Ever since the special funding had been approved,
the Konoha Orphanage had undergone earth-shaking changes.
The dilapidated courtyard walls had been torn down and replaced with brand-new, sturdy ones.
The leaking roofs had been repaired, and the cramped dormitories expanded.
For the first time, the children's dining tables had been filled with large portions of grilled meat and fresh milk—things they had never dared dream of having.
Everyone had received new clothes of their own.
As Yakushi Nonō looked at the children's faces, all beaming with happy smiles in the courtyard, her eyes unconsciously reddened.
Yakushi Nonō was busy from morning to night every day.
She worked with people from the Ninja Academy and the Medical Department to test the children's talents.
She prepared luggage for the children about to enter school.
She comforted those who felt despondent because their friends had left.
She was exhausted, but Yakushi Nonō had never felt more fulfilled.
She often stood blankly before the office window, gazing in the direction of the Hokage Building.
Uchiha Yao's figure would always surface uncontrollably in her mind.
Whenever she recalled the warm touch of his fingertips as Uchiha Yao had fastened her button,
a blush would uncontrollably rise to Yakushi Nonō's cheeks.
Lord Yao...
What are you doing right now?
Are you... busy worrying over the village's affairs again?
Though she tried her best to restrain herself,
Yakushi Nonō still could not help thinking of Uchiha Yao.
This quietly budding affection spread wildly through Yakushi Nonō's heart like creeping vines.
Uchiha Yao's residence.
At the training ground in the back courtyard.
"Hah!"
Hinata let out a sharp cry and struck the wooden post before her with her palm.
Bang!
Centered on the spot where her palm had landed, the hard wooden post was instantly covered in