The Yakushi Clan was one of the founding families of Konoha during the First Hokage's era.
Their numbers were already small, and after the First Great Ninja War, they lost even more.
Nonō Yakushi's parents were among those who sacrificed themselves.
Fortunately, because their clan was so small, the bonds between its members were strong.
Orphaned at a young age, Nonō Yakushi still grew up healthily under the care of the clan.
She was deeply grateful for that care.
But a small clan was still a small clan. Aside from some medical knowledge, the Yakushi Clan didn't possess any secret ninjutsu inheritance.
Even so, Nonō Yakushi made them proud—she got into the most elite class at the Ninja Academy.
But little did she know that this accomplishment would bring disaster.
After receiving approval from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura's first targets were small clans like hers.
Although these smaller clans weren't particularly powerful, their ninjas were generally far more capable than civilian-born ones.
As an elite student in Class A, Nonō Yakushi naturally caught Danzo's eye.
The Yakushi Clan, unable to defy a direct Hokage order, had no choice but to let Nonō decide for herself.
Yesterday, after school, Nonō said goodbye to her classmates and happily went home.
Then came the nightmare.
Nonō Yakushi still vividly remembered the man standing in the shadows.
Danzo Shimura explained to her the philosophy of Root. He dressed it up with grandiose language meant to brainwash.
But even as a child, destined to be his ace spy, Nonō saw through Root's darkness.
Before she could even refuse, Danzo spoke up, noticing the resistance on her face.
He said, in a calm voice, the cruelest words:
"Root is short on manpower. I've been authorized by the Hokage to recruit you."
"But if you agree to join, no other member of the Yakushi Clan will have to."
That condition was something a kind soul like her couldn't refuse. She didn't want her kin, the very people who raised her, dragged into darkness.
Faced with such a "choice," she placed herself in the chamber and pulled the trigger.
Danzo didn't care how she felt.
Once she gave her answer, he didn't take her away immediately.
Instead, he gave her her first mission: observe Uchiha Hikaru for a year. If her grades dropped, she'd be expelled.
Over the course of the year, Nonō Yakushi had to slowly worsen her academic performance—until it was bad enough to justify expulsion.
The purpose of this was to let Root take her in quietly, without attracting attention.
After all, a top-tier student dropping out out of nowhere would draw suspicion.
Danzo had high hopes for Nonō Yakushi. He didn't want anything to go wrong with her recruitment.
So, he came up with this simple but effective plan.
And to make the most of it, he took advantage of the fact that she and Uchiha Hikaru were in the same class—assigning her to collect intel on him.
During that year, if anything unusual happened with Uchiha Hikaru, Nonō had to report it to Danzo immediately.
That way, when the time came to deal with Uchiha Hikaru, Root would be fully prepared.
Thinking of the pitch-black future ahead of her, Nonō Yakushi couldn't help but fall into despair.
Yes, this path was one she had "chosen"—but in the end, it was a false choice. Danzo never gave her another option.
And knowing Danzo's nature, even if she'd refused this time…
There would have been more threats down the line—until she finally gave in and joined Root.
Overwhelmed by this sudden turn of events, six-year-old Nonō couldn't help but fantasize about fairy tales.
She found herself thinking, 'If only a prince would come save me…'
Just then, Uchiha Hikaru walked over to the dazed girl.
He greeted her but didn't get a response. That struck him as odd.
After all, their little group had gotten to know each other yesterday.
Nonō wasn't the kind of person to ignore someone—so why wouldn't she respond?
Curious, Uchiha Hikaru looked her way to see what was going on.
Then he saw her face—pale as paper, dark circles under her eyes.
He froze at the sight of her.
Following his gaze, Tsunade looked over too.
And the moment she saw Nonō's appearance, the blunt and outspoken Tsunade couldn't help but cry out in shock.
That drew the attention of most of the classroom.
All the children saw how terrible Nonō looked.
They were still innocent, and the moment they saw a classmate in distress—
—they immediately gathered around her in concern.
"Nonō, are you okay?"
"If you're not feeling well, go to the infirmary. Let a teacher take a look."
"Yeah! We can go with you if you want!"
Tsunade stepped forward and reached out, ready to help Nonō up and walk her to the infirmary.
Surrounded by worried eyes, Nonō Yakushi's eyes grew red.
But thinking of her clan, she forced back her tears and managed a strained smile.
"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night. Sorry for making you all worry."
The other kids looked at her reluctant smile. They were still a little uneasy, but gradually dispersed.
After all, if she said she was fine, they weren't about to drag her to the infirmary against her will.
Once the crowd cleared, Uchiha Hikaru furrowed his brow.
He sensed something wasn't right.
And according to the Law of the Scapegoat…
Uchiha Hikaru immediately locked onto Danzo as the culprit.
There wasn't a shred of evidence, but Hikaru was certain Danzo was involved.
What's more, Nonō Yakushi had originally joined Root and become Danzo's ace spy.
He wasn't sure exactly when it happened, but with him—Uchiha Hikaru—as a butterfly flapping its wings, it was only natural for the story to change.
'Nonō is supposed to be my future Head of the Police Force—how dare someone try to steal her?'
The thought of Danzo trying to poach his people made Hikaru angry.
He'd already planned everything out for Nonō Yakushi—there was no way he was handing her over to Danzo.
Besides, Root wasn't some wholesome organization.
It was filled with brainwashed puppets or those cursed with the Tongue-Curse Seal of Absolute Obedience.
Clearly, Danzo saw them all as disposable tools.
But most importantly—
The First Hokage founded Konoha so that children could grow up safe and sound.
Yet even while Mito Uzumaki was still healthy and active, Danzo dared to lay hands on children?
There were still many old-timers in the village—those inspired by the First Hokage's ideals—who hadn't even passed away yet.
Was Danzo getting cocky… or did Mito Uzumaki no longer have the strength to lift her blade?
'Danzo, you're the one who handed me this sword.'
Thinking this, Uchiha Hikaru looked at Nonō Yakushi and gently said:
"Nonō, we're teammates."
"If there's something you can't handle, just tell us. We've got your back."
Hearing that, Nonō Yakushi's lips trembled slightly.
But in the end, she bit her lip and shook her head.
"I really am okay."