"Director Nono, it's been a few years since we last met. You're still just as young and beautiful as before."
"Hokage-sama?"
Yakushi Nono had originally been wondering why someone entered without waiting for a response, but the moment she saw Aoba walk in, she immediately understood and quickly stood up.
She did not know why he had suddenly come to see her, but this was not like their meeting three years ago.
Back then, he had only been the Hokage's disciple. Now, he had not only inherited the title of Hokage, he was also the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
In a sense, according to the traditions of the ninja world, she could only be considered a subordinate in front of him.
"Director Nono, there's no need to be so formal. I came this time because I have something to discuss."
Aoba did not place himself in a superior position. After all, they might be working together for a long time in the future.
"In that case, please have a seat and speak slowly, Hokage-sama. As long as it's something I can do, I will definitely agree," Yakushi Nono's attitude was very sincere.
At the same time, she gave a look to the staff member beside her.
The person immediately understood and tactfully withdrew, leaving the space to Aoba and Yakushi Nono.
Yakushi Nono invited Aoba to sit on the sofa, then personally went to brew tea.
Facing the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, no amount of attention was too much.
"Speaking of which, when I came here on a mission three years ago, the entire orphanage was just a simple little courtyard. I didn't expect that in only three short years, Director Nono, you would have developed it to this scale."
Aoba smiled and praised her, "Director Nono is indeed a very capable person."
"You flatter me, Hokage-sama."
Yakushi Nono showed a modest smile, "This is also thanks to your help back then. Without Konoha's financial support, the orphanage's current situation would not be much better than it was in those days."
On this point, Yakushi Nono felt quite emotional as well. She had not expected the orphanage to grow to its current scale.
She remembered that it was only after being threatened in that strange way by him that she chose to accept Konoha's financial support.
And the children who chose to enter the Ninja Academy were not influenced by the darkness of the ninja world either.
Just like that child Kabuto, they still kept their original hearts.
Back then, Aoba had only seemed like a child in her eyes. She had not expected that in just three years, he would become someone standing at the very top of the ninja world.
Thinking of this, Yakushi Nono carried the tea over and gave Aoba a deep bow.
"Hokage-sama, I truly thank you for your help to the orphanage back then."
Seeing this, Aoba could not help raising an eyebrow.
When she bent down, he truly had not expected that Director Nono was so well hidden. The strength concealed beneath that nun's outfit was probably not much weaker than Samui's.
'You really cannot judge a person by their appearance.'
"Konoha has only provided some financial support over these years. Being able to manage such a large orphanage so orderly is mainly due to Director Nono's own management ability."
Aoba did not beat around the bush and said directly, "This is also related to the purpose of my visit. I wonder if Director Nono would be interested in bringing this talent to the Hokage Building?"
"Hmm?"
Yakushi Nono, who had just sat down, could not help but look stunned, as if she did not quite understand what he meant.
"To be honest, recently Konoha has successively annexed the Land of Grass and Kumogakure. In addition, I have just taken over the position of Daimyo of the Land of Fire. At the moment, Konoha is in urgent need of talent."
"And Director Nono has managed to expand the orphanage to this scale in just three years. That is enough to show your extraordinary ability. So I would like to invite you to serve as Konoha's Hokage secretary."
Aoba explained the matter carefully again.
"This…"
Now Nono understood. She had not expected that not only the Land of Grass, but even Kumogakure had been taken by Konoha without anyone realizing.
But after the brief shock, she seemed to think of something, and her expression became somewhat strange.
"Does Director Nono have any concerns?"
Seeing her expression, Aoba thought she might have some worries.
"You could say that."
Yakushi Nono smiled awkwardly.
As a former elite intelligence agent of Root, it was inevitable that she had some occupational habits left.
So even after leaving Root and becoming the director of the orphanage, when she occasionally traveled outside to rescue people, she would naturally gather some intelligence from outside the village.
Although there were no such discussions within the village, in other villages people were all saying that Konoha's Hokage secretary team was basically the Hokage's harem.
With that information in mind, and now hearing Aoba ask her to become a Hokage secretary, she truly did not know what kind of expression she should make.
If it was really like the rumors outside said, then by inviting her to become a Hokage secretary, wouldn't that mean he wanted her to join his harem as well?
But to be honest, what she felt more than anything was shock.
After all, she was already a woman in her thirties. To be noticed by someone like Aoba, a young, capable, and outstanding Hokage, was already something of an honor.
And Aoba was not just the Hokage. With the status of Daimyo, she could not refuse his request either.
If a Hokage had multiple wives, people might criticize him. But if it was a Daimyo, having multiple wives was normal.
Of course, she could not say such things openly, so she expressed her concern instead.
"If Hokage-sama invites me, I naturally will not refuse. It's just that I'm still somewhat worried about the orphanage."
"Director Nono, you don't need to worry about that at all. Since you would become a Hokage secretary, Konoha's support for the orphanage would only increase in the future. And for you, it's really just a change of workplace. The orphanage would still be within your management scope."
"If you're still worried, or concerned about being too busy, you can choose a suitable person from the current orphanage staff to take over your position as director."
It was true that with his current status, Aoba could directly order Yakushi Nono to become a Hokage secretary. But since they would be working together for a long time, he was unwilling to use forceful means.
"If Director Nono does not have a suitable candidate, I think Kabuto would be very suitable."
"Kabuto?"
Yakushi Nono was slightly stunned. She had not expected that he still remembered that child Kabuto.
'But Kabuto…'
She suddenly remembered that some time ago, that child had even tried to introduce her to a boyfriend, saying that she was not young anymore.
Then she had directly kicked him out. It was one thing for him to rush her to get married, but he even said she was old.
She had not expected something like this to suddenly happen now.
Thinking of this, a smile could not help appearing at the corner of Yakushi Nono's lips.
The children raised in the orphanage had already grown up.
"I understand, Hokage-sama. Then when should I report to the Hokage Building?"
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