Nonou, the Kept Woman

"Could he be a legendary tycoon? Or perhaps from one of Konoha's noble clans? There are so many zeros on that check—could this kid have taken a liking to the director and be trying 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 Hospital Medical Team, you are truly the most suitable teacher."

"Besides, trying to support these children on your own on just the pay from the Medical Team and intelligence work is likely quite 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 brats suffer from malnutrition. You're a medical ninja; you know how serious the consequences of malnutrition can be."

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

"Also, could you please take the brat 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. Can you do that?"

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 the 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 bled dry, and in the end, to keep his secrets, he orchestrates a cruel scene to wipe out anyone who knows the secrets of Konoha."

As these words left his lips, the gentle, loving smile on Nonou's face gradually vanished. Having once been an elite of Root, how could she not know the ways 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."

"But, I suppose I just can't bring myself to abandon these children. You really are a kind child."

The familiar scent of herbs and that reassuring, gentle aura allowed Hua Yue's long-tensed nerves to relax for a moment, though he immediately regained his vigilance.

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

"Now, now, you mustn't forget the Three Ninja Prohibitions, Hua Yue-kun! If you're interested in women, you should at least wait until you're an adult. By then, I'll probably have turned into an old hag, hehehe."

With a light chuckle, Nonou pulled him aside and whispered, "If I have some free time, I'll teach you medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital. I hope you can always maintain this kindness and use it to save as many people as possible."

"Ah, Sister Nonou is so kind, you will definitely encounter good things. 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—those annoying flies."

His figure flickered, and on the soft, comfortable sofa, his shadow clone remained exactly 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 again to his 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 turned the entire forest upside down in dissatisfaction, though it soon returned to its original state under the flow of chakra.

"If you're so idle, go and train. Have you lived for so many years and still can't sense even 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 even 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 and Uchiha Madara—the founders of that Konoha Village?"

"Nonsense! If I hadn't fought them, how would I recognize that your eyes are Mangekyo Sharingan? That damned Uchiha Madara, daring to control me! If I 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 sigh and mockery in Hua Yue's gaze.

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

"Yes. On your own, you definitely can't beat him."

The blunt, decisive 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 the 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 on 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 from today on, become my servant. If I'm in a good mood, I might reveal a little of the secret."

Tails whipped about, and a pair of black-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; I'll just use the check-in to see what the Nine-Tails is hiding.

[Monthly sign-in completed, daily sign-in successful, Moon Sign initiating...]

[Character sign-in: Black Nine-Tails]

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

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

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

"It's useless. This is my only hope of returning, so how could it possibly be detected by your strange techniques? Besides that, you have guests."

He instantly jumped out of his inner world 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?"