The atmosphere in the office grew somewhat quiet.
Uchiha Yao watched Yakushi Nonō's ever-changing expression and more or less guessed what she was thinking.
But Uchiha Yao offered no explanation.
Some things needed no explanation.
What Uchiha Yao wanted was results.
He wanted every person in Konoha to see what he was doing.
He wanted everyone to understand exactly what kind of good life they could live by following him, Uchiha Yao.
This was Uchiha Yao's open strategy for winning people's hearts.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the office door.
"Come in," Yakushi Nonō said, snapping back to her senses.
The door opened a crack, and Kabuto Yakushi carefully entered with a tray in his hands.
"Hokage-sama, Mother Nonō, please have some tea."
He placed a cup of hot tea before Uchiha Yao and Nonō respectively, then prepared to leave.
"Wait," Uchiha Yao said.
Kabuto's body stiffened, and he stopped in his tracks.
He turned around, lowered his head, and waited respectfully for the Hokage's orders.
Kabuto's heart pounded rapidly.
This was the first time he had spoken to a Hokage at such close range.
Though it was only two simple words, they made him feel immense pressure.
"What is your name?" Uchiha Yao's voice sounded again.
"Responding to Hokage-sama, my name is Kabuto Yakushi," Kabuto replied respectfully.
"Raise your head."
Kabuto hesitated for a moment, but slowly raised his head and met Uchiha Yao's gaze.
Uchiha Yao looked at Kabuto.
The person who, in the original story, had stirred up the entire Shinobi World.
Now, he was merely a youth raised in an orphanage, seemingly somewhat introverted and insecure.
He was promising material.
Uchiha Yao made his judgment at once.
"You're quite good," Uchiha Yao said mildly.
Kabuto's pupils contracted slightly.
Hokage-sama... is praising me?
"You