In terms of appearance and figure, Yakushi Nono indeed couldn't compete with Tsunade.
But beautiful faces are a dime a dozen—
an interesting soul is one in a million.
And to Uchiha Ren , Yakushi Nono was one in a million among the one in a million.
Perhaps because Ren was not originally from this world, the way he viewed things was different from most people.
His perspective wasn't confined to the viewpoint of Konohagakure.
Instead, he tended to look at matters from the standpoint of everyone in the world.
In Ren 's eyes, the civilians of Konoha and the civilians of Amegakure were no different.
That was why he could clearly see the pride hidden deep within the bones of Konoha's people.
Yakushi Nono, however, had spent half her life walking in darkness.
She understood the darkness of the world and the fickleness of human relationships far more deeply than most.
And yet—
She had not been corrupted by that darkness.
Nor had she grown indifferent because of life's cruelty.
Instead, she had blossomed like a flower that grows toward the sun within the shadows.
That was why she stopped fighting for the safety of "Konoha" and chose to leave Root, opening an orphanage instead.
War was cruel—whether it happened in Konoha or elsewhere.
But children were always innocent.
Yakushi Nono traveled across battlefields, taking in children who had lost their homes and families.
She never cared whether those children came from Konoha or another village.
The only reason she established the orphanage within Konoha's territory was simply because having a large tree nearby provided good shade.
In other words—
It was safer.
Yakushi Nono was one of the rare people in this world who had broken free from the shackles of village identity and begun looking at the world as a whole.
More importantly, unlike villains who suddenly "awaken" to the world's truth and begin causing chaos everywhere…
She simply chose to do what little good she could for the world.
That kind of gentleness and kindness was precisely what touched Ren the most.
And she was also the only person with whom he felt a true resonance.
To put it in simpler terms—
She was the only woman who could reach the depths of his soul.
Seeing Ren so confident, Uchiha Shisui didn't argue further.
Instead, he said,
"When I was returning, I noticed something unusual. About three kilometers southeast across the river, there's a valley with a large number of ninja lying in ambush. There are at least over a thousand of them."
Shisui had just returned from the Fire Daimyō's court and came straight here to attend the Uchiha clan memorial rite.
He had noticed the anomaly while traveling.
The reason he hadn't reported it immediately was because he trusted that Ren wouldn't overlook something so significant.
Even now, he mentioned it only as a precaution.
And Ren didn't disappoint him.
"That's just one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's backup measures," Ren said calmly.
"But Minato Namikaze is the one leading those forces. Whether that backup plan will actually work… is another matter."
"I see." Shisui smiled knowingly.
But then he frowned slightly.
"With the Third Hokage's orders, can Lord Minato really restrain them?"
Ren shook his head slightly.
"Most of those ninja were withdrawn from the battlefield together with Minato. His prestige among them speaks for itself."
"And besides… we don't actually need Minato to restrain them."
"If things truly reach the point of open conflict, we only need Minato to delay them for a while."
"What we really need to worry about are the clans within the village that are still waiting and watching."
The valley across the Naka River, three kilometers away, was technically already outside Konoha.
If the Uchiha and the village truly came to blows, the Uchiha would naturally push into the village, not outward.
Those ninja outside the village wouldn't actually stop them.
What mattered was something else entirely.
Although Hiruzen had not stationed troops inside the village itself, as long as ANBU and Root operatives stalled for a short time, the various clans within Konoha could easily gather several thousand shinobi in moments.
That—
was the true threat.
Of course, how many clans would actually risk their lives for Hiruzen Sarutobi was another question entirely.
Ren 's gaze turned distant, as though he could see straight through the river's surface into the village itself.
"The Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans—along with the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance."
"These seven clans are the ones Hiruzen can absolutely mobilize."
"I suspect they've already made preparations for battle."
Although there were many people within the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans who were secretly aligned with them…
The majority of those clans still remained loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Sarutobi clan.
After all, ever since the Warring States Era, the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans had fought side by side.
To strengthen their alliance, every generation of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio swore an oath symbolized by ceremonial earrings.
And the clan that served as the witness and keeper of those earrings was none other than the Sarutobi clan.
In the original story, when Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chōji Akimichi were promoted to chūnin, their team leader Asuma Sarutobi gave them earrings as gifts.
This symbolized the continuation of that ancient oath.
Thus, the bond between the Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, and Sarutobi clans was extremely deep—far beyond what ordinary methods could break.
This was also why members of those three clans often held important positions within Konoha.
Ren continued calmly,
"As for clans like the Inuzuka, Aburame, Gekkō, Mitarashi, Shiranui, Haruno, and many other small and mid-sized families…"
"They'll most likely stand on Hiruzen's side as well."
"But what they're loyal to isn't Hiruzen himself."
"It's the Hokage."
"Whoever becomes Hokage… is the one they'll support."
"Only clans like the Hyūga or the declining Kurama Clan, who have suffered under Hiruzen's suppression, are likely to remain neutral."
There weren't many large or medium clans in Konoha.
But there were countless small clans.
In this world, true civilians didn't even have surnames.
Anyone with a surname generally had some kind of family lineage or heritage.
When Konoha was first established, it was formed by:
Several major clansMore than a dozen mid-sized clansDozens—perhaps hundreds—of small clans
The civilian population only began moving into the village after Konoha had become prosperous and stable.
But the wars over the years had caused many small clans to vanish from history.
Some had declined until only a single survivor remained.
Like the Hatake Clan—
Which now had only Hatake Kakashi left.
Shisui's expression grew serious.
"If the situation is really this severe, Brother Ren … how can you still sit here fishing?"
Ren held the fishing rod calmly and replied in a quiet voice,
"I already said—this is only the worst-case scenario."
"And besides…"
He looked at the rain-covered river.
"The bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish."
"This is also the best opportunity for us to clearly see the true balance of power within the village."
"No matter how many ants there are…"
"They can't kill an elephant."
"And I have my own trump cards as well."
The rain continued to grow heavier.
And the sky gradually darkened.
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