"Not a formal medical ninja, yet capable of using such ninjutsu…"
As he spoke, Orochimaru glanced at Nono, and seeing her expression unchanged, continued, "If you were to become a medical ninja, I think you would be a formidable ninja."
Kabuto smiled slightly, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "I have no such intention. I just want to earn a little money for the orphanage and stay here to help director. But director has been so kind to me, yet I haven't been able to give her a single decent gift in return."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's lips curled up. He extended his tongue, longer than an ordinary person's, and slowly licked the corner of his lips, saying calmly, "Is that so… What a pity."
"What's there to pity?"
Nono sent Kabuto to attend to other patients and personally treated Orochimaru.
Three centimeters above Orochimaru's arm wound, a rich, bluish-green light appeared.
"Ho ho, you, who are called the Wandering Miko, are actually looking after these children." Orochimaru spoke with a hint of lament.
"Orochimaru-sama, I think children are quite good."
From the tent entrance, Kiyoshi's voice emerged.
"Kiyoshi-kun…"
Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly.
When did Kiyoshi arrive here? Why hadn't he noticed any movement?
Was Sage Mode subtly enhancing Kiyoshi's strength? Or was it something else?
"Kiyoshi?"
Another surprised voice rang out.
Nono looked at Kiyoshi, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and a look of joy appeared on her face.
Then she remembered her previous inconclusive discussion with Kiyoshi. She ultimately failed to correctly guide this child, allowing Kiyoshi to develop a twisted affection for her. This was not right.
Nono sighed inwardly.
"Nono-sensei, I'm here again." Kiyoshi smiled slightly.
Nono, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, not only showed no signs of aging, but her compassionate, saintly aura had grown even stronger. This must be the result of her long tenure as the orphanage director.
"So many injured people here."
Kurenai's head poked out from Kiyoshi's side, pushing aside the curtain to enter.
"Orochimaru-sama, you're here too."
Because of the teacher-student relationship between Hiruzen and Orochimaru, Asuma was not unfamiliar with Orochimaru. Or rather, he was not unfamiliar with any of the Sannin, who were mysterious and legendary to others.
"We are here this time…"
Yakumi entered and began to explain their purpose to Orochimaru. Behind him were various ninjas: Uchiha, Hyuga, civilian…
Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, held command of a unit, which was the unit Nono was treating.
"Ho ho, I see. You can just set up another tent area next to this one." Orochimaru said.
Yakumi immediately led a group out, preparing to arrange for ninjas to set up temporary tents nearby. With Orochimaru's unit looking out for them, it would be much safer here. Many of those who came together gradually followed them out, but Kiyoshi remained in place.
"Nono-sensei, I'm here to help you." He moved closer to Nono.
A pale green light flickered, and the speed of wound healing immediately accelerated.
"Good."
Seeing this, Nono nodded lightly.
It had been a long time since they last met, and Kiyoshi's Medical Ninjutsu must have made great progress. Sure enough, Kiyoshi's Medical Ninjutsu was incredibly exquisite, and in a short while, he had healed Orochimaru's hands.
"Since that's the case, I'll head out first." Orochimaru pulled down his sleeves, covering his arms.
Before leaving, he turned back and added, "Danzo is also here."
With that, Orochimaru lifted the curtain and left.
"Danzo?" Kurenai was quite unfamiliar with this name.
"He is a high-ranking Konoha official."
Seeing Kurenai's confusion, Asuma immediately explained, wanting to show off his knowledgeable side. The Anbu was mysterious to most Ninja, and the Root was even more mysterious than the Anbu. They were responsible for more submerged, darker matters, and naturally, it was not suitable for widespread publicity.
"…"
Nono's eyes behind her glasses flickered slightly.
Danzo's arrival meant that her previous guess was very likely correct.
"Kiyoshi, could you please help me look after these injured? The children don't know much." Nono said.
The orphanage had limited resources, so these children naturally couldn't undergo any formal Ninja training. The fact that so many children could be selected to use even the most basic Medical Ninjutsu was a result of their private efforts, working harder than ordinary people.
"Alright." Kiyoshi nodded.
Danzo's visit was nothing more than to pressure Nono, pressuring her to go back and continue working.
Nono rushed out.
"Nobuhiko also needs treatment." Homura was carrying Nobuhiko on his back.
Long periods of travel meant Nobuhiko's empty eye sockets were prone to infection. Moreover, his body, ravaged by the ordeal, could not withstand long journeys, and enduring until now was his limit.
"Kiyoshi, could you please take a look at Nobuhiko later?"
Ginka, following Homura, looked at Homura carrying Nobuhiko, then at Kiyoshi, her expression a little unnatural.
"Put him over there."
Kiyoshi pointed to an empty spot, indicating that they could spread a sheet and lay Nobuhiko on it. Nobuhiko's injuries were not severe, just troublesome, which was why he returned with the first group.
As far as Kiyoshi knew, Hiashi's injuries seemed more serious, requiring some sophisticated equipment, and a Hyuga Clan member was taking him back day and night. By now, they should have arrived at Konoha. Kiyoshi didn't know the exact nature of the injuries, but it seemed his lower limbs were affected.
"Thank you… Thank you…"
Ginka hadn't expected Kiyoshi to be so accommodating, and her gaze was complex for a moment.
"Kabuto, right? Hand me the scalpel." Kiyoshi said to Kabuto, who was standing beside him.
"Oh… Okay." Kabuto was startled.
He recognized Kiyoshi and remembered that Kiyoshi seemed to have some connection with Nono. He had seen Kiyoshi once before.
After Kabuto brought the scalpel, he occasionally assisted Kiyoshi. Even Kurenai was doing what she could. As for Asuma, he had already gone to the back to set up tents. Such physically demanding tasks required someone with his strong build.
...
In the wooden house on the first floor of the orphanage.
Two people sat at the only small table in the room: Nono and Danzo.
Behind Nono stood the old caregiver and worker.
Behind Danzo were Orochimaru and an Aburame.
"Long time no see, your complexion is getting worse, Nono." Danzo's voice was as gloomy as ever, and his words were pointed.
The intelligence submitted by his subordinates during this period all indicated that the orphanage was deteriorating. Danzo chose this critical moment to approach Nono.
Nono was short on money, who else could provide such a large sum besides him?
Kiyoshi?
That brat and Tsunade were just lucky enough to win once at the casino. The daily expenses required to maintain the orphanage wouldn't last long.
Who told the kind-hearted Nono to adopt so many orphans?
"What do you want from me? We've already discussed the aid funds with Konoha, why are you now…"
Nono's implication was not limited to this. She wanted to say that she had clearly withdrawn from the Root, and this had been with Danzo's permission at the time. Yet, Danzo was now going back on his word and causing trouble again.
"Heh heh, Nono, it seems the comfortable environment of the orphanage has corrupted you, making you naive."
Danzo's left half of his face was wrapped in white bandages, and he stared at Nono with his exposed right eye.
"We are not just here for the aid funds." Danzo said.
"Then what else…"
"During this battle, we learned that Iwagakure was greatly affected by the Kannabi Bridge battle and is suspected of re-formulating a battle plan, intending to continue invading the Land of Fire."
As Danzo's capable subordinate, Ryūma said.
The Root had absorbed many Ninja Clan members, and Ryūma was one of the former geniuses of the Aburame Clan.
"Kannabi Bridge?"
Nono, who had been out of the Ninja World for a long time, felt unfamiliar and slow to these situations.
"Ho ho, it's the achievement of your disciple, Kiyoshi."
Orochimaru briefly introduced the mission and the current war situation of the Five Great Nations to Nono.
"Kiyoshi did all that?"
Upon hearing this, Nono's heart ached inexplicably. She was taking Kiyoshi's hard-earned money.
Just hearing Orochimaru's understated account of the events, she could imagine how critical the situation was at the time. Kiyoshi and the other squad were clearly bait.