Chapter 5: The Disciple
The Director's Office, Konoha Orphanage.
"Yusuke-kun, it's been a while since you last visited. Everyone missed you dearly. With the recent war, we were all so worried something might have happened to you."
A woman, appearing to be around twenty-five years old, smiled gently at Yusuke.
Her name was Nonô Yakushi. She wore a black nun's robe, had long golden hair, and black rectangular glasses perched on her nose. Her gentle smile gave off the comforting aura of an older sister next door.
If Yusuke hadn't known her true identity, he would never have guessed that she was once an elite spy and assassin ninja.
Nonô had a kind and compassionate nature. Tired of the bloody life of a ninja under the Root Organization, she resigned from her position under Danzo and established an orphanage on the outskirts of the Hidden Leaf Village, offering refuge to children orphaned by war.
But Yusuke knew that Danzo hadn't truly let go of his former subordinate.
"Lord Yusuke, you wouldn't believe it—our Director has such a kind heart. She takes in every orphan she finds. The funding from the village is no longer enough, and she's been supporting the orphanage with her own money,"
a plump nun working at the orphanage added with a sigh.
Yusuke pulled out a package and handed it over. "This is just a little help from me. Please accept it."
Inside was a modest sum of money—not extravagant, but not insignificant either. As a Jonin, Yusuke had a comfortable income. He didn't mind giving some away for charity, especially to someone as kind-hearted as Nonô.
And more importantly, this orphanage served as the perfect channel for him to approach his target—Yakushi Kabuto. A win-win situation.
"Thank you, Yusuke-kun. If it weren't for your continued support, the children might be living much harder lives."
Nonô didn't refuse the gift. She had already given everything she had to the orphanage. Yusuke's help was not just welcome—it was crucial.
"I recall you once mentioned wanting to teach the kids medical ninjutsu, so they could support the village's wounded and earn some income. How's that going?" Yusuke asked casually.
Nonô's face lit up with a smile. "The children are doing wonderfully. They've been working hard, and many are nearly ready to start helping real patients. Especially Kabuto—that child is incredibly talented. His mastery of medical ninjutsu is already beyond that of many trained medical-nin."
"Oh? That's intriguing. Would it be alright if I saw his progress?" Yusuke asked with a smile.
Nonô nodded and led him to the training room where the children practiced. Inside, all the orphans were diligently working, many practicing Chakra Healing Techniques—a basic but effective form of medical ninjutsu.
Standing at the back, Yusuke immediately spotted his target—Kabuto.
At this time, Kabuto still wore the innocent look of a child. Gone was the cold and calculating man he would become in the future.
He had long white hair tied into a ponytail and wore black, round glasses—his most treasured gift from Nonô after she had taken him in.
Unlike the others, Kabuto wasn't practicing the standard healing technique. Instead, he was working on a more advanced method.
A dying fish lay on a white cloth with a simple sealing formula drawn on it. Kabuto's right hand glowed with blue chakra, and his fingers carefully stimulated several points on the fish's body like acupuncture.
Moments later, the lifeless fish suddenly began flapping its tail vigorously, as if it had just been pulled from a river.
"He's already capable of using chakra to stimulate acupuncture points?" Yusuke asked, surprised.
Nonô nodded proudly. "Yes, his talent is extraordinary. This method requires extremely precise chakra control and a deep understanding of the body's structure. It's not something most medical-nin can even attempt."
Yusuke paused, then said, "Director, I have a request... though I know it may be a bit much."
"You've helped us so much already, Yusuke-kun. If there's something I can do in return, I'd be honored. Please, go ahead," Nonô replied warmly.
Yusuke's eyes settled on Kabuto. "I've long been searching for a disciple—someone to help me with the development of advanced jutsu. Kabuto's talent is beyond exceptional. He's perfect for it."
Nonô was momentarily surprised but then nodded with a smile.
"If it were anyone else, I might hesitate... but if it's you, Yusuke-kun, I believe I can trust you with him.
As long as Kabuto agrees, I won't stand in his way."
At that moment, Kabuto, as if sensing their gaze, turned toward them.
Nonô waved him over. Kabuto happily trotted toward them.
"Director, did you need me?" he asked, his face lit with a child's innocent smile.
Nonô gently ruffled his hair. "Yusuke wants to take you as his student and teach you advanced ninjutsu. Would you be interested?"
Kabuto asked hesitantly, "If I become his student... will I still live here with you?"
Yusuke answered, "You'd live with me from now on. Of course, you can always come back to visit your friends and the Director whenever you want."
Hearing that, Kabuto's smile faded. "Then... I don't want to go. I want to stay with the Director forever."
To Kabuto, Nonô was the only person he could trust, the only one who had ever shown him true kindness. He couldn't imagine leaving her side.
Yusuke knelt down and softly patted his head. "But think about this—if you learn from me and grow into a powerful ninja, you could truly help the Director. You wouldn't be a burden anymore."
Kabuto turned to Nonô. "Am I... a burden?"
Nonô immediately pulled him into a hug. "Of course not. You've helped me in countless ways. Yusuke just doesn't know all the things you've done here."
She gave Yusuke a mild glare.
Yusuke chuckled awkwardly and gave her an apologetic look. He hadn't wanted to call Kabuto a burden, but he needed to push the boy a little. He knew Kabuto was thoughtful and sensitive—just the right kind of child to respond to that kind of challenge.
Kabuto gently pulled away from her embrace. As much as he loved her warmth, he understood that he had to make a decision—a real one, like a man.
"Director, I want to become someone who can really help you. I want to become Lord Yusuke's student!"
Kabuto looked at her with resolve in his eyes.
Nonô smiled softly. "Then go. I'll support you no matter what. If you're going to be Yusuke's disciple, give it your all and make us proud."
Kabuto turned to Yusuke, then knelt down and bowed deeply. "I, Yakushi Kabuto, humbly ask to become your student. Please teach me!"
Yusuke stood tall. "Kabuto, from this moment on, you are officially my disciple. I'll train you with everything I've got—but you must work hard. If you don't meet my standards, I won't go easy on you."
Kabuto pressed his forehead to the ground again, then stood up. "Yes, Master Yusuke! I promise—I will make you proud!"
Yusuke smiled. "I believe in you."
As the children and staff of the orphanage tearfully waved them off, Yusuke took Kabuto with him.
Since he had to get to the Hokage's office by noon, Yusuke tucked Kabuto under his arm and raced back at full speed.
By the time they reached his home, Kabuto looked dizzy and nauseated, like he'd been on a rollercoaster.
He clutched his stomach, barely holding back yesterday's lunch.
A woman greeted them with a gentle smile. "So this is the child you've been talking about? What a lovely little girl."
Kabuto's face turned red. "I'm a boy! My name is Yakushi Kabuto!"
At this age, it was hard to tell sometimes—especially with Kabuto's delicate features.
The woman chuckled and ruffled his hair. "What an adorable child. You can call me Auntie—I'm Yusuke's mother, Uchiha Hazuki."
"Where's Izumi?" Yusuke asked.
"That girl ran off to play with her friends as soon as she woke up," Hazuki replied.
Yusuke handed a scroll to Kabuto. "This has some basic ninjutsu techniques. Study them while I'm away."
Kabuto took the scroll carefully. "Yes, Master. I'll do my best."
As Yusuke left for the Hokage's office, Kabuto turned to see Hazuki smiling gently at him.
It brought back the same warm feeling he had when Nonô first adopted him.
"Maybe… this won't be so bad," Kabuto thought to himself, heart swelling with hope for the future.
And he made a silent vow:
To work hard, become a strong ninja, and repay both the Director and his new teacher.