Yakushi Nonō

Just as the Uchiha Special Zone began to flourish, Yan went to a certain place.

It was an orphanage located on the outskirts of Konoha.

Established during the Third Shinobi World War, it had nearly a decade of history by now.

It primarily took in orphans who had lost their parents to the war.

The director was named Yakushi Nonō, a great beauty.

She also held a famous title.

"Wandering Miko!"

Her primary job had been to gather intelligence abroad for the Root organization.

After completing numerous high-difficulty missions, she was granted permission to retire and came to this orphanage to serve as its director.

But good times did not last.

For a talent like her, who still held many secrets regarding Konoha in her mind, the Root organization would naturally not let her go so easily.

Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan had been causing trouble everywhere lately and had even secured an autonomous zone.

Within the Uchiha Special Zone, Uchiha ninjas would strike immediately upon seeing any members of the Root.

Without taking lives, they would torment them relentlessly, leaving many crippled and essentially unable to continue serving as ninjas.

Gradually, the Root organization dared not go to the Uchiha Special Zone anymore.

However, this did not mean that Shimura Danzō would give up just like that.

Consequently, this orphanage, which usually saw no visitors, attracted a group of uninvited guests.

In the open space before the orphanage entrance.

"Yakushi Nonō!"

A ninja wearing a ghastly mask approached a young woman wearing glasses and spoke in an arrogant tone.

"Lord Danzō has issued an order: you are to report to the Root organization immediately."

The woman called Yakushi Nonō frowned upon hearing this and asked in return.

"I recall that I have already retired; this was done with Lord Danzō's consent."

"That was before!" the Root ninja said in a stiff tone, carrying an attitude that brooked no refusal.

"Do you intend to defy orders?"

"Lord Danzō said that this orphanage exists because of the Root organization, and if you refuse..."

"Hmph!"

Between the lines, the threat was laid bare without a doubt.

This left Yakushi Nonō with a troubled expression; she pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time.

Just then, two children suddenly ran out from the inner room.

One of them held a drawing in their hand, while the other looked at the Root ninja with a grave expression.

The child holding the drawing trotted over to Yakushi Nonō's side and boasted.

"Director, Director, look at the drawing I made. Guess who I drew."

Hearing the childish voice in her ear, Yakushi Nonō smiled faintly, and it seemed she had made a decision in her heart.

She crouched down in front of the Root ninja.

Looking at the two figures—one large and one small—on the drawing, she smiled and patted the child's head, saying.

"I bet this must be a drawing of me."

"You got it right!" the child cheered. "I'll show you something else!"

The child then ran back into the house, leaving the slightly older child standing at the doorway.

Yakushi Nonō turned to look, a gentle smile appearing on her face as she walked over to that child.

"Kabuto, I have to go."

"Is it because of him?" The child named Kabuto narrowed his eyes, his face tense.

Yakushi Nonō shook her head. "Don't overthink it."

She then took the glasses off her own nose, placed them on him, and continued.

"From now on, you'll be able to see clearly!"

"Director!" Kabuto's mouth hung slightly open, not knowing what to say.

He knew that the person outside was definitely a ninja, and that their arrival to find the director certainly boded no good.

Yet, they were in no position to refuse!

With this parting, he did not know when they would be able to meet again.

"Take good care of the younger ones!" Yakushi Nonō urged, though a look of unspeakable sorrow clouded her face.

"I will!" Kabuto nodded heavily.

The atmosphere in the orphanage was suffocating, a heavy sense of grief quietly permeating the air.

Yakushi Nonō's expression was grave, her eyes filled with helplessness and reluctance.

Kabuto stood to the side, his small frame trembling slightly, his eyes brimming with tears that threatened to spill over at any moment.

"Are you done with your goodbyes? If so, let's go; Lord Danzo is waiting," the Root ninja said coldly, sounding impatient.

Upon hearing this, Yakushi Nonō patted Kabuto's head and pushed herself up to her feet.

By the time she turned to face the Root ninja, her face had regained its composure, even revealing a hint of indifference as she spoke calmly.

"Let's go. We shouldn't keep Lord Danzo waiting."

The Root ninja snorted and turned, preparing to lead Yakushi Nonō away from the orphanage.

Just then, a young man with short hair appeared at the orphanage gate, watching them with a smile.

Upon seeing the young man, the Root ninja reacted as if struck by a reflex, shouting in a loss of composure.

"Uchiha Yan, why are you here?"

Hearing the name, Yakushi Nonō's eyes narrowed.

Although she had stayed within the orphanage, the name was not unfamiliar to her.

In fact, she could roughly guess why Danzo had summoned her this time.

It certainly had something to do with Uchiha Yan.

But she hadn't expected their first meeting to occur under such circumstances.

Why was he at the orphanage? Could it be that he shared the same objective as Danzo?

Yan stood with his arms crossed, smiling as he walked up to Yakushi Nonō and the Root ninja. "Do I need to answer to someone from Root about why I'm here? Get lost, quickly. I'm not in the mood to fight today."

"Uchiha Yan!" The Root ninja immediately drew shuriken from his pouch, assuming a combat stance. "Don't get too arrogant. This is Root territory."

As the words fell—

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Three more ninjas suddenly emerged from the surrounding bushes, all wearing ghastly masks. Some held shuriken, others formed hand seals, surrounding Yan.

Yan scanned his surroundings casually, a cold sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You small fries think you can bare your fangs at me?"

"Since you don't want to leave, then none of you are leaving."

With that, Yan's eyes widened. An invisible pressure swept outward in all directions, and a wave of intense mental shock instantly pierced the minds of the four Root ninjas.

The four Root ninjas felt a sharp, stabbing pain in their heads, as if thousands of needles were pricking them. Their weapons clattered to the ground, and their bodies began to tremble uncontrollably.

Yakushi Nonō stood to the side, watching the scene in shock.

Is this the kind of person who dares to stand toe-to-toe with the Hokage?

Kabuto, meanwhile, stared at Yan without blinking, his eyes shining.

So strong! If I were this strong, I could protect the Director!

Hearing the Root ninjas' screams, Yan did not stop there.

His figure flickered, appearing behind one of the Root ninjas like a phantom, and he gave a light wave of his hand.

A surge of immense power sent the ninja flying, snapping a large tree in half and startling a flock of birds in the woods.

Seeing this, the other three ninjas gritted their teeth against the agony in their heads, attempting to launch a counterattack.

However, Yan gave them no chance. He vanished from his spot, moving freely between the three of them.

Every strike carried an indescribable, overwhelming force, leaving the three ninjas completely unable to defend themselves.