"If it really works out, that would be a huge help," Nonō said with a smile, though she didn't take it too seriously.
She appreciated that Hakusei Tōya cared, but he was still just an ordinary ninja, limited in influence and power, so she wasn't expecting much to come of it.
"Would you like some fruit? We grow it ourselves. It's a little sour, but still quite good," she offered as she stood up, ready to grab some.
Tōya quickly waved his hands and stopped her, shaking his head. "No need, I just ate before coming over."
He was here to help ease the burden on the orphanage, not add to it.
"Actually, I came to talk to you about something," Tōya said.
"What is it?" Nonō asked curiously.
Tōya pointed to Kabuto, who had just finished his dango and was still savoring the taste. "I want to enroll Kabuto in the Ninja Academy. I'll cover the tuition."
Kabuto was someone he planned to cultivate. He couldn't leave him on his own forever.
There were two key benefits to sending Kabuto to the Academy: building bonds and giving him a happy childhood, and also getting him a systematic education in ninja basics.
Sure, the Academy only taught the fundamentals, but the fundamentals were essential.
A flash of hesitation crossed Nonō's face, then she said, "Kabuto's a bit quiet… and coming from the orphanage, I'm afraid he'll be bullied at school."
Children like Kabuto, poor, without status, and shy, were easy targets.
As someone who had once served in the Foundation, she had seen far too much darkness. It was precisely because she wanted to escape that world that she chose to become an ordinary orphanage caretaker.
She didn't want Kabuto to have a painful childhood in the Academy. It was enough for him to grow up healthy and safe, even if he never became a ninja.
Tōya chuckled, pulled Kabuto closer, and poked his confused, fair little cheek.
"That's where you're wrong. Look at Kabuto's baby face and that cool white short hair, he's bound to be popular with the girls. Even if he doesn't talk much, they'll just think he's aloof and mysterious."
"Nonō, the world is harsh. Only the chubby and ugly get called antisocial. Guys like me and Kabuto? We're called 'cool and reserved.'"
Nonō stared blankly at him for a moment, only realizing at the end that this guy had just complimented her in a roundabout way.
"You and your twisted logic… I can never out-talk you," she said, exasperated.
Tōya was great in many ways, but sometimes he came up with the strangest things. They were the same age, yet every time she talked with him, he'd say things she just couldn't make sense of.
"But," Nonō changed her tone, "Kabuto has to agree himself. It's his life, after all, he should be the one to decide."
Tōya looked at Kabuto quietly, saying nothing.
Nonō also turned to Kabuto, silently waiting.
Neither of them tried to influence him. They simply let Kabuto decide.
Kabuto looked at Nonō, then at Tōya, completely confused. What the heck just happened? Everything was fine a minute ago.
Seeing Kabuto so at a loss, Tōya smiled gently and said,
"Kabuto, no pressure. Going to school doesn't mean you have to leave the orphanage or Nonō.
Even if you don't go, I'll still come visit you like always. So relax, if you want to go, go. If not, it's fine too."
Kabuto visibly relaxed after hearing that nothing would be lost no matter what he chose. Then he straightened up and said firmly, "I want to go to school!"
Nonō was surprised at how quickly Kabuto made up his mind. "You really want to experience school life that badly?" she asked.
Kabuto shook his head and replied, "If I graduate from school, I'll be a ninja. Ninjas can take missions and earn money. I want to make money, to ease your burden, Director."
One night, long ago, Kabuto had seen Nonō under dim candlelight, frowning bitterly as she counted coins and sighed.
She never showed that face in the daytime. In front of the children, she always wore a smile.
Ever since he'd learned ninjas could earn money through missions, Kabuto had wanted to become one. He didn't want to see Nonō wear that pained expression again.
"Kabuto, you…" Nonō was momentarily speechless.
Tōya patted Kabuto on the shoulder and grinned. "That's right. Ninja missions can be pretty lucrative. An S-rank mission pays over a million ryō!"
"So, do your best. Only powerful ninjas can take on high-level missions."
Kabuto's eyes lit up with excitement at the number "one million ryō," and he nodded fiercely.
After sharing a few motivational stories with Kabuto, Tōya left.
He had things to take care of, like reviewing the intel Minato had given him and refining the restructuring plan for the new Anbu unit.
Two days later, after finishing all the infiltration reports Minato had given him, Hakusei Tōya headed out to check on Kakashi's progress.
Just in case things hadn't gone smoothly, he figured it was time to see where Kakashi was at, it was already the sixth day.
If Kakashi hadn't mastered the technique by now, Tōya would just boost his stats directly and help him learn [Shave] on the spot.
After all, he couldn't actually kick Kakashi out of Anbu. Kakashi was a prime candidate, once trained properly, he could save Tōya a ton of work down the line.
Still, if Kakashi hadn't succeeded, Tōya might have to lower his "evaluation tier" just a bit.
He checked Kakashi's house first, no one there.
In the end, he used Observation Haki to trace his chakra and finally found him at the training grounds.
When Tōya arrived, he saw Kakashi in the middle of a fight with Might Guy.
Under the scorching sun, their intense clash stirred up clouds of dust across the field.
Feeling warmed up, Might Guy's gaze sharpened as his aura suddenly surged.
"Eight Gates Released Formation! Fourth Gate, Gate of Pain, open!"
With the fourth gate open, Guy's speed and power skyrocketed, and he immediately overwhelmed Kakashi. Under the relentless barrage, Kakashi was forced back step after step.
Tōya watched with growing interest. At this stage, Kakashi should still be stronger in a regular sparring match.
But since arriving, he hadn't seen Kakashi use any ninjutsu. It was all pure taijutsu.
'Trying to push himself through battle pressure…?' Tōya quietly speculated, watching intently.
Just as Guy's Leaf Whirlwind was about to land, Kakashi suddenly stomped the ground twice and vanished, only to reappear behind Guy and land a clean punch that sent him flying.
Tōya's eyes narrowed. That didn't look like someone who just learned the technique, he was already using it smoothly.
Guy, now sprawled on the ground, wasn't upset at all. He sprang up with a huge grin, flashing two rows of gleaming white teeth and gave a big thumbs-up.
"Is this the power of love I sensed? I felt it, love really is strong!"
"But youth is no weaker than love! Fifth Gate, Gate of Limit, open!"
"Come, Kakashi! Show me the limits of your power of love!"
Kakashi blinked, completely confused. Love? When did he ever comprehend love? What the hell was Guy talking about?
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter