With So Little Money, It's Really Hard to Work for You!

Hearing those terms, Huayue rarely showed a hint of emotion before falling into thought.

"The right to leave the battlefield? That is indeed tempting. Why are you so set on me?"

Getting straight to the point, Orochimaru pondered for a moment before giving an unexpected answer.

"To ease someone's suspicions. You also have the talent to become my disciple. Uchiha Huayue, setting aside empty and useless chatter, do you have any ideals?"

"Ideals? This is the moment the Third Great Ninja War has erupted. Only those who survive have the possibility of pursuing ideals."

"Human existence is far too fragile. Even if one is fortunate enough to live out their natural lifespan, they still cannot leave a mark of their own upon the rolling Wheels of History."

Orochimaru's expression grew complicated. He had not expected to hear views so similar to his own from the mouth of a child.

"Are you afraid of death?"

"Would you be willing to abandon yourself and lose everything, dying for the village, Teacher Orochimaru?"

After a deathly silence, the smile at Orochimaru's lips became ever more apparent. If Orochimaru were willing to give up everything for the village, why would he have developed an immortality technique?

"I will make proper arrangements for you, my adorable disciple."

After Orochimaru left, the figures lurking in the shadows around the hospital room departed as well. Leaning against the hospital bed, Huayue frowned in thought, vaguely guessing something.

If I refuse, will assassins from the Anbu or Root come after me? Orochimaru's current position is unexpectedly delicate.

As the Third Hokage's disciple, Orochimaru had earned tremendous renown during the Second Great Ninja War. Hanzō the Salamander, the current leader of Amegakure and the so-called Demigod of the Shinobi World, had bestowed upon him the title of one of the Sannin. His military achievements were outstanding.

Yet his methods and obsessive temperament happened to align perfectly with Danzo's, creating his current predicament.

His obsession with immortality and his pursuit of every ninjutsu in the world had driven him onto a road toward truth: science.

The more knowledge he gains, the more disdainful he becomes of the Will of Fire. As expected of Konoha's only researcher—an outstanding talent who remained active all the way to the end of the era.

Of course, the main thing is that he knows enough ninjutsu.

Character Check-in: Orochimaru

Abilities Possessed: *Hidden Shadow Snake Hands*, *Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique*, *Summoning Technique: Rashomon*, *Wind Release: Wind Cutter*...

Random Draw in progress... Check-in successful. Obtained *Earth Release: Earth Clone* today!

Returning to his Inner world, the Black Nine-Tails, who had been pretending to sleep, quietly perked up his ears. Though he acted as if he did not care, he was quite curious inside.

"If you're awake, then get up."

"Those guys have already left. Come to think of it, what would you do if they chose to make a move against you?"

A savage smile appeared on the slightly chubby Fox's face. Huayue slowly raised his head, his smile bright.

"Then we'll activate the Konoha Crush Plan and let the successor to that evil Senju White-Haired Old Man's will witness the shock of a little Uchiha."

Late at night, someone knocked on the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's door.

"Bad news, Third Hokage! Urgent intelligence!"

Hurrying to the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen snatched the report from the Intelligence Unit ninja. After scanning it briefly, his already wrinkled old face creased even further.

"The Sand shinobi and Kumogakure have reached an agreement and formed an Allied Shinobi Forces army advancing on Kikyō Pass? The leaders are the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, while the Sand side has the Magnet Release Ninja Rasa and the Scorch Release Ninja Pakura..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened further. No wonder Chiyo had appeared at the Sand shinobi's main battlefield. She had used herself as bait; Kumogakure's blade squad last time had merely been scouting ahead.

"Two Kekkei Genkai users, the Fourth Raikage with the Name of the Body Flicker, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. No wonder you are in such a difficult position, Teacher Sarutobi."

A low, cold laugh tinged with mockery echoed through the room. The Intelligence Unit ninja instinctively glared, only for his expression to turn to shock a moment later.

"Need help? I have a fine candidate to recommend, hehehe..."

Slowly raising his head, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at Orochimaru, his expression complicated.

This prized disciple, whom he had once regarded as the inheritor of the Will of Fire and the successor to all his teachings and ninjutsu, had recently become increasingly difficult to understand.

"Are you willing to take action?"

"No, not me. My newly accepted disciple, Uchiha Huayue. He possesses the power to change the course of battle. Shall we let him take the stage?"

His hands stiffened. Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head and gave Orochimaru a long, deep look.

"You are willing to take on a disciple? That is truly rare. Have you ended those strange experiments of yours recently?"

"I merely happened to encounter a talented child. So, have you decided between the battlefield in the Land of Wind and the main battlefield at Kikyō Pass, Teacher Sarutobi?"

The question was pushed onto Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. After weighing it for a long while, he let out a faint sigh.

"A difficult choice. Chiyo is an expert who has experienced both the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, and she is a Puppet Master capable of facing many enemies alone."

"Kikyō Pass is a strategic location in the Land of Fire and not far from Konoha. If the mission fails, Konoha will inevitably be caught in the flames of war. To place all of this upon a child's shoulders..."

"As his teacher, shouldn't I lead by example..."

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish, a cold laugh interrupted him. Orochimaru had no interest in getting involved in the war unless he encountered interesting research material.

"Since Teacher Sarutobi cannot make a decision, I will make it for you. Uchiha Huayue will serve as reinforcements and head to the Land of Wind battlefield to face Chiyo."

"As for the reward, I will negotiate with him on your behalf. Leave the battle at Kikyō Pass to Jiraiya's disciple, Namikaze Minato. What do you think?"

Covering his face with one hand, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.

"Since things have come to this, that is the only decision we can make. Designate this matter as an S-rank Mission and relay it to Uchiha Huayue. If he requires any preparations, the village will provide a certain degree of support."

Orochimaru's smile grew increasingly brilliant, softening even the cold lines of his face somewhat. He turned and left, either failing to notice Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression or simply not caring at all.

Orochimaru, my most valued disciple, why did you suddenly take Uchiha Huayue as your disciple? Have you completely sided with Danzo?

The Intelligence Unit ninja who had come to report looked around in confusion, unsure what to do. Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and snapped at him.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry and inform Minato to rush back to Kikyō Pass and deal with the Fourth Raikage!"

"Yes!"

He ran off like the wind. Only after his figure disappeared into the distance did Sarutobi Hiruzen sigh repeatedly.

"Is it really right to leave this matter to Orochimaru and that child?"

Meanwhile, inside Konoha Hospital.

"With so little money, it's really hard for me to work for you!"