Heh, You Judge People Well

The days passed one by one. Although the Third Great Ninja War had yet to end, Sunagakure and Kumogakure had suffered heavy losses in the battle at Kikyō Pass, and both nations had chosen restraint.

The war's brutality had eased somewhat, but that did not mean it was about to end. Rather, it was the calm before the storm.

Konoha, inside Orochimaru's laboratory.

The bored Huayue sat to one side, watching Orochimaru's somewhat violent dissection technique, before finally clicking his tongue.

"Already bored? You don't seem like the type who can stay quietly in a laboratory. Why did you suddenly come here?"

"Anko, bring me two more sets of the materials we used yesterday from the hospital."

"Don't eavesdrop. I have something to discuss with your senior brother, understood?"

Mitaraishi Anko, whom Orochimaru had formally accepted as a disciple yesterday, gave the two of them a suspicious look. Her little face was conflicted, and before leaving, a flicker of concern flashed through the look she cast at Huayue.

"Oh my, is there something wrong with observing my own teacher's experiments? Or is a place as important as a laboratory off-limits to 'outsiders'?"

"You certainly dare to say that! You've been holed up at home ever since that day, refusing to go out, claiming that you needed rest after overusing your chakra. This is our first meeting since we parted that day, isn't it?"

That soul-stirring gaze fell upon him. Anyone else would have long been frozen stiff by that terrifying killing intent, yet Huayue seemed dull to it, showing no reaction whatsoever.

"Is that so? Perhaps my injuries were too severe, and I never had the time to come pay my respects. So, when do our lessons begin?"

"I've always admired Teacher Orochimaru. In all of Konoha, you should be the one who has mastered the most forbidden techniques, right?"

Huayue's faintly smiling expression displeased Orochimaru. His hand applied a little more force, and specks of blood splashed onto that pale face.

"You want my forbidden techniques? It's rare for someone with your discernment to take an interest in the techniques I possess. Fine, I'll give them to you."

A mottled, rusted key slid from the mouth of a winding snake. The disgusting slime on it made Huayue frown in distaste.

"The time required to study forbidden techniques is beyond imagination. I don't think you're the kind of person willing to lose yourself in jutsu."

"Heh, you really do judge people well. 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 truly known Huayue?"

The scalpel paused for a moment before landing precisely on the incision point again. Though his movements were rough, they always retained the utmost rationality.

"That is the difference between talent and talent. He is very talented, and also extremely rational. He knows to keep a low profile when he needs to lie low, and to display his talents at the right time to secure tremendous benefits for himself without crossing the bottom 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 for 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 Chiyo, the Kazekage Advisor. He had the ability to kill Sunagakure's remaining two Kekkei Genkai shinobi, Rasa and Pakura, yet he did not seize the chance to strike."

"It was precisely because Sunagakure still had the ability to protect itself that it did not go all in and choose to fight Konoha to the bitter end."

Anko only half understood. She merely felt that the friend who had once skipped class with her and sampled dango together 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 be too far behind him. Besides, I have Teacher Orochimaru. 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 blood-soaked specimen before him quietly transformed into an eye exuding evil and misfortune.

Perhaps even I am no match for him. Uchiha Huayue... that feeling was definitely not from an ordinary Sharingan. What was it?

Two flowers bloomed, each telling its own tale.

At the edge of Konoha, outside a certain old and dilapidated Orphanage.

The Nun-like aunt was hand-washing the children's clothes. It was autumn, and the water was icy cold.

Although she had applied to the Director more than once for a washing machine, the Orphanage's finances truly could not spare the money. The Director had recently taken in another child, and if this continued, 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, fury nearly bursting from her eyes.

Just as she was about to curse, the dark red bandage leggings and understated luxurious fabric made her swallow the words that had reached her lips.

"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 about to rise in her eyes was shattered by the words that followed.

"No, I'm not a ninja here to deliver subsidies. That is handled by the village officials. I merely have something to discuss with Sister Nonō. Has the village subsidy not arrived for a long time?"

As the Fat aunt led the way, she began complaining.

"Yes! Every time we ask Lord Danzo for funding, those ninja only say that it's wartime and funds are tight. They refuse to allocate even a single coin."

"When the Director went to ask a few days ago, those people even said that a ninja had received a reward of 50 Million Ryo for completing an exceptionally difficult mission, and all of Konoha's funds were now 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 was slightly stunned. What was going on? Hadn't he only received 5 Million Ryo? When had another zero been added?

Even including the material costs for the Kusanagi Sword, it could not have exceeded 30 Million Ryo. Whose pocket had the rest of the money gone into?

Huayue lowered his head in thought, consumed by self-doubt, until the Fat aunt leading the way 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 it was Huayue, her smile was 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 scratching of a pen across paper echoed through the old room. Seeing the weighty check, the aunt who had been watching his movements with gleaming eyes hurriedly leaned close to Nonō's ear and whispered.

"Director, this child... could he be..."