That night, at the Konoha Root Base...
"Uzumaki Kushina, the Uzumaki Clan..."
In the quiet room, Danzo stared at the file in his hands, his expression darkening.
His gaze turned to Nonou, who stood with her hands clasped behind her back. "What's the story behind this girl who suddenly appeared by Namikaze Minato's side? Why wasn't I informed?"
"...Does that even need to be reported?" A hint of carefully crafted confusion appeared on Nonou's face, her voice tinged with unease.
"..."
Danzo fell silent, unsure whether the girl was genuinely naive or deliberately playing dumb.
He slammed the file down in front of Nonou with a cold snort. "A girl staying temporarily with Tsunade, and close to Minato? Can't you see how she's an obstacle to your plans? If it weren't for today's incident, I wouldn't have even known about her!"
Nonou looked genuinely bewildered. "But she's not stopping me from seeing Minato."
Danzo frowned. Her reaction didn't seem feigned. Considering Nonou's lack of experience in such matters, he forced down his anger.
"That girl is not as simple as you think. She's from the Uzumaki Clan and plays a crucial role in the village."
The thought that Sarutobi Hiruzen had kept even the selection of a Jinchūriki from him made Danzo's mood sour even further.
"The Third Hokage sent that girl to Minato precisely to foster their relationship. His intention was to give Namikaze Minato a powerful ally to pave his way to becoming Hokage!"
"Hmm..." Nonou looked utterly bewildered. "But... what's wrong with that? Minato has such a kind personality. He's definitely going to make an excellent Hokage, right?"
Hearing this, Danzo let out a stifled grunt, feeling a suffocating frustration well up in his chest, trapped and agonizing.
Yet he couldn't say a word!
He couldn't possibly say, "I want to become Hokage!"
Even Danzo, with his thick skin, would feel ashamed confessing his ambition to a five-year-old child.
This shame wasn't because of the ambition itself, but because he knew—beyond the brainwashed subordinates he'd manipulated—even this little girl before him wouldn't believe he deserved to sit in that seat!
This self-awareness gnawed at his insides like countless ants, causing him immense pain.
This forced him to prove himself even more, to show that his capabilities were no less than Hiruzen's, that he wouldn't be surpassed by his juniors, and that his teacher's initial choice had been wrong!
His desperation bordered on obsession.
As the Hokage's assistant, Danzo was usually treated with utmost respect, surrounded by flattery and praise. He reveled in this feeling, intoxicated by the thrill of power, and his longing for the Hokage position only intensified.
But now, Nonou's innocent words dragged him back to reality, forcing him to confront the truth he most wished to avoid.
In that moment, Danzo wondered if his judgment might truly be flawed.
A clever child might have already discerned his intentions, but Nonou didn't seem to be feigning ignorance...
Well, let her be a fool.
Fools are easier to control.
With this thought, Danzo sighed wistfully. "The Hokage position isn't as simple as you think, nor as glamorous as it appears on the surface. Minato's temperament isn't suited for being Hokage."
"His nature is too naive. He's better suited to be a formidable fighter, not a leader."
You're full of crap!
Nonou felt contempt in her heart, but her expression remained perfectly composed.
Minato isn't worthy? And you think you are?
Though she was relieved to have evaded Danzo's probing, it was clear he had no intention of giving up.
Recalling Kushina's unhesitating stance as she shielded Nonou, the young girl silently vowed to protect her from Danzo at all costs.
"Never mind. You wouldn't understand such things now. Just focus on your mission and don't forget your true identity."
Danzo waved dismissively, and Nonou bowed and withdrew.
She felt a twinge of regret for not uncovering more information. Still, it seemed her strategy of feigning ignorance was working.
Since the Tongue Curse Eradication technique would leave a Cursed Seal mark, and to avoid arousing Minato's suspicion, Danzo hadn't placed one on Nonou. In his view, a five-year-old child could be easily controlled even without the seal.
This, however, gave Nonou an idea.
Over the past two months, she had been observing Minato, not out of infatuation, but to discern his character.
She couldn't shake the feeling that beneath his radiant exterior, she sensed something... not dark, but distant.
What she told Kushina earlier was true: Minato was kind to everyone. But she couldn't be certain about how he felt about her.
She also sensed that when Minato looked at her, there was a scrutinizing quality in his gaze.
Nonou had a nagging suspicion that Minato might have already noticed something.
She desperately wanted to have an open and honest conversation with him, but once she revealed her hand, there would be no turning back, regardless of the outcome.
Yet she couldn't make this decision lightly, because she had the orphanage to consider.
Danzo had threatened her with the orphanage more than once.
For Nonou now, Danzo was an insurmountable force she couldn't resist.
He didn't even need to act directly; merely exerting his influence as the Hokage's assistant would easily cut off the orphanage's funding.
The priest and the plump nun wouldn't even get to meet the Hokage...
And the children would go hungry, underfed and underdressed.
She had experienced that life herself. Having been rained on herself, she wanted to give others an umbrella.
What should I do?
As she walked back to her temporary residence, Nonou's mind churned with worries. Fearful of being watched, she maintained her usual composed demeanor.
After cooking, doing laundry, soaking in a hot bath, and finally lying in bed, she picked up one of the romance novels Danzo had bought her.
She was currently staying in a small apartment provided by Danzo—perhaps the only good thing he had ever done for her.
"What's the report?"
After a long silence, Danzo's voice rang out again in the pristine chamber.
"The target smiled foolishly several times while reading, but otherwise showed no signs of abnormality."
A Root ninja suddenly appeared before Danzo, dropping to one knee.
"Could she really be that naive?" Danzo muttered, unconsciously tightening his grip on the chair's armrest. His face darkened slightly.
Nonou's innocent reaction conflicted with her previous calm composure, inevitably arousing his suspicions. That's why he had ordered her to be secretly monitored.
But the result was... completely normal?
Even the best actor couldn't maintain such a flawless facade all the time, especially a five-year-old child.
Yet this is too naive. Are children really this innocent these days?
Danzo frowned deeply. Aside from Nonou, he couldn't find anyone more suitable for the task.
After some thought, he could only blame her youth for her naivety.
If Nonou is too inexperienced, then he'll target the Uzumaki Clan's children instead!
After all, the clan hasn't dwindled down to just one member...
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