"Kids, what do you say when someone gives you a gift?"
Nonō didn't answer Gekko Chizan but instead looked at the group of children gathered around the presents, smiling softly.
The children immediately turned to Gekko Chizan and spoke up with gratitude.
"Thank you!"
"Thanks for the gift, Uncle!"
Gekko Chizan's mouth twitched violently. Uncle???
He was only in his twenties — how had he suddenly become an uncle??
"Mm... take the snacks and enjoy them. I need to talk with your headmistress for a bit."
"Give us some space, alright?"
Having received something from Gekko Chizan, the children were delighted. They cheerfully left the living room in a rush.
Only Yakushi Nonō and Gekko Chizan remained.
"The children have gone back to their rooms. Now let's talk about our business."
"I'm not from Root, nor did I come here on Danzō's orders."
"So you can put your worries to rest. You know who I am — I'm not one of those who walk in the dark and threaten others."
Gekko Chizan started by giving Yakushi Nonō a mental sedative, so to speak. After all, he needed her to fully help Orochimaru — not to become a lifeless puppet.
"So, why did you come looking for me?"
"You should know, I've already left the village. Now I'm just the headmistress of an orphanage."
Yakushi Nonō truly lived up to her reputation as an elite spy. Facing Gekko Chizan, she didn't show the slightest emotional ripple — only cautious composure.
Gekko Chizan said slowly, "I came here because I have a favor to ask. You may have left the village, but your abilities remain. I hope you'll come with me out of the Land of Fire — to the Land of Waterfalls."
"My teacher, Orochimaru, is currently there. He mentioned you to me — said you're an excellent medical ninja. He hopes you can become his assistant."
Nonō's brows furrowed.
"Orochimaru? His research has always lingered on the edge of taboo. I don't want to get involved in that."
Her words made Gekko Chizan pause for a moment. Seeing his reaction, Nonō pushed up her glasses.
"Even though I've left the village, gathering intel is still easy for me."
"Orochimaru has already defected, and the reason he did was for those forbidden experiments. I don't see any benefit in following him."
"Anyone capable of performing that kind of experiment… heh."
Her short laugh made Gekko Chizan scratch his head awkwardly. He honestly hadn't expected this woman to know so much.
But this was a task directly entrusted by Orochimaru — failure was not an option.
"You don't seriously think that old bastard Danzō will just let you go, do you?"
"The war may seem to have stabilized, but that's only on the surface."
"Danzō's been pushing in the council meetings to launch further attacks on Iwagakure and Kirigakure."
"And you — a former intelligence operative — do you think he'd let you live in peace?"
"When that time comes, what do you think will happen to this little orphanage of yours..."
Was that a threat? Maybe. But Gekko Chizan was simply stating the truth.
After all, in the original events, that's exactly what Danzō did. To that old man, everyone was just another piece on his board.
Yakushi Nonō's face instantly changed. If anyone knew Danzō's nature, it was her.
As a former member of Root, she understood the darkness of that organization — and his ruthless heart.
If it were him, he really would come for her again. And these children...
"I really like these kids. I'm sure my sensei would too."
"He's been all alone in Takigakure, and I'm afraid he'll die of loneliness. You can be his assistant, and these children can become his students."
"Don't worry. The Orochimaru you knew isn't the same as he is now."
"I can guarantee that much."
Gekko Chizan leaned back in his chair, finding a comfortable position as he waited for Yakushi Nonō's reply.
She stayed silent for a long time, her gaze shifting over him as if weighing the truth in his words.
Finally, she let out a soft sigh.
"And how can I be sure that Orochimaru really has changed?"
"You have to understand — your sensei was once a member of Root too. Even if he's defected now, he and I both walked through the same darkness. How can I trust someone like that?"
Gekko Chizan perked up at that, eager to defend his teacher's name. Sitting up straight, he said earnestly,
"Orochimaru-sensei is now devoted to developing normal ninjutsu. He wants to create a school of ninjutsu all his own. If these kids go with him, they'll receive excellent training."
"Well, some of his jutsu may look a bit unsettling, haha."
"As for forbidden research — that's his freedom. But I can guarantee the safety of you and these children. I have that much power."
As he glanced around earlier, Gekko Chizan had noticed that none of the children were Yakushi Kabuto.
It seemed that because of his interference, many things had already shifted from the original path.
Nonō took off her glasses and rubbed her temples.
"Takigakure, huh... I didn't expect Orochimaru to go there. I thought he'd settle in a neutral country like the Land of Fields or somewhere similar."
Gekko Chizan smiled.
"For Orochimaru, the country doesn't matter."
"So, what do you say? Will you accept my offer — take these children and leave the chaos of the Land of Fire behind?"
To be honest, Gekko Chizan's words stirred something inside her.
Only by leaving the Land of Fire could she truly escape Root and Danzō's reach. But she couldn't stop worrying about the children — they were still so young. How would they cross the Land of Fire safely?
Seeing the worry in her eyes, Gekko Chizan spoke frankly.
"I know what you're worried about. It's just relocation — there's a town nearby. We can rent a convoy."
"I'm sure my sensei will reimburse me for the expenses."
"As for the departure, it's up to you. I'd prefer sooner rather than later, though — I still have other missions to handle."
Yakushi Nonō nodded, showing she understood.
"I'll tell the children and have them pack. It'll take a bit of time. Let's leave early tomorrow morning."
"We'll depart at dawn. But you'll need to handle the convoy arrangements."
With Yakushi Nonō agreeing, Gekko Chizan was quite satisfied. He left behind a marked kunai for his teleportation technique, then departed.
He still needed to arrange the convoy and return to town first.
...
The next day, Yakushi Nonō brought the children to town. Seeing their curious little faces, Gekko Chizan once again reached into his own pocket to buy them plenty of snacks for the road.
And so, Gekko Chizan hired a convoy to escort Yakushi Nonō and the group of children toward the Land of Waterfalls.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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