Thinking of a Way to Hoodwink Them

"Practice diligently, and one day you'll definitely become excellent ninja."

Uzumaki Sanryo nodded blankly.

"As for those who didn't produce a clone, don't be discouraged. It's because your bodies are too weak, so you'll need to train harder from now on."

Hearing that they still had a chance to become ninja, the children couldn't help cheering.

Kids really were easy to fool. Say a few things and they believed it—far more innocent than certain Trident Four Brothers.

Anko puffed up indignantly.

"Damn it, he really showed off. So what if he knows a few ninjutsu?"

An important Konoha protection target like Uzumaki Sanryo definitely had Anbu keeping watch in the shadows, so Qingfeng didn't dare set his sights on her.

But teaching them a few ninjutsu should be fine, right? It was purely to give these people some extra entertainment, after all. Everyone loved children.

"Next are the Transformation Jutsu and Substitution Jutsu. Make sure you all pay close attention."

Qingfeng selflessly taught them all the Three Jutsu. The people around him studied earnestly, and as for whether they would be useful or not, that was no longer Qingfeng's concern.

"Actually, Qingfeng is quite kindhearted. At least he's willing to play with these people. He's nothing like the Uchiha's arrogance."

The moment Uzuki Yugao said that, Anko beside her immediately bristled like a little wildcat.

"Yugao, don't let him fool you. Think about when we first went to him to treat our pets. Don't forget how arrogant his attitude was."

"At least he cured them, and he really didn't charge us. On the other hand, you took me to smash his windows. I have to say, that really was too much."

"You were clearly the one smashing them with the most enthusiasm..."

Qingfeng didn't mind doing something that helped others on a whim.

The Uzumaki Clan had long since declined, and even their country was gone. Now that he had finally encountered one, he would help if he could. More importantly, there had been no information at all about Uzumaki Sanryo in the original story. Perhaps she had died there for no apparent reason. Teaching her some basic ninjutsu would at least leave her a sliver of hope for survival.

Then Yakushi Kabuto called from the entrance to the courtyard, "Dinner's ready!"

Only then did everyone stop what they were doing and head into the house together.

"Wow, there's actually meat in today's meal!"

"It's true!"

Nonō said with a warm smile, "You all have the generosity of the people in the village to thank for this. In the future, you must repay them when you're in the village."

Anko and Yugao sat beside Nonō, while Qingfeng sat behind them, with Yakushi Kabuto and Uzumaki Sanryo beside him.

This harmless-looking Kabuto really did need to be hoodwinked—no, guided—so that he could become a good person in the future.

Children from poor families grew up early. Kabuto was even younger than Qingfeng, yet he already knew to do whatever he could to help the Orphanage. It was a pity that someone originally kind had been driven into a corner by Danzō, ultimately throwing himself into Orochimaru's arms.

"Kabuto, I heard from the director that your medical ninjutsu is already quite impressive."

Hearing Qingfeng's praise, Kabuto was flattered beyond measure. Of all the people who came here, no one had ever been willing to speak to a group of orphans like them, much less praise them.

They even looked down on eating here.

"No, no. The director just taught me some basic knowledge. I only handle a few trivial matters outside."

Qingfeng smiled but said nothing more, quietly finishing the food before him.

"I think you two are very talented. If you ever need help in the future, you can come find me."

Qingfeng then gave Kabuto and Sanryo the address of the Pharmacy where he worked.

He absolutely couldn't make it too obvious, or arouse suspicion.

"Really? Thank you so much!"

Uzumaki Sanryo looked extremely excited. Since she had a chance to become a ninja, she definitely wouldn't give up.

She had already made up her mind. Once she mastered the Three Jutsu, she would go to Qingfeng to learn other ninjutsu. She absolutely couldn't miss this opportunity.

Yakushi Kabuto, however, wasn't as excited. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Qingfeng. If I ever need anything, I'll certainly come to you."

He had long since decided to become Nonō's disciple and study medical ninjutsu.

Yakushi Nonō walked the three of them out of the Orphanage.

When Qingfeng looked back, Uzumaki Sanryo had already become the object of everyone's admiration. Since she was the only one who had learned ninjutsu, they were all asking her for guidance.

"Big Sister Director, you don't need to see us off. Go back and get busy!"

Qingfeng didn't dare talk to Nonō at all now. A top-tier spy like her was someone he couldn't have too much contact with for the time being.

"Take care on the way back. Come visit whenever you have time. The children all like you very much."

"Big Sister Director's cooking is so delicious, we'll definitely come often."

Seeing Anko speak so appropriately and politely, Qingfeng couldn't help thinking that women really had many faces. When facing him, she was as fierce as could be, yet before others, she actually knew how to be polite.

After bidding farewell to Nonō, the three left the Orphanage.

"I heard the director used to be an outstanding Medical Ninja, but now she runs an Orphanage all by herself."

"She's truly a great person!"

Qingfeng finally chimed in. "Everyone has different ideals. For example, the director is a kind person, so she wants to do good deeds and open an Orphanage."

"For example, my own dream is to stay alive. If possible, I'd also bring peace to the Ninja World while I'm at it."

The first half sounded fine enough, but she had never heard of anyone whose dream was simply to "stay alive." And he wanted to casually bring peace to the Ninja World on top of that?

Anko had never heard of basic survival having anything to do with peace in the Ninja World. The two things were completely unrelated, yet Qingfeng said it so casually.

"You? Bring peace to the Ninja World while you're at it? Aren't you the Divine Doctor? Take a good look at that brain of yours and see if something's wrong with it."

"As a shinobi, you still need to have dreams. What if they come true?"

Anko laughed instead. An Uchiha shinobi working as a veterinarian was talking grandly about peace in the Ninja World.

"I suggest you achieve your first dream first. Try staying alive."

Sure enough, no one would believe something like that if he said it out loud. Some people had dreamed of becoming Hokage since childhood, only to be mercilessly mocked by those around them.

Not to mention peace throughout the entire Ninja World. Even the God of Shinobi had failed to achieve that dream. Could anyone really do it?

It sounded like pure fantasy.

Qingfeng raised his head and checked the sky, confirming the time.

"If there's nothing else, can I leave now?"

"Leave? Where are you going?"

No wonder Anko's habit of digging into everything annoyed people. No wonder Orochimaru had sealed her memories and thrown her back to Konoha.

"Of course I'm going to train. If all you do every day is play around, when will you ever become a shinobi who can stand on your own?"

Qingfeng taught Anko and Yugao a lesson: geniuses were not frightening. What was frightening was when geniuses worked even harder than you did.

Some spandex-clad warrior who firmly believed hard work could surpass genius cried himself unconscious in the bathroom.

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