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Akano's death cast a pall over the Yuta household. Despite Kiko's renewed pregnancy, the usual warmth was absent. Everyone moved with a quiet solemnity, each seeking solace in their own tasks, hoping to outrun the pervasive sadness.
That morning, Yuta was engaged in training with Nawaki and the others when a faint sobbing sound snagged his attention.
He turned to see a small girl with short, sunny yellow hair, huddled on the ground, her head buried in her arms, crying softly.
The girl, startled by the approaching footsteps, looked up with wide, panicked eyes, seeing Yuta and his group standing a short distance away, watching her.
Yuta observed that the little girl appeared to be around seven years old. A pair of round glasses perched on her small face, lending her an endearing appearance.
"Nono, what are you doing here?" Nawaki clearly recognized the child.
Hearing Nawaki address the girl as Nono, Yuta's curiosity piqued. Wasn't this the future stepmother of Kabuto Yakushi in the original timeline, a formidable spy within Root? What was she doing here, looking so utterly forlorn?
Seeing them approach, Nono immediately ceased her crying, hastily removing her glasses to wipe away her tears. She then bowed apologetically to Yuta and his companions.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Nawaki stepped closer, staring at her with a puzzled frown.
"Why are you here? What happened? Why are you hiding here, crying all by yourself?"
"It's nothing; it's just… it's just…" Nono already felt deeply embarrassed at being discovered crying alone. But seeing Nawaki standing so close, a blush crept up her cheeks, and she spoke with hesitant stammers.
Yuta, observing the shy and distressed girl, walked over, his movements gentle. He crouched down, his gaze soft as he asked,
"Little girl, your name is Nono, isn't it? Why are you all alone here? It's wartime, and the village isn't entirely safe. You should go home quickly! Don't let the grown-ups worry about you."
The little girl had managed to stem her tears, but Yuta's words seemed to reopen the floodgates. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes and began to stream down her face once more.
Yuta was initially perplexed by her renewed tears, but then a memory surfaced—Nono had been an orphan in the original timeline.
'Could it be…?'
At that moment, Nawaki discreetly tugged on Yuta's sleeve and whispered, "Nono's parents died in the Land of Rain some time ago."
'That's right.' Hearing Nawaki's quiet explanation, Yuta felt a pang of awkwardness. He had intended to offer comfort but had inadvertently touched upon her recent tragedy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know."
Yuta said to Nono, his expression genuinely apologetic.
"It's none of your business; it's… it's…"
"Tell your uncle what happened, and see if he can help you."
Hearing Yuta's suggestion, Nawaki nodded encouragingly at Nono.
"Teacher Yuta is very capable. Tell him what's troubling you. Maybe he can help."
Nawaki, unable to bear seeing his classmate so distressed, quickly urged Nono to confide in Yuta.
"Really?" The little girl still seemed hesitant, her tear-filled eyes fixed on Yuta.
"Yes! Tell Uncle if you're facing any difficulties."
Seeing Yuta's firm nod of reassurance, the little girl seemed to cast aside her shyness. She anxiously twisted her small fingers together.
"Well, um, Uncle… I don't want to go to the orphanage, but they came to take my house away today, and I have nowhere else to live. Can Uncle Yuta help me get my house back?"
Hearing Nono's words, Yuta's expression darkened. This situation clearly wasn't in line with the village's official policies; someone was exploiting the wartime chaos for personal gain.
He instructed Nawaki and the others to take Nono back to his home for the time being, while he himself headed straight to the Hokage's office, his steps purposeful.
"Bang!"
This time, Yuta didn't bother with a polite knock. He simply thrust the door open and strode into the office.
Yuta had visited the Hokage's office numerous times before! But this time, the moment Yuta entered, the Third Hokage felt a palpable wave of terrifying oppression.
Seeing Yuta burst in with a grim face and sensing his powerful aura, the Third Hokage couldn't help but wonder if his age was finally catching up to him.
Although Yuta had shown restraint in capturing Hanzō alive, the raw power he exuded now made the Third Hokage feel that he might not survive a direct confrontation.
But Yuta had always been so composed before. What had happened today? He didn't believe Yuta had come to harm him.
"How dare you! Yuta, what do you think you're doing? This is the Hokage's office, not a place for your reckless behavior!"
Before the Third Hokage or Yuta could speak, Danzō, whose legs trembled visibly beneath Yuta's oppressive aura, issued a sharp reprimand.
He had come to the Hokage's office to once again plead with the Third Hokage to allow him to return to the front lines. Without military merits, his ambition of becoming Hokage would remain a distant dream.
However, due to his previous actions that had contributed to Konohagakure's current precarious situation, the Third Hokage had steadfastly refused his requests.
He had been in the midst of a heated argument with his old classmate when Yuta's sudden and forceful entry had startled him.
Although he harbored dissatisfaction with Sarutobi's position as Hokage and often disregarded the Third Hokage's authority, he still valued the Hokage's reputation, firmly believing that he would eventually ascend to that very position.
Yuta completely ignored Danzō's outburst. Ever since Danzō's attack on his family, Yuta had resolved to eliminate this man who consistently harbored ill intentions towards him, but he had yet to find the right opportunity.
Seeing Yuta's continued silence and grim countenance, the Third Hokage decided to forgo further arguing with Danzō. He composed himself and addressed Yuta seriously. "You had better have a valid explanation for this behavior, Yuta. Otherwise, no one will take my authority as Hokage seriously in the future."
Yuta also began to regain his composure, realizing he had acted impulsively. However, he had no intention of backing down this time, understanding that mishandling Nono's situation could severely undermine Konohagakure's authority and stability.
Yuta cast a sidelong glance at Danzō, a suspicion forming in his mind—could Danzō be behind this? After all, Nono would soon be under his command.
'If there's a convenient scapegoat, might as well use him first. It's not illegal to try, anyway.'
Yuta took a deep breath, suppressing the lingering anger in his chest, and began to recount to the Third Hokage the events that had befallen Nono that day.
As the Third Hokage listened to Yuta's story, his expression grew increasingly grave.
"Bang!" Before the Third Hokage could utter a word, Danzō erupted in anger.
"This is outrageous! What do they think they're doing? They're undermining the very foundations of Konohagakure!"
Looking at the incensed Danzō, Yuta couldn't help but murmur inwardly, 'Could it be that I was wrong, and he really wasn't involved?'
In truth, Yuta was somewhat influenced by Danzō's later portrayal in the original timeline, often attributing any negative event to the darkness of Konoha.
At this point, however, Danzō still possessed some foresight. Unlike his older self, facing the near certainty of never becoming Hokage unless he took drastic measures, the current Danzō firmly believed that the Third Hokage's reign wouldn't last, and his own ascension was inevitable.
Hearing that someone was undermining Konohagakure meant undermining his own future prospects. How could he not react?
The Third Hokage cast a disdainful glance at his old friend. He naturally understood Danzō's motivations, but this wasn't the time to dwell on them. He had to resolve Nono's issue first; otherwise, it could severely damage the morale of the troops on the front lines if word got out.
No one wanted to fight for the village, only to have their children become homeless after their deaths.
"Danzō, you will handle this matter. You must conduct a thorough investigation and strive to contain the fallout. Anyone involved is to be dealt with without leniency!"
It fell to Konohagakure's Darkness to address this crisis. This issue had crossed a fundamental line for the Third Hokage's administration, and it was time for Comrade Danzō to step in and take decisive, ruthless action.
"Don't worry, none of these termites will escape. Should we also eliminate that little girl to prevent any potential rumors?"
"You can try," Yuta said, his gaze fixed on Danzō, his expression chillingly devoid of emotion.
The Third Hokage waved his hand dismissively. "Don't meddle in other people's affairs, Danzō. After all, we owe that girl."
"I did this for Konohagakure. You are being too soft-hearted. You will regret this."
Seeing Yuta's unwavering stance in protecting the girl, Danzō could only grumble his displeasure to the Third Hokage before turning and leaving to deal with the unfolding situation.