Days passed one by one. Although the Third Great Ninja War had yet to end, Sunagakure and Kumogakure had suffered devastating losses in the battle at Kikyō Pass, and both nations chose to restrain themselves.
The war's brutality had eased somewhat, but that did not mean it was about to end. On the contrary, it was the calm before the storm.
Konoha, inside Orochimaru's laboratory.
Huayue sat off to the side in utter boredom, watching Orochimaru's somewhat violent dissection technique. In the end, he merely curled his lip.
"Already bored? You don't seem like the sort who can sit quietly in a laboratory. Why did you suddenly come here?"
"Anko, go to the hospital and get me two more sets of the materials we used yesterday."
"Don't eavesdrop. Your senior brother and I have something to discuss, understand?"
Mitaraishi Anko, who had officially become Orochimaru's disciple yesterday, gave the two of them a suspicious look. Her little face twisted with conflict, and before leaving, she cast Huayue a fleeting look of concern.
"Oh my, is there a problem with observing my teacher's experiments? Or is a laboratory off-limits to 'outsiders'?"
"You really dare to say that! Since that day, you've been holed up at home and refusing to leave, claiming you overused your chakra and needed rest. This is the first time we've met since we parted that day, isn't it?"
His soul-piercing gaze fell upon the other person. Anyone else would have been frozen stiff by that terrifying killing intent, yet Huayue seemed numb to it, showing no reaction at all.
"Is that so? Perhaps my injuries were too severe, and I never had time to come pay my respects. So, when do our lessons begin?"
"I've always admired Teacher Orochimaru. In Konoha now, you should be the one who has mastered the most forbidden techniques, right?"
Huayue's faintly mocking expression displeased Orochimaru. His hand applied slightly more force, and specks of blood splattered across his pale face.
"You want my forbidden techniques? It's rare for someone with your discerning eye to take an interest in the techniques I possess. Fine, then. You can have them."
A mottled, rusted key slid from the mouth of a winding snake. The disgusting slime coating it made Huayue frown in distaste.
"The time needed to cultivate forbidden techniques is beyond imagination. I don't think you're the kind of person willing to lose yourself in techniques."
"Hehe, you really are a good judge of character. Then I'll take my leave. Carry on."
After Huayue vanished, Orochimaru remained silent. He merely turned toward the doorway and asked softly.
"Anko, where are the materials I asked for?"
"Teacher Orochimaru, why... do I feel like I've never really known Huayue?"
The scalpel paused briefly, then landed precisely on its cutting point once more. Though his movements were rough, they always retained the utmost rationality.
"That is the difference between talent and talent. He is very talented, and very rational. He knows to keep a low profile when he needs to lie low, and to display his talent at the right moment to obtain immense benefits for himself without crossing the line."
"Teacher, what does that mean?"
Still young and completely unable to understand the meaning behind Orochimaru's words, Anko looked bewildered.
"He... Uchiha Huayue. What do you think is the greatest difference between you and him? Talent in ninjutsu? Your own strength?"
"No. The greatest difference between you and him is your judgment of Konoha's... no, the entire Shinobi World's situation."
"He deliberately spared Kazekage Advisor Chiyo. He had the ability to kill Sunagakure's remaining two Kekkei Genkai ninja, Rasa and Pakura, yet he did not take the opportunity to strike."
"Precisely because Sunagakure still has the ability to protect itself, it has not gone all out and chosen to fight Konoha to the bitter end."
Anko only half understood. She merely felt that the friend who used to skip class with her and eat dango was drifting farther and farther away, leaving her somewhat dejected.
"Are you sad, Anko? If you want to catch up to Huayue, it is probably impossible with your talent. When it comes to judging a ninja's talent, I am more accurate than anyone."
With her eyes lowered, Anko suddenly broke into a smile and spoke to herself.
"Even if that guy pulls ahead of me, I don't want to fall too far behind him. Besides, Teacher Orochimaru is here. Teacher is one of the Sannin, so there must be a way for me to catch up to him, right?"
At that moment, Orochimaru's smile seemed to come from the heart. For some reason, the bloody specimen before him quietly transformed into an eye radiating evil and ill omen.
Perhaps even I am no match for him. Uchiha Huayue... that feeling was definitely not from an ordinary Sharingan. What exactly was it?
While one flower bloomed into two branches, let us speak of another.
At the edge of Konoha, outside a shabby, dilapidated Orphanage.
The Nun-like aunt was handwashing the children's clothes. It was autumn, and the water was icy cold.
Though she had applied to the Director more than once for a washing machine, the Orphanage's finances simply could not spare the money. The Director had recently taken in another child, and if things continued like this, even putting food on the table would become a serious problem.
Suddenly, a pitch-black shadow blocked out what little sunlight remained. Deprived of warmth, the aunt abruptly looked up, her eyes nearly spitting fire.
Just as she was about to start cursing, the dark red bandage leggings and understated luxurious fabric made her swallow her words.
"Is Sister Nonō here?"
"Are you a ninja? The Director is inside right now. Could it be that the village's subsidy has arrived?"
The hope rising in her eyes was cut short by the words that followed.
"No, I'm not a ninja delivering subsidies. That is handled by people from the village. I merely came to see Sister Nonō about something. Has the village subsidy not arrived for a long time?"
The fat aunt led the way while complaining.
"Exactly! Whenever we ask Lord Danzo for funding, those ninja only say that it's wartime and funds are tight. They refuse to allocate even a little money."
"A few days ago, when the Director went to ask, those people even said that some ninja had received a reward of 50 Million Ryo for completing an extremely difficult mission, and all of Konoha's funds were stretched thin."
"Do ninja really make that much money? Honestly, if I were a few decades younger, I'd want to become a ninja and make money too..."
Huayue froze slightly. What was going on? Hadn't he only received 5 million ryō? When had another zero been added?
Even including the material costs for the Kusanagi Sword, it should have been no more than 30 Million Ryo. Whose pocket had the remaining money gone into?
Lost in self-doubt, Huayue lowered his head in thought. Then the fat aunt guiding him shouted loudly, interrupting a question that would probably never be answered.
"Director, a guest has arrived."
Nonō, who was mending clothes, turned to look. When she saw that the visitor was Huayue, her smile became bright and gentle.
"Huayue... that's your name, right?"
"Yes, Sister Nonō. There's something I'd like to ask you to help with. Consider it a private commission. Please."
The scratch of a pen across paper echoed through the old room. At the sight of that hefty check, the aunt who had long been watching Huayue's movements had her eyes light up, and she hurriedly leaned close to Nonō's ear and whispered.
"Director, this child... could he be..."
Before you continue