Root was truly an elite organization, there was no questioning that much.
Just in terms of efficiency alone, there was nothing to complain about.
The message sent to the border had not even been out for half a day.
Yet Yakushi Nono had already arrived in Konoha.
The glow of the evening sun spread across the streets of Konoha. Yakushi Nono stood at the entrance of the Hokage Building.
She tilted her head slightly and looked up at the sky, her gaze carrying a hint of uncertainty.
She had just returned from Root's secret base, and still carried that cold and shadowy air about her. Standing in the sunlight like this, she actually felt slightly out of place.
"You are Yakushi Nono. Follow me inside."
An ANBU member walked out from the entrance and spoke to Yakushi Nono in a low voice.
"Yes."
Yakushi Nono came back to her senses, lowered her head, and followed behind the ANBU member as they walked inside.
The inside of the Hokage Building was even quieter than outside.
Although Yakushi Nono had followed Danzo's orders to return to the village and report, Danzo had not told her the specifics.
Thinking that she was about to meet the Third Hokage, Nono could not help but feel nervous.
The two arrived at the door to the Hokage's office. The ANBU member pushed the door open for her. After checking in, he said to her in a low voice.
"Go in."
Yakushi Nono bowed and stepped inside carefully.
"Sit."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was writing on a scroll. He glanced up at the entering Yakushi Nono and gestured toward the sofa nearby.
She walked obediently over to the sofa, but did not sit down.
She simply stood there in silence.
After a few minutes, once the scroll was finished, he looked toward Yakushi Nono.
"Yakushi Nono."
"Yes."
Nono's expression became composed, and her breathing settled.
"Starting today, you will assist Tsunade in handling matters related to Konoha Hospital and training medical ninja, among other duties."
Hiruzen's tone was gentle.
"If you perform well, you may in the future officially leave Root and join the medical system."
Those words were like a beam of light, shining into her grey world.
Nono lowered her head, unable to hide the stirring in her eyes, and nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will not fail what has been entrusted to me."
Hiruzen looked at her and nodded seriously.
Yakushi Nono's file had been sent to him just the day before.
She had served under Root and stolen a great deal of intelligence from enemy nations on Root's behalf. Calling her a decorated operative would not be an overstatement.
Especially during the recent war.
Nearly half of the information on the movements of Kumogakure's combat units had been provided by Yakushi Nono.
And that was to say nothing of the intelligence on the Jinchuriki.
During wartime, intelligence work was critically important.
Whoever had control of information had control of the initiative in war.
Without information, you were like a blind person feeling around in the dark.
"This is your new personal file."
Hiruzen handed Yakushi Nono the prepared documents.
Someone like her, an intelligence operative, naturally could not carry out activities within the village under her previous Root identity.
Because Root could only exist in the shadows.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Yakushi Nono took it earnestly, holding it tightly.
She understood.
This identity would likely be with her for the rest of her life.
As for what was inside, she did not mind.
In Root, she had only been a code name.
Returning to Konoha, as long as she still had her own name, everything else did not matter.
"Go get some rest early. Remember to report to Konoha Hospital tomorrow."
She bowed and withdrew.
Walking out of the Hokage Building, her steps were noticeably lighter.
Root's missions were always filled with blood and schemes.
Deep in her heart, she had always longed to be like an ordinary medical ninja, using her hands to heal others rather than to take lives.
And now, her wish was nearly within reach.
Just then, she noticed someone not far away waving at her.
She looked carefully, and surprise flashed through her eyes.
That person was actually Uchiha Chiya, from that mission in Kumogakure last time.
He was leaning against the wall at the corner of the street, a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, his dark eyes carrying the gentle warmth she remembered.
"Nono, over here."
Chiya's voice was not loud, but it reached her ears clearly.
Nono was taken aback for a moment.
She still felt considerable gratitude toward Uchiha Chiya.
If not for his suggestion at the time, those orphans from Kumogakure would likely have been purged afterward.
She walked quickly over to him.
"Lord Chiya."
Chiya straightened up and smiled.
"No need for Lord anything. Just call me Chiya."
The young woman before him had skin as pale as snow, nearly translucent in the sunlight.
Her build was slender, giving an impression of fragility and purity.
Her smooth golden hair curled slightly inward at the ends, the tips resting lightly on her shoulders, making her whole air even softer.
"Did the Third transfer you to the hospital?"
Nono nodded, then suddenly thought of something.
Her fair slender fingers pointed at Chiya, her gaze filled with surprise.
"Did Chiya-kun arrange for me to be transferred back?"
Chiya folded his arms across his chest and said nothing to confirm or deny it.
"The shadows were never the right place for you. Only the light is the path that belongs to you."
Even though Chiya had not said it outright, Nono was a Root elite. She understood clearly that her transfer back to the village was connected to Chiya.
"Chiya-kun, thank you."
Yakushi Nono's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes glistened as tears were on the verge of falling.
She quickly turned her face away and wiped them with her sleeve.
Seeing this, Chiya smiled at her.
"Come on. I will take you somewhere."
Chiya turned and motioned for her to follow.
"Where?"
She took a deep breath and settled her somewhat emotional state.
"A welcoming meal."
Chiya turned back and winked at her.
"Think of it as celebrating your new beginning."
Nono felt an even greater warmth in her heart. The fingers clutching her file tightened a little more.
Without any hesitation, she quickly stepped forward and fell in line with his pace.
The two arrived at a quiet dango shop. Chiya ordered several servings of the signature dango and hot tea with practiced ease.
The warm lighting and sweet fragrance inside the shop gradually let the tension in Nono's nerves ease away.
"If you ever need help with anything in the Medical Corps from now on, you can come find me."
Chiya pushed a skewer of dango toward her.
"But do not worry. Tsunade is strict, but she values people with real ability."
Nono took the dango and said softly.
"Thank you."
She took a bite. The sweet, soft texture melted on her tongue, as though even the shadows that had settled in her heart were being scattered a little.
"Chiya-kun, why do you help me?"
Chiya looked at her, his tone casual but sincere.
"Life in Root does not suit you. The path you are on now is the one you should be walking."
Nono looked up and met his gaze. She suddenly felt a heat behind her eyes.
She quickly lowered her head and said quietly.
"I will treasure this chance."
Chiya smiled and said nothing more.
He knew that for Nono, being able to step out of Root's shadow was already an enormous stroke of fortune.
And what he needed to do was simply give her a quiet push as she walked toward the light.
"Try this one."
Chiya split the skewer of dango the server had brought and gave half to Yakushi Nono.
"Thank you, Chiya-kun. You eat some too."
At that same time, at a hidden outpost on the border of the Land of Earth.
"Have we found any trace of Kirigakure's movements?"
The stern commander at the front looked at the six unit captains below him and asked in a cold voice.
"No. It seems Kirigakure has undergone some kind of change and is not allowing outsiders in. The Ice Release ninja who attacked our unit has also not been spotted at all."
"So there is still no news? Then send more people to keep investigating. Especially that Ice Release ninja. Go deep into Amegakure. I want that person found."
"Yes."
Everyone scattered and departed.