The Purpose

"You're still so young..."

Orochimaru had wanted to bring up his age, but then suddenly realized that he could not judge this child's thoughts by the standards of ordinary children.

What he should do was listen.

"What do you think?"

"Isn't it all for your sake?"

"For me? What are you plotting?"

"Teacher Orochimaru, won't you need all kinds of materials for your research in the future?

From now on, orphans in Konoha and even across the ninja world can receive protection, food, drink, and shelter, growing up safely, as long as they provide us with a little blood or renewable body tissue.

As long as we don't violate humanitarian principles and spread a little more care, won't these children become Konoha's next generation once they grow up?

Teacher Sarutobi might not approve much funding, so it's better to save up some money ourselves.

These bandits didn't steal this money from the villagers, and we don't know who to return it to, so let's keep it as funding."

Xuanhui spoke with such conviction that even Orochimaru became absorbed in listening.

"You brat, you sure know how to make things sound nice. Aren't you taking in these orphans because you want their genes?"

Orochimaru tapped him on the head, intending it as a warning.

"Teacher Orochimaru, what we're doing is charity. Besides, we're not after money, and we won't torture them. We'll support their childhoods for free. Where else in the world could they find a deal like that?

I'm not a kind person like the First Hokage. I'll definitely act in my own interests, but shouldn't we still do our best to consider others?"

Xuanhui knew that at first, he had acted out of selfish motives, looking at things from the perspective of Orochimaru's research.

But if this truly succeeded, the survival rate of war orphans would at least not be so tragically low, and the fortunate children could still grow up smoothly.

Once they came of age, they would only need to contribute a certain amount back into the fund. Children with unusual bloodlines could assist with research to a certain extent, as long as it was voluntary and did not harm their bodies.

This was a win-win-win situation. Xuanhui would gain prestige, the children would gain protection, and Konoha would gain strength in its next generation.

As the greatest sponsor, Xuanhui would actually receive the least.

Still, for Orochimaru's research and the orphans' safety, Xuanhui felt that he could consider developing such an undertaking in the future.

"...Go on, don't take too long..."

Orochimaru waved him off, telling Xuanhui to hurry there and back.

"Got it!"

Xuanhui jumped back into the forest. Within Orochimaru's sensory range, he raced toward the mountaintop.

Jiraiya also looked toward the forest at that moment, his eyes showing a trace of confusion.

"Why did that kid run so far just to use the bathroom?"

"Hahahaha, Boss, look! Fourth Brother finally woke up!"

"This useless bastard! He passed out after only three bottles! Prop him up and keep pouring booze down his throat!"

"No! Boss! I really can't drink anymore! Hehehe..."

At the mountaintop camp, Shanhu Sanhan sat at the head of the table. He casually grabbed a wine bottle and hurled it at Fourth Brother's head.

The bottle instantly shattered into countless droplets, mixed with faint traces of blood, spraying across the dusty ground.

"Ow! Boss, Boss! I was wrong, I was wrong! Hehehe...

I'll drink! I'll drink right now!"

The drunken flush on Fourth Brother's old face instantly drained away.

He wore a fawning smile, clutching the wound on top of his head... blood ran from his face up to the top of his head.

"Tch!"

Sanhan shook up a bottle, took a huge swig, rinsed his mouth, then spat it out with force.

"Ha! Now that's refreshing!

Where are Seventh and Eighth? Why aren't they back yet?"

Second Brother glanced at the shadows outside, looking puzzled.

"Something's off, Boss. Usually, those two would have come back ages ago to switch shifts and enjoy themselves. Why are they being so diligent today?"

"How the hell would I know!"

Sanhan impatiently waved his hand, tilted back his head, and poured the remaining wine into his mouth.

"Sixth Brother! Go take a look! Where the hell did those two idiots go?"

"Got it! I'm going right now, Boss!"

Sixth Brother staggered out through the camp gates with a cocky swagger.

"Let me see... Aaaaaaaaaah!"

A bloodcurdling scream shattered the harmony within the camp.

The five people gathered around the table instantly had their hair stand on end. Boss and Third Brother even sprang to their feet, not noticing when their knees slammed hard into the edge of the table.

"Sixth Brother!"

Shanhu Sanhan cried out in anguish. Before his eyes, Sixth Brother's body was engulfed in roaring flames!

"B... Boss..."

His hoarse voice drifted over in broken fragments, as though a thousand pieces of dry bark had been stuffed into his throat.

Sixth Brother cast one last glance at his wooden cabin, where the money he had saved for three years still remained...

"...No..."

The corpse soon vanished. Flesh turned to ash, and when the breeze blew, it scattered everywhere.

"Are these all of them?"

"Who?"

The men looked toward the source of the voice. A child was crouching atop a wooden stake; even though its top was covered in spikes, he showed no sign of slipping.

"A kid? Could Sixth Brother have been killed by this child..."

"Look at what he's wearing... He's a ninja!"

Xuanhui had already put away his forehead protector, so naturally they had no idea where this ninja had come from.

"I've pretty much cleaned up the grunts! Now it's time to deal with you leaders!"

"Grunts? Kid, what did you say?"

"Boss! Look, Boss!"

Shanhu Sanhan followed their gazes.

Bodies with kunai embedded in their necks lay scattered everywhere. Blood had dyed half the ground red, and all he could see was slaughter!

"My men! Kid! You fucking killed my men!"

When Sanhan turned back and roared at Xuanhui, Xuanhui was already holding a kunai between his fingers.

He had only shouted half of it when Second Brother groaned and collapsed, his limbs going limp.

Their faces went deathly pale. The kunai lodged in Second Brother's neck was still crackling with electricity!

Fifth Brother, who reacted the fastest, turned and ran. But the moment he took a step, his limbs went limp as well, and he fell forward.

Before Sanhan could even finish one threat, two of his brothers had already died!

"You bastard! Give me your life!"

Sanhan roared as his hands rapidly formed seals.

However, perhaps because he was out of practice, the hand signs took far too long.

Even Third Brother and Fourth Brother were briefly distracted by the sight, silently collapsing to the ground.

Earth Release: Hardening Technique!

Sanhan grabbed the broadsword by his feet and charged forward with a roar.

"Kid! Don't think you're the only ninja here! I was a ninja from the Hidden Stone Village back in the day! I've killed more people than you've ever seen!"

"After all that stalling, you've finally come."

When Sanhan rushed to within five meters of Xuanhui, Xuanhui moved instantly, both hands pointing toward the ground.

Lightning Release: Earth Current!

Sanhan was instantly shocked numb and charred all over, his entire body convulsing violently.

"AAAAAAAAAAH!"