Cruel Truth, Subduing the Apothecary

At this very moment, they knelt before Natsume.

Kabuto and Nonō both felt incredibly conflicted.

On the way back, Orochimaru had told them the entire truth.

This included how Danzo had manipulated them, used them to gather intelligence on enemy villages, severed their communication, deceived Nonō with fake photographs, and so on...

And even the despicable scheme to force them to kill each other just to eliminate a potential risk!

Had Natsume not intervened in time.

Kabuto would likely have mistakenly killed the director he respected most and suffered a total breakdown...

Because of this.

Both were utterly horrified, finding it almost impossible to believe!

Yet, upon closer reflection.

It was entirely consistent with the dark, sinister nature of Konoha's Root.

Moreover, all other evidence corroborated that this was no lie, but a truly cruel and undeniable reality!

For a moment, the two of them, now aware of the truth, nearly collapsed.

They had sacrificed so much for each other and for the Orphanage!

They had risked their lives, infiltrating enemy villages to constantly extract intelligence.

Only to find they had been living within a conspiracy, a deception, a betrayal.

To be nothing more than two pawns destined to be discarded—how could this not lead to despair?

"I, I..."

Recalling everything from the past, Kabuto clenched his fists in fury, yet he could not find the words to speak.

Compared to the young Kabuto.

The experienced Nonō was far more composed.

But she closed her eyes in agony, filled with deep remorse:

"I was wrong! I should have known that Root would always be that dark, cold, and unscrupulous place!"

"I should never have held out hope for it, or for Danzo!"

"It is I who harmed Kabuto..."

This Wandering Shrine Maiden accused herself even as she denounced the organization.

Crystal-clear tears fell from the corners of her eyes.

It is hard to imagine that this cruel ninja world could force such a strong and loving maiden to tears.

What a sin!

"It's not the director's fault, we were both deceived!"

"The director is innocent too; it's those bastards in Root! They are the ones who deserve to die!"

Kabuto hurriedly defended her.

He gritted his teeth in hatred.

"Do you think the darkness of Root is limited to this?" Natsume spoke again.

"???"

Nonō and Kabuto looked up abruptly, a sense of foreboding rising in their hearts.

"Let me tell you."

"Even the Orphanage you risked your lives to protect did not escape Danzo's clutches..."

"Any child in the Orphanage who showed even a hint of talent for being a ninja was secretly kidnapped by him for clandestine training!"

"You have heard of the 'Bloody Mist Village' policy in Kirigakure, haven't you?"

"Danzo is mimicking that very model, forcing those orphaned ninjas he collected to kill one another to grow. He slowly erases their humanity, turning them into the most ruthless and sharpest blades in his arsenal!"

In an instant.

The even bloodier and more cruel truth revealed by Natsume.

Struck their hearts like two heavy hammers.

It left them reeling, nearly spitting blood!

They never imagined that Danzo had extended his reach into the Orphanage.

And was subjecting the other children to such inhumane training!

"How could this be? Lord Danzo didn't promise this, he..."

Nonō covered her eyes, murmuring in a state of near-collapse.

Kabuto, already driven to madness, suddenly stood up and roared with immense fury:

"Beasts! How could they do this?"

"Why must they still target the Orphanage!"

"Those animals, I will kill them!"

Clearly, the absurdity of having one's 'precious people and cherished things' trampled in the shadows was enough to make anyone break down.

"What then? What do you intend to do?"

"Go back and kill them alone? Confront Root head-on? Confront Konoha, one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, head-on?"

"With nothing but your Chakra Scalpel?"

"How many Jonin can you even fight? One? Or maybe half of one?"

Natsume questioned him loudly.

The words caused Kabuto to shudder, freezing him in place as his face flushed red.

The other party was right.

With his current strength, he would struggle immensely against even a single Jonin.

Let alone pitting himself against the entirety of Konoha.

It was undoubtedly throwing an egg against a rock.

"Kabuto! Sit down, do not be rude!"

Nonō, having steadied her emotions slightly, quickly gave a soft reprimand to stop Kabuto.

They were in someone else's village, and their own lives were held in the hands of this young clan head; they could not afford to be rude and court death!

"I... I am not reconciled..."

Kabuto knelt powerlessly on the ground, his hands hanging limp, his eyes filled with despair.

Just like that, the room fell into silence for a full ten minutes.

Natsume slowly finished a pot of tea.

He gave the two of them plenty of time to calm their minds.

After a long while, Nonō asked softly.

"Lord Natsume. What you said, is all of this true?"

"Konoha is right there. Besides, you originally came from Root; as long as you go back and investigate, verifying these claims shouldn't be difficult at all, right?"

Nonō fell silent for another moment.

"Then why did you save us, my lord? Why tell us this information? What exactly do you want?"

Looking at the blonde Wandering Shrine Maiden before him, Natsume felt a slight sense of admiration.

Once she entered her element, this experienced Wandering Shrine Maiden was truly exceptional!

And so, Natsume spoke with direct honesty.

"Work for me."

"I don't need you to infiltrate any hidden villages, and I don't need you to act as dangerous spies."

"I only need you to utilize your specialties and use your medical ninjutsu to treat the people of the Flame Hidden Village."

"How about it?"

"I..."

Kabuto paused, feeling somewhat tempted.

The years of living a life of terror as a spy had truly driven him to the brink of insanity.

However, he still quickly glanced at the director beside him, deciding to move in lockstep with Nonō.

Nonō was also silent.

She had to admit that Natsume's proposal was indeed very tempting.

Any normal ninja would not want to live forever in the danger of a spy's life.

What's more, they had no way back.

Once they returned to Konoha.

Danzo, knowing they were still alive, would certainly not let them go!

Moreover, if they were going to work hard anyway, this Flame Hidden Village had to be better than the dark and bloodthirsty Root of Konoha, right?

"Very well! But I have one condition..."

Nonō plucked up her courage, preparing to add one more term.

"It's about the Orphanage, isn't it?"

"Rest assured, I will have a new Orphanage built in the village."

"Furthermore, I will find a way to bring over all the remaining orphans from the Konoha Orphanage as well!"

"Are you satisfied now?"

In order to recruit these two, Natsume had truly gone to great lengths.

By laying out such heavy stakes one after another, he left the Wandering Shrine Maiden, Nonō, with absolutely no reason to refuse.

She even couldn't help but feel suspicious.

With the other party investing so much, she wondered if he harbored some other ulterior motives...

For instance, if he was eyeing her for something...

Pah! What kind of nonsense am I thinking about?

This child is only so young!

He looks even younger than Kabuto; he shouldn't have those kinds of wicked thoughts.

Even if he really did.

Trading herself to secure a bright future for Kabuto and those orphans was a very good deal!

Thinking of this, Nonō agreed quite readily.

"Thank you, my lord. I am willing to stay!"

"I, I am willing as well!"

"Very good."

Natsume nodded in satisfaction.

"The village is currently undergoing major renovations, so it's difficult to arrange housing. You two can stay with me for now; there are separate rooms in the back."

"Once the new Orphanage is built, you can move over there."

"Thank you, thank you!"

Kabuto and Nonō bowed in gratitude once more.

It was their first time meeting such a kind superior.

Moreover, the other party was only a boy in his early teens; this Flame Hidden Village was truly astonishing!

Having traveled for over a day, Nonō and Kabuto were both extremely hungry and exhausted.

Natsume did not treat these two precious medical ninjas, whom he had worked so hard to recruit, with any harshness.

He directly had a few clansmen lead them away to prepare some food and change their clothes.

Everything else could wait until the next day.

For these fellow wretches who had also suffered under Konoha's bullying, those Uchiha clansmen were very warm, sharing a sense of mutual sympathy for their shared plight.

They entertained Nonō and the other with such enthusiasm that it made both of them feel a bit embarrassed.

Meanwhile.

Just as Natsume watched the two leave to rest and returned to his room.

Orochimaru, with his elusive nature and sinister smile, twisted his waist and phased through the wall, suddenly appearing in the living room.

"If you don't use the front door next time, I swear I'll chop you into nine pieces! Then I'll roast you and feed you to a Mooncake!"

Natsume glanced at Orochimaru and warned him irritably.

"Don't be angry, Lord Natsume."

"It seems you have already recruited those two?"

"What business is it of yours?"

"Tsk tsk tsk. Those are two excellent talents! What wonderful test subjects; it's truly a waste!" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, sighing with sinister regret.

"Pah! Speak your mind if you have something to say, otherwise get lost!"

"Don't be so agitated! I came here because I have good news to tell you."

"What news?"

"The Hashirama Cells are ready; we can begin the transplant at any time!"

Hearing this, Natsume was suddenly jolted, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

Transplanting the Hashirama Cells to obtain the nearly eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

He had waited far too long for this day!