Every place had its poor, and even the prosperous village of Konoha was no exception. Even Might Dai sometimes had to borrow money, let alone a helpless orphan.
A few modest side dishes and bowls of rice were devoured by Nono with the relish of a grand feast.
Kushina remained silent, carefully placing food in front of her, watching the girl eat with evident hunger.
"I remember Konoha has some aid for orphans, right? Why does she look like a starving ghost?" Nawaki whispered to Hayashi.
"Nawaki, do you know how many orphans there are in this village? Yes, Konoha provides relief, but mainly for war orphans and children of ninja. Resources are limited even for them, let alone for outsiders like Nono. Whatever aid she receives barely keeps her from starving."
Nawaki felt a pang of sympathy. If Konoha, so wealthy and secure, couldn't fully care for its own, he couldn't imagine the hardships of the outside world.
The group watched as Nono swept through the food like a whirlwind, finishing four or five bowls of rice in minutes. Then she eyed Kushina's bowl longingly.
"Another bowl," she said.
Hayashi almost choked. Allowing her to continue would surely hurt her stomach. Kushina understood immediately and quickly brought a bowl of noodle soup to aid digestion. Nono drank half of it before patting her stomach contentedly.
"It's delicious. I'm barely 80% full," she said.
Kushina's face broke into a grin—this was the first time someone had praised her cooking. She cast a triumphant glance at the crow nearby, the first to dare reject her food before.
"Where's the aunt who brought you to Konoha? Isn't she taking care of you?" Hayashi asked, stroking the crow gently.
"…She's dead," Nono replied quietly.
Hayashi and Nawaki exchanged glances. Dead?
"About half a year ago, Hiyo brought me to Konoha and then went on a mission. She said once it was completed, she wouldn't need to go out again. Not long after, a masked ninja came and said Hiyo was dead."
Her voice was calm, almost casual, but beneath it lay a deep sadness that tugged at the heart. The group fell silent.
Kushina took Nono's hand. "What are you doing now?"
"Hiyo enrolled me in the Ninja Academy before she died. I'm attending now. She said girls need to be able to protect themselves."
"Can you help her?" Kushina asked, glancing at Hayashi.
Hayashi considered for a moment. "I have a good idea. Uncle Dai mentioned he's short on staff. If you're willing, you could work part-time at his weapon shop. The pay will be enough for you to support yourself."
Nono nodded gratefully. She desperately needed a way to survive, and she attributed Hayashi's offer to his kindness.
"That's wonderful," Kushina said excitedly, patting the crow's head. "Come on, Nono. I've found some clothes for you—you're wearing too little."
The two girls dashed off, laughing.
Hayashi's smile faded as he watched them go.
"Hayashi, she's dead. Should we tell Orochimaru-sama?" Nawaki asked.
"No need. He likely already knows," Hayashi replied.
"I didn't expect her to die like that," Nawaki said quietly. "She was running a small hotel in town—sounds like she was either ANBU or Root."
Hayashi nodded. He leaned toward Root. Nono's past as a Root spy made sense; an orphan with unknown origins would not have been recruited without a high-level endorsement.
Nawaki stretched and pulled out a shogi set. "Want to play a game?"
"Sure."
As they set up the board, Nawaki hesitated. "Hayashi, I don't get it. You've been helping a perennial genin and now an orphan. Are you planning to open an orphanage? Can your shop really support that?"
Hayashi moved a rook forward. "It doesn't matter if I make money. This is a hobby. More than money, I value their potential."
"Potential?" Nawaki raised an eyebrow. "Where's the potential in a perennial genin and an orphan?"
Hayashi smiled without replying. He knew their true potential. One had single-handedly defeated four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the other was the infamous Root 'Walking Shrine Maiden.'
After Tsunade left, Nono grew to become the head of Konoha's medical corps—a position comparable to the silver general in shogi. Vital to the village's safety, her influence was immense, especially after Tsunade's reforms. Maintaining good relations with her was essential.
In shogi, a player facing twenty pieces inevitably loses. The strategy lies in keeping key pieces, like Nono, close to protect the king.
ANBU represented the Hokage's sharp sword, like a gold general. Hayashi's personal connection to ANBU Captain Sakumo Hatake was strong. Senior advisors, another set of gold generals, were already showing cracks, as Koharu Utatane trusted him because of Kagami. His alliances on the battlefield were powerful and strategic.
Unknowingly, Hayashi had accumulated considerable influence—seeds that would sprout in time, unstoppable even by the Third Hokage. This was the trend, the current of destiny.
Hayashi frowned, thinking. "....Root"
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