Introducing a Teacher to Kabuto

Perhaps because they truly feared Shimura Danzō going mad, the orphanage's relocation proceeded very quickly.

Most of what could be abandoned was abandoned.

By late morning on the second day, Yakushi Nonō had already reported to Yan's office.

Yan had no desire to ask—and could not be bothered to ask—about the four Root ninja.

"Is everything arranged?" Yan asked Yakushi Nonō, who stood before him, without even looking up from the file report in his hands.

"Mm!" Yakushi Nonō nodded, a trace of embarrassment appearing on her face. "Thank you."

"You specially prepared a large house for the children and provided them with so many daily necessities."

"Those are minor matters." Yan set down the file and looked up. "I told you long ago that those children may have great potential. I don't mind investing in them early."

"I understand!" Yakushi Nonō pressed her lips together. "Then what do you need me to do next?"

"I was previously responsible for intelligence in Root. If you want me to continue working as a spy, I have no problem with that."

But Yan shook his head. "No, no, no."

"Having someone as talented as you work as a spy would be far too wasteful. I'm not as shortsighted as Shimura Danzō."

He then pulled a file from the stack on his desk and handed it to Yakushi Nonō, as though he had prepared it long ago.

"Take a look. This contains the details of your future work."

Yakushi Nonō picked it up and found the contents surprisingly unexpected.

In essence, she was to first become a teacher at the Medical School. After training some students, she would establish the Medical Department, with herself as its director.

The benefits were excellent as well—at the very least, far better than they had been in Root.

"I truly believe now that you weren't lying to me."

Yan shrugged. "There's no reason for me to lie about something like this."

"Oh, right!"

He slapped his forehead, as though he had suddenly remembered something, then continued.

"Kabuto is a very smart child. I'm planning to find him a teacher, and I wanted to ask for your opinion."

"A teacher?" Yakushi Nonō tilted her head, looking at him in confusion. "Can you tell me who it is?"

"Orochimaru." Yan smiled faintly as he told her.

After all, in the original story, Kabuto had studied under Orochimaru. Later, he surpassed his master, took command of the latter half of the Fourth Ninja World War, and successfully transformed into a dragon.

In this world where bloodlines determined everything, he could be considered the first to attain immortality with the body of an ordinary man.

A talent like that could never be allowed to remain buried.

As for whether he might be led astray, Yan could only smile without saying anything.

So long as Yakushi Nonō was still alive.

Wherever she was, Kabuto would eventually return to her. There was absolutely no second possibility.

Besides, did they really think Yan was dead? At worst, he could simply take him back by force.

Especially after gaining Yin-Yang Release, Yan's physical condition had grown stronger and stronger, as had his spiritual power.

According to his estimates, even if Yan never trained again from this point onward, his strength would only continue to grow with time.

As for the limit, he still could not see it, but it would at least reach a level beyond Kage.

Beating up Orochimaru and taking someone back would be easy enough.

But Yakushi Nonō clearly did not know any of this.

The moment she heard that Yan intended to hand Kabuto over to Orochimaru, her expression changed, and she cried out.

"Orochimaru? Didn't he defect? Is it really all right for him to be Kabuto's teacher?"

"And..."

Yan smiled faintly and interrupted her. "It's only an idea for now. I haven't gone to find Orochimaru yet."

"But if we want to unlock Kabuto's potential, he's the most suitable choice."

"But he's a rogue ninja!" Yakushi Nonō was still uneasy. "Will it be all right for you to be associated with him?"

"After all, the Special Zone is still part of Konoha, no matter what."

Yan did not care about that concern.

It was as if Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others would dare to openly declare the Uchiha Clan traitors to the village.

Even if they found out, it would not matter. So long as they could not catch any evidence publicly, it was fine. As long as Yan's side did not act too arrogantly, they would turn a blind eye.

Just like how Shimura Danzō was still cooperating with Orochimaru even now. Had anyone ever seen him afraid?

"It's fine. The Hokage faction doesn't dare to start a war with us right now. Likewise, we don't want to start a war with them yet."

"Both sides need time."

"The Hokage faction needs time to end the conflict at the Fire-Lightning Border as quickly as possible, so they can focus wholeheartedly on dealing with my Uchiha Clan."

"The Uchiha Clan needs time to absorb the Special Zone, strengthen every aspect of its forces within the Special Zone, and prepare for the civil war to come."

"During this period, as long as neither side goes too far, they basically won't interfere."

"This is the unspoken understanding between the Uchiha Clan and the Hokage faction."

"..."

Hearing Yan's explanation, Yakushi Nonō finally felt the weight on her heart ease somewhat.

"But haven't you still not made contact with Orochimaru? Are you really so sure he'll take Kabuto in?"

"That's my concern." A confident smile appeared on Yan's face. "Besides Kabuto, there will also be several children from the Uchiha Clan sent to Orochimaru."

"All right!" Yakushi Nonō was finally completely reassured.

After all, no matter how ruthless Uchiha Yan was, he would not send his own clansmen to their deaths.

"Then Kabuto is in your hands, Lord Yan."

Yan nodded and waved to Yakushi Nonō.

"Go get to work. Establish the medical system within the Special Zone as soon as possible. Don't worry about funding."

"Yes, Lord Yan!"

With that, Yakushi Nonō turned and left the office.

Not long afterward, Kabuto came to Yan at the director's instruction.

Looking at Kabuto, who wore glasses on the bridge of his nose and gazed at him with pure admiration, Yan smiled faintly and ruffled his hair.

"Kabuto, how old are you?"

"Eight!" Kabuto answered at once.

"Have you extracted chakra yet?"

"I have!" Kabuto nodded and held out one hand.

Soon, a faint green glow appeared in his palm.

"The director also taught me some simple medical ninjutsu. I learned those too."

Yan smiled again and rubbed his head. "For the next while, stay by my side. There will be a few others as well, and I'll teach you all some things."

"Mm!" Kabuto nodded vigorously, excitement flashing in his eyes.

What had happened before his eyes yesterday still felt as vivid as if it had just occurred.

The ninja who had acted so arrogantly before them had become terrified upon seeing Yan. Afterward, Yan had casually beaten them so badly that they could not even get back up.

If he possessed such ability, he could protect the director, and she would not have to work so hard for the orphanage.

With that thought in mind, Kabuto repeatedly performed the ninjutsu he knew, as though trying to prove his diligence and determination to Yan, longing to become strong enough as soon as possible to protect everything he cherished.