Even though Sena Hoshino grew up in this kind of environment, she probably wouldn't have ended up here herself if it weren't for her Uzumaki bloodline.
"Big Brother Shiki, you came again!"
"Big Brother Shiki, did you bring me any candy this time?"
"Never thought Big Brother Shiki would come with Big Brother Kabuto together."
Their voices brimmed with warmth, familiarity, and trust.
Although these children weren't much younger than himself, Shiki still felt happy from their praise.
Suddenly, a child's earlier words popped into Shiki's mind, his pupils instinctively narrowing sharply.
Kabuto!!!
Shiki couldn't be certain whether this was the same Kabuto from the original story, but being inside the orphanage made him think about him involuntarily.
After all, he was also a deeply concealed character. And if this truly was that Kabuto, Shiki felt like he had no choice but to stay on high alert around him.
Looking around, Shiki noticed that nearly all the children were healed—those who still had wounds had them treated already.
This further convinced Shiki that the Kabuto visiting the orphanage was indeed the Kabuto Yakushi he knew.
After handing out all the candy he brought, Shiki said to a little girl who really admired him, "Kamei, can you call Big Brother Kabuto over for me?"
By saying this, Shiki didn't actually want any interaction with Kabuto. He simply wanted to see this person out of curiosity regarding the original plot.
After all, the Kabuto currently hiding in Konoha naturally wouldn't do anything harmful to him now.
"There's no need. I'm right here."
Turning toward the voice, Shiki saw a rather handsome young teenager—a clean-cut youth wearing glasses that gave him a more scholarly appearance, smiling brightly at him.
Shiki secretly thought, "No wonder he can carry out covert operations across various countries—almost no one would believe that such a bright smile belongs to a spy."
But of course, Shiki didn't say such things out loud. Instead, he politely replied, "Never imagined someone like Senior Kabuto would be so kind-hearted."
Kabuto modestly shook his head. "Since I myself once lived in an orphanage, I especially understand these children's feelings."
Shiki nodded, showing agreement with Kabuto.
"Even so, it must still be quite difficult. You certainly must have many things to deal with, unlike me, who hasn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy yet."
Kabuto suddenly gave Shiki a long, meaningful look before saying quietly, "Actually, *you're* having a tough time too, aren't you? Probably facing quite a few troubles right now, Shiki."
Shiki's heart tightened. Although Kabuto hadn't specified exactly what situation he referred to, Shiki already guessed with 60–70% certainty that he was talking about Danzo's request for him to join Root.
Still playing it cool, Shiki replied with a shrug, "Well, everyone's got their issues. I'll handle my stuff as I always do. Appreciate the concern, senpai."
Hearing this, Kabuto's clean-cut face showed a barely concealable eerie smile.
"That annoying little *bug* has already fallen asleep."
"So Shiki, how about we talk things through in more depth?"
Chapter 34: Unexpected Aid
The orphanage room was run-down, dark, and damp. No children seemed to have come here recently. In one corner of the room, a torn comic book could still be faintly seen.
The decaying wooden beams looked like they wouldn't survive the winter under the continuous erosion from rain and snow.
There wasn't even basic security here, yet Shiki was discussing matters directly with Kabuto Yakushi inside this very room.
"Although you're only ten years old, I genuinely admire you. If willing, I can help you get through this crisis."
"Help me get through this crisis?" Shiki asked.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said, "Exactly. Actually, I do have a way to help you overcome this current predicament, as long as you're willing to pay a small price."
Shiki wasn't surprised by what Kabuto meant by 'price.' If anything, he felt more at ease. Sometimes it's more unsettling when people ask for nothing in return.
He did wonder though—what kind of price they'd be asking for.
Thinking about this, Shiki shifted his gaze toward Kabuto, clearly showing his uncertainty in his eyes.
"From my observations, Shiki, you have a mature mind that's different from other children your age. So, I don't need to explain things to you like I would to a child." Pausing briefly, Kabuto continued, "I need you to take care of an orphanage for me."
An orphanage?
Shiki felt puzzled. According to his understanding, Kabuto should be here on Orochimaru's behalf trying to convince him to join Otogakure.
Kabuto had made such an unexpected request, surprising Shiki.
"Why? Can't you yourself take care of it, Senior?"
"Because shortly, I will be occupied with other tasks. Hence, I must entrust this responsibility to someone else. After all, this orphanage was entrusted to me by someone very important to me."
Hearing this, Shiki began to understand. It appeared that Kabuto's current discussion was solely on his own initiative, having nothing to do with Orochimaru.
Actually, this explanation sounded much more reasonable. After all, Kabuto wouldn't directly reveal such confidential information to someone like Shiki, who he barely knew.
Yet simply entrusting an orphanage to Shiki wouldn't...
"But why choose me? And why help me?"
Kabuto leaned back against the wall and sat down on the damp floor, clearly used to the conditions and unbothered by them.
"I chose you because you possess wisdom beyond your peers. Moreover, it's rare for someone so intelligent not to act entirely for personal gain. Only by entrusting the orphanage to you can I feel assured."
"As for why I'm helping you," Kabuto paused momentarily, then raised his head, looking calmly into Shiki's eyes as he spoke. "Because Danzo is my enemy as well, Shiki Uzumaki!"
Then Kabuto locked eyes with Shiki intensely and continued, "Although I don't understand why you hate Danzo so much, I don't need to understand either. If I can do something simple to harm Danzo, I'll be satisfied."
Listening to Kabuto's words, Shiki Uzumaki suddenly felt as if something had returned to him.
A tidal wave of memories crashed into him.
I finally get it!!!
Shiki's eyes lit up as long-forgotten memories came flooding back with sharp clarity.
He finally understood what Kabuto meant.
Back then, to secure funding for the orphanage, the director—who was like a mother figure to Kabuto—Yakushi Nonou was forced under Danzo's threats to work as a spy across various countries.
Not long after, Kabuto himself was sent out on such missions too.
Thanks to their exceptional skills, they quickly gathered massive intelligence for Konoha.
But at this point, the fate of being a spy kicked in.
They knew far too much!
[Promotional message removed for translation purposes.]
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