Orochimaru's Pursuit of Truth

"You could see it that way. Since everything is over, my mission has officially ended as well. This kind of terrifying battlefield really doesn't suit me."

"I'll transport the wounded to Konoha Hospital. News of Kikyō Pass will spread throughout every country because of this. Some nations may try to exploit the opening, and Konoha won't be their only target."

"Right? Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, Iwa-nin..."

An icy kunai silently aimed at the Iwa-nin lurking in the shadows, attempting to steal intelligence. As their eyes met, every piece of information came into view.

"Iwagakure! Is the Land of Earth planning to strike Konoha while it has the chance? No wonder. The current Tsuchikage is famously troublesome, Ōnoki of Both Scales..."

Nara Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and gave Uchiha Huayue a deep look, inwardly amazed.

When normal people entered a safe environment, they inevitably let down their guard, especially in a resting area surrounded by so many companions.

Yet even after staying here for quite some time, Uchiha Huayue had not relaxed his vigilance in the slightest. Didn't he ever get tired? Didn't he ever let his guard down?

"I'll leave this Iwa-nin to you. I'm heading back to Konoha first to report the mission to Teacher Orochimaru. I'm off."

His figure vanished, and dozens of severely wounded patients who had received emergency treatment disappeared from the spot at the same time. Yūhi Shin Kurenai lowered his head in thought, suddenly feeling the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

"What? If you've taken a liking to him, you should make things clear to your daughter in advance. At such a young age, he's already this capable. Maybe he'll grow into an outstanding ninja like Minato someday, hahaha..."

"You're hardly one to talk, Inoichi. You don't even have a child. If you had a daughter, you'd worry about whether she might be tricked by some brat from outside too."

Yamanaka Inoichi was awkward for a moment, then replied without a care.

"What are you talking about? Even if I had a daughter, I wouldn't worry as much as you do. He's a genius of the Uchiha Clan, and he can use the Body Flicker Technique at such a young age. As for your daughter..."

"Mr. Inoichi!"

The words on his lips went unsaid. Yamanaka Inoichi turned toward the unconscious Iwa-nin, immediately shifting into a combat stance as he prepared a sensory technique.

Meanwhile, in Konoha Hospital, inside the ordinary ward Huayue had departed from.

The young nurse changing medicine was about to turn and leave when she suddenly saw wounded patients strewn all over the floor. The black-robed boy sitting on the hospital bed flashed a toothy smile.

"Could you call in a few more members of the medical unit?"

A blush bloomed across her face. The little nurse, who had been momentarily enchanted out of her wits, snapped back to her senses and hurried to the duty room to notify the Medical Ninja on watch.

Lying in bed, Yūhi Kurenai smelled the faint fragrance of grass and trees lingering around her nose. For a moment, she forgot the pain of her wounds and asked instinctively.

"Um, Huayue, what are you going to do next..."

"You dealt with your opponent beautifully, my adorable student. Hehehehe."

A cold smile echoed through the ward. Every hair on Yūhi Kurenai's body stood on end as she instinctively turned her head and met those chilling serpent eyes.

"You're as unpleasant as ever, Teacher Orochimaru."

His cloak fluttered, dispersing the killing intent that filled the room. His eyes, deep as secluded pools, held no trace of fear, and his tone was calm and cold.

"You truly are gentle, so gentle that you don't seem like an Uchiha Clan member at all. But that is irrelevant. The materials you requested will be delivered shortly."

"What a beautiful battle. Nine Mask Svāhā. There are still many ninjutsu in this world that I have never seen. Are you ready to explore the truth of this world with me?"

Orochimaru glanced at Yūhi Kurenai without leaving a trace, then turned and departed. Only after his footsteps gradually faded down the corridor did Yūhi Kurenai remember to breathe, gasping heavily.

"Th-That was one of the Sannin, Orochimaru? He... he doesn't seem human. He's like some kind of snake wearing human skin. Huayue, are you really going to study under him? Something like that..."

Huayue gently soothed Kurenai's breathing, smiling as he told her to calm down. Then he said words even he did not believe.

"Actually, Teacher Orochimaru is one of the few truly intelligent people in all of Konoha. His personality is merely a little extreme, but he has always pursued his dreams."

Such as the Immortality Technique, learning every ninjutsu in the world, the origins of Sage Art, and methods for ordinary people to master it.

He could be said to possess the most thorough understanding of science in Konoha. With a mortal body, he had even touched upon the secrets of the Sage of Six Paths and the Rinnegan.

"Is that so?"

"Probably. Anyway, focus on recovering. We'll meet again if there's a chance. I'm leaving."

The sun slanted westward, and a few cherry blossom petals danced through the air. Inside the mission assignment hall of the Hokage Office Building.

Genma Squad, made up of Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raidō, and Iwashi Tatami, was reporting the details of this mission.

Unexpectedly, a figure abruptly shoved open the doors and swaggered in. His gaze swept across the room before settling on the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Third Hokage, Teacher Orochimaru sent me to collect the mission reward."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two Hokage Advisors furrowed their brows. Shiranui Genma had no impression whatsoever of this unfamiliar face, and after exchanging looks with his companions, they all shook their heads.

"Has the battlefield in the Land of Wind been completely suppressed?"

After coughing twice, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe, his expression solemn.

"In the Land of Wind, one hundred and seven Sunagakure ninja, including Kazekage Advisor Chiyo, have been subdued. At least, that was the situation when I left."

"At Kikyō Pass, only the Fourth Raikage, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Rasa, and the Scorch Release Ninja Pakura remain of the Sunagakure and Kumogakure allied forces. Kumogakure's Magnet Release Ninja Toroi has been confirmed dead."

"Mimura Hamaki will relay the follow-up intelligence. The S-rank Mission, controlling the battlefield between the Sand Ninja and Konoha, has been confirmed complete."

At that point, Huayue changed the subject and smiled.

"5 Million Ryo, at least ten kunai made from material similar to the Kusanagi Sword, one Kusanagi Sword, Various Puppet Materials, and a Full Set of Ninja Tools Including Explosive Tags. Where is my reward?"

Bang! The two Hokage Advisors slammed their hands on the table in fury and shouted.

"Are you joking? The money and ninja tool materials as mission rewards are one thing, since this was an S-rank Mission. But what is this about a Kusanagi Sword? And ten kunai made from Kusanagi Sword materials? Are you trying to rob us, brat?!"

"Rob you? I risked my life to suppress an entire battlefield by myself, and I even did my best to reinforce the battlefield at Kikyō Pass as you requested. Are you planning not to pay the reward?"

Utatane Koharu was so angry that she could barely maintain her expression. Only when Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke did the two advisors calm down.

"What kind of behavior is that in front of a junior? Calm down. Uchiha Huayue, Konoha will not forget your service to the village. The remaining rewards will all be transferred into your account."

"However, with your abilities, you are not suited to remain a genin. Are you interested in leading a team of chunin and continuing to take missions?"