"Nono… congratulations on finally leaving Root."
The current director of the Konoha Orphanage clasped Yakushi Nono's hands tightly, her aged fingers trembling with emotion. Her eyes glistened as she looked at the young woman standing before her—no longer the timid girl she had once been, but a mature kunoichi who had endured far more than any orphan ever should.
Back then, everything had been for the sake of survival.
To secure steady funding and protect the orphanage from collapse, Nono had volunteered to enter Root. It was a decision made with clenched teeth and silent tears, one born not of ambition but of responsibility. She had offered herself so the children could continue to eat, study, and sleep safely under a roof.
Now, seeing Nono standing here again—free—the director felt as if a heavy stone had finally been lifted from her heart.
"It's good… it's truly good that you're back," the director said softly. "Once I retire, this orphanage will be yours to take over."
The director was already advanced in age. Deep wrinkles traced the corners of her eyes, and her once-straight back had grown slightly hunched. At most, she could continue for another two or three years before stepping down.
By then, Nono would be more than capable of shouldering the responsibility.
"I… I'll do my best," Nono replied hurriedly, bowing slightly. Her voice trembled—not from fear, but from the weight of trust placed upon her.
Just then, a burst of lively noise erupted from outside the orphanage.
Laughter, excited shouts, and hurried footsteps echoed through the courtyard.
Startled, both women exchanged glances before heading outside.
What they saw made them pause.
The children of the orphanage had gathered in a tight circle around a young man with blue hair and dark sunglasses. He stood among them casually, surrounded on all sides, as if he were the center of a small festival. Some children tugged at his sleeves, others laughed loudly, and a few clung to his legs without the slightest restraint.
The visitor was none other than Aomizu.
Every month, without fail, he set aside one full day to help at the orphanage—teaching, playing, repairing furniture, or simply listening. Over time, he had become familiar with every child there, remembered their names, and understood their personalities.
To them, he wasn't a powerful ninja or a famous figure.
He was simply Brother Aomizu.
"Brother Aomizu!"
Nono's eyes widened, and her voice rang out with unmistakable joy.
Her sudden shout made Aomizu turn his head.
For a moment, surprise flashed across his face—followed by a warm smile.
Nono's release from Root had come with a single, unspoken condition: she was to get close to Aomizu.
Danzo believed he was weaving another thread into his web.
What he did not know was that fate had already bound them together long ago.
When Nono had first arrived at the orphanage—freshly orphaned, frightened, and withdrawn—it had been Aomizu who happened upon her one afternoon. He had spoken to her gently, comforted her, and told her that even in darkness, people could become strong.
Perhaps to Aomizu, it had been nothing more than a brief, casual act.
But to Nono, standing alone in despair, he had been a ray of light that pierced through her world and gave her the strength to move forward.
"So Aomizu came again today," the director said with a soft chuckle, unable to hide her happiness.
"Thanks to him, the orphanage no longer depends on Root's funding. We'll never have to send children there again."
Once, they had been forced to hand children over to Root simply to keep the orphanage running.
It was a wound that had never truly healed in the director's heart.
Hearing the conversation, Aomizu gently disentangled himself from the children and walked over.
"Director," he greeted respectfully, bowing slightly.
Then his gaze shifted to Nono.
A girl with long orange hair and oversized glasses stood before him, her posture slightly stiff, her expression restrained but emotional.
He recognized her immediately.
"It's been a long time, Nono," Aomizu said.
Nono had always believed that his comfort back then had been a coincidence.
In truth, Aomizu had acted deliberately.
At the time, he lacked a complete system of influence. Any opportunity to form bonds with future key figures was one he would never miss.
Yakushi Nono—the future adoptive mother of Yakushi Kabuto—had naturally been someone he paid close attention to.
As he spoke, Aomizu unconsciously raised his hand, intending to pat her head like he used to.
Halfway through the motion, he froze.
She wasn't a child anymore.
Years had passed, and she had grown into a young woman.
Such an intimate gesture was no longer appropriate.
But before he could withdraw his hand, Nono stepped forward decisively and pressed her head gently into his palm.
She smiled brightly, eyes curving with warmth.
Enjoying the familiar touch, she said softly, "It really has been a long time. Brother Aomizu… you're famous now, all across the Ninja World."
Even during her overseas missions, she had heard stories about him.
After a short conversation, the time for class arrived.
The Konoha Orphanage did not teach ninjutsu like the Ninja Academy. Lessons focused mainly on reading, writing, and basic knowledge.
However, exceptionally gifted children could receive special guidance.
Just as in the original timeline, Yakushi Kabuto would later learn medical ninjutsu while assisting Nono.
"All right, everyone," the director announced. "It's time for class. Back to your seats."
The children immediately obeyed.
Once they were seated, Aomizu stood at the front to teach, while Nono assisted him.
Watching him explain patiently, answering questions with ease and warmth, Nono found herself drifting into thought. A gentle, blissful smile appeared on her face without her noticing.
"Milk?"
Aomizu's sudden voice snapped her back to reality.
Every student was staring at her.
"Huh? W-what?"
"Please collect the students' assignments," Aomizu said calmly.
"Oh—yes! Right away!"
Flustered, Nono hurried to comply.
Before she realized it, the day had passed.
After dinner at the orphanage, Aomizu prepared to leave.
But Nono stopped him and guided him into a quiet room.
"Brother Aomizu… there's something I need to tell you."
Her tone grew serious.
"You know that I left the orphanage back then because I joined Root."
Aomizu nodded.
"The reason I was allowed to return… is because of a mission."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and pointed directly at him.
The cursed tongue seal prevented her from stating the mission explicitly. She could only hint.
Aomizu understood instantly.
"So the mission… involves me?"
Nono nodded vigorously.
He wasn't surprised.
The moment he had seen her that day, he had already guessed Danzo's intentions.
Without control of the orphanage, Root would lose one of its most reliable recruitment sources.
Danzo would never give that up easily.
"I don't know what he's planning," Nono said quietly, "but please be careful, Brother Aomizu. Don't ever let your guard down… not even around me."
She looked at him with genuine concern.
"Don't worry," Aomizu replied calmly. "I'll be careful."
In his heart, however, a cold resolve had already formed.
Danzo must die.
He would never allow Nono to suffer the tragic fate she endured in the original timeline.
"Relax," he added gently. "I'm not who I used to be. Danzo won't find me easy prey."
After comforting her with a light pat on the shoulder, Aomizu left the orphanage.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office
Instead of returning to the Senju clan compound, Tsunade headed straight from the research base to the Hokage Tower.
She had come to report her progress regarding the White Zetsu corpse.
"Old man," Tsunade said bluntly, "the White Zetsu cells hide major secrets. But researching them alone is too slow. I need help."
She had not yet mentioned the Wood Release properties within the cells.
Wanting to confirm things thoroughly first, she had made limited progress and now sought assistance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered briefly before nodding.
"Who do you have in mind?"
"Aomizu," Tsunade replied without hesitation. "With his current medical skills, he's more than qualified. And since he's the one who brought back the White Zetsu corpse, we won't risk any information leaks."
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
He had thought of Aomizu the moment she mentioned needing help.
"Very well," he said. "Aomizu will assist you. I'll inform him."
"Good," Tsunade replied. "That makes things easier."
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