Nonou, the Kept Woman

"Could it be a legendary tycoon? Or perhaps from a noble Konoha clan? There are so many zeros on that check; could this kid have taken a liking to the Director and want to keep her?"

"Hua Yue, what is this?"

Nonou looked puzzled. What exactly was the meaning of this check with such an astronomical sum?

"Just consider it a private commission. I want to learn medical ninjutsu, and as the head of the Konoha Medical Team, you are the most suitable teacher."

"Besides, relying solely on the pay from the Medical Team and intelligence work to support these children on your own must be incredibly difficult, so..."

Tilting his head slightly, the child crouching outside the window tried his best to suppress his presence, not wanting anyone to discover him.

Before Hua Yue could finish, Nonou pushed the check back, her gentle smile hiding an inexplicable resolve that made the auntie standing nearby ache with sympathy.

"I cannot accept this money. This is the reward you earned by risking your own life. If you want to learn medical ninjutsu, I will teach you without reservation, Hua Yue-kun."

"Then let's call it a personal donation to the orphanage. We can't let these little ones suffer from malnutrition. You are a medical ninja; you know how severe the consequences of malnutrition can be."

At this, Hua Yue looked with a smile at the auntie, who was already deeply moved, and spoke up.

"Also, could you please take the little one eavesdropping outside away? What I have to say next involves the village's ninjas, and I really don't want to be invited to the Anbu for tea. Is that alright?"

The plump auntie rushed to the door and discovered Yakushi Kabuto, who hadn't managed to escape in time.

"Kabuto, what are you doing here?"

As their voices faded into the distance, Hua Yue turned back and said.

"If Sister Nonou is waiting for Danzo to allocate funds to the orphanage, you can stop wasting your time. You should know what kind of person that guy is."

"He only exploits those with utility until they are drained dry, and in the end, to keep his secrets, he orchestrates a cruel scene to eliminate anyone who knows the secrets of Konoha."

As these words left his lips, the gentle, loving smile on Nonou's face gradually vanished. As a former elite of Root, how could she not know the methods of Danzo and Root?

"Thank you, truly thank you. Thank you for your kindness. Ever since I left Root to become the director of this orphanage, I knew this day would come."

"However, I simply cannot turn a blind eye to these children. You really are a kind child."

The familiar scent of herbs and that reassuring, gentle aura allowed Hua Yue's tightly wound nerves to relax for a moment, though he immediately returned to a state of vigilance.

"As expected, Sister Nonou is a good woman!"

"Alright, alright, you mustn't forget the three prohibitions for ninjas, Hua Yue-kun! If you're interested in women, at least wait until you're an adult. By then, I'll probably be an old hag, hehehe."

With a light chuckle, Nonou pulled him aside and whispered.

"If I have some free time, I will teach you medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital. I hope you can always maintain this kindness and use it to save as many people as you can."

"Ah, Sister Nonou is so kind, good things will surely come your way. You must keep that kunai on your person at all times."

"I understand. Thank you, Hua Yue."

When Hua Yue left the orphanage, he subconsciously glanced to the side. The figure reflected in his clear black-and-white eyes was none other than the young Yakushi Kabuto.

"Ah, well, if I stay here any longer, I'll attract the attention of those Anbu. Such annoying flies."

His figure flickered, and on the soft, comfortable sofa, his shadow clone remained as Hua Yue had been acting lately—staying home, motionless.

As the white mist dissipated, he let his body sink into the sofa, returning once more to that lush, leafy inner world.

"Finally decided to come in? Hurry up and change, brat! Days without snacks and only sleeping are unbearable; I'm bored to death!"

He dissatisfiedly turned the entire forest upside down, though it quickly restored itself under the flow of chakra.

"If you're so bored, then go train. Have you lived for so many years and still can't sense a shred of natural energy? You orange pig!"

"Nagging! All I need is chakra; I don't need any natural energy. Is there anyone who can withstand my Tailed Beast Bomb?"

The Black Nine-Tails looked full of confidence, making Hua Yue wonder: in the world of the Limited Tsukuyomi, had the Black Nine-Tails never been beaten black and blue by Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama?

"Hey, Kurama, have you ever fought Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara—the founders of that Konoha Village?"

"Nonsense! If I hadn't fought them, how would I recognize that your eyes are the Mangekyo Sharingan? That damned Uchiha Madara, daring to manipulate me! If I ever see him again, I won't let him off!"

Sharp claws stirred up waves of water, and as their eyes met, the Black Nine-Tails caught the trace of pity and mockery in Hua Yue's gaze.

"Uchiha brat, what is that look for? Do you think I'm no match for Uchiha Madara?"

"Yes, but you definitely can't beat him alone."

The blunt, unwavering answer immediately plunged the Black Nine-Tails into gloom, as he subconsciously recalled the shame of that battle.

If he could have beaten him, he wouldn't have been passed down through generations in that Konoha Village, eventually ending up with Uzumaki Menma.

"Tch, the past is the past! With my current abilities, I would never be controlled by the mere genjutsu of a Sharingan. That bastard Madara—one day, I will definitely catch him and beat him to a pulp!"

Seeing the Black Nine-Tails so confident, Hua Yue grew even more suspicious. His gaze fell upon the Nine-Tails' belly, deeply concerned about the aura that had always felt so familiar to him.

"What... exactly are you hiding in there?"

"Want to know? Brat, then become my servant starting today. If I'm in a good mood, I might reveal a little bit of the secret."

Its tails danced wildly, and its pair of black-and-orange fox ears twitched triumphantly.

--Fox being arrogant.jpg.

"I think a simpler method would be better. As it happens..."

I haven't checked in today yet. I'll just use the check-in to see what the Nine-Tails is hiding.

[Monthly sign-in complete. Daily sign-in successful. Monthly sign-in initiated...]

[Character sign-in: Black Nine-Tails]

[Abilities possessed: Tailed Beast Bomb, Chakra Transfer, Malice Sensing, ???]

[Random draw in progress... Sign-in successful. Received Chakra Transfer today!]

?

What the hell? Can't the Sign-in System tell? What exactly is this Orange Pig, who does nothing but eat and sleep all day, hiding?

"It's useless. This is my only hope of returning, so how could you possibly detect it with some strange technique? Besides that, you have guests."

He jumped out of his inner world in an instant and peeked slightly through the window. The sight of purple hair and red eyes left him stunned for a moment.

"How did they find this place?"