I Was Also an Adopted Child

Chapter 18: I Was Also Adopted

"Kabuto Yakushi."

"That surname sounds a little familiar."

Akihara Kagura said as he waved his hand.

The large trees in this forest were controlled by Akihara Kagura's chakra. The branches binding the bespectacled young man slowly loosened, gently placing him on the ground.

"...Thank you."

Kabuto Yakushi sincerely thanked him before asking, "I recall that Root isn't supposed to allow the use of one's own name, only codenames..."

"That's for Lord Danzō to call me."

Akihara Kagura interrupted him, saying indifferently, "I guess Lord Danzō is getting old and can't remember so many names..."

"Besides..."

"Didn't you also use your own name?"

"We are different."

Kabuto Yakushi slowly shook his head.

Having spent years as a spy operating abroad, he didn't need to forget his name. Having a special codename might even lead to the discovery of clues.

"Your name is Kabuto Yakushi, right?"

"I remember there was an orphanage director named Yakushi Nonō..."

Akihara Kagura controlled a large tree to make a swing for himself, sitting on it leisurely, and began to ask a question he already knew the answer to, "What's your relationship with Yakushi Nonō?"

"The director..."

Kabuto Yakushi hesitated for a second, believing it wouldn't hurt for Akihara Kagura to know this, and explained, "Yakushi Nonō was the director of the orphanage that adopted me back then."

"That's quite a coincidence."

Akihara Kagura nodded and started to talk nonsense, "I was also adopted by Director Yakushi Nonō. Were you also adopted by her and raised by Lord Danzō?"

"...Yes."

Kabuto Yakushi slowly lowered his head.

If being trained as a spy from childhood and ordered to travel to various countries to gather intelligence could be considered being raised...

Was this young man who called himself Kagura-sama also an orphan adopted by the director and forced to be a tool by Danzō? Did he already forget the director who adopted him?

Indeed.

Not everyone remembers their childhood.

Especially a cold-blooded and ruthless organization like Root.

Kabuto Yakushi raised his palm and pushed up the glasses perched on his nose.

The reason he had managed to survive until now was all thanks to these glasses that had always been with him; they were a gift from Director Yakushi Nonō.

For Kabuto Yakushi, the warmest period of his life was at the Konoha orphanage, where he met the warmest person in his life, who treated him like a mother.

His name, his life...

Everything came from Director Yakushi Nonō.

"We were both adopted by Director Yakushi Nonō."

Akihara Kagura seemed pleased with their encounter. After thinking for a moment, he said with some curiosity, "We were both raised by Lord Danzō, yet we never met until now!"

"Because we had to carry out our respective missions."

Kabuto Yakushi replied, and then continued, "This meeting is just a coincidence. Perhaps in the future... we won't have the chance to meet again."

"Yeah."

Akihara Kagura also sighed, with a hint of helplessness on his face, "Lord Danzō is about to send me on a mission too."

"Oh?"

Kabuto Yakushi subconsciously showed a hint of surprise. As if unconcerned, he asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"

As a spy, Kabuto Yakushi instinctively wanted to gather intelligence, especially since the Akihara Kagura in front of him didn't seem like an ordinary child.

This young man...

If he wasn't mistaken...

He could actually use the Wood Release bloodline ninjutsu?

"First, I have to participate in the Chunin Exam."

Akihara Kagura was unconcerned about the information he might have leaked and even proactively revealed more, "After passing the Chunin Exam, I will be sent on a dangerous mission. After all, I possess the power of Wood Release, so Lord Danzō definitely won't send me on ordinary missions. I'll likely die during the mission..."

"Perhaps we really won't see each other again in the future..."

Akihara Kagura said this, then looked at Kabuto Yakushi, "If you're still alive, and you see Director Nonō in the future, please tell her that the happiest day was actually the day she adopted me and brought me back to the orphanage. I've never forgotten..."

"..."

Kabuto Yakushi fell silent.

What the young boy said was also what he wanted to say.

"I'm sorry."

Akihara Kagura looked at Kabuto Yakushi, a hint of loneliness in his expression. "Ever since I was little, I've been taught to uphold the will of Root, not to think about people from my past, nor to use my old name. I wasn't even allowed to keep a photo of the director. I've almost forgotten what she looks like..."

"It's okay, the director definitely won't blame you."

Kabuto Yakushi took out a photo from his pocket and comforted him. "I happen to have a photo of the director here, you can take a look..."

It was a photo wrapped in plastic paper.

The plastic paper was a bit worn, but the photo inside still looked new, showing that its owner had protected it very well.

The photo showed a smiling blonde woman wearing glasses. Something seemed to have made her happy, as her smile had almost closed her eyes.

"Thank you."

Akihara Kagura slowly lowered his head.

"You're welcome."

Kabuto Yakushi reached out and patted his shoulder, saying softly, "Unfortunately, I only have this one. If you're not in a hurry, perhaps I can help you make another copy."

"Thank you."

"I'll give you a copy of my photo then."

Akihara Kagura thanked Kabuto Yakushi with his head lowered, saying in a low voice, "If one day I die and you are still alive, remember to give my photo to the director..."

Akihara Kagura took a deep breath and continued, "Let her see what I looked like when I grew up. Help me tell the director that I joined Root voluntarily, at least so that everyone at the orphanage could live better. I've never blamed her..."

"She won't blame you."

Kabuto Yakushi shook his head quickly. These were words he felt he himself wanted to say. He quickly defended the gentle and kind director, who was like a mother. "She definitely won't blame you. How could the director possibly blame us?"

Kabuto Yakushi seemed to recall something as well. He took out a photo of himself from his pocket and handed it to Akihara Kagura. "This is my photo. If one day I die during a mission and you are still alive, please help me convey this to the director..."

"I understand what you mean!"

Akihara Kagura quickly took his photo.

"..."

Kabuto Yakushi felt that something was a bit strange.

"By the way."

After putting away the photo, Akihara Kagura reminded him, "Don't let anyone else know about this. The will of Root does not permit us..."

"Kano!"

A voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

A Root ninja walked into the forest. He glanced at Akihara Kagura, who was sitting on a swing, and then at Kabuto Yakushi standing beside him.

"Kano, Lord Danzō..."

"Who gave you permission to call him Kano!"

Akihara Kagura suddenly pointed his finger, and countless vines and roots emerged from the ground, binding the Root ninja and hanging him from a tree!

"How many times have I told you, what should you call me?"

"...Lord Kagura."

The Root ninja called out reluctantly. "Lord Danzō wants you and Kabuto to go to his office immediately."

"Who knows if what you're saying is true?"

Akihara Kagura snorted coldly before looking at the somewhat stunned Kabuto Yakushi. "These guys always like to use Lord Danzō's name to issue orders. They must have forced you to train with me, right?"

"Don't be afraid."

"I'll go back and teach them a lesson for you."

"..."

Kabuto Yakushi felt uneasy.

Kabuto Yakushi thought about why, within the Root base, a group of Root ninjas were pushing the responsibility back and forth, not wanting to accompany this young boy for training.

This young boy didn't seem to have such a bad time in the Root Organization...

Second update!

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