Nonō, the Kept Woman

"Could he be some legendary rich person? Or from one of Konoha's famous families? There were so many zeroes on that check. Could this kid have taken a liking to the Director and wanted to keep her?"

"Huayue, what is this?"

Nonō was somewhat confused. What exactly did this enormous check mean?

"Consider it a private commission. I want to learn Medical Ninjutsu, and as the captain of the Konoha Medical Squad, you're simply the most suitable teacher."

"Besides, raising all these children on your own would be quite difficult with only the pay from the medical squad and intelligence work, so..."

Tilting his head slightly, the child crouching outside the window lowered his presence as much as possible, not wanting anyone to notice him.

Before Huayue could finish, Nonō pushed the check beside her back to him. Her gentle smile held an inexplicable resolve, making the Auntie beside her ache with sympathy.

"I can't accept this money. You earned it alone, risking your life. If you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu, I'll teach you everything without holding anything back, Lord Huayue."

"Then consider it a personal donation to the Orphanage. We can't let these little brats become malnourished. You're a Medical Ninja, so you know how serious the consequences of malnutrition can be."

As he spoke, Huayue smiled at the Auntie, who had long since been tempted by the offer, and said,

"Also, could you please take away the little brat eavesdropping outside? What comes next involves the village's ninja. I really don't want to be invited to the Anbu for tea, can you do that?"

The Fat aunt hurried outside and found Yakushi Kabuto, who had not managed to escape in time.

"Kabuto, what are you doing here?"

As their voices gradually faded away, Huayue finally turned back and said,

"If Sister Nonō is waiting for Danzo to provide funding for the Orphanage, then there's no need to waste your time. You should know what kind of person he is."

"He'll only squeeze those with value to exploit until they die. Then, to keep his secrets, he'll arrange a cruel little show and erase anyone who knows Konoha's secrets."

At those words, Nonō's gentle, loving smile gradually vanished. Having once been an elite of Root, how could she not know Danzo and Root's methods?

"Thank you. Truly, thank you. Thank you for your kindness. Ever since I left Root and became the Director of this Orphanage, I knew this day would come."

"But I still can't abandon those children. You truly are a kind child."

The familiar scent of medicinal herbs and her reassuringly gentle presence allowed Huayue's tightly wound nerves to relax for a moment before he immediately became vigilant again.

"Sister Nonō really is a good woman!"

"Now, now, don't forget the Three Forbidden Jutsu, Lord Huayue! If you're interested in women, at least wait until you're an adult. By then, I'll probably be an old granny already. Hehehe."

With a soft laugh, Nonō pulled him aside and spoke quietly.

"If I have some free time, I'll teach you Medical Ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital. I hope you can always keep this kindness and use it to save as many people as possible."

"Yeah. A kind person like Sister Nonō will definitely encounter good things. Make sure to keep that kunai close to you."

"I understand. Thank you, Huayue."

When Huayue left the Orphanage, he instinctively turned his head. Reflected in his black and white eyes was the young Yakushi Kabuto.

"My, my. If I stay here any longer, I'll draw the attention of those Anbu. What annoying flies."

His figure flickered. On the soft, comfortable sofa, the Shadow Clone remained motionless at home, just as Huayue had appeared to do recently.

As the White Mist dispersed, he let his body sink into the sofa and returned once more to the lush, thriving Inner world.

"You finally decided to come in? Hurry up and transform something for This Lord! Without snacks, all I can do is sleep. These days have been unbearable—This Lord is bored to death!"

In dissatisfaction, he turned the entire forest upside down, only for it to swiftly return to normal under the flow of chakra.

"If you're so bored, then get out there and train. Have you lived all these years without sensing even a trace of Natural Energy? You Orange pig!"

"Quit nagging. As long as This Lord has chakra, that's enough. I don't need any Natural Energy. Is there really anyone who can withstand This Lord's Tailed Beast Bomb?"

The Black Nine-Tails was brimming with confidence, making Huayue wonder whether the Black Nine-Tails from the world of the Limited Moon had never been beaten up by Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama.

"Hey, Kurama. Have you fought Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, the Founders of Konoha over there?"

"Of course I have! If I hadn't fought them, how could This Lord have recognized your eyes as the Mangekyō Sharingan? Damn Uchiha Madara, he actually dared to control This Lord! If This Lord sees him again, he definitely won't get away with it!"

Sharp claws sent waves of water surging up. When their eyes met, he saw the sighing mockery in Huayue's gaze.

"Uchiha brat, what does that look in your eyes mean? Do you think This Lord isn't Uchiha Madara's match?"

"Yes. You definitely can't beat him alone."

That decisive answer immediately plunged the Black Nine-Tails into dejection as he instinctively recalled the humiliation of that battle.

If he could have beaten him, he would not have been passed down through Konoha over there from generation to generation, eventually ending up inside Uzumaki Menma.

"Tch, the past is the past, and the present is the present! With This Lord's current power, there's no way I'll be controlled by the Genjutsu of a mere Sharingan. That bastard Madara—one day, This Lord will catch him and beat him senseless."

Seeing how confident the Black Nine-Tails was, Huayue grew even more suspicious. His gaze fell on the Nine-Tails' belly, where the familiar presence that had always bothered him seemed to be hidden.

"What... exactly are you hiding?"

"Want to know, brat? Then from today onward, become This Lord's servant. If This Lord is in a good mood, perhaps he'll reveal a little of that secret."

Tail after tail flailed about, while a pair of black-and-orange fox ears twitched smugly.

--Arrogant fox.jpg.

"I think a simpler method would be better. Just in time..."

I haven't signed in today yet. I'll use the Sign-In System directly and see what the Nine-Tails is hiding.

This month's sign-ins are full. Daily Sign-In successful. Monthly Sign-In activating...

Character Check-in: Black Nine-Tails

Abilities possessed: Tailed Beast Bomb, Transfer Chakra, Sense Malice, ???

Random Draw in progress... Sign-in successful. Received Transfer Chakra today!

?

What the hell? Even the Sign-In System can't see through it? What is this Orange pig, who usually does nothing but eat and sleep, hiding?

"It's useless. This is This Lord's hope of returning home. How could it possibly be detected by your Strange Technique? More importantly, you have visitors."

He instantly leaped out of the Inner world and cautiously poked his head out through the window. The purple hair and red eyes that entered his sight left him stunned for a moment.

"How did they find this place?"