On the outskirts of Konoha, beyond the busier residential districts, lay a stretch of open farmland.
Three large warehouse-like buildings stood side by side in the fields, surrounded by vegetable patches and fruit trees carefully cultivated by small hands. The air smelled of damp soil and growing life.
Beneath a broad tree, at a simple stone table—
Shimura Danzō, the so-called Darkness of the Shinobi World, sat opposite Yakushi Nono.
Behind Danzō stood two cloaked figures, faces hidden in shadow.
Behind Nono stood two caretakers of the orphanage—Aken and Keika.
"I never expected," Danzō said lightly, "that the 'Walking Shrine Maiden' would one day become nothing more than a nanny to children. It's been a long time, Nono."
"That name no longer belongs to me," Nono replied steadily, though her fingers tightened beneath the table. "We've stopped requesting village subsidies. Why are you here?"
If she had a choice, she would never see this man again.
She had once served in Root. She knew better than anyone how low Danzō's moral boundaries could sink.
Where he appeared—
Misfortune followed.
Danzō glanced around the expanded compound, expression unreadable.
"So the Uchiha's funding has given you confidence." His gaze swept across the buildings. "Impressive. The orphanage has doubled in size. And the number of children has grown."
Nono's brows knitted.
"Danzō," she said sharply, "don't even think about it. They're children."
"I'm aware," Danzō replied calmly. "But Root is short on manpower."
He stopped pretending.
"I need you back."
"There's been a major shift in Amegakure. I need you to infiltrate their upper ranks. I want to know everything."
Nono lowered her gaze slightly, masking the flicker in her eyes.
"You've mistaken me for someone else. I no longer—"
"Why must the director go?" Keika burst out angrily before Nono could finish. "Does Root not have anyone left?"
Danzō didn't even look at her.
"There is no one better suited for long-term infiltration than the 'Walking Shrine Maiden.' Root has no spy superior to her."
"Mediocre agents break under pressure—or defect. She won't betray Konoha."
Then his voice cooled.
"If you refuse, your orphanage will never receive assistance again."
"That's not your decision!" Keika shot back. "Our support comes from the Uchiha, not the village!"
Danzō ignored her.
He kept his single eye fixed on Nono.
Behind him, the cloaked figure to the left spoke smoothly.
"This orphanage has grown well… though its security seems lacking."
"You should hire more guards. Wouldn't want the funds to… disappear."
The cloaked figure on the right licked his lips slowly.
"And perhaps guard the children too. Unregistered orphans can be… quite useful."
The threat was naked.
Not even disguised.
Aken trembled with fury.
"You call yourselves shinobi? Using children like this?!"
"You misunderstand," Danzō replied without shame. "For Konoha's sake, such sacrifices are insignificant."
The sheer brazenness left them speechless.
Nono's eyes wavered.
He had targeted her weakness precisely.
Then—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause broke the suffocating tension.
Everyone turned.
Several meters away stood Uchiha Jin.
He didn't know how long he had been there.
"Jin!"
Relief flooded Aken and Keika's faces. Nono exhaled softly.
Danzō narrowed his eye.
"Uchiha Jin…"
The cloaked figure on the right tilted his head with interest.
"Seems I returned at the perfect time," Jin said lightly, walking forward and taking a seat beside Nono. "I would've hated to miss such a performance."
His gaze settled on Danzō like a drawn blade.
"What do you want?" Danzō asked coldly.
"That's my question," Jin replied calmly. "I am the honorary director of this orphanage."
"Elder Danzō… what exactly are you doing at my orphanage?"
"Honorary director?" Danzō glanced at the cloaked subordinate.
After a brief pause, the subordinate gave a reluctant nod.
It was true.
When Jin had arranged financial support for the orphanage, Nono had insisted on granting him the honorary title in gratitude.
Symbolic at the time—
But now it gave him standing.
Jin gave a soft snort.
"I believe I just heard someone discussing stealing money. Stealing children."
"The Konoha Police Force cannot ignore such talk."
His voice sharpened.
"So I'll ask plainly."
"Elder Danzō—"
"Were you serious?"
Scarlet flared.
Three tomoe spun within blood-red eyes.
In that instant, Jin's presence exploded outward like a blazing sun swallowing the sky.
The world seemed to lose its color.
A suffocating pressure crashed down like a tidal wave.
Sharingan—Conqueror's Aura.
Danzō's pupil contracted violently. Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
The cloaked figure to his right remained standing—barely.
The one to his left collapsed outright.
What terrifying pressure.
Danzō felt it clearly.
The killing intent.
If he admitted those threats—
Jin would kill him.
Without hesitation.
This brat…
Has he gone mad?
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