A day out with Hinata

"Nom..."

As she walked, Hinata kept her head lowered and took a bite of her large meat bun.

She had not eaten much for breakfast, and Yecheng happened to be picking up something extra for her along the way.

The Root Anbu had also had some money on him, which had barely replenished Yecheng's depleted wallet.

Watching Hinata eat her bun beside him, Yecheng wore a doting smile, his heart full of the joy of raising her.

Damn it, I have to find a way to make money.

If I can't afford to feed her in the future, won't I never get to see a sight like this again?

That would be awkward.

It was the weekend, and many people chose to rest. After a week of work, they ought to relax a little.

Even ninja were human, after all.

The two walked side by side, with a dazzling assortment of snacks lining their path. Hinata's eyes shone at the sight, and she was sorely tempted.

They were both exceptionally good-looking children, very cute, and their black and white hair made a striking, eye-catching contrast.

People along the street stopped to watch them, silently admiring them: What a Golden Boy and Jade Girl.

Yecheng viewed the world through his Six Eyes and could easily tell what Hinata wanted to eat. He went over to buy it, then placed it in her hands.

Hinata did not hold back either. No matter how many snacks Yecheng bought, she ate them all.

Her soft pink lips were covered in a sheen of oil, which only made her look cuter and more enticing.

Who knew how that tiny body of hers could fit so much food!

"What's that... What are they doing?"

Curiosity showed in Hinata's eyes.

Yecheng looked over and smiled. "It's goldfish scooping. Come on, let's take a look."

The two went over, and Yecheng deftly parted the crowd, opening a path for them to enter.

A large basin stood at the stall, filled with red goldfish only the size of a palm. They flicked their tails and played in the water, looking utterly adorable.

Hinata took a liking to them at first sight.

Yecheng smiled faintly and asked, "Sir, how do we play?"

"One hundred ryo for ten tries. However many fish you scoop up are yours."

The stall owner smiled. "You two are so cute, a real Golden Boy and Jade Girl. I'll give you another five tries for free."

"Great. Thank you, sir."

Yecheng handed over a hundred ryo with a smile, and the owner gave him fifteen paper scoops framed with strips of bamboo.

The price was actually a little steep, but he did not care.

As long as Hinata liked it.

Unfortunately, scooping goldfish really was not easy.

The goldfish were lively, and the paper scoops tore easily when wet. Hinata tried several times in succession, only to fail each time.

"Yecheng, I'm sorry, I..."

"It's fine."

Yecheng smiled faintly, picked up a bamboo scoop, and flicked it through the water. He flipped a goldfish out with the bamboo rim, sending it into the bag of water.

This goldfish-scooping game was somewhat difficult for ordinary people, but for a Taijutsu expert like Yecheng, it was a breeze.

He moved again and again, flipping out a full five goldfish.

Seeing that the owner was drenched in sweat, his expression so sour he could barely keep up appearances,

he finally stopped with a hearty laugh.

"He's amazing!"

"Yeah, I just tried ten times and didn't get a single one!"

"Those paper scoops tear too easily!"

"Look at him. How come he can do it, but you can't?"

"I can't? Who says I can't! I'll..."

"..."

Only after quite a few more people came up to hand over their money did the goldfish stall owner's expression finally ease.

Ignoring what was happening at the stall, Yecheng tied up the bag of water containing the five goldfish and placed it in Hinata's hands.

Then he took her hand and led her away from the stall.

"Yecheng, thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have caught even one."

With Yecheng holding her hand, Hinata spoke with her little face flushed.

"It's fine."

Yecheng chuckled. "Just think of it as a return gift for what you gave me last time."

"That was..."

"Come on. The market is bustling today, and there are still plenty of stalls we haven't visited."

"Mm!"

While Yecheng and Hinata were happily enjoying their date,

Kabuto Yakushi left a shadow clone in the apartment Root had assigned him, then headed straight toward the Konoha Orphanage in person.

Last night, after he had collapsed unconscious, Root's people had discovered him and brought him back. They had not questioned him much.

Danzo had come to see him and learned that Kabuto Yakushi had been knocked unconscious in a surprise attack and knew nothing.

He had left only the words "Those accursed Uchiha," then departed.

It seemed he had pinned this incident on the Uchiha Clan again.

In any case, it was enough that he and that Megumi Fushiguro had not been exposed.

Kabuto Yakushi soon arrived at the orphanage.

At that moment, the orphanage's children were preparing food under the guidance of the director and the other nuns.

There was the aroma of bread.

The orphanage gate was half open. Kabuto Yakushi knocked and stepped inside.

"May I ask what brings you here?"

A nun approached. Seeing the Konoha forehead protector Kabuto Yakushi wore, she realized he was a ninja and immediately asked with caution.

A pang struck Kabuto Yakushi's heart. This nun had taken good care of him in the past too. Whenever his clothes tore, he had asked her to mend them.

Yet now, when she saw him, it was as though she were facing a stranger.

Kabuto Yakushi forced a smile. "I heard the orphanage was having some difficulties, so I came to see whether there was anything I could help with.

"I'm an orphan myself, so I can relate to what everyone here is going through."

Only upon hearing this did the nun relax, a smile appearing on her face.

"Please come with me. Our director will certainly want to meet you."

"All right."

Tap, tap, tap.

"Come in."

"Director, this ninja says he came to visit the orphanage and would like to make a donation."

"Director..."

Kabuto Yakushi could not help calling out the title he had repeated countless times in his heart.

She had grown thinner, and her face had become haggard. Only those glasses still rested on the bridge of her nose as always, like a cage imprisoning her.

Yakushi Nonō raised her head, and the round-framed glasses on Kabuto Yakushi's face made her pause as well.

Then she smiled apologetically. "Sorry, you look so much like one of my children that I was lost in thought for a moment."

Yakushi Nonō had spoken too quickly. Only afterward did she realize her words could be misunderstood, and she hurried to explain.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. That wasn't what I meant..."

"...N-no... it's all right."

Kabuto Yakushi used every ounce of his strength to control his emotions, but his trembling fingertips betrayed the trembling of his soul.

It's true. It's really true!

Everything that Megumi Fushiguro said last night was true!

Danzo!

You bastard!

You really dared to do this!

I won't forgive you. I'll never forgive you!

Kabuto Yakushi's heart seethed with fury, but remembering that this was his first reunion with the director in so long, he had no choice but to suppress all his anger.

There was nothing more to say. In his heart, Danzo was already a dead man.

Kabuto Yakushi swore that, once he seized an opportunity, he would strike with thunderous force, grind Danzo's bones to dust, and scatter his ashes!

What mattered more right now was restoring his old relationship with the director.

That Megumi Fushiguro was right. Danzo was the Hokage's Advisor, a member of Konoha High Command, the Third Hokage's right-hand man and trusted aide!

His power was immense!

Even the many ninja clans did not dare defy him!

Bide my time. Only by biding my time

could I find an opportunity for revenge.