Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

Chapter 149 Pharmacist Nonou

The four of them quietly followed the nun into a reception room, which, despite being called a reception room, was actually a very small room.

There was only a square table and a few chairs inside.

It's obvious at a glance that the economic situation here isn't very good.

After leading the group to the reception room and serving them tea, the nun left with the supplies brought by Kurenai and the others.

She needs to go and distribute the supplies with the other staff.

The door closed.

Hinata couldn't help but ask, "She seemed to be on guard against us just now, didn't she?"

She has a keen eye for observation; when the other party first saw them, their eyes were clearly wary.

Yuhi Kurenai nodded. "That's normal. There are many children in the orphanage, and she has to be responsible for them."

"Moreover, it is said that the Root organization used to come here to poach people. Kabuto Yakushi, who is now in Konoha Hospital, was forcibly taken away by Danzo after he discovered him."

"Huh? Was that Danzo grandpa such a bad person?"

Yakumo looked surprised. "He praised me last time, saying that I would definitely become a pillar of Konoha in the future."

"Uh……"

Kurenai didn't know how to explain it to the other party, and after thinking for a long time, she finally spoke.

"Perhaps it's because I'm getting older, and my personality has changed a bit."

Shirokumo Aoba's expression was also quite strange.

This Danzo is most likely brainwashed by Kotoamatsukami.

The group chatted for a while longer.

The door to the reception room was pushed open, and a tired-looking woman with long blonde hair walked in.

However, he has a smile on his face that makes people feel friendly at first glance.

"Sorry to have kept you all waiting."

After she sat down, the first thing she looked at was Kurenai Yuhi. "It's been a long time, Miss Kurenai."

"It's been a long time, Dean Nonou. These are my students..."

Kurenai Yuhi smiled as well, and then introduced her three students to the other party.

"Is this the legendary genius disciple of the Hokage?"

After hearing Kurenai's introduction, Nono looked at Shirakumo Aoba with surprise.

"It's me, Nono-nee-nee, you can just call me Aoba."

Baiyun Qingye also politely greeted the other party.

Nonou was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then her smile widened. "Older sister? Although you look young, I'm actually almost forty years old."

No woman dislikes being complimented on her youth, and the same is true for Nono, the "walking shrine maiden."

"What are your orders, Hokage-sama?"

Kurenai did not answer, but looked at Shirokumo Aoba. This was their mission, and she was only responsible for guiding them.

Bai Yunqingye pondered for a moment; he disliked roundabout ways.

"It wasn't the teacher's order, but someone posted a request, hoping we could persuade you to let the children from the orphanage participate in the ninja academy's entrance exam next month."

Nono was stunned again; this kid was really direct.

Is that Kabuto?

Shirokumo Aoba remained silent; a ninja cannot reveal the client's identity.

However, she had already guessed it, and couldn't help but sigh softly, a bitter smile appearing on her face, "When that child first came back, he came to persuade me, but I refused. I didn't expect him to actually issue a commission."

"Why did Dean Nono refuse?"

"This is not good for children; the world of ninjas is too dark and cruel."

"So you're going to bear this darkness for these children?"

Before Nono could answer, Shirakumo Aoba continued, "But I don't think you can carry their burdens for a lifetime. They will grow up eventually, and your energy is also limited. Besides, I see that the orphanage's current situation... doesn't seem to be very good."

Nono opened her mouth, but made no sound. She remained noncommittal about what Shirakumo Aoba had said.

Now... no, from the very beginning, the orphanage's finances have never been good.

Rights and obligations are unified.

Because she refused to let the children become ninjas, the orphanage was not actually an institution belonging to Konoha, and therefore did not receive financial support from Konoha.

Now, they rely entirely on kind-hearted people like Xi Rihong in the village, and her occasional medical treatment to make ends meet.

After Kabuto Yakushi officially became a medical ninja at Konoha Hospital, he would send a sum of money to the orphanage every month.

She used to be a medical ninja, so she knew what that money really meant.

That's equivalent to most of the other person's monthly salary.

She clearly wanted to protect the children at the orphanage...

Nonou's expression turned bitter. "I just hope they can live in the sunshine forever, always happy and joyful."

A gentle smile appeared on Baiyun Qingye's face. "With such a gentle dean, I'm sure those children like you very much, right?"

"Probably..."

Shirokumo Aoba smiled and said, "Director Nono wants to create a safe haven for the children in the orphanage. I think those children probably also hope to be a support for you, Director."

"Just like Yakushi Kabuto, he can help you, Dean, reduce your stress."

"Dean Nonou, why did Kabuto Yakushi become a ninja in the first place?"

Nonou's pupils trembled slightly. "That's because..."

"Why don't we listen to the children's opinions?" Baiyun Qingye suggested.

"what?"

"Too much selfless love can sometimes become a burden. Seeing how hard you work for them must make them feel pain too."

"Now that Konoha no longer has Root, let's give them the right to choose whether or not to take the entrance exam for the Ninja Academy."

Nono pursed her lips, her eyes filled with struggle, clearly still hesitant.

She's really stubborn...

"Dean Nonou, you don't want Kabuto Yakushi to hand over all his salary to you in the future, only to end up eating garbage, do you?"

"You don't want the orphanage to go out of business like this, do you?"

"?"

Nonou's struggling gaze turned into astonishment.

Kurenai Yuhi and Yakumo also blinked.

That sounds... kind of familiar.

A wicked smile curled at the corners of Baiyun Qingye's lips.

"Since the dean won't listen to my nice words, I'll have no choice but to use tougher methods."

……

"It seems you're quite good at dealing with older sister types."

On the way out of the orphanage, Kurenai teased Aoba Shirakumo.

"Haha~ Back then, even Aoba threatened me like that." Yakumo couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Shirokumo Aoba rolled her eyes. "Dean Nono only said she'd ask the children for their opinions, she hasn't agreed yet."

"Well, I feel that Dean Nono should be fine. We'll know for sure when we go check on her again tomorrow."

After finishing her sentence, Kurenai Yuhi smiled and asked, "Want to go out for ramen tonight?"

"Aoba-kun!" Hinata suddenly spoke up.

"What's wrong, Hinata?" Shirokumo Aoba looked at Hinata, and the others stopped in their tracks.

"Aoba-kun, would you like to come to my house for a while...?"

"Hanabi...she misses you too..."

……

……

Today was a family reunion at my maternal grandmother's house; it was all about social niceties and obligations. I drank quite a bit at lunch, hence the late update.