Chapter 250: Report from Morino Ibiki
If Hokage-sama hadn't eliminated Danzō, Kabuto Yakushi wasn't sure when he would ever be reunited with Nono Yakushi and the children again.
Because of that, he took tonight's dinner invitation very seriously.
Nono quickly suppressed her wandering thoughts and teased him lightly.
"Honestly, whoever marries our Kabuto in the future will be blessed beyond belief."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses and offered one of his practiced smiles.
"You're joking."
Nono's heart ached. She placed her hands on Kabuto's shoulders and said softly,
"Kabuto, stop forcing those smiles. It isn't good for you. Try to break that habit, okay?"
If she had been able to protect him all those years ago, he wouldn't have suffered under Danzō's manipulation. After Kabuto returned, she noticed he no longer smiled naturally—only stiff, artificial expressions remained. Even now, he hadn't truly shaken the habit.
Years in Root and as a spy had carved fake smiles into him like instinct.
Realizing he was forcing another one, Kabuto let the expression fall.
"Sorry, Nono. I'll try to fix it."
She stroked his head gently.
"It's alright. You have plenty of time. One step at a time."
Then Nono moved into command mode—directing the orphanage children as they cooked, cleaned, and prepared dinner with practiced speed.
Forty minutes later, night had fallen.
The lights Nono bought yesterday were already hung in the courtyard; once lit, they resembled a glowing moon. The yard shone brightly.
Eleven dishes were arranged neatly on the long table.
Nono hurried into the house to call the Uchiha family.
"Sorry for the wait! Everything's ready—come out and eat!"
"Oh! Finally! I'm starving!"
Naruto practically sprang into the air. He had been crouched beside Fugaku, watching the clan head scroll on his phone, and his stomach was growling nonstop.
The moment he smelled dinner, his eyes sparkled.
Mikoto shot Nono an apologetic smile—Naruto's bluntness could be a bit much.
But Nono just laughed.
"It's fine! Hurry before it gets cold—everyone sit!"
They moved to the courtyard.
Fugaku naturally took the main seat.
Nono and Kabuto sat as hosts, while the other children ate at the smaller tables nearby.
"Wow, you made so much," Mikoto praised, genuinely impressed.
"It smells incredible. I'm eager to taste everything already," Fugaku added with a rare pleasant smile.
Nono pulled out a bottle of coconut juice and handed it to Kabuto.
"Alright then, let's eat. Kabuto, pour some juice for Sasuke and Naruto."
Kabuto filled Naruto's cup first, then approached Sasuke—who raised a hand politely.
"Thank you, but I'll just drink water."
Kabuto didn't insist. He turned to Itachi.
"And you?"
Itachi smiled gently.
"No need, thank you. Water is fine."
Mikoto and Fugaku also declined. Kabuto returned to his seat.
Dinner began.
Naruto attacked his food like a starving wolf.
Fugaku, Mikoto, and Nono chatted happily; Itachi chimed in occasionally.
Sasuke quietly focused on eating.
Once everyone was full, the Uchiha family said their goodbyes and returned home.
---
That night, in the clan head's bedroom—
Fugaku and Mikoto lay side by side in loose pajamas.
"Honey," Mikoto murmured, "isn't that orphanage too remote? Maybe the new building could be moved somewhere more central in the village?"
"That's possible," Fugaku replied. "I'll ask Nara Shikaku tomorrow, see if there's a suitable location."
Their conversation drifted off, and soon both were asleep.
---
The next morning—
Before Fugaku left, Mikoto reminded him again to ask Shikaku about the relocation site.
Fugaku flashed an OK sign and headed out with Sasuke and Naruto.
At the intersection, Naruto and Sasuke turned toward the Academy, while Fugaku continued straight to the Hokage Building.
Reaching the third floor, he passed Shikaku's office—only to find it empty.
That was unusual. Shikaku was rarely late. By this hour he was always at his desk, already buried in paperwork.
With no rush, Fugaku returned to his own office.
As usual, he created a shadow clone to sit behind the desk and maintain appearances, while he himself retreated into the inner room, collapsed onto the bed, and resumed playing on his phone.
---
In the afternoon, Kisame Hoshigaki slid open the inner-room door.
"Hokage-sama, Morino Ibiki of the Torture and Interrogation Unit requests an audience."
Fugaku's eyes lit up.
So Ibiki was finally here. This must be about the Transmigrator.
"Send him in."
Fugaku tossed his phone aside, switched places with the shadow clone, and waited on the sofa.
Kisame returned with Morino Ibiki—a tall, battle-worn man who bowed respectfully.
"Hokage-sama."
Fugaku gestured for him to sit.
Ibiki sat down, but stood immediately when Fugaku offered him tea, receiving it with both hands.
"How did the brat hold up?" Fugaku asked casually. "How long did he last?"
Ibiki answered in a steady voice,
"As you instructed, I used every interrogation tool. He fainted thirty times from the pain, but with Lady Tsunade present, he was revived each time. Excluding the time she spent healing him… he lasted forty-six hours."
"Is he dead?"
Ibiki shook his head.
"No, Hokage-sama. With Lady Tsunade there, it's nearly impossible for him to die. But his mind has completely collapsed. He no longer reacts to anything. In essence, he's no different from a corpse."
Fugaku understood immediately.
Tsunade could keep the body alive—but the mind? Torture had shattered it beyond repair.
"In that case," Fugaku said after a brief pause, "dispose of him. Burn the body, then bury the remains."
No hesitation. No loose ends.
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