Chapter 48
Yet, such a kind child was to be used by Danzo.
This deepened Yakushi Nonou's sense of guilt even further.
But, if she didn't do this...
Everyone at the Orphanage, and Kabuto, would...
"Naruto-kun, once I've truly settled in Konoha and found a stable job, I'll definitely come back with good news..."
Before leaving, Yakushi Nonou turned back to look at Naruto, expressing her gratitude and hope for a future reunion.
Naruto nodded vigorously: "Mhm! Then I wish you success in advance, Director."
Standing at the door, Naruto watched as Yūgao Uzuki, dressed in fashionable winter clothes, led Yakushi Nonou away.
Small snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
After Yakushi Nonou had walked some distance, she couldn't help but look back.
In the dim light of the entrance, Uzumaki Naruto's small figure was still watching in their direction... Oh, Kami-sama...
A wave-like surge of emotion, a complex mix of feelings, filled Yakushi Nonou's sensitive female heart.
If you truly exist, please guide me to a path of light.
Yakushi Nonou, once the director of an Orphanageand also a nun, offered her first fervent prayer to the gods.
Starting in the Medical Corps.
She later joined Root, gaining fame in the underground dark world with the title "Walking Shrine Maiden."
After voluntarily retiring, she ran an Orphanage, serving as a cleric.
Finally, she was threatened by Danzo, reactivated, and returned to her identity as a Root Ninja.
How far could she go?
Just as parents cherish their children, the gods also cherish those who revere him/her/it.
God knows how we are formed, and remembers that we are but dust that vanishes in the blink of an eye.
The years of mankind are like lush grass, and like abundant flowers in the field; a light breeze blows, and they are no more, and even the place where they grew forgets them...
It wasn't until Yakushi Nonou and Yūgao Uzuki's figures completely disappeared into the snowy night that Naruto turned and closed the door.
"I think... I already have a lead on how to save Hinata's mother."
And, the next plan: "Get stronger!"
Yakushi Nonou, a Medical Ninja second only to Princess Tsunade, possessed powerful medical techniques.
And the origin of medical Ninjutsu is Yin Release.
The Yang Attribute is also one of the attributes proving that he is the reincarnation of Ashura's Chakra.
Just as Sako is born with the Yin Attribute and can learn "Yin Release" as the reincarnation of Indra's Chakra.
Naruto admitted that he wasn't cut out to be an excellent Medical Ninja like Sakura.
But Yin Release doesn't require the same diligent study as medical Ninjutsu.
Talent will determine the outcome of Yin Releasetraining.
And for the learning path, a suitable guide, who could be more suitable than Yakushi Nonou to guide him?
Naruto's lips curved into a smile, and Yakushi Nonou's figure, along with Yūgao Uzuki's fashionable winter attire, once again appeared in his mind.
On the wall of the entrance, a monster awakened, casting a shadow.
Naruto suppressed it and motioned for it not to rush.
Next, whether it's Yakushi Nonou, Yūgao Uzuki, or Hyuga Natsu.
There will be ways for it to vent...
Chapter 38: Sako's Invitation to Naruto
A few days after the New Year...
Itachi had spent these past few days at home.
Because he was temporarily suspended and a new team hadn't been arranged yet, he had been idle at home.
According to his Jonin Instructor.
The Ninja Academy would welcome this year's new batch of graduates, and two new Genin would join his team.
Itachi wasn't looking forward to this; he just wanted to participate in the Chunin Exams as soon as possible.
However, the failure of the Daimyo escort mission made his aspiration to participate in this year's Chunin Exams a baseless hope.
Did he have to wait until next year?
Once again... Itachi, feeling anxious again, forcibly suppressed his displeasure.
The only thing worth celebrating was his sister's progress in these past few days.
It could only be described as "inconceivable."
"Hah!"
In the small forest, eight targets stood upright.
This was a spot within the clan's gathering place.
Itachi used to come here to train.
At his sister's request, he brought her to this secret training ground known only to their parents and Shisui.
His sister, letting out a clear cry, leaped into the air.
There were four shuriken between the fingers of her left hand and four in her right.
As the eight shuriken were thrown, making a whistling sound, they each hit their respective targets.
Thud, thud, thud~.
The shuriken pierced the wooden targets, all hitting the bullseye.
Itachi was incredibly surprised, astonished by his sister's progress.
After a brief moment of surprise, he thought with satisfaction... As expected... my sister.
"How was it, Big Brother!"
Sako, after landing, seemed to have grown exceptionally fast after the New Year, not just in skill, but also seemingly taller.
Looking at his sister, who was growing ever cuter, Itachi felt she was the most precious treasure in the world.
Though she was a girl, her athleticism was remarkably nimble.
Perhaps even surpassing many boys.
Her mind was equally intelligent; she had already started reading books that were typically only read in the later stages of Genin training.
And for her, that knowledge was something she could learn by reading it once.
Reading... was not difficult for her.
How to put it.
During this time, Sako seemed to have suddenly "opened her mind," and everything was growing at an incredible speed.
"Nine points."
Itachi gave his sister a high score, close to perfect.
"The remaining one point is so you don't get arrogant because of this."
"Eh~~?!" Just as Sako let out a cute, questioning tone.
Heavy footsteps approached from afar.
"Father." Itachi turned around, identifying the newcomer by his familiar footsteps.
"Dad..." Sako immediately composed herself; she was always a little reserved in front of her stern father.
Uchiha Fugaku, who had suddenly returned from the battlefield, looked rather displeased.
After all, anyone would be in a bad mood if they were suddenly called back by Konoha's higher-ups just when they were about to achieve merit.
And the reason was something about hiding their strength, misleading the enemy, not wanting to provoke them too quickly...
In fact, Fugaku knew very well that Konoha's higher-ups did not want the Uchiha to achieve merits and improve their own situation.
Now, with the Fourth Hokage sacrificed, Orochimaru defecting, and the Sandaime aging, if the Uchiha were to develop normally and rise, no one could stop them.
The higher-ups feared this, which is why they didn't want the Uchiha to turn the tide, even at the cost of sacrificing more low-ranking Ninja lives to prolong border conflicts that should have ended quickly.
"When I returned to the Village, Hokage-samasummoned me and told me about you."
Fugaku glanced at his daughter, then looked at his eldest son.
Itachi: "?!"
"The higher-ups have recommended that you participate in next year's Chunin Exams. However, this time, you won't be in a three-person team, but will participate 'alone'!"
Alone... by himself?!
"Compared to other three-person teams, you will clearly be placed in an unfair and harsh environment. However..."
Itachi understood.
This was a trial, and also an assessment of his abilities.
If he broke through the challenges and became a Chunin alone, he would become the strongest candidate since Konoha's founding!
"Th-thank you very much..."
Due to his excitement, Itachi's words were slightly broken.
Countless disheartened days and nights, he had longed to participate in the Chunin Exams.
Now his dream was finally realized...
"Big Brother, congratulations!"
Sako showed a happy smile.
She was genuinely happy for her brother.
Itachi: "Sako..."
For his sister, who hadn't even entered the Ninja Academy yet, her brother had already taken a very important step in life.
Because under normal circumstances, becoming a "Chunin" and acquiring this position with greater authority is when a Ninja's true life truly begins for the strong.
"Dad~, I'll grow up quickly and follow in Big Brother's footsteps!"
Sako excitedly told her father her wish.
However, her hope did not receive a positive response.
"Mhm..."
Her father grunted indifferently.
His obvious perfunctory attitude instantly extinguished Sako's enthusiasm.
Gazing at her father's retreating back, Itachi suddenly felt unhappy.
His father, from an old-fashioned background, upheld strict family education.
Even Hokage-sama praised the education of the "Uchiha Fugaku family."
However, such a traditional family meant "preferring sons over daughters."
Because his sister was a girl, he thought it didn't matter, believing she would at most only be able to marry and raise children when she grew up... thus failing to consider his sister's feelings.