Root's Ambush

The conversation between Nonō and Kato Osamu didn't last long before it was interrupted by the three little ones who were rustling and advancing through the forest.

The three children flashed past in the jungle, slowly approaching, causing Kato Osamu's face to darken. He glanced at Nonō, who seemed completely unconcerned. He turned and glared at her. The three children, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity, slowly emerged from the jungle, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they secretly observed Nonō.

"Are you Osamu's disciples? Hello, I'm Nonō."

Nonō smiled; she had always loved children, and looking at the three lively kids, her eyes softened even more.

"Nonō, are you Osamu-sensei's girlfriend?"

Iruka's sudden voice silenced the entire scene, and everyone stared at Iruka with wide eyes, even Kato Osamu looked at Iruka with hostility.

"Xu-kun is such a good person..."

Nonō paused for a moment, glanced at Kato Osamu, and smiled again. However, Kato Osamu could vaguely sense a trace of loneliness in the smile. Although he hid it well, he had not given up his wariness of Nonō and easily noticed it by sensing Nonō's mental fluctuations.

"This emotion is..."

Compared to the other members of Root, Nonō's emotional changes, though not dramatic, were rich and nuanced, prompting him to probe her more subtly.

"Insignificant and lowly...?"

A completely black scene involuntarily appeared in Kato Osamu's mind. In the pitch-black void, Nonō lay in a corner, her body covered in black filth, seemingly having given up struggling, just staring blankly at the sky.

This is Nonō's subconscious understanding of her existence in the world. Kato Osamu looked at Nonō quietly and seemed to understand something. Having been a member of Root before, he probably understood the extent of the emotional damage Root inflicted on this gentle girl who always had a smile on her face.

Sometimes, compared to physical pain, the torment of the heart carries an unbearable weight that can easily crush a person.

"Nonō..."

Fearing Iruka might say something shocking again, Yugao quickly covered Iruka's mouth, forced a smile, apologized to Nonō, and then dragged Iruka away. Itachi Uchiha looked in the direction the two had left, then looked at Kato Osamu, a hint of conflict in his eyes.

"Go, Itachi, and remember, look directly into your own heart..."

Whether it was addressed to Itachi or to Nonō, Itachi Uchiha nodded and followed the two. A thoughtful look flashed in Nonō's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

"I want to know how you located me so precisely..."

"It seems that Xu-kun has never truly looked into his own heart..."

Nonō smiled and spoke softly.

"The Shinobi World is vast, and many people possess unique talents. As for me, I'm probably only good at remembering and distinguishing the Chakra auras of many people. If I had to categorize it further, I'd say I have a bit of talent for disguise..."

"I see. No wonder your legend is so widespread throughout the Shinobi World — the Wandering Miko..."

"Have you heard of it, Lianxu-kun?"

A glint seemed to flash in her eyes, Nonō's brownish-yellow hair swayed gently, but then the light in her eyes dimmed.

"If possible, I would rather not have this title..."

Kato Osamu looked into Nonō's eyes, and he now roughly understood why Nonō had come to him, and at the same time, he seemed to suddenly understand something.

If I'm not mistaken...

"Come find me, this isn't Danzo's mission..."

Not everyone in Root is an emotionless machine. A small number of them suppress their emotions because of the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and Danzo's power in Konoha, just like Nonō.

He seemed to overlook the allure of his ability to undo the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal calamity to these people, and the threat it posed to Danzo.

"Danzo is going to ambush me on the way?"

Recalling the Root ninjas he had encountered outside the Konoha camp, a cold glint flashed in Kato Osamu's eyes. However, the Root members were very cunning, and the person in front of him was the famous 'Wandering Miko'. He couldn't help but keep his eyes on Nonō, sensing her every move.

Although he most likely understood that Nonō Danzo carry out a "spy within a spy" or "lure out the enemy," but rather to genuinely warn him, after all, she had once saved his life...

"Xu-jun, you've truly become a real powerhouse..."

"Very good, this way we can live longer..."

There was no anger of distrust in Nonō's eyes, only her unwavering gentleness and a final lingering attachment to the human world. In an instant, a sense of relief and determination flashed in her eyes.

" On the Sand Shinobi Battlefield, outside the Konoha camp, thirty Root Jonin ambush in the Dusk Forest..."

"Puff..."

Before Nonō had finished speaking, the dark Cursed Seal began to spread from her mouth, and blood gushed from her nose and mouth. The bright red blood reflected in Kato Osamu's calm eyes as he watched Nonō's body fall to the ground.

There seemed to be no pain in her eyes, only ease and relief. Her gaze swept over every blade of grass and every tree in the world, as if she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

"Osamu... Osamu-kun... please... live well..."

"I... I'm finally... free..."

If Danzo is mentioned, the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal will be activated. Both of them were once Root ninjas. Nonō knew that Kato Osamu was asking her this question—he still didn't dare to believe her.

"It's still early..."

With a slight sigh, Kato Osamu still made his move. Danzo might have some information about him, but he couldn't possibly know everything, otherwise he would have been dead long ago.

A dark light flashed in Kato Osamu's hand, and countless rune chains flew rapidly toward Nonō. The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal Cursed Seal of the Tongue Calamity Root Extinction was bound by increasingly intricate chains and gradually calmed down. Nonō only felt the pain in her body gradually disappear.

"The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal has been removed, but the damage caused by the Cursed Seal is unavoidable. You can no longer be a ninja..."

Kato Osamu looked at Nonō, gently reaching out her hand, which glowed with a faint green light. A warm current began to help her recover. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her body, which had fallen to the ground, grew increasingly pale. However, she did not seem too surprised; her eyes showed more calmness than fear of death.

"You knew I would save you?"

"No, I'm not sure..."

"You don't seem afraid at all..."

"Life and death don't make much difference to me..."

Kato Osamu understood. She didn't seem to care about her own life, or rather, under the torment in her heart, she even had a slight longing for death, so whatever happened was fine...

The injuries on her body were healed, but the Chakra meridians damaged by the Cursed Seal were beyond Rotation. Kato Osamu gave Nonō a deep look, thinking that this was probably a good thing for her.

"Give me a hug..."

"Good..."

Her body was very light, with little weight. Her head rested on Kato Osamu's shoulder, her arms wrapped around his neck. Even though she was injured by the Cursed Seal, Nonō hadn't made any sound of pain, but now she was sobbing softly, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks and wetting his shoulder. Kato Osamu didn't say anything, but simply held her tighter.

The green trees of spring are not gentle; clouds drift by and darkness falls. The wind howls, bringing with it a tranquil sunlight that shines on the earth, and a delicate fragrance fills the air. This is perhaps the perfect gentleness.