At night, Konoha was brightly lit.
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The New Year Festival has arrived!
A few more names were added to the Memorial Stone.
On this day, Konoha swept away its gloom; everyone seemed to temporarily forget the attacks, the chaos, and all that had happened before.
Everyone gathered in the streets to participate in this annual grand event.
On the street, Naruto, with his mouth full of various skewers, ate quickly, asking indistinctly between bites:
"Shin-nii, where do you live?"
"I live outside the village."
"Huh? You don't live in Konoha?"
"Yes, I'm an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage, and I still live there now."
The two walked and chatted.
Occasionally encountering classmates, Naruto would wave enthusiastically, especially excited when he saw Sakura Haruno, but he didn't rush over like he used to.
At the beginning of the New Year, everyone had changed.
On the mountain path outside the village, a figure walked slowly.
The further he went, the slower he walked, as if there was something he feared ahead.
After walking a long way, Yakushi Kabuto finally saw the orphanage he both longed for and feared.
It was still in the place he remembered.
Tonight, the orphanage was brightly lit, decorated with ribbons and lanterns outside, looking very festive.
He stood outside the courtyard, carefully moving forward, finally lying on the rooftop, quietly listening to the sounds below.
Faintly... "This time it's a bit simple."
"I heard something happened in the village, so we didn't dare to buy things today. Sigh, if the Matron were still here, she would definitely have a way."
"Matron..."
The voices below fell silent.
Kabuto lay on the rooftop, staring blankly at the sky.
His eyes dimmed.
Although he knew the full truth afterwards, it only made his heart ache more.
No one remembered him, including the Matron who loved him most, who had forgotten his existence under Danzo's influence.
Kabuto was silent.
Just as he was about to leave, a low whisper came from below: "I wonder what happened to the Matron."
"Probably... something happened."
"Sigh! And that child, I remember he was also taken away. I wonder how he's doing now."
A relatively old voice said, "I remember back then, he was a very well-behaved child, and he quickly learned Medical Ninjutsu..."
"Was his name Kabuto?"
Another person below chimed in, "When the Matron was here, we used to receive photos from there every New Year. This year, there are no photos at all."
"Sigh, I wonder how that child is doing."
The low whispers and soft sighs exploded in Kabuto's ears like muffled thunder.
They still remembered him!
At this moment, a strong impulse arose in his heart—
He wanted to go down!
But in an instant, Kabuto restrained his emotions.
He couldn't go down.
In the snowy night, the homeless wanderer came and went without a trace, leaving no mark.
On the road from the orphanage to Konoha.
Kabuto's steps were heavy, but his mood changed from uneasy and somber to a hint of joy and delight.
He wasn't someone without an identity; someone still remembered him!
But he was a spy.
Kabuto sighed deeply, his heart once again covered by confusion.
Just then... "Aren't you bringing any gifts home?"
A surprising voice sounded ahead of him.
Kabuto instinctively tensed his entire body, gripping his Kunai, all his strength poised for action.
From the shadows, Masahiko slowly walked out, carrying gifts like vegetables and fruits, looking as if he had spent some money.
He was a bit surprised.
"Are you going to the orphanage?"
"Because of special circumstances, this year has been quite turbulent. Many farmers don't dare to enter the village to sell vegetables, and many orphanages don't dare to buy them."
Masahiko, carrying the items, said, "So, I suggested to Hokage-sama to send Ninja to procure supplies so they can celebrate the New Year, and also send some to these orphanages."
Upon hearing this, Yakushi Kabuto's mood immediately became complex.
He hadn't thought of this aspect.
"Don't you want to go in and see?"
"I..."
Kabuto opened his mouth, unable to speak for a long time.
Masahiko smiled, "Use Transformation Jutsu to disguise yourself as my subordinate. No one will know."
Kabuto silently followed behind, transforming into an unremarkable Anbu attire... Inside the orphanage.
A rustling sound came from outside.
"Urushi, is there a sound outside?"
The middle-aged woman looked nervous.
In the snowy night, wild beasts might come down from the mountains.
"I'll check."
The man stood up, moved to the window where the sound came from, and quietly peered into the distance.
It wasn't a wild beast.
Over there, two figures walked to the front of their courtyard and knocked on the orphanage's outer gate.
Under the dim streetlights, one could vaguely see one of them wearing a Konoha Ninja vest.
Urushi turned around:
"Auntie, it seems to be a Konoha Ninja-sama."
"Quickly invite them in!"
The woman immediately stood up, surprised, mixed with apprehension and anticipation.
She tremblingly walked to the door.
Soon, the orphanage gate opened.
"Forgive my abrupt visit, my name is Yagyu Masahiko, a Konoha Jonin. The situation this year is special, and Hokage-sama has ordered us to deliver New Year supplies to the orphanages."
Masahiko smiled.
Urushi was surprised to hear this and said, "Hokage-sama still remembers us?"
"Of course, Hokage-sama remembers every citizen of Konoha."
Masahiko replied gently.
Afterwards, he glanced at the "ANBU Ninja" behind him and said, "Kou, bring the things in."
"Yes!"
Although there was no prior discussion, Kabuto knew that "Kou" referred to him.
He carried the items inside.
Urushi quickly said, "Both adults, please come in. I will pour you some hot water."
He hurried back into the house.
Yakushi Kabuto suppressed his excitement, entered the house, and carefully looked around.
The woman, seeing Kabuto in Anbu attire, was quite agitated and asked in a low voice, "Sir, you've come on behalf of Konoha... Then, is there any news about a child named Kabuto?"
Kabuto's heart skipped a beat, and at the same time, he couldn't help but feel happy.
He recognized the other party.
The other party had always worked at the orphanage, taking care of orphans like him since childhood.
She used to be fatter and younger.
After a few years, she had aged and thinned. As a Medical Ninja, he quickly saw that she was suffering from an illness due to overwork.
If she didn't rest, she probably wouldn't live much longer.
He couldn't help but think of Yakushi Nonou again.
If she were still alive, perhaps everyone wouldn't have to work so hard.
After a moment of silence, "Kou" lowered his voice and said, "Due to certain reasons, the situation there cannot be disclosed for now."
"Is that so? Well, thank you, sir!"
Disappointment flashed in the eyes of both her and Urushi.
Masahiko smiled, "Don't worry, the person you care about is still on our Ninja roster; currently, he has a special mission to execute."
"Thank you, thank you very much!"
The two bowed deeply.
Masahiko and Kabuto delivered the supplies and left quickly without lingering.
Walking on the road outside, Kabuto remained silent.
He couldn't promise anything, nor did he dare to ask Masahiko's purpose.
However.
After a while, Masahiko said softly:
"Kabuto, the more diligently you search, the easier it is to lose yourself... Sometimes, what you're looking for might be on the way back."
"Some paths cannot be turned back from."
Kabuto replied in a low voice.
"Perhaps."
Masahiko said with a smile.
Kabuto followed behind, unable to resist looking back at the orphanage, but ultimately didn't turn his head again, keeping pace with Masahiko.
"You didn't come here for no reason, did you?"
"Of course, I need you."
Masahiko said bluntly.
Kabuto raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
Masahiko said, "I've checked the records. You and Yakushi Nonou-senpai are both very skilled in espionage and infiltration. I need your notes on your experiences."
Kabuto was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'll send them over."
After a long pause, he said, "Thank you."
"Do you want me to keep the 'Kou' identity for you?"
Masahiko asked back.
Kabuto was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't have time to execute missions for you."
"Don't worry, you don't need to execute missions."
Masahiko smiled, "I just need your help in teaching some people how to be spies."