"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 94: Nonoyu's Troubles
"Did you come here just to see me this time?"
Sitting across from Feng Bai, Nonoyu stopped paying attention to Yamato and instead inquired about Feng Bai's true intentions.
"I really just missed you—what other reason could I possibly have?"
Feng Bai answered somewhat guiltily, unable to meet Nonoyu's gaze as his eyes wandered around the room.
The truth was, he hadn't come purely to see Nonoyu. He was actually here for a certain little one who had shed his snake skin and was destined to transform into a dragon.
Calculating the timeline, this master spy should have been taken in by the orphanage by now.
"Really?"
Nonoyu reached out and turned Feng Bai's head, forcing him to look directly into her eyes.
"R-really..."
With his cheeks pinched, Feng Bai mumbled his reply incoherently.
Through his earlier observations, he had already spotted Yakushi Kabuto hiding among the crowd like a little shadow. Just as in the original story, at this age he appeared completely harmless—like a gentle lamb that posed no threat whatsoever.
"Is that so..."
Receiving Feng Bai's affirmative answer, Nonoyu finally released her grip and flicked his forehead.
"Ow, Sister Nonoyu, that hurts!"
Feng Bai clutched his head, feigning pain.
"Stop it—I clearly flicked your forehead protector."
Rolling her eyes at him, Nonoyu flexed her wrist and stood up, looking down at Feng Bai: "Little Feng Bai, I advise you to tell the truth honestly. Otherwise, my fist might actually land on your head next second. Don't worry, I'll be much gentler than Yamanaka Zen and Ikku—at least I won't put you in a near-death state."
"I'll talk, I'll talk! I was worried this kid would be led astray at the Root base, so I brought him out to see the outside world!"
Seeing Nonoyu get serious, Feng Bai quickly raised his hands in surrender and threw all the blame onto Yamato.
"Hmph, that's more like it."
Learning that Feng Bai truly wasn't sent by Danzo to make contact with her, Nonoyu finally relaxed, though her expression remained troubled.
"Did something happen, Sister Nonoyu?"
Just as Nonoyu could see through Feng Bai's lies at a glance, Feng Bai—after years of living together—could also read the worry etched between her brows, asking with concern.
Nonoyu glanced at Feng Bai, hesitating over whether to share her predicament with him.
"It's about my father..."
From Nonoyu's expression, Feng Bai realized something and asked quietly.
"Yes."
Seeing Feng Bai had already guessed, Nonoyu simply nodded and told him what had happened recently.
...
"Dad wants you to go to Iwagakure to gather intelligence?"
Through Nonoyu's account, Feng Bai quickly understood the source of her distress.
Iwagakure had already made peace with Kumogakure and was preparing to take action against Konoha.
Upon learning this news, Danzo immediately dispatched his intelligence operatives, attempting to steal Iwagakure's operational secrets to prepare in advance.
Unfortunately, Iwagakure's security measures were extremely tight, and all the ninja Danzo sent out lost contact. This made Danzo think of Nonoyu, an excellent intelligence operative.
Therefore, shortly before Feng Bai returned to the village, Danzo had personally approached Nonoyu, trying to bring her out of retirement, but was refused.
If it were Danzo's old temperament, he would definitely have used various means to force her compliance.
But now he needed to consider certain influences, and given that she had cared for his son for many years, Danzo didn't completely burn bridges. Instead, he cut off the orphanage's funding as a warning.
"Kampu and I aren't good at management—we really don't know what to do next."
Looking at the older male staff member outside who was closely watching the children, Nonoyu didn't know how much longer the orphanage could continue without funding.
After hearing Nonoyu's account, Feng Bai fell into silence.
At this point, he was considerably more rational than he had been a few years ago.
Just like the Sakumo incident back then—while Ibiki's methods were indeed despicable, he had genuinely been prepared to exchange his life for mission success. Sakumo's rescue, though fulfilling his own Will of Fire, brought shame to Ibiki and his family.
Danzo was the same this time. Obtaining Iwagakure intelligence was entirely for Konoha's protection. Of course, if he continued with his original story antics of silencing witnesses and such, that would be excessive.
Feng Bai didn't believe he could persuade Danzo.
But he also didn't want to watch Nonoyu walk down the same doomed path as in the original story...
What should I do...
Meanwhile, Danzo also received reports from his subordinates, learning that his son had gone to the orphanage.
"That brat—did Nonoyu call him over?"
Hearing that Feng Bai had visited the orphanage, Danzo's expression darkened, and he immediately suspected Nonoyu.
"We haven't detected any suspicious actions from Nonoyu. Young Master Feng Bai went entirely of his own volition."
The Root ninja who had been monitoring Nonoyu for a long time reported truthfully.
"Hmph, very well. Let's spare that troublesome priestess for now."
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Danzo directly abandoned the idea of forcing Nonoyu out of retirement.
Even Aburame Ryōma, who had always followed Danzo, was shocked by his statement.
It seemed Young Master Feng Bai's importance in Danzo's heart far exceeded their imagination.
[I hope you can live up to Lord Danzo's devotion, Young Master Feng Bai.]
Marveling at Danzo's change, Aburame Ryōma silently hoped in his heart.
At that moment, Feng Bai—who was being discussed by everyone—seemed to sense this deep "longing" and felt his nose itch, sneezing several times in succession.
"Are you alright?"
Nonoyu asked with immediate concern.
"I'm fine. Probably that brat Obito talking about me. It's nothing."
Feng Bai waved his hand, pulled out a tissue to wipe his nose, and like the Second Hokage, attributed his sneezing to the evil Uchiha.
"Sister Nonoyu, I have some ideas about the funding issue."
Throwing the tissue into the trash, Feng Bai straightened up and shared his plan with Nonoyu: "We can get the children involved—making snacks, handicrafts, little trinkets to sell in the village. Using their status as orphans can evoke sympathy from many people."
"Additionally, the orphanage can take in war orphans from the village. I heard from Teacher Sarutobi that war orphans from the ninja clans are cared for by their families, but civilian ninja can only rely on village stipends. You could completely accept these orphans into the orphanage and use this opportunity to negotiate with the higher-ups—see if you can gain village support. The price would be that the orphanage would take in all war orphans from this conflict and care for them until they can support themselves."
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