In a spacious hall, a rectangular guest table dominated the space. Yakushi Nono sat in the middle, with the plump Aunt Keiri and the old man Kanpu standing behind her. Their expressions were vigilant as they observed the unexpected arrival of three guests.
The man seated in front of Yakushi Nono was none other than Shimura Danzo, a high-ranking figure in Konoha. He had hedgehog-like black hair, white bandages wrapped around his right eye and right hand, a intersecting scar on his chin, and a left eye that emitted an indescribably sinister and profound gaze.
Not only that, but the two ninjas standing behind Danzo were also notable. One had long black hair, with a pair of eerie snake-like eyes on pale cheeks. The other wore black sunglasses, and a purple mark adorned the right corner of their mouth.
It was none other than Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, and another skilled member of the Aburame clan, Aburame Tatsuma.
"I never expected 'The Wandering Miko,' as you are called, to willingly play the role of a nanny here," Danzo remarked, breaking the silence as he gazed at the somewhat weary Yakushi Nono, supporting his chin with one hand.
"I had long abandoned that name..."
"And I've already negotiated the matter of financial aid with Konoha. What brings you here now?"
Staring at the uninvited Danzo and his two formidable ninjas, Yakushi Nono furrowed her brow deeply.
"After leaving Root, where you were once the top elite of the intelligence department, have you become so ignorant?"
"I didn't come just for the matter of financial aid this time."
Sensing Yakushi Nono's clear resistance in her gaze, Danzo got straight to the point and directly stated the purpose of his visit today.
"We received intelligence... Those folks from Iwagakure village plan to launch large-scale operations during the current wartime. We need you to infiltrate Iwagakure and investigate whether this information is accurate. If it is, we hope you can gather detailed information on the timing, location, and specifics of their operations and report back to us."
"This mission is likely to be a long-term one..."
At this moment, Aburame Tatsuma, standing behind Danzo, took over Danzo's words and explained their purpose to Yakushi Nono.
"You've got the wrong person. I'm no longer a member of your Root..."
Before Aburame Tatsuma could finish his statement, Yakushi Nono interrupted him directly.
"You don't understand at all! The director cares deeply about the orphanage and the children!"
The old man Kanpu, standing behind Yakushi Nono, couldn't help but speak with a furious expression.
"The director has put in tremendous effort to raise funds, and it wasn't easy to keep this place..."
Similarly, Aunt Keiri, standing next to the old man Kanpu, spoke up.
"And why not send someone from Root to do such a dangerous mission? Why force the director to go?!"
"Because the only one capable of handling this long-term task is 'The Wandering Miko'!"
Facing the questioning of the two assistant directors of the orphanage, Danzo raised his tone: "Inside Root now... there's no spy more skilled than her."
"Mediocre ninjas ultimately either suffer mental breakdowns or defect to the enemy."
"But if it's this woman... I believe she would never betray Konoha."
Gazing at Yakushi Nono seated across from him, Danzo's left eye narrowed slightly, revealing a dangerous glint. "Judging by your expression, it seems you've already understood?"
Seemingly having rehearsed their lines, Aburame Tatsuma, standing beside him, issued a threatening tone.
"Yes, Nono, if you refuse, the orphanage will no longer receive support in the future."
"How can you do this?!"
"Lord Third Hokage has already agreed... He cannot allow such a thing to happen!"
Upon hearing the threats from Danzo and Aburame Tatsuma, Aunt Keiri, standing behind Nono, couldn't hold back.
"I see that this orphanage seems quite prone to burglars..."
"I suggest you hire a security guard to prevent money from being stolen, assuming you have money in the first place."
Anticipating the reactions of Nono and her companions, Aburame Tatsuma issued a cold threat.
"By the way, don't let the children all get stolen. After all, these unidentified children may have some value for exploitation..."
At this moment, Orochimaru, who had been standing behind Danzo all along, also spoke up.
With a deep, hoarse voice accompanied by implied threats in his words, his chilling snake-like eyes sent shivers down one's spine.
"You are shameless! What kind of ninja are you?"
Seeing Danzo, a prominent figure in Konoha, engage in such actions, the old man Kanpu beside him was absolutely furious.
"You are the ones who lack understanding!"
Hearing Kanpu's angry rebuke, Danzo raised his voice to interrupt him, and his sinister gaze sparkled with an almost pathological determination. "As long as it is for the protection of Konoha, this small price is insignificant!"
"I understand..."
In the face of the threats from Danzo and his two companions, Yakushi Nono, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
"Director! Are you..."
Seeing Yakushi Nono's compromise, Keiri seemed inclined to speak up and dissuade her.
"It's because you're not ruthless enough that things turned out this way. You really aren't suited for Root, Nono."
Seeing Nono's compromise, Danzo revealed a satisfied smile but couldn't help but sigh.
"Shameless... to utter such words!"
Staring at the shameless Danzo before him, Kanpu couldn't help but grit his teeth in frustration.
"Furthermore, to obtain this intelligence, one of my subordinates died. I need to pick a child from here as a replacement."
As if completely ignoring the deep-seated anger, Danzo, as the leader of Root, had long smoothed over these unnecessary emotions.
Sensing someone eavesdropping on their conversation outside the hall, Danzo intentionally spoke up.
"Initially, I had my eyes on Yakushi Yu, but unfortunately, that guy Sarutobi got ahead of me..."
"Anyway, we will cover the expenses in the future, so for this time, let's exchange the money for that little brat named Yakushi Kabuto."
Speaking of the name Yakushi Yu and remembering that he was once again preempted by his old rival Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo's gaze darkened once more.
"Yu? Kabuto?"
"Don't push it! I've already agreed to your demands! I won't hand over any of the children here to you!"
Hearing Danzo's impolite request again, Yakushi Nono, who had always been gentle and graceful, finally became emotionally stirred. Every child in the orphanage was like her own, and she would not allow them to be harmed no matter what.
"Who would have thought that it would be so lively here today..."
Just as several people in the hall were in a heated dispute, a clear voice broke the tense atmosphere.
"There's another little brat?!"
Hearing the sudden voice, Danzo, Orochimaru, and the others were momentarily stunned. They could sense that Yakushi Kabuto was eavesdropping outside the hall, but they had not noticed that there was another child outside at this moment.
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