In the orphanage director's office:
"Yusuke-kun, it's been a while. Everyone's missed you. During the recent war, we were all worried you'd run into trouble," a woman, about twenty-five, said with a warm smile.
The woman, Yakushi Nonou, wore a black nun's outfit, her blonde hair framing a pair of black square glasses. Her gentle smile gave her the aura of a kind older sister.
If Yusuke didn't know her true identity, he'd never suspect she was once a skilled espionage and assassination ninja.
Due to her kind nature, Nonou had grown weary of her spy work and resigned from Danzo's Root organization, founding an orphanage on Konoha's outskirts to care for war orphans.
But Yusuke knew Danzo had no intention of letting his former subordinate go free.
"Yusuke-sama, you don't know how kind the director is, taking in every orphan she sees. The village's funding isn't nearly enough, and she's been raising money herself," a plump nun complained, one of the orphanage's staff.
"Director, please accept this small gesture," Yusuke said, handing Nonou a package containing a modest but significant sum of money.
As a Jonin, Yusuke's income was substantial. He didn't mind donating within his means, especially to support this kind woman. More importantly, it was a perfect way to approach his target—a win-win.
"Thank you, Yusuke-kun. Without your support, the children would have a harder life," Nonou said, accepting without hesitation. She'd poured everything into the orphanage, and Yusuke's aid was crucial.
She could endure hardship, but the children needed funds to survive.
"Didn't you mention wanting to teach the kids medical ninjutsu so they could help the village's wounded and earn a living? How's that going?" Yusuke asked casually.
Nonou's face lit up with a proud smile. "The kids are working hard and learning well. They'll soon be ready to serve the village. Especially Kabuto—he's incredibly talented. His medical ninjutsu is so proficient, even regular medical ninjas might not match him."
"Is that so? I'm intrigued. Could Kabuto show me what he's got?" Yusuke said with a smile.
Nonou nodded and led Yusuke to the training area where the children practiced.
Most of the kids were diligently training in chakra medical techniques.
Chakra medical techniques were the simplest form of medical ninjutsu, a simplified version of the Mystical Palm Technique.
The user channels healing chakra through their hands, covering a wound to accelerate recovery. Though basic, it's highly effective for treating external injuries.
From a distance, Yusuke spotted his target among the children—Kabuto.
At this time, Kabuto was still innocent, far from the cunning villain he'd become in the original Naruto story.
His white hair was tied in a ponytail, and he wore black round glasses—his most treasured possession, a gift from Nonou shortly after she took him in.
Kabuto wasn't practicing basic chakra medical techniques but a more advanced form. On a table before him, a cloth with a simple sealing jutsu held a nearly lifeless fish.
Kabuto's right hand glowed with blue chakra, his fingers tapping specific points on the fish's body, stimulating it like acupuncture.
After a flurry of precise movements, the fish, previously limp, suddenly thrashed its tail, as lively as if just pulled from a river.
"Kabuto can already use chakra to stimulate acupuncture points for healing?" Yusuke asked Nonou.
She nodded. "Yes, he's truly gifted. This method requires exceptional chakra control and quick thinking to adapt to different injuries."
"Director, I have a request, and I hope you'll agree," Yusuke said slowly.
Nonou smiled. "Yusuke-kun, you've helped us so much without repayment. It'd be my honor to assist you. Please, tell me—I won't refuse if it's within my power."
Looking at Kabuto practicing in the distance, Yusuke said, "I'm impressed by Kabuto's talent. I've always wanted a disciple to train and assist me in ninjutsu development. From what I've seen, Kabuto's perfect—he has rare potential."
Nonou was briefly stunned, then smiled. "I might hesitate with others, but with you, Yusuke-kun, I'm confident entrusting Kabuto to you."
Her gaze softened as she looked at Kabuto, like a mother watching her son. "As long as Kabuto agrees, I'll respect his choice."
Kabuto seemed to sense something, turning to see the two watching him.
Nonou waved with a smile, beckoning him over. Seeing the director call, Kabuto ran to them happily.
"Director, what's up?" Kabuto asked Nonou, his face bright with a child's innocent smile.
Nonou patted his head gently. "Yusuke-sama wants to take you as his disciple and teach you ninjutsu. Are you willing?"
"Would I still live with you if I become Yusuke-sama's disciple?" Kabuto asked.
"You'd live at my house, but you can visit the director and your friends here often," Yusuke said.
Hearing he couldn't stay with Nonou, Kabuto shook his head. "Then no. I want to stay with the director forever." To him, Nonou was the only person he trusted, the only one who'd given him warmth. He couldn't bear to part with her.
Yusuke crouched down, patted Kabuto's head, and smiled. "But think about it—if you train hard under me and become a strong ninja, you could truly help the director, not just be a burden like now."
Kabuto turned to Nonou, crestfallen. "Am I really a burden?"
Nonou pulled him into a hug, smiling gently. "Of course not. You've helped me so much. Yusuke-sama just doesn't know what you've done for the orphanage." She shot Yusuke a slightly reproachful glance.
Yusuke gave an awkward smile, signaling an apology, and said no more.
He hadn't wanted to call Kabuto a burden, but he needed to prod him to ensure he'd agree to become his disciple.
Knowing Kabuto's sensitive and thoughtful nature, Yusuke was confident a small push would guide his choice.
Kabuto gently pulled away from Nonou's embrace. Though he cherished her loving hug, he knew he had to make a man's decision.
"Director, I want to truly help you. I want to be Yusuke-sama's disciple," Kabuto said, his gaze firm.
Nonou nodded with a smile. "I'll support whatever you choose. Since you're Yusuke-sama's disciple, work hard and don't let him down."
Kabuto nodded vigorously, turned to Yusuke, and performed a deep kneeling bow. "Yakushi Kabuto wishes to be your disciple. Please guide me!"
Yusuke stood, his expression serious. "Kabuto, you are now officially my disciple, Uchiha Yusuke. I'll teach you diligently, but you must train hard. If you don't meet my standards, I won't go easy on you!"
Kabuto gave another deep bow, stood, and declared loudly, "Teacher Yusuke, I won't let you down!"
Yusuke's face softened into a smile. "I believe you'll succeed."
Seeing his teacher's faith in him, Kabuto vowed inwardly not to disappoint. Yusuke was the second person, after Nonou, to believe in him.
Amid the orphanage's reluctant farewells, Yusuke left with Kabuto.
With a noon meeting at the Hokage Tower, Yusuke carried Kabuto under his arm, speeding through the village.
By the time they reached his home, Kabuto was dizzy, eyes swirling, nearly vomiting last night's dinner.
"Yusuke, is this the disciple you wanted to take? What a cute girl!" Uchiha Hazuki said with a smile, seeing Kabuto.
"I'm Yakushi Kabuto, and I'm a boy!" Kabuto said loudly, cheeks red.
At that age, some kids' appearances were hard to distinguish, especially someone as delicate as Kabuto.
Hazuki chuckled, patting his head. "Such a likable child. Call me Aunt—Yusuke's my son."
"Where's Izumi?" Yusuke asked, not seeing his sister.
"She went to play with friends after waking up," Hazuki replied.
"Then I'll leave Kabuto with you. I need to head to the Hokage Tower," Yusuke said.
Hazuki nodded. "Go ahead, don't worry."
Yusuke handed Kabuto a scroll. "This contains basic ninjutsu. Study it while I'm gone."
Kabuto took the scroll with both hands. "I'll work hard, Teacher."
As Yusuke left, Kabuto looked at Hazuki's warm smile, feeling the same sense of care and recognition he'd felt when Nonou first took him in.
"This might not be so bad," Kabuto thought, filled with hope for the future and determined to train diligently to repay Nonou and his teacher.
(End of Chapter)
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Do You Know:
Medical ninjutsu, like the Mystical Palm Technique, heals wounds using chakra control.