Hiruzen persuaded me to die

"Danzo is dead."

Hyuga Naraku looked in a certain direction of the village and said calmly.

Yakushi Kabuto remained silent.

He had already learned the news from Orochimaru.

After defecting from Konoha, Orochimaru had maintained a long-standing cooperation with Danzo.

Now that partner was gone.

Naturally, Orochimaru confirmed it the earliest.

To be honest...

Kabuto had nearly lost himself in the years since, but when he heard the news, he felt a strange, genuine joy from deep within.

For Danzo—the man who manipulated both him and Yakushi Nonō to the brink of killing each other—Kabuto harbored deep resentment.

"Danzo had transplanted the cells of the First Hokage," Naraku continued, pointing in the same direction.

"Before he died, I provoked the First Hokage's cells in his body to run amok.

"A tree grew out from his right arm, where he had implanted the cells."

"Danzo was crucified by that tree and died."

"The tree still stands in that direction."

Naraku's tone remained calm as ever.

"It's become something of a memorial."

"People who had a grudge against Danzo often go there... they swear, they curse... it's become a sort of outlet for them."

"After all, that tree sprouted from Danzo himself."

"It's like a surrogate."

Kabuto said nothing.

But inwardly, his opinion of Hyuga Naraku rose.

At the same time, he silently made a decision:

When there was time, he'd go and see that tree himself.

Even if Danzo was dead, Kabuto would still let his spirit suffer.

Tick—tick—

In the silence, the sound of a distant clock's hands ticking became loud and clear.

"Children, time for bed~"

From not far off in the orphanage, a gentle voice echoed.

Soon after came the muffled sound of children's chatter.

Under the pale moonlight, their innocent voices carried a rare warmth.

But...

That warmth no longer belonged to him.

"It's already nine o'clock..."

Kabuto stood frozen in place.

Outside the orphanage building, his gaze landed on a familiar, old clock.

Back when he still lived in that orphanage—

Nine o'clock had been bedtime.

"After the Nine-Tails attack, the orphanage was rebuilt," Naraku said, noting Kabuto's gaze.

"Fortunately, since the location was somewhat remote, it didn't suffer much damage during the chaos."

"But after the Nine-Tails incident, the number of orphans in Konoha increased significantly."

"Those old enough to survive on their own receive a subsidy from the village."

"But the ones too young to take care of themselves..."

Naraku's voice trailed slightly.

"They were sent here."

"The Konoha Orphanage expanded during the village's reconstruction to accommodate the increase."

"But that old clock survived."

He pointed toward the ticking relic.

The contrast between its age and the newly constructed orphanage building was stark.

"...Yes."

Kabuto muttered softly.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar emotion welled up inside him.

Since leaving the orphanage in the 46th year of Konoha, he had become a spy—a ghost moving between shadows.

From then until now, seven years had passed.

Five years as a spy... two years with Orochimaru...

Now, he had finally returned.

To this orphanage where nothing remained the same—except for that clock.

Like a time capsule.

A fixed point in the chaos of his life.

"After Danzo's death, Root was disbanded."

"Some of the children—those who didn't belong to major clans—were sent here."

Naraku's eyes shifted toward him.

"They were chosen by Danzo because of some latent talent."

"But most of them aren't old enough yet to attend the Ninja Academy."

"If you're willing, you can take charge of the orphanage in the future."

Although Kabuto was only twelve now...

He was old enough.

After all, Itachi Uchiha was only thirteen when he annihilated the entire Uchiha clan.

Kabuto's eyes lit up.

A flicker of emotion appeared in them.

"I would be honored!"

"I'll do everything in my power to live up to Lord Hokage's trust!"

His tone was deeply respectful.

For the first time in a long while, that respect came from the heart.

If he could do what Nonō had once done...

Maybe—just maybe—he could find his way back to himself.

"...Yakushi Nonō remained in the Land of Earth, correct?"

Naraku asked, voice mild.

Kabuto hesitated, then gritted his teeth and replied:

"Yes..."

"I struck her too hard. I couldn't heal her."

"And other Iwagakure shinobi arrived, so I was forced to retreat."

"I don't know what happened afterward."

Naraku slowly nodded.

His expression was subtle.

So far, no reports had surfaced from Iwagakure regarding the incident.

In other words—

Maybe Rock Shinobi never even realized it was a Konoha spy who died.

The irony was bitter.

A Konoha shinobi who killed another Konoha shinobi in enemy territory...

And the enemy thought it was one of their own who was killed.

Laughable. Absurd.

"If the chance arises, I'll visit Iwagakure."

"But it's likely Yakushi Nonō was buried there."

Naraku's voice was flat, but it carried meaning.

"She might even be buried as a Rock ninja."

Kabuto's head shot up.

"You..."

For someone who had been a spy in multiple nations, Kabuto was rarely shaken.

But now, even his voice faltered.

"You mean—I might be able to see the dean again?"

There was hope in his eyes.

He knew he would never see her alive again.

But even just paying respects...

"Yakushi Nonō gave her life for this village."

"Of course her contribution should be acknowledged."

Naraku's tone was matter-of-fact.

After all...

Letting a hero's bones lie in a foreign land, unrecognized, would be unforgivable.

"Is this your promise?"

Kabuto blurted out.

Then instantly regretted it.

It sounded too presumptuous.

He was just a common shinobi.

Even a spy.

Why should the Hokage promise him anything?

But still...

He couldn't stop the hope burning in his chest.

Naraku blinked.

Then gave a small smile and nodded.

"It can be considered a promise."

He meant every word.

Kabuto stepped back and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your promise!"

"Yakushi Kabuto is ready to serve Lord Hokage at any time!"

Naraku shook his head.

"You don't have to do anything for me."

"Just pass the message along to Orochimaru."

"Live the way you want to live. Study what you want to study."

Because to Hyuga Naraku—

Kabuto's value wasn't in his role as a spy.

It was in his mind.

His talent.

And the research he would one day accomplish.

------------------------------

To be continued...