a teacher, shouldn't one lead by example..."

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish, a cold sneer interrupted him. Orochimaru had no interest in being drawn into the flames of war unless he encountered interesting research material.

"Since Teacher Sarutobi cannot make a decision, then I will decide for you. Uchiha Hanazuki will act as reinforcements and head to the Sand battlefield to face Chiyo."

"As for the compensation, I will negotiate with him on your behalf, Teacher. Let the battle at Mount Kikyo be handled by Jiraiya's disciple, Namikaze Minato. How about that?"

Covering his face with one hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.

"Since things have reached this point, this is the only decision we can make. Classify this matter as an S-rank mission and relay it to Uchiha Hanazuki. If any preparations are required, the village will provide a certain degree of support."

His smile grew increasingly radiant, softening even the cold, sharp lines of his face. Orochimaru turned and walked away, either failing to notice or simply not caring about Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression.

Orochimaru, my most valued disciple, why have you suddenly taken Uchiha Hanazuki as your apprentice? Have you completely sided with Danzo?

The ninja from the intelligence division who had come to report looked around, momentarily at a loss for what to do, until Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and barked at him.

"What are you still standing there for? Go and relay this to Minato at once! Tell him to hurry back to Mount Kikyo to deal with the Fourth Raikage!"

"Yes!"

He sprinted away as if flying, and not until his figure had vanished into the distance did Sarutobi Hiruzen let out an irrepressible sigh.

"Is it truly the right choice to leave this matter to Orochimaru and that child?"

At the same time, inside the Konoha Hospital.

"With such a measly sum, it's really hard for me to do business for you people!"