That's All You're Offering? It'll Take More Than That to Get Me to Work for You!

At the offer, Hua Yue showed a rare flicker of emotion before sinking into thought.

"The right to leave the battlefield? That's certainly tempting. Why are you so fixated on me?"

Orochimaru got straight to the point. After a moment's thought, he gave an unexpected answer.

"To put someone's suspicions to rest. You also have the makings of a student I'd take on. Uchiha Hanazuki, putting aside all that empty talk, what are your ideals?"

"Ideals? The Third Shinobi World War has just broken out. Only those who survive have the chance to seek their ideals."

"Human existence is far too fragile. Even if you're lucky enough to live out your natural lifespan, you can't leave your mark on the relentless wheels of history."

Orochimaru's expression grew complicated. He hadn't expected to hear views so similar to his own from a child.

"Are you afraid of death?"

"Would you give yourself up and lose everything, just to die for the village, Teacher Orochimaru?"

After a deathly silence, the smile at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth grew more pronounced. If he were willing to give up everything for the village, why would he have developed a technique for eternal life?

"I'll make suitable arrangements for you, my dear student."

After Orochimaru left, the shadows lurking around the hospital room also disappeared. Leaning against the bed, Hua Yue furrowed his brow in thought, beginning to guess what was going on.

If I refuse, will the Anbu or Root try to assassinate me? Orochimaru's position is unexpectedly delicate right now.

As one of the Third Hokage's students, 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 battle record was illustrious.

But his methods and obsessive outlook happened to align with Danzo's, creating the predicament he now found himself in.

His obsession with immortality and pursuit of every ninjutsu in the world had set him on a path toward truth: science.

The more you learn, the less you care about the Will of Fire. No wonder he's Konoha's only researcher—a talented man who managed to stay active right to the end of the series.

Of course, the main thing is that he knows a lot of ninjutsu.

Character Sign-In: Orochimaru

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

Random selection in progress... Sign-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 tried to act as if he didn't care, but he was still quite curious.

"If you're awake, get up."

"They're gone already. Speaking of which, what would you do if they tried to come after you?"

The fox's slightly chubby face twisted into a fierce grin. Hua Yue slowly raised his head, beaming.

"Then I'll launch the Konoha Crush Plan and show the inheritors of that evil Old Senju White-Hair's will a little Uchiha Shock."

Late at night, someone knocked on the door of Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's residence.

"This is urgent, Lord Third! We have an emergency report!"

Hurrying to the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen snatched the report from the Intelligence Division ninja and skimmed it. His already deeply wrinkled face creased even further.

"Sunagakure and Cloud Village have reached an agreement and formed an Allied Shinobi Forces unit that's advanced to Mount Kikyo? The force is led by the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. Sunagakure's side has Magnet Style Ninja Rasa and Scorch Style Ninja Pakura..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened. No wonder Chiyo had appeared on Sunagakure's main battlefield. She'd used herself as bait. The Cloud Village's strike team last time had merely been scouting the area in advance.

"Two Kekkei Genkai users, the Fourth Raikage, famed for his Body Flicker Technique, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. No wonder you're in such a bind, Teacher Sarutobi."

A low, chilling laugh, tinged with mockery, echoed through the room. The Intelligence Division ninja glared instinctively, but then his expression changed to shock.

"Need a hand? I have a good candidate to recommend. Heh heh heh..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly looked up and turned toward Orochimaru, his expression complicated.

His prized student, once regarded as a successor to the Will of Fire and the inheritor of his teachings and ninjutsu, had lately 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?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stiffened, then looked deeply at Orochimaru.

"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. So, have you decided whether he should go to the battlefield in the Land of Wind or the main front at Mount Kikyo, Teacher Sarutobi?"

The question now rested with Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. After weighing the options for a long time, he let out a quiet sigh.

"It's a difficult choice. Chiyo is a veteran who fought in both the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars. Her puppetry also allows her to fight outnumbered."

"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 up in the fighting. To place all of 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 getting involved in the war unless he came across some intriguing research material.

"If Teacher Sarutobi can't make up his mind, I'll decide for you. Uchiha Hanazuki will reinforce the battlefield in the Land of Wind and face Chiyo."

"I'll negotiate his payment with you on his behalf. As for the battle at Mount Kikyo, let Jiraiya's student, Namikaze Minato, handle it. How does that sound?"

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

"Since things have come to this, we'll have to go with that. Make this an S-rank mission and pass it on to Uchiha Hanazuki. If he needs any preparations, the village will offer some support."

Orochimaru's smile grew brighter, softening even his cold features a little. He turned and left, apparently failing to notice—or simply not caring about—Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression.

Orochimaru, my most valued student... Why have you suddenly taken Uchiha Hanazuki as your student? Have you completely thrown in your lot with Danzo?

The Intelligence Division ninja who had 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 hurry back to Mount Kikyo and deal with the Fourth Raikage!"

"Yes!"

The ninja dashed off. Only after he had disappeared into the distance did Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a weary sigh.

"Is it really right to leave this to Orochimaru and that child?"

Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital...

"You're offering me this little? It'll take more than that to get me to work for you!"