"Yes." There was something more in Nonō's voice, as if she had seized the only thing she could hold on to.
"Most of these children are orphans who lost their parents in the war... I had nowhere else to go, so I wanted to raise them."
"Do you have enough funding?"
A bitter smile touched Nonō's lips. "While Lord Danzo was still alive, I could earn some funding by carrying out Root missions.
But after he died, the funding was cut off. I... don't have any skills that can make money. I only know how to be a spy, infiltrate, and gather intelligence.
After leaving Root, those skills aren't exactly fit for public use."
Mirai nodded, folding his arms as he leaned against the courtyard gateframe. "I see... How about this? I can help you."
Nonō abruptly raised her head, her eyes widening behind her glasses. "...What?"
"I'll cover this orphanage's expenses. Food, clothing, shelter, medical care, schooling—it'll all be on me."
Mirai's tone was casual. "But in exchange, you'll need to work for me."
"W-Work... doing what?"
"You said it yourself. You know how to be a spy, infiltrate, and gather intelligence."
Mirai looked at her. "Those are valuable skills. I need someone to keep an eye on certain things from the shadows. Following me will be far cleaner than working under Danzo."
Nonō stood frozen in place, her lips slightly parted. For a long while, she could not say a word.
She looked back at the children drinking porridge in the courtyard, then at the young man before her who was rumored to have killed Danzo.
She swallowed, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you mean that?"
"My word is my bond." Mirai tilted his head toward Kushina and Naori.
"I have income from a commercial street. Taking a