"If that really works, it will help us more than you know," Nonō said with a gentle smile.
But she didn't let herself hope too much.
It meant a lot that Aaron cared. Still, in her eyes, he was just a regular shinobi. Well-intentioned, yes but without much political weight. She assumed there was only so much he could actually do.
"Would you like some fruit?" she offered. "The kids and I grew it ourselves. It's a little tart, but not bad."
She stood to go get some, but Aaron quickly waved her off.
"No, no. I just ate before coming."
He was here to lighten their burden not add to it.
"Actually, I came to talk to you about something," he said.
"Oh?"
He gestured toward Kabuto, who had just finished his dango and was clearly savoring the last bite.
"I'd like Kabuto to enroll in the Ninja Academy. I'll cover the tuition."
Kabuto wasn't just another kid to him; he was a long-term investment.
Sending him to the Academy had two major benefits. First, it would give him a real childhood friends, bonds, memories. Second, it would provide structured foundational training. The Academy curriculum might be basic, but foundations mattered.
Nonō hesitated.
"Kabuto is… quiet. And he's from the orphanage. I worry he might get picked on."
A soft-spoken orphan with no family backing? That was an easy target.
She had seen too much darkness in her time, especially from her days connected to Danzo Shimura's operations. She had stepped away from that life because she wanted no more part in it.
All she wanted was for Kabuto to grow up safely. He didn't have to become a shinobi. A normal life would be enough.
Aaron chuckled, pulled Kabuto gently closer, and poked his soft cheek.
"You're overthinking it. Look at him, cute face, cool silver hair. The girls at the Academy are going to love him."
Kabuto blinked, confused.
"If he's quiet," Aaron continued seriously, "they'll just call him mysterious. Trust me, in this world, that works in your favor."
Nonō stared at him.
"Your logic is… creative," she said dryly, finally realizing he'd managed to compliment both Kabuto and himself in the same breath.
Aaron shrugged. "I'm just saying, sometimes being quiet isn't a flaw. It's branding."
She sighed. "Even so… it has to be his decision. A person should choose their own path."
Aaron nodded and fell silent.
Nonō also said nothing.
Both of them looked at Kabuto, waiting.
Kabuto glanced left at Nonō, then right at Aaron, completely thrown off. A moment ago, they were chatting normally, now his future was on the table.
Sensing the pressure, Aaron softened his tone.
"There's no catch. Going to the Academy doesn't mean leaving the orphanage. You won't lose Nonō. And even if you decide not to go, I'll still come visit like always. So relax. If you want to go, go. If not, that's fine too."
The moment Kabuto realized he wouldn't lose anyone no matter what he chose, his shoulders relaxed.
Then his eyes sharpened.
"I want to go."
Nonō blinked. "You're that curious about school life?"
Kabuto shook his head.
"When you graduate, you become a shinobi. Shinobi can take missions and earn money. I want to earn money… so you won't have to worry anymore."
One night, by accident, he had seen something he wasn't supposed to.
Nonō, alone under dim light, counting coins with a troubled expression. Sighing quietly.
The smile she wore in front of the children hadn't been there.
Since learning that shinobi could earn mission rewards, Kabuto had made up his mind. He didn't want to see that expression again.
"Kabuto…" Nonō's voice faltered.
Aaron placed a hand on Kabuto's shoulder and smiled.
"He's right. Shinobi can earn a lot. An S-rank mission can pay over a million ryō."
Kabuto's eyes practically sparkled.
"So work hard. Only strong shinobi qualify for the high-level missions."
Kabuto nodded so hard it looked like his head might fall off.
After sharing a few more upbeat stories about perseverance and growth, Aaron took his leave. He still had plenty to do, study the infiltration materials Minato had given him and refine his ideas for restructuring the Anbu.
Two days later.
After finishing the stack of covert-ops documents, Aaron decided it was time to check on Kakashi.
Today was the sixth day.
If Kakashi hadn't grasped the technique yet, Aaron would quietly "help" him along. He couldn't exactly kick Kakashi out of Anbu; Kakashi had enormous potential. Properly guided, he'd be an invaluable asset.
Still… if he hadn't made any progress, Aaron might have to downgrade his internal evaluation.
He stopped by Kakashi's house first empty.
So, he extended his Observation Haki and traced Kakashi's chakra signature to a training ground.
When he arrived, he found Kakashi locked in combat with Might Guy.
Under the blazing sun, their clash kicked up waves of dust.
Guy tightened his focus.
"Time to raise the intensity!"
He opened the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain.
His chakra surged violently.
In an instant, he overwhelmed Kakashi with blistering speed and relentless strikes, forcing him back step by step.
Aaron narrowed his eyes.
At this stage, in a standard spar, Kakashi should still have the edge overall. Yet from the moment Aaron arrived, he hadn't seen Kakashi use a single ninjutsu. He was fighting purely with taijutsu.
Trying to pressure himself into a breakthrough?
Just as Guy launched a Leaf Hurricane toward Kakashi's head
Kakashi stomped twice.
In a flash, he vanished.
Reappearing behind Guy, he drove a clean punch into his back, sending him flying.
Aaron's eyes sharpened.
That wasn't the awkward movement of someone who'd just barely learned it.
That was smooth. Controlled. Efficient.
Guy hit the ground then burst into laughter, flashing a dazzling grin and a thumbs-up.
"So, this is the result of mastering the Power of Love?! I can feel it! Love truly is mighty!"
Aaron nearly choked.
"But!" Guy roared, flames of youth metaphorically blazing around him, "The power of youth is just as strong! Fifth Gate OPEN!"
He turned toward Kakashi dramatically.
"Come, Kakashi! Let me witness the limits of your Love-Powered technique!"
Kakashi stared at him blankly.
"…Love-powered what?"
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