Inspired by Kazashiro's words, Nonō didn't linger for a moment and went straight to find Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It's not that she was too impatient; after all, the one eyeing her was Danzo, and who knew if that ruthless guy was plotting against her right now?
Having lost his chat partner, Kazashiro walked straight up to Kabuto Yakushi.
Facing Kazashiro, whom even the staff feared, Kabuto Yakushi raised his head without showing any fear, simply looking back at him calmly.
"May I have your name?"
Kazashiro asked the other party a question he already knew the answer to.
"Kabuto, Kabuto Yakushi."
Pushing up his glasses, Kabuto Yakushi spoke calmly.
"Not bad, little guy."
Reaching out, Kazashiro gently patted the other's head, then squatted down in front of him, meeting his gaze at eye level. "You must strive to become stronger, and then help Nonō properly, understand?"
"Get stronger?"
The Kabuto Yakushi chewed on the word.
"That's right, in this cannibalistic Shinobi World, only by becoming stronger can one survive."
Taking the other person's hand, Kazashiro took out a Senbon and placed it in their palm. "Plunder and being plundered. All unfavorable situations in this world are due to the inadequacy of the parties involved. Do you understand?"
"If I get the chance, I'll recommend two coaches to you. Yeah, I think they should be coaches. With their guidance, you'll be getting stronger in no time."
As the images of Yamanaka Zen and Shimura Ikko flashed through his mind, Kazashiro, who knew that good things should be shared, revealed a sinister smile, making Dou feel a little uneasy.
"Cough, let's go, Yamato."
Controlling his expression, Kazashiro reverted to his caring older brother persona, smiling as he bid farewell to everyone at the orphanage before leaving with Yamato.
Dou held the Senbon a type of Japanese paper offering) and watched Kazashiro's departing figure, lost in thought.
Danzo Kazashiro tacitly avoided mentioning Nonō's matter. After hearing Nonō's suggestion, Hiruzen Sarutobi generously agreed to provide assistance to the orphanage, on the condition that the orphanage would adopt a group of orphans designated by the higher-ups.
The once small orphanage suddenly became lively. With the increase in the number of people, Nonō led everyone in the orphanage to expand the building, and some handmade products also began to be produced in full swing.
Just as Kazashiro was enjoying a rare vacation with Yamato, Hiruzen's Anbu conveyed a summons order to him.
Upon arriving at the Hokage Building, the first thing he saw after pushing open the office door Hiruzen sitting behind his desk, and Danzo standing beside him with his back to the door.
"Teacher Sarutobi, Father."
Kazashiro bowed respectfully to the two men, then looked around and noticed that no one else besides himself had been summoned, which puzzled him.
"Hehe, you've had a decent rest these past few days, haven't you, Kazashiro?"
Hiruzen chuckled as he sized up the disciple before him, offering his usual warm greetings.
"Thanks to you, it's alright."
After a series of formulaic questions and answers, Hiruzen finally steered the conversation to the main topic.
"Iwagakure has already attacked us. Due to the urgency of the situation and the insufficient strength of the border patrol, I have dispatched Minato ahead to defend against the enemy."
With a serious expression, Hiruzen crossed his arms on the table and announced the situation to Kazashiro.
"The tricky part is that Kusagakure, which originally maintained friendly relations with Konoha, suddenly sided with Iwagakure, giving Iwagakure a relatively stable supply route."
"Given your past cooperation with Orochimaru in the raid on the Kumogakure's supply base, I request that you go to the Kusagakure to annihilate the enemy and, at the same time, destroy their supply route, namely the Kannabi Bridge."
He placed a scroll on the table Hiruzen added, "Of course, you can refuse."
Kannabi Bridge...
The battle where Kakashi obtained the Sharingan? I never thought it would happen to me.
Well then, let's just consider it as saving my precious eldest son from disaster.
I'm going in Obito this time. If Madara tries to find someone else to use fire or water later, it'll really be none of my business.
Thinking Obito Obito's silly face, after so many years together, Kazashiro really didn't want to see him degenerate into a strange shape with half a Shar-Pei face and half an oval face.
"Understood, I accept this task."
Kazashiro resolutely took the scroll from the table.
"As expected of my disciple."
Seeing Kazashiro accept the mission, Hiruzen's serious expression softened, replaced by one of approval.
Upon hearing Hiruzen's words, Danzo, who had been looking out the window at the Kage Rock, Danzo and subconsciously turned his head towards Hiruzen's direction.
What do you mean by "your disciple"? That's my son!
If it weren't for the fact that Kazashiro was right in front of him, Danzo would have roared and corrected him.
Hearing the subtle movement Danzo his head, Hiruzen realized something and began to add details to the mission: "To obtain this information, Root lost a considerable amount of strength. Therefore, I will assign your teammates for this battle, and your unit will be moved out of Root and transferred to the regular ninja ranks."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Kazashiro was somewhat stunned. Did this mean that he finally wouldn't have to team up with those two farmers this time?
This is a good thing.
"Because Minato left in a hurry, his Team Seven is still in the village. I heard that you took over as captain during the battle of Kumogakure, so there shouldn't be any problems with coordination."
Just when Kazashiro thought Hiruzen was going to assign him some normal teammates this time, what the other party said next left him stunned.
Team Seven, doesn't that mean...?
Although not at the same time, but on the same battlefield, our great Obito is giving everyone a performance of being hit by a legendary rockfall?
"That's right, from today onwards, you are the captain of Team Seven."
The following morning.
"Sorry I'm late..."
As usual, Obito put his hands together in apology before even reaching his destination, but halfway through, he felt something was amiss and looked up to examine the situation closely.
Lin stood with her hands behind her back, smiling as she looked at herself.
Kakashi, with his usual smug expression, was leaning against a wooden stake in the training field.
Where is the captain?
"Congratulations, Obito. We've been teaming up for almost a year, and this is the first time I've seen you not be the last one to arrive."
Kakashi glanced at Obito and said in a sarcastic tone.
"Of course, Kakashi, I've been improving too—wait, why do I feel like you're still insulting me?"
Obito naturally picked up the conversation at first, but realized something was off halfway through.
"If you remove the feelings, I'm just insulting you."
Looking at his dim-witted teammate, Kakashi sighed, worried about Obito's intelligence.