Orochimaru?
As an elite member of the Root organization during the war, Nono knew exactly how powerful and influential that name was.
If Kabuto truly became Orochimaru's student, then with Orochimaru's status as one of the legendary Sannin, even Danzo would have to reconsider making a move against Kabuto. Orochimaru wasn't someone Danzo could easily provoke.
Besides, Kakashi—the Anbu captain directly under the Fourth Hokage—was a war hero. Alongside Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin, he had played a vital role during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge. That battle had shifted the tide of the war.
And now, the Fourth Hokage had suddenly appeared, seemingly just for Kakashi's sake. With all these things in mind, Nono had no reason to doubt Kakashi's sincerity. People like him wouldn't lie—not to her, and not about something this important.
After thinking for a moment, Nono bowed respectfully toward Kakashi with a grateful expression.
"I'll leave Kabuto in your care, Captain Kakashi."
"Please don't do that, Dean Nono." Kakashi quickly stepped forward to help her up. "The village should be the one protecting kind people like you. You've been raising these children in the shadows, shielding them from hardship and danger. That deserves recognition, not suspicion."
"When I return, I'll speak with Anbu and the Security Department. If anyone tries to give you trouble again, just contact them directly. You won't be alone anymore."
He paused for a moment, then smiled and added, "Oh right, Dean, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I brought lunch—let's eat together."
As he spoke, Kakashi pulled out a Sealing Scroll from his pouch and activated it. In a puff of chakra smoke, a hundred steaming bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen appeared neatly on the ground.
"Wow! It smells amazing!"
The fragrant aroma drifted through the air, immediately catching the attention of the children hiding nearby. Unable to resist, they peeked out with wide eyes, their stomachs growling in response.
Nono's eyes moistened as she saw the hopeful and joyful expressions on the children's pale, malnourished faces.
The orphanage had been barely surviving. The village's Finance Department had withheld funds under various excuses, leaving Nono struggling to provide even one meal a day for the children. It had been a long time since any of them had enjoyed a proper meal.
"These delicious dishes were bought by this kind big brother," Nono said gently, wiping her eyes and turning toward the children. "Shouldn't we thank him first?"
"Thank you, big brother!!"
Nearly a hundred little voices rang out together, though uneven in tone, like the chorus of an innocent choir. These children—mostly war orphans, many of them under five—looked up at Kakashi with a mix of admiration and gratitude in their eyes.
"Aha… you're welcome!" Kakashi laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Hurry and eat before it gets cold!"
Being surrounded by so many admiring young faces left even Kakashi feeling a bit shy.
Nono chuckled warmly as she watched the same man who had stood up to Danzo with such fierce resolve now awkwardly smiling in front of a group of toddlers. She turned to the children and began distributing the food herself, clearly practiced at making sure every small hand received its share.
Seeing everything was in order, Kakashi quietly took Kabuto's hand and led him out of the orphanage.
"Let's go," he said softly. "Don't worry—I'm not taking you away forever. You'll have lots of chances to come back."
Noticing that Kabuto kept looking back every few steps, Kakashi couldn't help teasing him.
"Hey, I know," Kabuto mumbled, embarrassed.
Still, he quickly straightened his back and quickened his pace.
Dean, I promise—I'll work hard and become strong. I'll come back to protect you one day.
As they walked, Kakashi glanced down at him. "By the way, Dou. I'm planning to introduce you to someone who might be able to teach you. But whether or not he accepts you as his disciple depends entirely on your own effort."
"Huh?" Kabuto blinked, caught off guard. Wasn't I going to be his disciple already?
But as he thought more about it, it made sense.
I don't have anything—no money, no power, no background. It's already more than enough that this big brother is willing to introduce me to someone as powerful as Orochimaru. Whether or not I'm accepted depends on how I prove myself.
He clenched his fists tightly. "I'll definitely work hard to earn Master Orochimaru's approval!"
"Haha, that's the spirit. I believe in you." Kakashi smiled, ruffling the boy's hair.
Truthfully, Kakashi wasn't worried about whether Orochimaru would accept him. Kabuto's talent was undeniable. If he worked under Orochimaru for even a short time, there was no doubt in Kakashi's mind that the Sannin would be impressed.
After all, Orochimaru was the one who had mastered the Impure World Reincarnation Technique and fully controlled the power of Ryūchi Cave. In the original story, he had built the ultimate undead army with it!
In terms of raw genius in ninjutsu and scientific experimentation, Kabuto was absolutely top-tier. Well—maybe not quite on Kakashi's level, but close.
Soon, they arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory.
When Orochimaru coldly stated that he wasn't interested in taking on "mediocre children," Kakashi simply replied:
"Uncle Snake, this child's talent is no less than your own."
That was all it took.
---
Meanwhile, deep in the Third Hokage's courtyard…
In the serene pavilion situated over the middle of a koi pond, four steaming cups of tea sat on a low lacquered table.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat calmly, rhythmically tapping his fingers against the table as he waited. The scent of premium tea leaves wafted into the air.
Moments later, a servant approached and respectfully bowed.
"Lord Third, Master Danzo and the two advisors have arrived."
"Very well. Please show them in."
The servant nodded and led Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu into the courtyard.
"I knew you'd come," Hiruzen greeted them with a warm smile. "Come, have a taste of the tea I just brewed."
"It's Yame Gyokuro—Superior Eight Maidens Jade Dew. Directly supplied from Daming Prefecture. An absolute treasure."
Hiruzen poured each of them a cup. The tea, sold at 500,000 ryo per catty on the black market, was famously hard to come by.
"Hmph, you certainly know how to enjoy the finer things," Danzo said, snorting as he accepted the cup.
The two advisors sipped their tea slowly, their weathered faces relaxing with delight.
"Excellent tea," Homura said, nodding approvingly.
Koharu smiled too, though her tone was tinged with bitterness. "Your wife is lucky to have a man who appreciates good tea."
Hiruzen chuckled lightly but didn't respond to the remark.
"So, you've come to talk about Minato, haven't you?" he asked, cutting straight to the point.
Danzo's face darkened. "You saw what happened today. The Fourth Hokage just took office, and already he's trying to take power from me!"
"This isn't just disrespect to me as a senior. It's disrespectful to you as the former Hokage!"
Hiruzen calmly sipped his tea. "It's normal for the younger generation to have their own ideas. We were the same, once."
"Hmph. This is more than just ambition," Danzo retorted. "If he dares to challenge my authority today, he'll go after Koharu and Homura tomorrow. Eventually, even your position as Chief Elder will become a mere formality!"
He wasn't exaggerating. The humiliation he felt from being publicly opposed by Minato had left a deep scar.
Though he still viewed Minato as a political puppet, the young man was too close to the Uchiha for Danzo's liking. That alone made him a dangerous variable.
"Danzo is right," Koharu added. "You can't be too trusting. Be careful not to raise a tiger you can't control."
Homura nodded. "Minato isn't like us. He wasn't part of our team back then. His views may not align with ours."
Indeed, both elders had begun to feel uneasy after today's events. Their positions—unshaken for decades—were suddenly at risk.
Power had long become a part of them. Letting it go wasn't an option.
Minato, to them, was an outsider. A threat to their influence.
Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Yes, what Minato did today was indeed a little inappropriate. I'll talk to him and give him a reminder."
He paused, watching the tea leaves swirl in his cup.
Although he didn't truly believe Minato would rebel against them, it was still important to maintain appearances.
After all, a little pressure might not hurt a young Hokage.
Sometimes, a beating or two was just what the future needed.
---patreon (Obito_uchiha)