Nono bit her lips tightly. "So you want me to continue being a spy?"
"Precisely. If not intercepted in time, the war situation can change. We need you to investigate the time, location, and specific content of this plan, follow up long-term, and report at any time."
"Please allow me to consider it."
Nono had originally intended to refuse directly. However, Kiyoshi's face echoed in her mind, that face that constantly strived for her approval. Guilt began to well up in her heart.
To be honest, the first time she saw Kiyoshi today, besides the joy of meeting, Nono also had some hope of getting money. But after hearing Orochimaru's explanation, she decided not to do that anymore.
Always asking Kiyoshi for money whenever there was a difficulty would create a path dependency. Borrowing money was essentially transferring pain, transferring her financial worries to Kiyoshi. Making Kiyoshi bear the burden of the orphanage's operations.
How shameful that was.
Nono recited scriptures praising God in her heart, hoping to calm herself down.
"Consider? Does this still need consideration?" Danzo's tone turned cold.
"You simply don't understand."
Beside them, the old caregiver with glasses suddenly stood up and interrupted, "How important is the director to the orphanage and the children? Have you ever considered that? She has worried herself sick to raise funds, barely managing to maintain the orphanage's expenses."
The worker also interjected indignantly, "Such a dangerous mission, couldn't Root members handle it? Why must you specifically seek out director?!"
Danzo waved his hand impatiently, "No one but your director can handle this long-term infiltration mission. Any member of the Root would likely struggle to maintain loyalty under mental pressure, but I believe Nono will never betray Konoha."
Danzo paused, his voice as cold as ice, "If you refuse, the orphanage can forget about receiving any more aid funds."
"Outrageous!"
The old caregiver, unable to contain her anger, continued, "We submitted an application to the Third Hokage, and he would never allow you to be so excessive."
Ryūma, however, sneered.
"The Third Hokage is the Third Hokage. Your orphanage seems quite susceptible to thieves. Perhaps you should hire someone to guard the gate. Also, with so many adopted orphans whose backgrounds are unclear, some still have some utility…" Ryūma spoke.
"!"
The worker and the old caregiver turned pale, utterly astonished.
Could Konoha, a dignified village, be so despicable?
"Are you even Ninja like this?!"
"It is you who are confused about the situation."
Danzo rested his left hand on his face, interrupting the old caregiver, and said, "As long as Konoha can be protected, none of this matters."
"Give me a few more days to consider."
Nono sighed.
If this was the only way, Nono still wanted to stay and spend a few more days with the children. Once she infiltrated an enemy country, it would take a great deal of time, and returning would become a luxury.
"Consider, you say? Given your many years of service to me, I'll allow it. However, to obtain this intelligence, one of my subordinates sacrificed himself. We'll choose a replacement from among your children."
Those children who had learned Medical Ninjutsu had already proven their talent as Ninja. The Root only absorbed young children, training them from a young age to suppress their emotions, making them sharp blades of the Root.
"Isn't this too much?"
Nono hadn't expected Danzo to be so greedy.
"These two matters are separate. Next time, we will have the money ready, but this time, the money will be exchanged for one person from your orphanage."
"Moreover, no matter what, how can you be sure that none of the children you've adopted want to become Konoha Ninja? Just ask around, maybe there is one?"
"…"
The outcome of this conversation was far from pleasant, and Nono eventually emerged with a heavy heart.
"Director, that new ninja is amazing. He healed so many people." Urushi spoke.
This was good news. The more people he healed, the more burden it would relieve from the director.
"Yes, Director-sama, and that Ninja-sama is so handsome. Are all Konoha Ninja like this?"
The children's chattering voices sounded around Nono.
Nono forced a smile, responding to the children. Although she had regressed in various aspects, Nono's acting skills were still good. The children in front of her didn't notice the forced nature of her smile.
"Nono-sensei, can we talk privately?"
Kiyoshi emerged from the tent, showing no signs of fatigue after expending a large amount of Chakra to heal others.
He had also gained a new trait, named [Battlefield Medic (Green)], which would increase the efficiency of healing others and himself on the battlefield by 10% from the original basis. For Kiyoshi, it was better than nothing.
"Okay." Nono nodded and followed Kiyoshi out.
…
Noon.
"Where's director?"
After working for a long time, Kabuto, who came out of the tent, realized he hadn't seen any trace of Nono.
"She went to discuss something with that ninja-sama." Urushi pointed in the direction of the orphanage building.
"Discussing something?" Kabuto murmured.
He didn't think much of it and went to grab a cloth to wipe his sweaty face. Such high-intensity labor was quite demanding for a child like him.
"Hey, dinner's ready, everyone come quickly." The caregiver tapped the wooden bucket full of rice with a ladle.
Recently, besides the children's meals, they were also responsible for the ninjas' food. The orphanage could earn an extra fee this way.
"Hurry up, Kabuto." Urushi urged.
If they were late, there wouldn't be anything left to eat.
"Coming."
Kabuto hastily put down the cloth and quickly followed Urushi. As he was still growing and had worked for a long time, he was already starving. After eating, they would have two hours for an afternoon nap. They would still need to work in the afternoon, so it was best to get good rest.
…
Meanwhile, Kiyoshi and Nono arrived on the second floor of the orphanage.
The second floor was Nono's office, offering more privacy.
"Nono-sensei, you look quite haggard recently." Kiyoshi's gaze fell upon Nono.
She was still wearing her old-fashioned nun's outfit. Even so, her well-proportioned figure was subtly revealed beneath the heavy robes. With Nono's gentle movements, the heavy nun's outfit would tighten, revealing her graceful curves.
Voluptuous… that was the strongest impression.
For the orphanage to be in financial straits, and for Nono to still possess such a figure, could only be attributed to natural talent.
"I'm just getting older." Nono gently shook her head.
"How could that be? Nono-sensei will always be beautiful in my eyes." Kiyoshi said.
Rather, older women had an added bonus, increasing attack speed.
Mikoto, Tsunade, Kushina, which one of them wasn't full of feminine charm?
They were not comparable to Rin or Kurenai. They had the wisdom of years. Women are like wine, the more they age, the more fragrant they become. Of course, those as old as Chiyo or Koharu were exceptions.
These seemingly heartfelt thoughts made Nono catch the fervent look in Kiyoshi's eyes.
"Kiyoshi, you should pay more attention to girls your own age." Nono tried to persuade him.
However, Kiyoshi fumbled around for a moment and pulled out a sealing scroll.
"Nono-sensei, you must be very short on money right now, otherwise you wouldn't be taking on these jobs. You once said you wanted to retire from the ninja profession."
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
A large pile of banknotes fell onto the table, clearly showing the Konoha mark.
Money, a lot of money.
Nono made a quick estimate, there was no less than seven hundred thousand ryo here. It was even a full hundred thousand ryo more than the six hundred thousand ryo Kiyoshi and Tsunade had jointly donated last time.
For ordinary people, it would take a long time to earn this much, a tedious but not fatal endeavor. Ninja, however, would need to complete several life-threatening missions.
The weight of these rustling banknotes settled heavily on Nono's heart.