A few days later, Konoha Orphanage.
The sunlight was just right, falling across the smiling, laughing faces of the children in the courtyard and softening some of the building's inherent chill.
The moment Uchiha Yao appeared at the entrance, all the noise came to an abrupt halt.
The children stopped playing and stared at the suddenly arrived man with curious yet slightly fearful eyes. His presence was so overwhelming that they did not dare meet his gaze directly.
Yakushi Nonō had already been notified. She hurried out to greet him with several of the older children.
She wore casual clothes, her hair meticulously pinned up behind her head. A gentle smile rested on her face, but deep in her eyes was an unmistakable reverence.
"Fifth Hokage-sama, welcome to the orphanage."
Yakushi Nonō bowed deeply. The children behind her followed her example, awkwardly bending at the waist.
"No need for such formalities," Uchiha Yao said with a smile.
Uchiha Yao's gaze swept across the children before him.
Most of them were thin and sallow, dressed in old clothes faded pale from repeated washing.
They were the war's orphans.
The truest reflection of this cruel world of ninja.
Uchiha Yao's gaze finally settled on a silver-haired boy wearing round glasses, who looked quiet and well-behaved.
Kabuto Yakushi.
At that moment, Kabuto was hiding behind Nonō, cautiously poking out half his head to secretly study Uchiha Yao.
Unlike the other children, his eyes held little fear. There was more longing and curiosity in them.
So this is... the new Hokage-sama?
Kabuto's mind was filled with all kinds of thoughts.
Uchiha Yao withdrew his gaze and looked at Yakushi Nonō.
"Take me to your office. There are some matters I need to discuss with you."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Yakushi Nonō did not dare delay in