Chapter 48 – Mother and Son Reunited
Yakushi Nonō brushed a strand of hair back.
"I was chosen by Danzō to join Root and trained as an intelligence-nin. For many years, I collected information outside the village, and later returned to Konoha to become the director of an orphanage."
Yakushi Nonō looked a little embarrassed.
"So that's how it is."
Uchiha Mikoto sighed. She knew who Danzō was through her husband.
Root… it was hard to describe.
"I just saw you coming out of the Uchiha clan compound…?" Mikoto asked curiously.
Yakushi Nonō hesitated for a moment, then replied,
"I am now working for Hokage-sama."
Uchiha Mikoto was about to ask more when the shop owner called out,
"Beautiful lady, it's all packed!"
Yakushi Nonō gave Mikoto an apologetic smile.
"Mikoto, I have to hurry back…"
"Okay, bye then. Let's get together again when you're free," Mikoto replied with a gentle smile.
Yakushi Nonō nodded firmly, picked up two bags of packed snacks, and left, looking back every few steps.
Mikoto watched her disappear at the end of the street before heading to the market. Her husband and son would be home from work and school soon, so she needed to prepare dinner. By the time they returned, hot food would be ready.
---
Yakushi Nonō returned to the orphanage on the outskirts of the village.
As soon as she entered, she saw the children in the courtyard gathered in a circle, chattering about something.
Through the children, she vaguely saw a young boy standing inside. Excited, she walked over.
"Children, I'm back!"
Hearing her voice, children of all sizes excitedly cheered and rushed to greet her.
"Auntie Director!"
"Auntie Director is back!"
Some children were still in their rooms. A helpful child ran in and loudly called them, and more came running out.
"Children, I bought some delicious treats for everyone. Everyone gets some, no pushing. Nana, you distribute them. One skewer of three-colored dango for each person, and one flatbread for each person."
Yakushi Nonō was eager to see Kabuto, so she didn't hand them out herself. Instead, she entrusted the task to a well-behaved older child.
"Okay, Auntie Director, leave it to me."
The girl took the two large bags, and the children obediently lined up, no scrambling at all.
Now with her hands free, Yakushi Nonō looked for Kabuto.
"Kabuto? Kabuto?"
Her gaze fell on an unfamiliar boy in the courtyard. A look of confusion flickered in her eyes.
"Child, who are you?"
The boy had short silver hair that didn't reach his ears and wore glasses. Though about the same age as Nana, his calmness and maturity didn't match his years.
Where had this boy come from? And where was Kabuto?
Kabuto watched the scene unfold. Hearing the children call this woman "Auntie Director," memories buried deep within him resurfaced.
Yakushi Nonō's face slowly merged with the gentle, mother-like director from his distant past.
When she looked at him in confusion, failing to recognize him, Yakushi Kabuto's chest tightened. Tears welled in his eyes.
"Mama Director… I'm Kabuto."
His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but emotion choked his voice.
At that moment, Nana—busy distributing snacks—added helpfully,
"Auntie Director, he is Kabuto. He said his name is Yakushi Kabuto."
A flicker of disbelief crossed Nonō's eyes. She quickly pulled a cherished photograph from her pocket.
She compared the image with the boy before her.
They looked nothing alike.
But the more she studied him, the more familiar he seemed. Compared with her childhood memories of Kabuto, the resemblance was undeniable. Six or seven parts the same.
Her heart suddenly stirred. She understood.
The photograph Danzō had given her all these years—supposedly Kabuto's—was fake.
She didn't know why, but if Danzō had done it, there must have been ulterior motives.
A strange relief washed over her. Fortunately, Danzō was dead. Whatever scheme he had, it was over.
Yakushi Nonō tossed the false photograph aside, then opened her arms wide with a trembling smile.
"Come here, child."
Kabuto could no longer hold back. He rushed into her embrace.
Yes, this was the warmth he had longed for.
The embrace of Mama Director.
"Mama Director… I'm home!"
Tears streamed as he spoke.
Yakushi Nonō gently patted his back, her hand stroking his hair.
"You've suffered so much, Kabuto. Welcome home."
Back then, when Danzō demanded Kabuto, she had refused. But he threatened her—if Kabuto didn't go to Root, the other orphans would be harmed. She had been forced to send Kabuto away.
Thankfully, it was all in the past. No one would threaten them again.
---
Land of Fire – Imperial Palace
Residence of the Guardian Twelve
After her shift, one of the Guardian Twelve kunoichi went to check Asuma Sarutobi's quarters, intending to relieve another member who had been watching him.
But when she pushed open the door, she found her comrade lying unconscious on the bed—and Asuma was gone.
She rushed to wake the downed shinobi.
He groaned, rubbing the sore back of his head. Realizing what had happened, his face darkened. Asuma had lowered his guard, knocked him out, and escaped.
"Where's Asuma?" she demanded, though she already feared the answer.
"He ran," the man admitted grimly.
Her face paled. "How could you let him go? Don't you know how dangerous it is for him now? The Sarutobi clan has been annihilated. What good can it do for him to return alone?"
Frustrated, she clenched her fists.
The other Guardian scowled. "If he insists on leaving, what can I do? I can't restrain him by myself!"
Before the argument could continue, a calm voice spoke from the doorway.
It was Chiriku.
"Enough. This is fate. Asuma was determined to leave, and we could not stop him. This is his own trial, and he must overcome it himself. We have done all we can."
"But…" she hesitated, anguish in her eyes. "No, I have to go help him."
---