A few days later.
Under Tsunade's treatment, Nono Yakushi's injuries had mostly healed.
"Lady Tsunade, thank you for all your hard work these past days."
Nono's complexion was rosy, her spirits bright. Back in Konoha, she had admired Tsunade greatly. Her overflowing compassion made her naturally respect someone who had single-handedly founded the entire medical-ninja system.
In Nono's heart, if not for Tsunade, the number of people who died in the war would have easily doubled.
But their statuses were worlds apart, and Tsunade spent little time in Konoha, so Nono had never seen her in person.
She never expected that on the very first day she arrived in the Hidden Cloud, she would receive personal treatment from Tsunade herself.
Fate really did enjoy playing its tricks.
Seeing Nono's gentle expression, Tsunade waved her hand. "Yuzuru's the one who asked me. If you want to thank someone, thank him."
"I still have matters to handle, so I'll head out first."
With that, Tsunade hurried out of the ward.
Any free moment she had now, she spent money with reckless abandon. Since Yuzuru had tricked her into giving up her body, Tsunade felt she had to drain his wallet to make up for it.
Watching her departing figure, a trace of admiration surfaced on Nono's face.
Lady Tsunade must be under tremendous pressure. That must be why she's always so busy.
From now on, she would take Tsunade as her role model and work even harder.
"Nono, I heard you're being discharged today. I'll take you to see the orphanage."
After Tsunade left, Yuzuru Uchiha stepped into the ward.
Seeing him, both Nono and Kabuto were filled with gratitude.
"Greetings, Lord Yuzuru."
They were merely ordinary Konoha defectors, yet someone of Yuzuru Uchiha's status had given them special care…
Not only had he stopped their tragedy of mutual destruction and saved them from certain death, he had thoughtfully arranged ideal work for them and even invited the most renowned medical ninja in the world—Tsunade—to treat them.
Such kindness could never be repaid, not even in a lifetime.
"No need to be so polite. From now on, we're all family."
With an easy shrug, Yuzuru walked out of the ward together with Kabuto.
Once Nono finished changing, the three headed outside.
Walking along the streets of the Hidden Cloud, Nono's face was filled entirely with wonder and envy.
The houses were beautifully built, the streets wide and smooth.
Voices of conversation, merchants calling out, children laughing and chasing one another—these sounds filled the village with lively warmth.
Bustling, yet orderly.
Most importantly, everyone wore relaxed, happy smiles. Their lives looked simple and peaceful.
Compared to this, Konoha was hell.
Kabuto, having already spent some time in the Land of Lightning, did not feel as overwhelmed, though he too wore a gentle smile.
Being able to stay at Nono's side was the greatest happiness in the world for him.
After passing through the lively district, Yuzuru stopped at a station post.
Nono looked around curiously. "Lord Yuzuru, are we already at the orphanage?"
This was still near the village center. Could the orphanage really be here?
"Of course not. It's still a distance away."
Yuzuru smiled and pointed behind her.
Nono lifted her head to see a large vehicle gliding toward them.
"What is that?"
"You'll see once we're on." After leading Nono and Kabuto aboard, Yuzuru explained, "It's called a tram. Each one runs on a fixed route, and it can take you anywhere in the village."
"Most of us in the Hidden Cloud use them to get around."
As their territory expanded, the village had grown as well. Walking everywhere had become inefficient.
And so Yuzuru proposed the idea of trams. Under Orochimaru's research team, the idea had become reality.
It wasn't as convenient as he remembered from his past life, but for this world, it was revolutionary.
Sitting inside, Nono's mouth fell open.
The ride was smoother than she ever imagined—almost no jolting at all.
Its speed wasn't fast, but compared to a horse-drawn carriage, it was incomparable.
"Nono, careful or you'll dislocate your jaw."
Flushing at Yuzuru's teasing, she quickly shut her mouth.
"Sorry, I lost my composure."
All the way here, she had felt like a country girl visiting a big city for the first time—everything was new, everything incredible.
People always said Konoha was the most prosperous village in the Shinobi World, but now she understood how ignorant that claim was.
Konoha couldn't hold a candle to the Hidden Cloud.
When the tram reached the outskirts, the three stepped off.
Not far from the rails, a massive manor—almost like a castle—came into view.
Even from afar, Nono and Kabuto could hear children laughing inside.
Nono stared in shock. "This is the orphanage?"
"Before we overthrew the daimyo, this was a noble's private estate. After he died, I renovated it into an orphanage."
Kabuto snorted. "Those nobles really knew how to enjoy life. How much money must a place like this have cost?"
"I had these buildings reconstructed," Yuzuru said calmly. "Kids should live somewhere that makes them happier."
Realizing his mistake, Kabuto bowed deeply. "My apologies, Lord Yuzuru. That was thoughtless of me."
"It's fine."
Kabuto pinched the inside of his thigh hard and decided he should talk less in the future.
Inside the orphanage, Yuzuru oversaw Nono's handover, and the three shared a meal.
Seeing the abundant dishes, Nono couldn't hold back her tears.
"Nono, what's wrong?"
"Lord Yuzuru… you're a good man. If only the children in Konoha could live like this…"
To her, everything here was like a dream she'd never dared to have.
Children who could eat well, dress warmly, live without fear, without the dread of vanishing into some dark night…
It was beautiful.