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A private orphanage on the outskirts of the village.
In the bright sunlight, children's joyful laughter filled the air, but a youth wearing round glasses had a complex look in his eyes as he watched the scene.
"Thank you for the generous support for the orphanage, sir."
Yakushi Natsumi, dressed in a nun's attire with a white headscarf, had a sincere and gentle smile. Looking at the woman exuding a motherly aura, Uchiha Yoru smiled and waved his hand, saying, "We represent Orochimaru-sensei. You're too kind."
"Orochimaru-sensei is busy with missions and couldn't come, so he specially instructed me to visit in person. Please don't be too formal, and if the orphanage needs clothes or food, feel free to contact the Police Department Seventh Squad."
Both of them wore fake smiles, but no one could tell that this visit by the Police Department Seventh Squad, representing Orochimaru, was accompanied by two squad members.
Uchiha Yoru and Yakushi Natsumi walked toward the orphanage's living room, where the sounds of children playing and laughing could be heard everywhere. However, Kabuto Yakushi, who was secretly distributing food to the orphans with a fake smile, watched Uchiha Yoru follow the headmistress inside, his mind filled with unknown thoughts.
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Headmistress's Office.
"Sir, please have some tea."
Yakushi Natsumi, with her motherly and gentle smile, was Konoha's most famous spy and the legendary spy ninja known as 'The Walking Shrine Maiden.'
"Headmistress, you're too kind."
Uchiha Yoru had already adapted to his current position and the political smiles. He squinted his eyes and gently placed the teacup on the side.
"If the orphanage needs anything, just let us know. While we can't provide large amounts of funds, we can ensure that the children have enough food to survive."
Just as Yakushi Natsumi was about to express her gratitude with a grateful expression, Uchiha Yoru's next words made her heart skip a beat.
"After all, you're worth it, aren't you? Walking Shrine Maiden!"
The air seemed to grow heavy with tension, but Yakushi Natsumi's face remained blank and confused, as if she hadn't understood.
"Sir?"
Uchiha Yoru smiled and shook his head. "Headmistress, the Police Force will ensure the orphans' basic needs are met. I can't promise they'll be well-fed and well-clothed, but no one will starve. You understand the implications better than anyone."
After laying it all out, Yakushi Natsumi, being the best spy in Konoha, showed no emotion. Uchiha Yoru rubbed his forehead, deciding he didn't want to keep up the act anymore; it was too exhausting.
"My teacher is Orochimaru, the Deputy Head of the Root Division. Your disguises mean nothing to me."
With this straightforward statement, a cold glint flashed in Yakushi Natsumi's eyes, but her smile remained unchanged. She slowly sipped her tea, and neither of them spoke for a long while before she finally asked, "What does the sir want?"
Though her smile was still warm, it had lost some of its warmth and gained a hint of caution. Uchiha Yoru, looking out the window at the children playing, felt a rare sense of ease.
"Yakushi, rest assured, I'm not from Root. While Root's existence is necessary, I don't like how they treat their own people."
He smiled more relaxedly, "The Police Force will provide monthly food subsidies to your orphanage. The requirements are simple. Rest assured, while we will ask the children to do tasks, they will be completely different from what you might think."
After the facade was completely stripped away, Yakushi Natsumi felt a surge of tension. Her primary concern was the children, and she didn't trust a word he said.
"Orochimaru-sensei's visit to the orphanage and his concern for the village are well-remembered. Headmistress, it's been a long time since the village has heard from our teacher."
This self-muttering comment made Yakushi Natsumi frown. She wasn't an ordinary person and could easily understand the implications.
"Orochimaru-sensei's good deeds are in your capable hands. In the future, if any children from the orphanage show potential to enter the Ninja Academy, the Police Force will provide assistance. Of course, you don't need to worry; the return is simple, as everything is for Orochimaru-sensei."
Since there was no conflict of interest with Yakushi Natsumi, and she needed his support even more, Uchiha Yoru was more relaxed. After all, he had already found her weak spot.
Yakushi Natsumi frowned and looked at him with a serious expression. "Is that all you want?"
Yakushi Natsumi wasn't stupid. When he mentioned Orochimaru's reduced presence in the village, it was clear that a force was quietly erasing the Sannin's influence. The task he wanted the orphanage children to perform—promoting Orochimaru's reputation—was clearly against the village's interests.
As for her concerns, Yakushi Natsumi quickly realized that as long as the Police Department Seventh Squad existed, there would always be someone speaking for Orochimaru. The orphanage was just a small part of this.
Seeing Yakushi Natsumi's doubts, Uchiha Yoru smiled. "Orochimaru-sensei speaks highly of the Walking Shrine Maiden. Therefore, Headmistress, you are truly invaluable."
Is this about me? Yakushi Natsumi's expression turned serious as she calmly looked at him. As the best spy, a strong heart was essential.
While the two were talking in the office, Kabuto Yakushi, who was playing with the children under a tree outside, his eyes flashed with a sharp light. Though he couldn't hear their conversation, he could read their lips. His expression changed from initial worry to relief, and then to a serious look.
Uchiha Yoru's eyes subtly glanced at the window, noticing Kabuto Yakushi's hidden observation from under the tree. However, he did this deliberately.
"Headmistress, your Medical Ninjutsu is outstanding. The Police Force would like to hire you to provide monthly guidance to the Police Logistics Department's Medical Ninjutsu."
As he said this, Uchiha Yoru suddenly looked outside at Kabuto Yakushi, who was playing with the children, and a smile crept onto his face. "By the way, Headmistress, do you recognize that child?"
(End of Chapter)