The Wind and Konoha

"Orochimaru..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stretched out a hand and rubbed his clothes twice before finding his pocket on the third try.

He wanted to take out a cigarette and have a puff, even though the room was already thick with smoke.

He could not imagine what kind of astonishing talent that child had displayed to make the ever-calm and rational Orochimaru offer such a guarantee!

What exactly had that child shown?

Although he was Xuanhui's first teacher in name, official duties kept him busy, and Xuanhui was still closer to Orochimaru.

Did he need to place even greater importance on him?

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought it over. For Konoha, Xuanhui was undoubtedly a rare talent.

As Hokage, he did not have enough time to teach him. So following Orochimaru was certainly the best choice.

But sending such a promising young sprout to the front lines—wasn't that gambling with Konoha's future?

Hiruzen Sarutobi paced around his office, as though he could no longer find his own seat.

Only after sitting back down did he slowly let out a long breath.

"If you can show me enough to wager on... Xuanhui... then I'll take that gamble..."

"Xuanhui, have you really thought this through? War is no game!"

"I've already made up my mind, Lord Jiraiya. War cannot be avoided. For my own strength and to protect the village, I must throw myself into real combat!"

"Kid... you don't understand what war truly means at all!"

"Jiraiya."

Orochimaru interrupted their conversation. He crouched down until he was eye level with Xuanhui.

"Xuanhui."

"Mm."

"You're a smart child. Have you truly made up your mind?"

"Yes."

"The conditions you just proposed to the old man—are you sure you can fulfill every one of them?"

"I can."

Orochimaru nodded, an unusual light gleaming in his slit-pupiled eyes.

In his twenty years of life, he had always been someone with foresight and a firm grasp on reality.

When he was young, his parents had died. The only ones who gave him love were the old man, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.

After he became an adult, Jiraiya had gone traveling, Tsunade had pursued medicine, and the old man had become busy with official affairs. He could only take on more high-level missions, immerse himself in science, and study the principles behind all kinds of ninjutsu.

Alone, he had chosen to turn his gaze toward research, toward the distant future that could change the world.

His heart had gradually grown cold, becoming ever more practical.

Then Xuanhui appeared. This kid who trailed behind him shared his philosophy of life and his ambition to change the ninja world.

I once wanted to become the wind, setting the windmills of the ninja world in motion.

Perhaps I am not alone. When I stir up a great wind, green leaves will follow it and drift toward a more distant future.

"Xuanhui, your teacher believes in you."

When Orochimaru was young, he was not good at expressing himself. He preferred to discuss matters through practical science and philosophy, using them to avoid expressing his emotions.

Xuanhui also knew that Orochimaru could not say such mushy words. But he knew that beneath this seemingly cold-faced research fanatic was a burning heart.

The third purpose of joining the war—preventing Orochimaru from turning dark after witnessing lives vanish during the war.

When they turned back, the merchant caravan had already assembled. The three of them set out with it, the red sun rising on their left as they headed south for the day.

Along the way, Orochimaru unusually did not walk below. Instead, he sat atop the lead carriage, staring blankly at Xuanhui's back.

Other than the bandits they had encountered in the Land of Grass, they faced almost no obstacles on the road. It was far too calm.

That only made them more certain that war had already broken out.

The day's journey was so long that the three of them felt as though they had traveled for a year.

Yet the day also seemed so short, as if they had merely closed and opened their eyes before reaching their destination.

"Thank you, esteemed ninja! Here is your payment. Please be extra careful on your way back!"

Teng Ran-yi stood with Chiya Yuichi behind him, followed by a row of people. They bowed respectfully to the three.

"Thank you."

At Orochimaru's signal, Xuanhui understood and stepped forward to accept the payment.

After exchanging a few simple words, the three turned around with their backs to the setting sun and set off toward the village.

Freed from the caravan's constraints, they moved exceptionally fast. About two hours after sunset, Konoha's gates came into view.

"Orochimaru, are you coming with me?"

Jiraiya turned to look at Orochimaru's cool, aloof face.

"You go ahead. I'll take Xuanhui to submit the mission first, then I'll be there shortly."

"Fine."

The three parted ways here. Jiraiya looked toward the Hokage Building for the first time in a long while, then sped off at full speed.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, took Xuanhui and headed with practiced ease toward the mission administration office.

Submitting the token, reporting on the mission, collecting the reward—after finishing all that, Orochimaru also headed for the Hokage Building.

Looking at the familiar scenery around him, Xuanhui suddenly felt dazed. He had not expected to complete an A-rank mission in just three short days.

Clutching the money in his hand, he looked toward a brightly lit shop nearby.

"I'm back!"

Xuanhui pushed open the familiar door, sat down in the entryway to take off his shoes, and called into the house.

This time, there was no usual response to his return. The air fell silent for several seconds, then faint rustling sounds rang out beside him, growing louder and louder.

Xuanhui had only taken off one shoe when Nara Yamanaka appeared behind him and wrapped him in a tight hug.

"My precious son! You're finally back! Sob, sob, sob!

Mom was so worried about you! You can't go so far away again, understand? Just stay home and keep Mom company!"

His mother cried behind him, tears and snot soaking his vest.

And she was hugging him especially tightly, so he did not dare struggle too hard.

Uchiha Uzumaki's voice rang out then, his tone brimming with pride and smug delight.

"You're something else, kid! You can already complete an A-rank mission! Just as expected of my son! Hahahaha!"

"Dad, forget that for now—hurry up and save me!"

"Save you? Save you from what? Your mother loves you so much. What's wrong with letting her hug you a little longer?"

"Mom, stop messing around. I haven't washed my clothes for three days. I'm filthy!"

"You're not filthy! Even if my son fell into a mud pit, I still wouldn't mind!"

Xuanhui turned his head and shot his spectating father a vicious glare.

Helpless, he could only take out what he had bought from his pocket.

It was a bracelet woven from multicolored cords, exquisitely beautiful.

"Mom, I bought this with my mission reward. Put it on and see if it fits."

Nara Yamanaka's crying stopped abruptly. Her almond-shaped eyes, still glistening with tears, stared eagerly at the gift in Xuanhui's hand.

"Wow! Thank you, my precious son!"

Nara Yamanaka carefully picked up the bracelet, then delicately slipped it onto her right wrist.

"Hubby, look! Isn't it pretty?"