A Son Investigating His Mom? What a Fine Show of Filial Piety!

Silver-gray hair gleamed dully in the afternoon sun. White light flashed across round lenses, hiding the eyes behind them.

Kabuto Yakushi.

Yongye noticed that Kabuto hadn't gone inside. Ayame was home, and the door wasn't locked, yet Kabuto had chosen to wait outside.

This guy really knew how to suck up. No wonder he could collect four paychecks at once!

Yongye was impressed.

Kabuto's attention to even such a small detail showed how much he cared about Yongye's opinion. He didn't want to annoy him over anything.

When Kabuto saw Yongye approaching, he straightened at once. As Yongye reached the door, Kabuto bowed.

His manner was respectful without being fawning, measured to perfection. Then he took a Scroll from his robes and presented it with both hands.

"Lord Yongye, here are the materials you requested."

Yongye took the Scroll and said approvingly, "Not bad. You got it done fast. I thought it would take several days."

"It was my duty."

Kabuto straightened and adjusted his glasses.

His tone remained steady, but he spoke a little faster than usual, betraying a trace of nervous excitement at the praise.

"I owe my life to your protection, Lord Yongye. I would brave any danger in your service."

Yongye reached into his robes and pulled out two bundles of banknotes.

Fresh money he'd just squeezed out of Danzo. The bills were neatly bound, five hundred thousand ryō in each bundle.

He tossed them over. The two bundles arced through the air and landed in Kabuto's arms.

Kabuto caught them by reflex. He looked down and froze.

Kabuto had grown up poor at the Orphanage. He had watched its director worry over every scrap of money and even face Danzo's threats. Money had always been a sensitive subject for him.

After becoming a ninja, he'd