Inside the quiet room, Uchiha Mirai gently placed the teacup on the table, his tone casual as he spoke.
"You seem nervous."
Yakushi Nono forced a faint smile onto her face. "Anyone would be nervous in front of someone like you, wouldn't they?"
"No, no," Mirai shook his head. "You're afraid of me."
The simple statement caused the air in the room to freeze.
A suffocating pressure began to fill the space, and cold sweat appeared on Nono's forehead. A profound despair welled up within her heart.
Has the day finally come?
At first, when Nono read the reports about Danzo in the newspaper, she had been overjoyed.
That wretched man, who treated children as tools to be exploited, was finally facing his comeuppance.
If Danzo were removed from his position as a Konoha advisor, the orphanage children would no longer have to live in constant fear.
The thought of a brighter future had filled her with hope.
But that optimism had lasted only a day.
The next morning, when she saw the news that Shimura Danzo, the Root organization, and even the entire Shimura clan had been eradicated, her heart sank into a deep abyss.
It was clear—Konoha's higher-ups were purging anyone associated with Danzo.
And as the orphanage had received Danzo's financial support and provided him with Root members over the years, it was almost certain they would face annihilation as well.
Since then, Nono had lived in constant dread.
And now, her worst fears were realized—the reckoning had arrived.
Her knees hit the floor as she bowed deeply, her forehead pressed against the ground. Her voice was laced with desperation.
"Mirai-sama, no matter what happens, the children are innocent."
"They know nothing and have done nothing wrong. If someone must pay, let it be me!"
Mirai frowned. "When did I ever say I was here to harm the children?"
Startled, Nono raised her head. Seeing the displeasure on his face, she quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it that way—"
"Stand up." Mirai's tone was firm but not unkind. "I'm here to discuss the orphanage's funding."
"Huh?"
Nono stared at him, wide-eyed, unsure how to react.
Mirai let out a small chuckle. "With the Root gone, the orphanage has lost its primary source of financial support."
"Managing so many children on your own must be overwhelming."
"So, I've decided to help fund the orphanage."
The oppressive tension dissolved, replaced by a warm, soothing atmosphere. Nono covered her mouth, struggling to hold back tears.
From the brink of despair to an unexpected lifeline—this sudden shift felt surreal.
Heaven and hell, separated by a single thought.
Her emotions surged uncontrollably, and tears filled her eyes.
The sound of fingers tapping on the table brought her back to reality. She bowed again, this time with genuine gratitude.
"Mirai-sama, if you're willing to support the orphanage, I'll do anything you ask of me."
Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"
Nono nodded earnestly. "Yes, anything."
She wasn't naive—she knew that in this world, nothing came without a price. But compared to the fate she had feared, this outcome was already a blessing.
Mirai studied her for a moment before speaking.
"Since you've offered, I do have a request."
"Please, tell me." Nono smiled wryly, bracing herself for whatever was coming.
"Take care of the children. Teach them the skills they'll need to survive in the outside world."
"After all... the funding I can provide will only ensure they won't starve or freeze."
Nono froze, her mind blank.
She had anticipated demands for her body, exploitation of the children, or some other selfish motive. She had imagined countless possibilities, yet his request was so... simple.
Teach the children survival skills?
It was something she would have done regardless.
In a single day, so many unexpected events had unfolded that she didn't know how to feel anymore.
As she stared at Mirai, she realized she couldn't see through him at all. He was nothing like the fearsome rumors that surrounded him.
Mirai finished his tea and stood, heading for the door. "I'll send someone to handle the funding. I'll leave the children in your care."
As he opened the door, a small figure tumbled forward, falling awkwardly to the floor.
"Kabuto?"
Mirai looked at him with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Didn't I tell you all to stay in your rooms?"
Nono hurried out of the room, her heart easing when she saw that Mirai wasn't angry.
Mirai helped Kabuto to his feet, studying him with interest.
He had come here today partly because of this boy—the future
"Dream Weaver of the Ninja World."
In time, the team he would establish with Orochimaru would need talented individuals, and Yakushi Kabuto was undoubtedly one of them.
As the thought crossed his mind, Mirai casually remarked, "It seems the children here have potential."
"If any of them wish to become shinobi, let me know. I'll see what I can do."
With that, Mirai left without another word.
It wasn't time to rush things. Building trust took time.
Sure, he could have achieved his goals through force, but where was the fun in that?
If every obstacle were solved with brute strength, life would become unbearably dull.
Watching him leave, Kabuto hesitantly asked, "Director, what kind of person is Mirai?"
Nono's expression softened into a smile.
"He's a remarkable shinobi. Despite his immense power, he still treats the weak with kindness."
"Kabuto, you should strive to learn from him."
Kabuto nodded earnestly. "I'll do as you say."
Mirai's words had sparked a new determination in him.
Perhaps becoming a shinobi was the path he should take.
And maybe, once he could stand on his own, Nono wouldn't have to bear so much on her shoulders anymore.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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