A Sacred Date

Fugaku Uchiha looked at these old men. They had all come through war.

The vast majority had taken part in the Third Shinobi World War, and several of the older ones had even fought in the Second Shinobi World War.

To them, war was already a part of life. Going to war against enemies did not frighten them.

What worried them was Konoha's current situation.

The newly appointed Fourth Hokage was still too young, and they could not help feeling uneasy.

The Uchiha Clan's loyalty to Konoha ran deep in their bones.

To the Uchiha, Konoha was no longer merely a village. It was their home, their roots.

In the hearts of the Uchiha Clan, there was an indescribable sense of belonging.

If Konoha faced hardship and needed the Uchiha Clan to shed some blood, that was no problem.

These clan elders had long possessed that resolve, especially after the Senju Clan declined.

Hiruko had already arranged his plans perfectly.

Once approval came down from above, he immediately began large-scale construction, establishing salt-drying fields and salt-processing facilities.

With the abilities of ninja, along with the black technology Hiruko provided, clearing land, paving roads, and building factories were effortless. Hiruko had even produced cement.

In just one month, a massive modern salt factory had been built near Konoha.

Naturally, the factory workers were ordinary people hired for the job, not ninja.

Establishing this salt factory was part of Hiruko's plan, as well as a social experiment he had deliberately arranged.

This was Konoha Village's first step toward breaking free of the daimyō's control and transforming itself away from endless slaughter and foolish wars.

He wanted to see whether this twisted world would change because of him. He wanted to become the one who remade the world.

No matter how technology and society developed in the shinobi world, anything advanced could ultimately be used for slaughter.

If that was the case, Hiruko might as well lead them in changing the world.

As soon as Minato Namikaze's orders were issued, Konoha's entire upper echelon began moving, contacting Land of Fire nobles who were familiar with their respective clans.

That afternoon, Hiruko set out for Nonō's orphanage.

Unlike those children who had spent their childhoods in an orphanage, he had been brought directly home and raised by Mito Uzumaki.

After being nurtured for a time, Hiruko had then been handed over to the Third Hokage's care.

However, after that, Hiruko committed the gravest mistake of his life. That was also why Mito Uzumaki had always disliked him.

Mito Uzumaki also knew that Hiruko's heart overflowed with darkness and arrogance.

Only...

Hiruko shook his head, dispelling the stray thoughts in his mind.

In the distance, Nonō hurried over and greeted him warmly. "Lord Hiruko, please come in!"

With that, she took Hiruko by the hand and led him into the orphanage.

Years of war had caused the number of children in the orphanage to surge. Its expenses had consequently become impossible to meet, and its repeated applications to the village had all vanished without a trace.

After entering the orphanage, Hiruko carefully examined the surroundings.

Although the institution's conditions were extremely harsh, the children still gathered together. Some played games in their rooms, while others chased and played in the courtyard.

"The number of children in the orphanage this year has nearly doubled compared to previous years. The living conditions simply cannot support them."

Nonō said seriously, "We submitted applications to the village many times, but perhaps because of the war, we never received a response."

"Several staff members and I also tried soliciting donations from nearby merchants. Though some kindhearted people offered support, it was only a drop in the bucket."

Hiruko nodded, then said slowly, "I can allocate part of the Academy of Sciences' funds to maintain the orphanage's normal operations in the future."

At those words, a flicker of delight immediately crossed Nonō's eyes. She thanked him repeatedly. "Really? Thank you so much, my lord!"

She repeatedly bowed to Hiruko, gratitude filling her fair face. Her enormous white bowls trembled, making her seem exceptionally polite.

Hiruko continued, "However, my help does not come without a price. I intend to select some of these children and train them to become my aides."

Nonō looked at Hiruko in alarm and blurted out, "Will they be trained like Root?"

Hiruko shook his head and explained, "No, though they will similarly become a force belonging exclusively to me. You will also be responsible for teaching them."

Hiruko continued outlining his plan. "I will turn these orphans into my strength and spread my ideas through them."

"The shinobi world needs reform. The power of peaceful ideals naturally needs to be spread widely."

And their mother, Nonō, would be one of Hiruko's means of controlling them.

Controlling one person was far easier than controlling a group. If he wanted to spread ideas, starting with their mother was the most direct approach.

Yakushi Nonō lowered her head upon hearing this, her emotions a tangled mess.

After hesitating, she still asked, "Lord Hiruko, could you possibly..."

Her words trailed off. Clearly, she did not want the children to become tools, and she had most likely misunderstood Hiruko, believing he intended to train them as disposable operatives.

Hiruko's gaze lightly swept over her. From the corner of his eye, he caught the faint rise and fall of Nonō's chest.

He was slightly taller than her, and her loose work uniform should have concealed everything.

Yet whenever the fabric occasionally clung to her figure, it still revealed the restrained curve beneath.

In Konoha, only Tsunade's proud figure could probably rival it.

Or perhaps the future youthful beauty of the Hyūga Clan's eldest daughter.

But Nonō was different—her fullness was hidden beneath her gentle manner.

Like a saint, outwardly dignified and pure, yet burning fiercely within.

"The orphanage will have sufficient funding!" Hiruko said, his voice several shades lower than usual.

"And there will also be a... professional new director." His fingertips rubbed together unconsciously, as though mimicking another sensation.

"Of course, those are merely the conditions."

Then the two began their date for the day.

Their time alone stretched on for a long while.

At first, it was only their fingertips touching. Later, his palm rested against her lower back. Amid the soft rustle of fabric, her breathing clearly faltered for a beat.

Their intimate probing gradually became tacit indulgence. When his fingers brushed over her lips, she did not even evade him—she merely gave them a light bite, leaving behind an answer more direct than words.

Thus began their delightful date.

The two passed by Konoha's Ichiraku Ramen Shop, and Hiruko stopped in for a bowl. The taste was passable at best, but it carried a warmth that lingered.

After that, they went to have a look around Konoha's women's bathhouse...