At that, Kabuto Yakushi glanced at Nonō again before continuing:
"If you were to become Lord Shin's partner, Mother, he would make absolutely sure that you and the Orphanage were protected."
Nonō froze briefly at Kabuto Yakushi's words, then recovered and gave him an exasperated swat on the head before saying:
"You're always thinking up nonsense. Besides, I'm quite a bit older than Shin. Why would he ever accept me?"
Kabuto Yakushi merely smiled at Nonō's words and said:
"The Fifth Hokage is even a little older than you."
At that, Nonō could find nothing more to say. She glared at him, then hurried away.
Watching Yakushi Nonō leave, Kabuto Yakushi's expression turned serious again, and he murmured under his breath:
"Mother, in the troubled times ahead, Lord Shin will be the only one who can shelter you."
Shin Uchiha had no idea that Kabuto Yakushi was trying to play matchmaker for him. He had already arrived at a mountaintop.
Standing before Shin Uchiha was Uchiha Shi, whom he had later dispatched to search for the Jinchūriki.
Uchiha Shi was also among the first disciples Akiyama Uchiha had taken in.
What set him apart was his honest, straightforward nature and his aptitude for Earth Release ninjutsu. Though his strength improved relatively slowly, he was always the most dependable of them all.
Upon seeing Shin Uchiha, Uchiha Shi immediately dropped to one knee in greeting.
"Good day, Lord Clan Leader."
Shin Uchiha gave him a slight nod, then asked:
"Shi, did you summon me here because you found something?"
At Shin Uchiha's question, Uchiha Shi respectfully lowered his head and replied:
"Reporting to the Clan Leader, I discovered an enormous mass of chakra inside the volcano here. I suspect a fire-attribute tailed beast is living within it, but even after