'Wait. Maybe it's not such a bad thing! Now that Nono and Kabuto met properly, Danzo's scheme failed. He certainly wouldn't let them go after this.'
'In the original timeline, Orochimaru recruited Kabuto. Maybe this time, both of them can go with him instead. Although he's scum, he's usually good to talented subordinates.'
'Let's see how this meeting goes. It would be best if everything resolves itself without me having to make a move.'
By this time, Orochimaru was close enough for Nono and Kabuto to sense his chakra.
Nono turned toward the direction of the approaching chakra and pulled Kabuto behind her. "Kabuto, take Renji out of here. Someone else is coming."
Before he could respond, Orochimaru landed in front of them.
Looking at the pair before him, he quickly understood the situation.
"Hehehe... looks like Danzo's little game failed. I assumed one of you would be dead by the time I arrived."
"Orochimaru-sama?!"
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Kabuto put down his weapons and bowed hesitantly. He had seen him a few times while at Root.
Nono lowered her weapons but not her guard. "Orochimaru-sama, are you here on Danzo's orders?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh? Looks like you understand the situation. In that case, would you like to surrender yourselves... or should we play for a bit first?"
Kabuto was terrified by his aura but still stepped beside Nono, ready to fight.
Nono tensed as well. 'This isn't good. Orochimaru-sama, as one of the Sannin, is almost Kage level. The two of us can't defeat him.'
Just as the tension peaked, Orochimaru abruptly relaxed his chakra. "Fortunately for you, I don't agree with the way Danzo does things." He looked at the wary Kabuto and chuckled raspily. "And I've had my eye on you for a while. You'll make a good assistant. From now on, you two will work for me."
Both of them sighed in relief and bowed.
Nono said respectfully, "Thank you for your generosity, Orochimaru-sama."
Renji thought, 'Damn Orochimaru. So theatrical.'
With that, they walked toward the cave while discussing their next steps.
"Kabuto can return to Konoha with me," Orochimaru said. "But Nono, you can't. We'll say you died at Kabuto's hands. You'll stay in one of my secret bases outside the village."
Kabuto could be excused—Danzo wouldn't pursue him—but the same couldn't be said for Nono. She had been on Danzo's kill list for a while.
Nono understood, though she felt heavy at heart, thinking of the orphanage. 'I hope they find a good caretaker.'
When Renji's 'unconscious' body came into view, Nono rushed toward him to check his condition, but Orochimaru raised a hand to stop her.
"Orochimaru-sama?"
"Hehehe... you're better than I thought, Aoki-kun. Get up—I know you're awake."
Renji cursed internally. 'How the hell did he realize?'
It was pointless to pretend anymore, so he slowly sat up, facing the trio with a scared and confused expression.
Looking at them, he saw Orochimaru's playful smile, Kabuto's confusion, and Nono's worry.
"I-I'm sorry, ninja-san. I was just scared. I didn't mean to offend you."
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Oh, I'm not offended. In fact, it's fascinating. How did you wake up so soon? If I'm right, Kabuto should've given you enough anaesthetic."
Kabuto nodded in confirmation.
Nono quickly interjected, "Orochimaru-sama, he's probably just more resistant. Let's forget about it and take him back to his home. He's innocent in all this."
"Oh... if only it were that simple. He heard everything just now. Even if he didn't, we can't let him go." Orochimaru's tone turned cold. "My mission stated he's a top-priority target for elimination. So don't interfere anymore."
Renji was dumbfounded. 'What? I'm just a civilian business owner! Why would you care about me? Damn Danzo, just you wait!'
Still, he wasn't truly worried. He had Kushina's passive skills, his absurd hair manipulation powers, and multiple trump cards. The only issue was keeping them a secret—but that wasn't mandatory.
Nono, however, wasn't ready to give up. She stepped in front of Renji, shielding him from Orochimaru.
She pleaded, "Orochimaru-sama, please let him live! I can take him with me. He'll never set foot in the village again."
Kabuto was confused by it all. First, his anaesthetic hadn't worked on Renji. Then, the man was suddenly a high-value target. And now, Nono was shielding him. He realized Renji must be important to her.
If that was the case, he decided to help as well. "Please, Orochimaru-sama, spare him."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He couldn't care less about Renji's life or death—but their defiance, right after joining him, irritated him deeply.
He didn't say a word, but Nono suddenly spun around and threw a kunai at Renji!
Renji didn't flinch. The kunai pierced a camouflaged snake that had been about to strike him, killing it instantly.
"Orochimaru-sama, please... let him live. He's innocent."
Orochimaru went eerily silent. Kabuto couldn't take it anymore and tried to pull Nono back. "Mother, that's enough! Let's not involve ourselves any further!"
But Nono scolded him instead. "Kabuto. Remember what I used to say to you? Always help others..."
Kabuto finished softly, "That's what makes us shinobi worth trusting."
Nono patted his head. "That's right. We're shinobi. We follow orders, yes—but we should also help others in need. Especially those who've helped us. Renji is a benefactor of our orphanage. Without his donations, the kids would've gone hungry and cold these last few months."
Renji felt a lump in his throat. 'I'm glad. I wasn't wasting my effort helping her. I just hope Orochimaru stops at this. Although... I wonder why Danzo made me a high-priority target.'