It's over, it's all over!
When Nono heard this, her heart sank to the bottom.
Having worked for Danzō for many years, she knew very well that if he had set his sights on her, it would be like being locked in a cage with a starving tiger — there would be no escape.
The thought of Kabuto having to endure the same torment she once did — being brainwashed into becoming Danzō's lifeless tool, stripped of happiness — filled her with dread.
Nono's eyes dimmed with sadness.
"Hey, hey, hey… been a while. Lord Danzō's really something!"
"What's this? Fresh out of a political chokehold and already picking on kids? Or did I miss the Hokage's memo about bullying orphanages being the new Leaf tradition?"
A cold, mocking voice came from behind.
Danzō's frown deepened. He turned and saw Kakashi.
"Kakashi, this isn't your place. Leave now, and don't get in the way of Root business," Danzō said grimly.
Last time, because of the Uchiha Kagami incident, he had suffered a loss at this kid's hands. Now that the Fourth Hokage had just taken office, he didn't want trouble at this critical time — not publicly, at least.
"Tsk, tsk… someone's in a rush to get rid of me." Kakashi strolled forward lazily. "Tell you what — I'll leave… if you promise not to touch this orphanage again. Sounds fair, right?"
He moved between Nono and Kabuto, standing protectively in front of them.
"How dare you! Lord Danzō is handling official business — since when do Minato's brats get to interfere?"
Before Danzō could speak, Aburame Ryōma barked the words, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Oh?" Kakashi tilted his head. "Well, I'm questioning the former Hokage's assistant, Danzō-sama, in my capacity as Captain of the Hokage's personal Anbu unit. And you are… what, exactly? Root's pet beetle wrangler?"
He stuck his little finger in his ear, as if bored.
"You—when did you become Anbu Captain?" Danzō's eyes narrowed.
Root was essentially his private army, untouched even by the Third Hokage's meddling. But technically, Root was still part of Anbu — so Kakashi had just enough authority to make this messy.
"A few days ago. Guess it's normal for a former Hokage's assistant not to keep up with village news." Kakashi put heavy emphasis on former.
That jab stung — the first thing Minato had done as Hokage was strip Danzō of his assistant title.
"Hmph. So what? I've run Root myself for years. Even Hiruzen doesn't dare interfere. You're just an Anbu Captain — tread carefully, boy, or you might… meet with an accident."
"Oh, thank you for the warning, Lord Danzō," Kakashi replied, his tone sweet with mock sincerity. "But please be careful yourself — you're not exactly a spring chicken. Would be terrible if you tripped over a tree root and ended up drooling into a hospital futon for the rest of your days."
Buzz, buzz, buzz…
Enraged by the insult to his master, Ryōma unleashed a cloud of black kikaichū, surging toward Kakashi like a living fog.
"Wow… bugs. Terrifying," Kakashi deadpanned, grabbing Nono and Kabuto by the shoulders and moving them to safety in a flash.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A roaring wave of flames burst from Kakashi's hands, slamming into the insect swarm.
He knew exactly what kikaichū could do to chakra users — only an idiot would let them get close.
In seconds, the burning remains of the insects rained down, the flames still surging toward Ryōma.
Buzz!
Half the swarm formed an insect wall to block the fire; the rest fled as clones.
"That's enough!" Danzō barked.
Ryōma immediately withdrew, returning silently to Danzō's side.
Shame, Kakashi thought. It was obvious Danzō had been testing him through his subordinate. Kakashi wouldn't have minded returning the favor.
"Kakashi, you're Anbu Captain — I won't kill you today. But this isn't your concern."
"How many dishes have you had, old man? You're talking like you and your two bug-handlers could take me down." Kakashi smirked.
Swish!
Danzō was about to snap back when a golden flash lit the orphanage.
"Danzō, Dean Nono has reached an agreement with me," said Namikaze Minato, wearing the Hokage's robe. "From now on, she alone will run Konoha's orphanages. The village will provide funding. And tomorrow, hand the Root roster to my office — Root will be disbanded."
"You—Fourth Hokage!"
The first fire of Minato's reforms was aimed straight at him.
"Minato, you're young. Someday you'll learn — certain things can only be done by Root. You can't disband it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived then, walking calmly toward them.
"But, Third…" Minato began.
"Minato, I understand," Hiruzen said smoothly. "But you need to listen to us veterans. We've eaten more salt than you've walked roads — this is for your own good."
Minato exhaled. "I understand, Third."
The reality was clear — the Third still held the reins, and any change required his blessing.
"Danzō, you weren't right this time either. Nono's management is fine. Leave the orphans be." Hiruzen's gaze carried its own warning.
"Tch." Danzō knew he'd lost and walked away without another word.
The Third smiled faintly, said his goodbyes, and followed.
"Nice timing, sensei," Kakashi said, grinning.
"Don't flatter me — it was your clone's message that got me here." Minato smiled, but his eyes followed the departing Third, troubled.
Kakashi turned to Kabuto. "It's alright. With the Hokage here, no one's taking food from your friends' mouths."
"Thank you, big brother!" Kabuto beamed.
"Oh, one more thing — how'd you like me to find you a master? Someone who can teach you real skills so you're not anyone's pawn again?"
"Yes!" Kabuto's answer was instant.
"Dou—" Nono began, worried.
"Dean, I trust big brother," Kabuto said firmly.
"Hah! I like you, kid. And your master-to-be? None other than one of the Legendary Sannin — Orochimaru-sama."
To be continued....