Development

Over the course of two years, Kirito had gone from an ordinary orphan to a ninja with chunin-level strength. He had also mastered exceptional Sealing Jutsu and created his own Magnet Release Ninjutsu. The changes had undoubtedly been enormous.

Likewise, Kirito's friends at the Orphanage had changed greatly over those two years.

The one who had changed the most was undoubtedly Yakushi Nonō.

Though she had never attended the Ninja Academy, under Kirito's nightly instruction after school and through her own daily efforts, she had become a powerful genin who had mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques and several Water Style Ninjutsu. She also possessed considerable talent for Chakra control.

Besides that, after two years of running the restaurant, Nonō had grown into an outstanding chef and proprietor.

She had thoroughly incorporated the various hometown dishes Kirito had taught her, then added local characteristics on that foundation and refined them into specialty dishes suited to local tastes. Yakushi Gourmet House had made a name for itself and become one of Konoha's most popular restaurants.

Over the past two years, under her management, Yakushi Gourmet House had not only expanded in scale but also opened two additional branches.

Now, Yakushi Gourmet House brought in considerable profits every day and served as a major source of funding for the Orphanage and Kirito's biological work.

Yakushi Nonō was a person with strong opinions and cared deeply about the Orphanage's development.

As the Orphanage gradually became wealthier, she took the initiative to propose hiring ninjas to Kirito in order to ensure its safety. By posting missions in the village, she hired ninjas to protect the Orphanage, while also employing retired ninjas with injuries or illnesses as guards for Yakushi Gourmet House.

Her decision to hire disabled ninjas received strong support from the Third Hokage, who even specifically promoted it throughout the village.

"Who are those people?"

Yakushi Nonō quietly asked Kirito.

She had genin-level strength, after all, and her work at the restaurant had exposed her to all sorts of people. At a glance, she could tell that the people who had followed Kirito inside were no ordinary individuals.

Kirito did not answer. He merely mimed putting on a mask.

Yakushi Nonō understood instantly and immediately asked anxiously, "What did you do?"

Kirito still did not answer. He simply handed her a small note he had prepared, then turned and left Yakushi Gourmet House.

The Anbu had initially thought Kirito was there to stuff himself, and since they were hungry and craving the food themselves, they had been looking forward to a good meal. Yet before they had even warmed their seats, Kirito had left, and they could not help cursing inwardly.

What could they do? Their mission was to follow and protect Kirito, so they could only trail after him in frustration.

After Kirito and the Anbu left, Yakushi Nonō hurriedly unfolded the note Kirito had secretly slipped her. She immediately understood the whole situation, then quickly approached the two disabled middle-aged men in the corner and said respectfully, "Uncle Kumo, Uncle Nokira, I need your help."

Kumo and Nokira had both once been civilian jonin of Konoha. After losing an arm on the battlefield, they had been unable to form hand seals with both hands and use ninjutsu, becoming disabled ninjas who had no choice but to retire.

After becoming disabled ninjas, they had struggled to find satisfactory work due to their lack of life skills. Their pensions were pitifully small, and their families had lived in hardship ever since. Only after Yakushi Nonō hired them had their lives begun to improve.

Even so, though they had become disabled ninjas, the pride they carried as former jonin remained. Moreover, even with one arm missing, they still possessed Elite Chunin-level strength through Taijutsu, a few simple ninjutsu that did not require hand seals, and their extensive combat experience.

The reason the two had accepted Yakushi Nonō's employment was that Kirito, Mito's Disciple, had stepped in and promised them a reward they could not refuse.

"Those people just now were Anbu. Lord Kirito must have run into some trouble. Little Nonō, just give us your orders. For Lord Kirito, the two of us will do everything we can to help you."

Kumo said politely.

Nokira nodded in agreement.

The two had seen hope of becoming ninjas again in Kirito, and they had already chosen to place their lives in his hands.

Now that their families all worked at Yakushi Gourmet House, their worries had been taken care of. Naturally, they would obey his orders.

"Thank you, both of you."

Yakushi Nonō said gratefully, then told them what Kirito had written on the note.

After leaving Yakushi Gourmet House, Kirito headed straight for the Senju Clan Compound.

Kirito had visited the Senju Clan Compound countless times and was familiar with everyone there.

But compared to two years ago, the Senju Clan Compound had become even quieter. Many familiar faces were no longer there.

The elders who had once followed the First Hokage in founding Konoha had passed away one after another.

Though the compound was vast, it was sparsely inhabited.

"Captain, are we going in? The Senju Clan Compound is right ahead."

As the Anbu following Kirito watched him enter the Senju Clan Compound, an Anbu male ninja wearing a fox mask asked his squad leader.

"By regulation, each clan's compound is managed by that clan's own ninjas. Anbu ninjas may not enter without permission. Besides, that person is here. The brat will be perfectly safe inside. We'll wait here for him to come out."

The Anbu Squad Leader fell silent for a moment, then glanced at a female ninja with a snake-like face who had suddenly appeared ahead before answering.

"Ha."

The other Anbu ninjas acknowledged the order, scattered, and found places to hide.

"Finally got rid of those annoying people. Lady Momoka, thank you so much."

Inside the Senju Clan Compound, Kirito realized that the Anbu had not followed him any farther. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then turned with a smile toward Momoka Senju, who had suddenly appeared.

"Mito-sama is still resting. For now, do whatever you like, as long as you do not make too much of a commotion."

Momoka Senju said to Kirito with a cold expression.

After saying that, she turned to leave. But just as she was about to go, she added deliberately, "Stay here for a while these days. If you do not want to, go find Kumo yourself. He knows what to do. Also, when you have time, help Mito-sama teach that child."

Cold on the outside but warm at heart—that was Momoka Senju's personality, and Kirito had known it for a long time.

Hearing her say this, he immediately grinned at Momoka, who was already striding away. "Yes, Lady Momoka. Take care. Tell Teacher Mito that I'll go see her a little later."

After Momoka left, Kirito went to an unused training ground in the northern part of the Senju Clan Compound and began training his Taijutsu on his own. First, he put on his weights and ran one hundred laps around the entire training ground to warm up.

After Kirito finished warming up, a man in training clothes with Byakugan suddenly appeared on the training ground.

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