A friend of Kabuto's?
As an elite member of Root during wartime, and someone who had earned the title of Wandering Miko as a spy, Nonō knew just how important it was to be told this.
Uzumaki Sora—even if he wasn't one of the Fourth Hokage's direct Anbu, he was connected to him somehow.
Otherwise, Sora, who had once been Kabuto's friend, wouldn't have spoken with him at the entrance. That conversation had given Danzo and Orochimaru leverage over the Orphanage, even if it had also made them hesitate to act for fear of the consequences.
But in the end, when Sora left, he had sought her out and offered advice, revealing his identity...
Kakashi?
During the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Konoha had gained two heroes with the Sharingan. One was Uchiha Obito, and the other was Hatake Kakashi.
A student of the Fourth, and one of his direct Anbu.
At the Hokage Building, Nonō faced the Fourth Hokage. Kakashi, who had brought her there, was reporting the details of what had happened.
"That's the situation. The Orphanage's director says Lord Danzo threatened her with the Orphanage's funding and the children, forcing her to join Root and take part in espionage. The person who fought Danzo, Lord Orochimaru, and the others was a red-haired young man with the power to use Flying Thunder God Jutsu. The name on his formula was Uzumaki Sora."
The Fourth glanced at the Flying Thunder God Kunai Kakashi had handed him earlier. The formula on it was very similar to his own.
Blade of Ninja Love, Uzumaki Sora.
This was probably the same person who had traded with him a year ago, then used Flying Thunder God Jutsu to sever Obito's arm halfway through their journey.
That had been all but confirmed a year ago.
Over the past year, they had gathered and compiled information on him.
Namikaze Minato took out a report. It contained all the information gathered about Uzumaki Sora across the Shinobi World over the past year: red hair, Flying Thunder God, weak Taijutsu, and the ability to reappear after being confirmed dead.
Was that Black Shadow from back then immortal?
"Captain Fugaku, a year ago—"
Kakashi didn't finish. The Fourth shook his head slightly. "No. My conclusion is still the same. If Uzumaki Sora had wanted to save the Masked Man, he could have used Flying Thunder God to take him away when he cut off his arm."
"And when we were at the Military Police Force, I sensed no traces of Space-Time Ninjutsu. It's just a hunch, but I don't think this man means Konoha any harm."
Kakashi nodded slightly, then looked at Nonō. At his signal, she quickly understood what he meant.
"Lord Fourth, I..."
Namikaze Minato raised a hand to stop her and reassured her with a smile. "I'll look into the Orphanage's funding as soon as possible, and I'll warn Root as well. As for the Orphanage's security..."
Seeing the hope in Nonō's eyes, Minato found himself at a loss.
The children at the Orphanage weren't Konoha's children. Most were refugees from the war. Orochimaru's threat had made that point clear, too: children of unknown origin made the best test subjects.
And because of that, Minato couldn't easily assign guards. They weren't Konoha's children, and the Third Shinobi World War had ended only recently. There was no way to know whether any of the orphans were spies.
"Sensei, when Uzumaki Sora left, he said he was friends with a child at the Orphanage named Kabuto," Kakashi added.
A friend?
Minato's expression grew thoughtful. That man who seemed able to see the future—Uzumaki Sora—was Kabuto's friend?
With that in mind, Minato looked at Nonō. "I'll have Kakashi set up a Sensory Barrier around the Orphanage. You can also hang this kunai from a beam in the dormitory. If there's any trouble, Kakashi will contact me."
Nonō was deeply grateful. Bowing ninety degrees, she said, "All the children at the Orphanage will be grateful to Lord Fourth."
Minato smiled. "I'm an orphan myself, so I understand how those children feel. As for Kabuto, once he's registered, send him to the Ninja Academy. Put him under Kakashi's name."
Minato turned to Kakashi. "What do you think? You've always been the only one in the Hatake Clan. It can get lonely, can't it?"
Kakashi stared at him, dumbfounded. Was the Fourth really saddling him with a child?
He was about to refuse, but Minato continued, "From what we've learned, both Root and Orochimaru seem interested in this child. And Uzumaki Sora is his friend, so..."
So I have to report back at all times, right?
Protect the child, and notify Sensei if Uzumaki Sora shows up.
It seemed Sensei was very concerned about this Uzumaki Sora...
Kakashi guessed the Fourth's intentions in a flash. The careful arrangements for an orphanage that wasn't even affiliated with Konoha were largely because of Uzumaki Sora.
That man was connected to every major event in Konoha over the past year or more. It seemed even his teacher, the Fourth Hokage, was eager to meet him.
Kakashi and Nonō had both left. Minato stood and looked out the window.
Scenes from that so-called Information Exchange a year ago flashed through his mind again. That Black Shadow, Uzumaki Sora—he really wanted to see him again!
Even the Mangekyou with Space-Time abilities hadn't been the ultimate mastermind. Who was behind the one who had rescued Obito, and the one who had silently killed Fugaku?
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in."
The door opened, and the Third, Danzo, and the two Advisors entered together.
"Regarding what happened at the Orphanage tonight, I think Root owes me an explanation."
Minato got straight to the point. His gaze settled on Danzo, growing stern.
The Third asked, "It seems someone attacked Danzo and Orochimaru while they were on their way to discuss funding with the Orphanage. The disturbance wasn't very great, but it seems the attacker used..."
"The person who attacked me used the Fourth's signature technique, Flying Thunder God Jutsu. I, too, would like an explanation from the Fourth."
Danzo's response was just as forceful. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance, then spoke in turn. "Flying Thunder God Jutsu isn't a technique just anyone can learn. As I recall, only the Second and the current Fourth have ever been able to use this Space-Time Ninjutsu freely in Konoha's history."
Mitokado Homura mused, "I heard the Fourth was teaching this technique to his guards. Did they succeed?"
From either side, they made no direct accusation that Minato had sent someone after Danzo. Yet every word circled back to that central implication.
In truth, ever since the Third began gradually relinquishing power after the Fourth took office, the two Konoha elders who stood alongside the Third had begun to notice that their own authority was slowly slipping away.
The Fourth wasn't on the same side as them. Unlike the Third, he wasn't their ally.
Power bred darkness and fed human desire. Having held power for so long, they were unwilling to let it go.
So Danzo suited the motives buried deep in their hearts, while the Fourth did not.
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