After a long while, Nonou finally stopped crying. She wiped the residual tears from the corners of her eyes and awkwardly backed away from Minato's embrace, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. I'm sorry... I lost my composure. Nonou's face was flushed with embarrassment, and her voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzz. Um... about the condition just now, how about we just forget it? As long as the Village doesn't cut off the Orphanage's funding, I'll be satisfied. There's no need to add such a burden to Lady Tsunade. I was being too selfish just now.
Minato smiled faintly. Don't worry, I didn't plan on troubling Teacher anyway. Besides, she actually can't help much with this kind of thing. She's actually very poor.
Lately, Tsunade seemed to be paying more and more attention to her image. The most obvious sign was that she hadn't stepped foot in a casino for a long time. Occasionally, when the mood struck her, she would just pull them into a card game. However, with her luck in gambling, even playing for a short while was enough to lose all her money. Fortunately, most of that money flowed into Minato's pockets, turning into household food expenses, utility bills, and daily costs.
Minato had unknowingly become the one in charge of the household accounts, so he wasn't lying to Nonou. Tsunade really had no money; she was the poorest person in the house. In reality, Minato viewed her financial incompetence as a useful tool for control, ensuring he remained the stable pillar of their domestic life.
You don't need to worry. Just leave it to me. Minato said gently, After school, take me to go have a look.
Then... I'll be troubling you. Nonou nodded without asking further questions. She was a very smart girl. She knew that since Minato had agreed, he was confident. Even if it was just an idea, it would be a help to the current Orphanage. Asking incessantly would only make her seem like she didn't trust the other party. For someone in her position as a petitioner, it would be very rude behavior.
Minato nodded, and his figure dissipated with a poof. A Shadow Clone... Nonou felt a bit disappointed in her heart. She had wanted to spend a little more time with Minato. No, no, no, I can't be so greedy! She lightly patted her cheeks twice, shaking her head to dispel her stray thoughts. After such a thing happened, the other party didn't blame her but instead reached out to help. She felt she shouldn't ask for anything more. Especially since Minato was the person Kushina liked... With mixed feelings, Nonou returned to the classroom.
In the classroom, Minato and Kushina were eating lunch. Seeing Nonou return, Minato gave a gentle smile. Nonou pursed her lips and returned to her seat with a red face. Soon, it was time to leave school. Minato left a Wood Clone to accompany Kushina home, while his main body followed Nonou to the Orphanage.
The location of the Orphanage was very remote. The dilapidated wooden house sat lonely on the edge of the forest, a testament to the village's neglect. Nonou pushed the door open quietly and led Minato to find the Director of the Orphanage. The Director was a thin priest who looked to be only about $20$ years old, with a refined and scholarly appearance.
Nonou? Seeing Nonou return, the priest was surprised. Why are you back? Aren't you...
Nonou held her hands behind her back, looking well-behaved. I was a bit worried about everyone, so I came back to check. Is the Director not welcoming me?
How could that be? The priest said gently, I'm just a bit surprised. Did you suffer some grievance?
I'll explain. Nice to meet you, Mr. Director. My name is Minato Namikaze, and I am a Disciple of Lady Tsunade. Minato took a step forward and nodded politely. It's like this: I've encountered a small problem in my recent cultivation and need someone to help move some miscellaneous items. However, because it's long-term work, hiring a Ninja would be too much of a financial burden for me, so Nonou recommended this place.
Miscellaneous items? The priest's brow furrowed slightly, and he hesitated. Everyone here is just a child. Would it be...
Please rest assured, it's nothing heavy. Minato said warmly, his eyes devoid of the warmth he projected. Would it be convenient to step outside so I can show you?
This... alright. The three of them came to the open space outside the house. Minato stepped forward a few paces, his hands quickly forming seals: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
The massive fireball erupted with blazing heat, and the snow within a dozen meters was instantly cleared away. Then he slapped the ground with one palm. The solid ground shattered and turned into a patch of loose soil. Afterward, Minato clapped his hands together: Wood Release: Hunger-Sweeping Technique!
Under the stunned gazes of Nonou and the priest, green seedlings full of life burst out of the soil! Minato took out a Kunai, dug in the ground a bit, and turned up a cluster of fist-sized potatoes.
It's roughly like this. Minato handed a potato to the priest. As you can see, I am a Wood Release Bloodline Limit Ninja. Recently, I've been conducting research on plant acceleration. Consequently, I'll be growing many vegetables and fruits. I have no way to handle them all, and it would be a pity to let them rot in the ground...
Please, by all means, leave them to me! Hearing Minato's words, the priest finally snapped out of his shock, his eyes turning red with excitement. I didn't expect Minato-kun to be a Wood Release Ninja. I am truly... beyond grateful! He gripped the potato in his hand tightly. How could he not see that Minato was intentionally helping?
You are too kind. Minato shook his head, his tone becoming slightly serious. I am simply providing a condition for the Orphanage to be self-sufficient. The Village's funding not only has many restrictions but could very likely be reduced or even canceled once a war breaks out. As the Director, you must understand this better than I do; you just lacked the conditions to change the status quo. This happens to be what I am good at, but I won't keep my focus on this forever. After all, I have no obligation to be responsible for other people's lives.
He could help for a time, but not for a lifetime. The Village's funding was unreliable. If they encountered someone like Danzo again, it would be a disaster. So Minato's idea was simple: it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. He would help the Orphanage accumulate some funds, raise some cattle and sheep, and start a fish pond. With the climate and environment of the Land of Fire, self-sufficiency wouldn't be a problem. Combined with the orphans' monthly subsidies, their living conditions wouldn't be worse than a normal family's. Internally, Minato noted that a self-sufficient orphanage was a stable recruitment pool for future assets.
Please rest assured, I understand! The priest said seriously. If there was a choice, who would want to live on handouts? But he was just an ordinary person with no ability to change the status quo, which was his greatest frustration. By the way, Minato-kun, could you wait a couple of days so I can build a warehouse first...
Leave it to me. Minato's hands formed seals, and then he slammed his right hand heavily onto the ground: Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!
The earth trembled, and a small building rose from the ground, right next to the Orphanage's wooden house. The small building was over $30$ meters long and nearly $20$ meters wide, divided into two floors. Because it included Earth Release nature transformation, many areas were made of stone bricks, and it even had glass windows!
Minato looked at the two stunned people beside him. I've reserved several fireplaces in the house, and there are heated brick beds on the first floor, so the heating effect might be better than where you're living now. Why don't you have everyone move over and use the current house as a warehouse?
So... so amazing! Nonou's mouth was slightly open, her eyes full of disbelief. She had never imagined that Ninjutsu could achieve this level! The priest stared blankly at the building in front of him, the potato in his hand falling silently. I really don't know how to thank you... Minato-kun.
Minato smiled and said nothing. He was just fulfilling what he had promised Nonou, not doing it for the sake of thanks. As long as it didn't turn into a case of a small favor creates a friend, a large favor creates an enemy, that would be the best thanks for him. He calculated the loyalty he had just purchased, satisfied with the return on his investment of chakra.
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