The four of them quietly followed the nun into a reception room. Although it was called a reception room, it was just a small room.
Inside there was only a square table and a few chairs.
At a glance, it was clear that the financial situation here wasn't very good.
After bringing the group into the reception room and pouring tea, the nun left with the supplies brought by Kurenai and the others.
She needed to go allocate this batch of supplies with the other staff.
The door closed.
Hinata couldn't help but speak, "She seemed to be on guard against us just now, didn't she?"
Her powers of observation were quite strong. When the other party first saw them, there was clearly a guarded look in her eyes.
Kurenai nodded, "That's normal. There are a lot of children in the orphanage, and she's responsible for them."
"And I heard that Root often came here in the past to recruit people. Yakushi Kabuto, now at the Konoha Hospital, was taken away by Danzo after being discovered."
"Eh? That Grandpa Danzo was actually such a bad person?", Yakumo looked surprised, "Last time, he even praised me and said I would definitely become a pillar of Konoha in the future."
"Uh…", Kurenai didn't know how to explain to her. After thinking for a while, she finally said, "Maybe he's gotten old and his personality changed."
Aoba's expression was also quite strange.
'That Danzo is very likely brainwashed by Kotoamatsukami.'
The group chatted idly for a while longer.
Then the door to the reception room was pushed open, and a tired-looking woman with long blonde hair walked in.
However, she had a smile on her face that instantly made people feel close, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
As soon as she sat down, she looked at Kurenai, "Long time no see, Miss Kurenai."
"Long time no see, Director Nono. These are my students…"
Kurenai also showed a smile, then introduced her three students to the other party.
"This is the rumored genius disciple of the Hokage?", Nono's gaze showed surprise as she looked at Aoba after hearing Kurenai's introduction.
"That's me. Sister Nono, just call me Aoba," Aoba also politely greeted her.
Nono was momentarily stunned by his words, then smiled even more brightly, "Sister? Although I may look young, I'm actually almost forty."
No woman dislikes being complimented as young. As the "Wondering Miko," Yakushi Nono was no exception.
"Did the Hokage give any instructions?"
Kurenai didn't answer but looked at Aoba instead. This was their mission; she was only responsible for guiding them.
Aoba pondered for a moment. He didn't like beating around the bush.
"It's not an order from the teacher, but someone submitted a commission, hoping we can persuade you to let the children from the orphanage participate in next month's Ninja Academy entrance exam."
Nono was again slightly stunned, 'This child really is direct.'
"Was it that kid, Kabuto?"
Aoba said nothing. A ninja couldn't reveal the client.
But she had already guessed and couldn't help but sigh softly, showing a bitter smile on her face, "That child came to persuade me when he first came back, but I refused. I didn't expect he'd even issue a commission."
"Then why did Director Nono refuse?"
"This isn't a good thing for the children. The world of ninjas is too dark and cruel."
"So you plan to carry that darkness for these children?"
Before Nono could respond, Aoba continued, "But I don't think you can carry it for them forever. They'll grow up one day, and your energy is also limited. Besides, judging by the current state of the orphanage… it doesn't seem to be doing too well either."
Nono opened her mouth but didn't say anything. She had no comment on Aoba's words.
Now… no, from the beginning, the orphanage's finances had never been good.
Rights and obligations were unified.
Because she refused to let the children become ninjas, the orphanage wasn't considered a Konoha institution, so it naturally didn't receive financial support from the village.
It now relied entirely on kind-hearted people in the village like Kurenai, and her own occasional medical consultations to keep going.
Ever since Yakushi Kabuto officially became a medical ninja at Konoha Hospital, he would also send money to the orphanage every month.
She had also been a medical ninja before, so she understood what that money meant at its core.
That amount basically accounted for most of Kabuto's income for the month.
She clearly just wanted to protect the children of the orphanage…
Nono's expression turned bitter, "I just hope they can always live under the sunlight, always happy, always joyful."
Aoba showed a gentle smile, "Such a gentle director… I think those children must like you very much, right?"
"Probably…"
Aoba smiled, "Director Nono wants to support the children of the orphanage. I think those children must also hope they can support you in return."
"Just like Yakushi Kabuto, able to help relieve your burden."
"Director Nono, why did Yakushi Kabuto become a ninja back then?"
Nono's pupils trembled slightly, "That's because…"
"How about listening to what the children think?", Aoba gave a suggestion.
"What?"
"Love that's too selfless can sometimes become a burden. Seeing you work so hard for them… they must feel pain in their hearts too."
"Now that Konoha no longer has Root, why not give them a choice? Let them decide for themselves whether or not to take the Ninja Academy entrance exam."
Nono pressed her lips tightly, her eyes showing struggle. Clearly, she was still hesitating.
'Really stubborn as a mule…'
"Director Nono, you don't want Yakushi Kabuto to keep giving you all his earnings and end up eating trash later on, right?"
"You don't want the orphanage to go bankrupt either, do you?"
"?", Nono's struggling gaze turned into one of astonishment.
Kurenai and Yakumo also blinked.
'This line… sounds familiar?'
Aoba's lips curled into a wicked arc, "Since you won't listen to my nice words, I'll just have to take a more forceful approach."
———
"Looks like you're good at dealing with the big-sister type of woman, huh?", On the way back from the orphanage, Kurenai teased Aoba.
"Haha~ Back then, even Teacher Kurenai was threatened by Aoba like that," Yakumo couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Aoba rolled his eyes, "Director Nono only said she'd ask the children for their opinion. She hasn't agreed yet."
"Well, I think Director Nono is probably okay with it. We'll know for sure when we check again tomorrow."
After Kurenai finished, she smiled and asked again, "Want to go eat ramen together tonight?"
"Aoba-kun," Hinata suddenly spoke.
"What is it, Hinata?", Aoba looked toward Hinata, and the group stopped walking.
"Aoba-kun, would you like to… come visit my house…"
"H-Hanabi… she misses you too…"
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