Chapter 89: Akatsuki Organization Member, Yakushi Kabuto
"Make a choice?"
Nonō suddenly found it a bit amusing, yet couldn't quite laugh.
Aside from everyone at the orphanage, no one had ever cared about her identity as an orphanage director.
Her abilities as an intelligence operative were too dazzling, also making her almost forget the fact she was a medical ninja.
"Although your espionage skills are strong, if I continue to assign you to an intelligence agency, you will sooner or later suffer a backlash against me."
Menma said somewhat helplessly: "Since you like children, then become the director of a Children's Welfare Institution. After all, I will eventually establish a social welfare organization."
Since he decided to build a complete nation, social security was also indispensable.
Moreover, taking in those children who lost their families due to war and other reasons also served a very important purpose for him.
Nonō, as a pure person in the darkness, was most suitable to serve as the director of the Children's Welfare Institution.
"A Children's Welfare Institution... is that an orphanage?"
Nonō asked blankly: "Then what is a social welfare organization?"
Even orphanages were rare in the entire ninja world.
Although Konoha allowed the existence of orphanages, their funding still relied on being self-sufficient.
Danzō would even come by from time to time to sponge off, seeing if there was any talent worth recruiting.
As for a so-called social welfare organization, that was completely unheard of.
"Much larger than your orphanage. Consider it a complete institution like ANBU or the Police Force, just with different functions."
Menma explained briefly: "The Children's Welfare Institution will provide services for displaced orphans with clean backgrounds. It will be specifically managed by a dedicated department, implementing a combination of nurturing and education for the adopted children."
"For infants and toddlers, the focus will be on childcare, while also conducting preschool education. For those children with ninja talent, vocational education and skill training will be given. Those without ninja talent will focus on training in self-care and labor skills."
As he spoke, Menma suddenly paused, shaking his head: "It's too early to talk about these things now. You just need to know you are still an orphanage director, but those children will have more opportunities to choose their future."
Anyway, he wouldn't lack talent under his command; there was absolutely no need to do sordid things like Danzō.
Besides, his ambition wasn't just to establish the "Sixth Ninja Village".
Therefore, he needed to plan talent cultivation and optimize structural layout from all angles, carrying out systematic, chain-like design in aspects like talent selection, cultivation, evaluation, allocation, and support.
The Children's Welfare Institution was closely related to the preceding selection and cultivation stages.
"Is this your idea? I think I somewhat understand."
Nonō pondered for a moment, then said with a bitter smile: "Your idea seems... a bit..."
"Seems a bit... special?"
After struggling for a long time, Nonō could finally only use the word "special" to describe Menma's idea.
She never imagined that she, an outstanding intelligence operative, would be looked down upon, even kicked out to be the director of a "large-scale orphanage".
However...
"An orphanage director? Doesn't sound bad at all."
Nonō murmured, then turned her head towards Menma and smiled radiantly: "Then, should I address you as Lord Master now?"
Perhaps just as this Lord Master said,
She might have lived in darkness since childhood, but from the bottom of her heart, she rejected the work of a spy.
She yearned more to take care of those angel-like children.
Watching them grow up carefree, then leave the warm nest, each flying in their preferred direction.
That gave her a far greater sense of accomplishment than obtaining a piece of enemy intelligence.
"Welcome aboard, Nonō."
Menma also smiled upon hearing this, standing up from the bedside and extending his hand to Nonō.
"Don't worry about the children at the orphanage. After some time, I will bring them to you, whole and complete."
The two shook hands. Menma added: "However, there will also be a batch of Uchiha children entrusted to your care then. I hope you can comfort them well."
Nonō frowned slightly, but only for a moment before relaxing.
She nodded calmly: "Rest assured, Lord Master. I will do my job properly."
Uchiha children?
Those must be the last embers of the Uchiha clan, right?
Menma covertly scrutinized Nonō's expression.
Seeing nothing unusual, a hint of appreciative smile flashed in his eyes.
"Indeed, Nonō, who has navigated the grey area for years, is the most suitable person for the position of welfare institution director."
If Nonō had dared to say something like "Since Lord Master can save those children, then why not save a few more Uchiha clansmen?" – that kind of moral coercion,
Then Menma would have unhesitatingly discarded her as a pawn.
"Kill the naive idealists first in chaotic times" – although this saying is a joke, it's not without reason.
In this chaotic ninja world, whether naive idealists or hypocritical ones, neither can survive long. Keeping them would only drag down one's own forces.
But looking now,
Although Nonō had lost her identity as the Wandering Priestess, she wouldn't harbor any inappropriate misplaced pity.
Of course, Menma knew Nonō still had her unresolved emotional issues.
But those were Nonō's own private matters; Menma had no intention of prying.
He just hoped she could gradually resolve them while accompanying the children.
"I'll leave first then. You rest well."
Seeing Nonō had recovered her spirits, Menma bid farewell and turned to leave the room.
The "Lord Master's" back completely vanished from sight.
Only then did Nonō shift her gaze out the window, the smile on her face gradually fading, a hint more worry in her eyes.
"Kabuto, you must be careful."
The children at home are still waiting for you to return.
...
Meanwhile, inside Orochimaru's ransacked secret base.
Poof!
A puff of white smoke exploded.
A somewhat wretched Orochimaru and Jūgo, who barely looked human, appeared inside the base.
"Truly dangerous. Almost died at the hands of those three Snake Princesses."
Orochimaru collapsed onto a chair, looking terrified, his face deathly pale.
Although he had a summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave, those cold-blooded creatures there wouldn't care about such things.
Ryūchi Cave, along with Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest, was one of the renowned Sage Art inheritance grounds. Numerous snake colonies resided there, with the White Snake Sage as Ryūchi Cave's patriarch.
And the Three Snake Princesses, Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime, were responsible for screening those who entered Ryūchi Cave to train.
Those who passed the training trial, the White Snake Sage would inject with natural energy using its fangs and teach them Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.
As for those who failed the trial, whose bodies couldn't withstand snake transformation, the White Snake Sage would have its subordinates directly devour them.
Precisely for this reason, the life-cherishing Orochimaru chose to find an alternative way to research Sage Arts.
"Hmph! Three Snake Princesses, White Snake Sage..."
Orochimaru licked his lips, face grim: "A bunch of arrogant beasts. Sooner or later, I'll decipher your Sage Mode."
Thinking this, he hoisted Jūgo up and walked into his laboratory.
Jūgo was key to him cracking Sage Mode; he absolutely couldn't die.
However, when Orochimaru walked into the laboratory, his slender snake pupils instantly trembled.
"This?!"
The originally tidy laboratory had now become a complete mess.
It looked exactly as if it had been robbed.
Wait? Robbed?
"That damned masked man!!"
Orochimaru grit his teeth resentfully.
So the scroll that guy carried on his back was for stealing things?!
Although the important experimental materials were in sealing scrolls and his snake belly,
But the thought of the experimental equipment he spent years acquiring being stolen...
Orochimaru's breath hitched from heartache, his facial muscles twitching in anger.
Hiss!!
A sound suddenly came from his finger, making Orochimaru's heart jump involuntarily.
But sensing the familiar chakra, he instantly calmed down.
"Phew! So it's Pain?"
Orochimaru let out a long breath, then sat cross-legged on the ground, converting his chakra into so-called "thought waves".
The next moment,
Summoned by the Magic Lantern Body Technique, Orochimaru opened his eyes again.
Spiritual projections of several Akatsuki Organization members appeared successively on the fingers of a nine-eyed monster (Gedō Mazō).
"Hmm? Kakuzu's partner died again? But there are two new unfamiliar members."
Orochimaru looked towards the figures, keenly noticing the changes in the present members.
"Oh my my, did Leader call us for something?" Zetsu asked in his usual flippant tone.
Pain stood on high, scanned the group, then said gravely: "This time, it is to introduce a new official member and a reserve member to everyone, and then reassign partners."
As his voice fell, everyone's gazes turned towards the two new figures.
"Biwa Jūzō. Codename: South Star."
The speaking figure carried a large sword, his tone appearing somewhat indifferent.
"Oh? Biwa Jūzō?"
Orochimaru said with some surprise: "One of the first generation Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kirigakure, the first user of the Executioner's Blade."
"I heard your Seven Ninja Swordsmen were reduced to only three by a Konoha Genin?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Biwa Jūzō, whose dark past was exposed, had veins bulging on his forehead.
Killing intent diffused from his body as he bared his sharp teeth: "Orochimaru, are you looking to die?"
"Hehe, just a homeless dog."
Instantly, the aura between the two became confrontational.
The other five watched them silently, not interrupting, even somewhat enjoying the drama.
"Organization members are forbidden from infighting. Orochimaru, Biwa Jūzō, don't make things difficult for me."
Seeing the two were about to arrange an offline fight, Pain finally spoke to stop them.
"Hehe."
"Tch!"
Seeing the two quiet down, everyone then shifted their gaze to the last person.
"Although Biwa Jūzō is a homeless dog, his strength should barely qualify him as an official member. Then this remaining one must be the reserve member?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the somewhat thin and frail figure.
From the very beginning, this reserve member's presence had been very low.
And no matter who looked at him, he would return their gaze.
Although the Magic Lantern Body Technique couldn't show faces, one just felt he was smiling, and smiling very kindly.
"I am a reserve member of the Akatsuki Organization, Yakushi Kabuto."
The figure bowed slightly, saying respectfully: "I specialize in medical ninjutsu and summoning techniques. Seniors, please take good care of me."
Yakushi Kabuto?
"A very unfamiliar name. Is he some nameless nobody from somewhere?"
A figure strangely shaped like a scorpion asked.
His tone was devoid of waves, cold as a dead man's.
But anyone could hear the mockery in his words.
"Sasori. Grandson of Elder Chiyo from Sunagakure in the Land of Wind. Hailed as a genius puppet master, known as Sasori of the Red Sand. Possesses the strength to destroy a small country single-handedly."
Yakushi Kabuto's tone held no anger, instead speaking with a smile: "In his youth, his parents were killed by Hatake Sakumo during a mission. He assassinated the Third Kazekage, leaving Sunagakure leaderless, indirectly triggering the Third Shin—"
"Enough!"
Kabuto wanted to say more, but Sasori cut him off directly.
His tone still sounded flat, yet felt somewhat gloomier: "Has anyone ever told you that knowing too much will lead to a miserable death?"
Although he and Orochimaru always had conflicting philosophies,
In terms of cherishing their own lives, the two were much the same.
Sasori had always hidden his true body within the puppet Hiruko precisely to protect his identity from being leaked.
After all, he was the one who basically ignited the fuse for the Third Shinobi World War.
And he also didn't want that nagging old woman (Chiyo) from Sunagakure to find him.
But now...
It was all blurted out by this newcomer.
"Thank you for Senior Sasori's reminder."
Regarding Sasori's threat, Yakushi Kabuto said respectfully: "But as a weak intelligence operative, information is my means of self-protection."
Hearing this, the other members also showed varying degrees of apprehension.
In most conventional ninja battles, intelligence is an extremely important component.
Not to mention anything else,
These current Akatsuki members – Sasori, Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Biwa Jūzō.
A large part of their strength relied on their own bizarre and unique secret techniques.
If their intelligence was figured out and then countered, a large portion of their strength would be nullified.
"Heehee~ Yakushi Kabuto, is it?"
Orochimaru suddenly chuckled sinisterly: "I am very familiar with you. Just never imagined you would actually join Akatsuki."
During the Third Shinobi World War, he had met Yakushi Kabuto on the battlefield.
Back then, Yakushi Kabuto was still very young, yet could use high-level medical ninjutsu.
Thrilled at finding such talent, he directly invited Yakushi Kabuto to follow him.
Just didn't expect to be decisively rejected.
Later on, there was his deal with Danzō...
"Hiss! That detestable masked man!"
The moment he thought of the deal, Orochimaru seethed with anger.
If not for that masked man meddling, Yakushi Kabuto should have been recruited by him by now, becoming his subordinate!
Now, instead, they were "colleagues"!
However, it's not necessarily impossible for him to become a subordinate again.
"Senior Orochimaru, I didn't expect you still remembered me. I'm truly honored."
The smile on Yakushi Kabuto's face gradually faded, but the amusement in his tone remained unchanged.
Sensing the strange atmosphere between the two, the other members all showed varying expressions.
Seems these two had some dealings before joining Akatsuki.
(End of Chapter)
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