Afterward, Houka, Haku, Yakushi Kabuto, Karin, and Jugo went to the orphanage to visit Yakushi Nonō.
Yakushi Nonō was still alone, though she had hired several young girls to help run the modest orphanage.
"Houka, Kabuto, Haku, you're back."
Seeing the three of them, Yakushi Nonō smiled. "Wonderful. You've all come back."
"Big Sister Director, I came to see you." Haku politely bowed in greeting.
"Haku, you've become a real man." Yakushi Nonō smiled gently.
Yakushi Kabuto also bowed solemnly. "Director, I'm back."
As a child, he had entered Konoha as a prisoner from the Land of Wind and had lost his memories. If Yakushi Nonō had not taken him in, he might have died long ago.
In his heart, Yakushi Nonō held an even higher place than Houka.
"Kabuto, you've finally grown up." Yakushi Nonō smiled as she helped him up. "I used to worry that you would... Never mind. When people get old, they always like dwelling on unpleasant memories. Come in, everyone."
The orphanage was still the same orphanage, but all the children inside were unfamiliar faces. Not one of them recognized Houka's group.
Seeing Yakushi Nonō again, Yakushi Kabuto was clearly in high spirits. He told her about everything that had happened to him over the past few years, then proposed setting up his laboratory here so that he could better care for her.
Yakushi Nonō was already nearing sixty. Though she was still in good health, she was getting on in years.
Yakushi Nonō was deeply gratified and nodded with a smile. "There happen to be several basements beneath the orphanage. If they aren't large enough, we can expand them."
Yakushi Kabuto smiled. "Although the experiments are difficult, fortunately they won't take up much space. A few basements should be enough."
Listening to them, Karin