The drone of insects in the orphanage courtyard wove a dense net of sound. In the stillness, even a falling leaf would be clearly audible.
Suddenly, a sharp click shattered the tranquility. The sound of the lock turning was jarring in the night.
Taiichi's gaze snapped to the gate, his hand instinctively resting on his tanto. An uninvited guest at this hour was rarely good news.
When the gate opened fully, revealing the figure stepping inside, the tension left Taiichi's body. A smile spread across his face.
"Nono-nee, you're back."
Bathed in moonlight, Nono paused, surprised to see Taiichi waiting.
After a moment, a look of reunion joy washed over her face.
"Taiichi. You're here."
Taiichi, who had been about to leave, stayed. He pulled Nono into the courtyard to catch up.
They sat at the stone table under the moon. The night breeze brushed past Nono's weary face. She was pale, clearly suffering from blood loss, and Taiichi's sharp eyes caught sight of freshly healed scars on her exposed arms.
"So... what emergency mission required the Director of the Orphanage this time?"
Taiichi picked up a leaf from the table, twirling it casually.
In peacetime, the village wouldn't deploy a civilian-role ninja like an orphanage director for standard missions.
But Nono was Root. She never spoke of it, so Taiichi pretended not to know.
However, things were different now. The last mission had dragged him into Danzo's schemes, regardless of who the target was.
Years ago, he had rejected Danzo's recruitment, offending him. Back then, Hiruzen shielded him, and he was too weak to matter much.
Now that he was growing stronger, he had seen the hidden hatred in Danzo's eyes during their office encounters. His keen senses didn't lie.
He had to prepare for the worst.
"Just went to a neighboring country to buy medicinal herbs. Ran into bandits on the way back. Got delayed," Nono said calmly, her voice soft as if nothing had happened.
Taiichi kept his expression neutral, spinning the leaf faster. "I heard rumors recently... a spy active on the border was killed."
He paused. "They say he was disguised as a herb merchant... When they found him, he was barely recognizable. Clearly tortured."
Nono's breath hitched imperceptibly.
"Everyone at the orphanage was worried about you." Taiichi looked up, staring into Nono's eyes. The moonlight reflected in his pupils like cold, intense flames.
"Grandma Keiko said before you left, you prepared birthday gifts for everyone in advance." Taiichi's gaze burned. "Did you think... you weren't coming back?"
Hoot.
An owl cried outside, breaking the silence. Nono's lips moved, but no words came out.
"On my last mission, a comrade died right in front of me... swallowed by an explosion. I didn't even have a chance to treat him." Taiichi dug his nails into his palm.
"That moment, I realized: on the battlefield, even the best medical ninjutsu can't save everyone."
He looked at Nono, his eyes filled with deep pain.
"If something happens to you, what will happen to the kids?" He grabbed Nono's cold hands, squeezing them hard enough to hurt. "They only have you!"
Feeling the burning heat of Taiichi's palms, Nono felt warmth in her heart, but also helplessness. Leaving Root wasn't easy. She remained silent.
"I heard that Root ninjas..." Taiichi lowered his voice to a whisper, heavy with meaning. "...don't even get their names on the Memorial Stone when they die."
"Where did you hear that?!" Nono stood up abruptly, knocking over the stone stool.
Thud. Rumble.
The sound of the rolling stone was deafening in the quiet night.
"Is Nono back?" Grandma Keiko's voice came from inside. A light turned on.
"Yes, Aunt Keiko. I'm talking to Taiichi."
"Oh. Have you eaten? Should I make something?" Sounds of dressing came from the room.
"No, Aunt Keiko. I already ate. Go back to sleep!"
The rustling stopped. "Alright then. Keep it down, don't wake the kids." The light went out.
Silence returned to the courtyard. Even the insects seemed oppressed by the atmosphere.
"You know?" Nono finally broke the silence.
"I've had contact," Taiichi said calmly. "They tried to recruit me before graduation. I looked into them. I know their style."
Hearing "before graduation," Nono's grip tightened, her pale skin turning even whiter.
"Ordinary ninja, even ANBU, wouldn't use an orphanage director for missions unless Konoha was truly out of manpower."
Taiichi analyzed point by point, staring at her.
"And the orphanage isn't short on funds anymore. You don't need to do missions for money."
He set the stool upright and pulled Nono back down.
"Grandma Keiko is getting old. She can't handle all these kids alone. They need you. No one loves them more than you do."
Nono's hands trembled. She wanted to leave Root more than anything. But...
"I've submitted my resignation ten times." Nono's voice lost all strength, her body slumping. "They said... the orphanage... is the best cover."
"I know they're using the orphanage to threaten me. But I have no choice." She choked back a sob.
Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. "But they promised. Just three more missions for Root, and I can leave."
Taiichi's heart plummeted. He stood up abruptly and paced the courtyard.
Root offering such a good deal? Three missions? She'd likely die in an "accident" before completing the third one!
Thank god I came today.
Thank god I met her.
Thank god we talked.
If he had missed this...
A chill ran down his spine. Cold sweat soaked his back.
Taiichi made a decision. He walked to Nono and grabbed her hands firmly.
"Nono-nee, listen to me. You cannot go on any more Root missions. Danzo will not let you live to complete three missions."
"I will ask Tsunade-sensei. I will ask Lord Jiraiya. I'll get them to go to the Hokage. You are a medical ninja and an orphanage director. There is no reason for you to be in Root."
"Promise me!"
Feeling Taiichi's clammy, nervous palms, Nono didn't fully understand his urgency, but she felt his care. After a long pause, she nodded.
Taiichi exhaled a long breath, collapsing onto the stool as if drained.
Seeing him like this, Nono felt a sourness in her nose. Only someone who truly cared would react this way.
Leaving Nono, Taiichi went straight home. He rushed to his desk and wrote to Tsunade.
He detailed Nono's situation, his suspicions, and his fears. He emphasized Nono's importance—she was his only family besides Tsunade.
He begged Tsunade to intervene and convince the Hokage to transfer Nono out of Root. Keeping a humanitarian like her in Root violated the Will of Fire.
He revised the letter repeatedly until it was perfect. Then he summoned Katsuyu.
"Katsuyu-sama, this is urgent." Taiichi placed the letter on her back gravely. "If Tsunade-sensei replies, please notify me immediately."
"I understand, Taiichi-sama."
Watching her disappear, Taiichi relaxed slightly. He didn't know if Tsunade would help, but it was his only option.
Ultimately, he was too weak. If he were Kage-level, he'd march into the Hokage's office himself. But he wasn't.
He pushed the thought away and started training.
---
The next morning, Taiichi searched for Jiraiya. He scoured the village all morning but found nothing.
In the afternoon, he went to Minato's house, hoping for info.
Knock, knock.
Kushina answered again.
Seeing Taiichi, she beamed. As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, her world was small. Friends were few. Taiichi—good cook, sweet talker, loyal friend—was a favorite.
"Taiichi! Looking for Minato?"
"Hello, Sister-in-law!" Taiichi sweetened his voice. "Can't I be looking for you?"
"Haha! Smooth talker." Kushina giggled. "Call me Big Sister. It's closer."
"Okay, Big Sister Kushina!"
They sat down inside. Kushina spoke first.
"You missed him. Minato went on a mission. He won't be back for a while."
Taiichi's face fell for a second before he recovered. "That's okay. I can chat with you instead."
"Nice try." Kushina saw his disappointment. "Is it urgent?"
Taiichi hesitated. Should he tell her?
Kushina was the "Red Hot Habanero." If she knew, she might tear the roof off the Hokage's office.
"What is it? Stop being wishy-washy! Be a man!" Kushina snapped impatiently.
Provoked, Taiichi decided to gamble. He needed allies. Maybe Kushina's roof-tearing energy was exactly what was needed.
He told her everything about Nono.
As expected, Kushina exploded. Her red hair floated like flames. She grabbed Taiichi, ready to storm the Hokage's office.
"Let's go! I'm asking the Third Old Man right now!"
She hated Danzo. Hearing him do something this despicable enraged her.
It took all of Taiichi's effort to calm her down. He explained that just the two of them going would be useless and might alert Danzo, endangering Nono. They needed to gather all their allies—Tsunade, Jiraiya, Minato—for a decisive strike.
Calmed down, Kushina agreed. She promised to notify Taiichi the moment Minato and Jiraiya returned.
Taiichi learned that Jiraiya and Minato were on a mission together. That meant it was important.
Business done, Taiichi switched gears. "Sister Kushina, since you're here, I have some questions about Sealing Jutsu."
Kushina was amused. Taiichi had been learning for less than three months. How many questions could he have? He probably hadn't even memorized the runes.
She answered patiently. But as the questions got deeper, her smile faded, replaced by shock.
This progress... is ridiculous.