Naruto, the strongest Uchiha from signing in.

As the days passed, although the Third Ninja World War was still going on, after the Sand Village and the Cloud Village suffered heavy losses in the battle of Mount Kikyo, the two countries chose to restrain themselves.

The severity of the war has decreased slightly, but this does not mean that the war is about to end. Instead, it is the calm before the storm.

In Konoha Village, inside Orochimaru's laboratory.

The bored Huayue sat aside, admiring Orochimaru's slightly violent dissection technique, and finally just curled her lips.

"Are you feeling bored already? You don't look like the type to stay quietly in the lab. Why did you suddenly come here?"

"Hongdou, please go to the hospital and get two more copies of the materials used yesterday."

"Don't eavesdrop. Your senior brother and I have something to discuss. Do you understand?"

Yesterday, Mitarashi Anko, who was officially accepted as a disciple by Orochimaru, looked at the two of them suspiciously, her little face was conflicted, and before leaving, she cast a look at Kagetsu, a hint of worry flashing across her face.

"Ah, is there something wrong with observing your teacher's experiments? Or are 'outsiders' prohibited from entering the laboratory?"

"How dare you say that! Since that day, he has been staying at home and refusing to go out, claiming that he has overused his chakra and needs to rest. This is the first time we have met since we separated that day."

The captivating gaze fell on the others, who had already been frightened stiff by the terrifying murderous aura, but Hua Yue seemed to have dulled her senses and did not react at all.

"Really? Maybe I was injured too badly and didn't have time to greet you. So when do we start the course?"

"I have always admired Sensei Orochimaru. The person who has mastered the most forbidden techniques in Konoha should be Sensei, right?"

The half-smile on the face made Orochimaru unhappy. He exerted a little more force on his hands, and a few drops of blood splattered on the pale face.

"You want my forbidden technique? With your vision, you can still appreciate my forbidden technique. It's very rare. Then I'll give it to you."

The mottled rusty key came out from the snake's mouth as it meandered forward, and the disgusting mucus made him feel a little disgusted.

"The time required to practice forbidden techniques is beyond imagination. I don't think you are the kind of person who is willing to indulge in techniques."

"Haha, you are really good at judging people. I will take my leave now. Please get busy."

After the figure disappeared, Orochimaru remained silent, just turned to the door and asked softly.

"Hongdou, where are the ingredients I need?"

"Teacher Orochimaru, why...I feel as if I have never known Kagetsu?"

The scalpel paused for a moment, then accurately landed on the cutting point again. Although the action was rough, it always maintained the most rational style.

"This is the difference between talent and ability. He is very talented and very rational. He knows how to keep a low profile when he needs to lie dormant, and show his talent when he needs to make huge profits for himself without touching the bottom line."

"Teacher, what does this mean?"

Red Bean was still young and didn't understand the meaning of Orochimaru's words at all, so she was a little confused.

"He... Uchiha Kagetsu, what do you think is the biggest difference between you and him? Your talent in ninjutsu? Your own strength?"

"No, the biggest difference between you and him is your judgment of the situation in Konoha Village... no, even in the entire ninja world."

"He deliberately let Kazekage advisor Chiyo go. He had the ability to kill the remaining two bloodline limit ninjas of the Sand Village, Rasa and Hagura, but he did not take the opportunity to attack."

"It is precisely because the current Sand Village still has the ability to protect itself that it has not made a desperate move and has chosen to fight Konoha thoroughly."

Hongdou seemed to understand, but she felt that the friends who used to skip classes and eat dumplings with her were getting farther and farther away from her, and she felt a little lost.

"Are you sad? Red Bean, it's probably impossible to catch up with Kagetsu with your talent. I can judge the talent of ninjas more accurately than anyone else."

With her eyes lowered, Hongdou suddenly smiled and spoke to herself.

"Even if that guy pulls me away, I don't want to be too far away from him. Besides, Orochimaru-sensei is here. He is a Sannin, so he must have a way to catch up with him, right?"

At this moment, Orochimaru's smile seemed to be genuine, and the bloody specimen in front of him somehow quietly turned into an eye that revealed evil and ominousness.

"Perhaps, even I am no match for him, Uchiha Kagetsu, that feeling is definitely not an ordinary Sharingan, what exactly is it?"

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

On the edge of Konoha Village, outside an old and dilapidated orphanage.

An aunt dressed as a nun was washing the children's clothes by hand. It was autumn and the water was freezing cold.

Although she had applied to the director for a washing machine more than once, the orphanage's current financial situation did not allow for any spare money. The director had recently adopted another child, and if things continued like this, eating would become a big problem.

Suddenly, a pitch-black shadow blocked the remaining sunlight. The aunt, deprived of warmth, looked up suddenly, her eyes almost spitting fire.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to curse, the dark red bandages and the restrained and luxurious fabric made her swallow back the words she was about to say.

"Is Nono-sister here?"

"Are you a ninja? The dean is in there now. Is this the subsidy from the village coming for us?"

The hope that was about to rise in his eyes was interrupted by the next words.

"No, I'm not the ninja who delivers the subsidies. That's the responsibility of the people in the village. I just have something to ask Nono-nee. Has the subsidy from the village not come in a long time?"

The fat lady complained as she led the way.

"Yes! Every time we ask Lord Danzo for funding, those ninjas would just say that it is a war time and funds are tight, and they are unwilling to allocate even a little money."

"When the dean went to ask a few days ago, those guys even said that a ninja took away 5000 million taels of reward directly because the mission he completed was too difficult. The funds of the entire Konoha are tight."

"Does being a ninja make that much money? Really, if I were a few decades younger, I would also want to be a ninja and make money..."

Hua Yue was slightly startled. What was going on? Didn't she only receive 500 million taels? When did there come another zero at the end?

Even if the material cost of the Kusanagi sword is added, 3000 million taels would be the maximum. Who pocketed the rest of the money?

Huayue, who was lost in self-doubt, lowered her head in deep thought, but the fat lady who was leading the way shouted, interrupting this question that would probably never be answered.

"Master Dean, a guest has arrived."

Nono, who was mending clothes, turned around and saw that it was Queen Kagetsu, and her smile was bright and gentle.

"Kagetsu... that's the name, right?"

"Yes, Nono-nee, I need your help with something. Just treat it as a personal request. Please."

The sound of the pen tip scratching across paper echoed in this old room. As the heavy check came out, the auntie, who had already glanced at his movements, lit up her eyes and quickly whispered in Nono's ear.

"Master Dean, this child, could it be..."