Watching the black-robed figure's cloak begin to tremble slightly, Akashō revealed a delighted smile.
This was way more fun than teasing Jiraiya.
"Stop messing with me. Jiraiya-sama told me to help arrange things for you—who exactly are you?"
"Oh."
Seeing that pushing any further might make the black-robed man snap on the spot, Akashō stopped teasing at the right moment.
"I'm an orphan Jiraiya picked up from the Sand Village battlefield."
The black-robed man fell silent for a moment. "That's it??"
"What else?"
"Damn brat."
The man cursed under his breath and kicked Akashō.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the orphanage."
Honestly, as an ANBU ninja—someone whose mental fortitude should surpass that of ordinary shinobi—this was the first time in years he'd experienced such a strong emotional reaction.
This kid's mouth was just too sharp.
Akashō rubbed his backside and hurried to follow. He had deliberately left out his real reason for coming to Konoha—he wanted to see how this black-robed guy would react once he realized he'd arranged things wrong.
Panic? Speechless frustration? Either way, it would definitely be entertaining.
Before long, under the ANBU ninja's lead, Akashō left Konoha's main roads and arrived at a remote corner of the village.
Konoha Orphanage.
At the worn-out gate stood a bespectacled woman dressed like a nun, watching the children playing in the yard with a gentle smile.
"Director Yakushi."
The ANBU ninja called out, drawing Yakushi Nono's attention. Then he stepped aside, revealing Akashō behind him.
"A new orphan. Please take him in."
Yakushi Nono nodded and crouched down, beckoning to Akashō. "Come here."
Akashō narrowed his eyes. This glasses-wearing woman even had that permanently half-closed gaze… could she be some hidden powerhouse?
Lost in his thoughts, he walked up to her. She reached out and gently patted his hair.
"Such a vivid color. Do you have a name?"
"Akashō."
"'Aka…shō.' That's not a very good name. Would you like me to give you a new one?"
"No need. I'm used to it."
Yakushi Nono nodded and didn't insist. She took his hand and stood up.
"I'll take good care of this child. Please rest assured."
"Mm."
The ANBU ninja nodded, then turned and quickly left.
He didn't want to spend even one more second around that red-haired brat.
"Come, I'll introduce you to the other children."
Yakushi Nono wore that ever-present gentle smile as she led Akashō into the yard.
"Hey, everyone, come over—there's a new friend!"
At her call, the children running around the yard quickly gathered.
"Wow, red hair! That's so cool!"
"Tch, looks like a rotten tomato—ugly as hell."
"He's just a newcomer and already acting all cocky."
Dozens of children of various ages surrounded Akashō, whispering all kinds of comments.
"Our new friend is Akashō. Everyone, get along with him, okay?"
Yakushi Nono smiled as she introduced him.
"Kabuto, I'll trouble you to show him around."
A boy with glasses stepped forward. "Yes, Director."
Yakushi Nono turned to Akashō and spoke softly,
"I need to go buy ingredients for tomorrow. Kabuto is a very good child. Get along well with everyone, and don't start fights, understand?"
Akashō nodded lazily. "Yeah."
This orphanage is pretty boring… should've had that black-robed guy take me to meet someone from the Uzumaki clan instead. Meet them and leave right away.
Soon after, Yakushi Nono left with two other staff members. The gathered children quickly dispersed, leaving only the bespectacled Kabuto, who walked up to Akashō.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Yakushi Kabuto."
Kabuto smiled kindly, and Akashō raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Yakushi?"
Now that he thought about it, the glasses on this guy's face were indeed the same style as Yakushi Nono's.
"Yes, same surname as the director—but I'm not her biological child."
Kabuto smiled and adjusted his glasses. That half-closed gaze made him oddly resemble Yakushi Nono.
"I was originally an orphan who lost my parents in the war on the Sand Village battlefield. Konoha shinobi found me some time ago and brought me back here, where the director took me in."
As he spoke, Kabuto removed his glasses and wiped the lenses.
"She not only gave me the name Yakushi Kabuto, but because my eyesight isn't very good, she even gave me her own glasses."
Watching Kabuto with a nostalgic expression, Akashō tilted his head thoughtfully.
"She really is an incredibly gentle director."
...
This is an extra chapter released for reviews. Thank you! Each review unlocks +1 additional chapter