Outside the Konoha Orphanage, the carefree laughter of children drifted through the air.
Yamanaka Santian stood nearby with Cardo, watching the lively scene unfold before them.
With one hand resting on his hip, Santian explained, "Mr. Cardo, these children are war orphans from Konoha and the surrounding regions. Their backgrounds are clean, though whether they possess ninja talent still requires further testing."
He was the person in charge of coordinating with Cardo and overseeing the adoption procedures.
Yamanaka Santian—age fifteen—was a chunin from the Yamanaka clan. Many years later, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, he would form a squad with Nara Ensui and Naoki, assisting Kakashi in battling the resurrected Zabuza and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Don't worry," Cardo replied with a gentle smile. "Honestly, demanding ninja talent was probably too strict of me to begin with."
At this moment, Cardo appeared completely amiable—nothing like the ruthless businessman persona he wore in the commercial world.
"Then let's go meet the director first," Santian suggested as he began walking toward the orphanage.
Cardo followed close behind, accompanied by a bodyguard.
As they approached, Cardo's small eyes narrowed beneath his sunglasses, scanning each child carefully—searching for the target described by that lord.
Yet after looking for quite some time, he failed to find anyone matching the description.
'Strange… could it be he isn't here?' Cardo wondered with a slight frown.
Then, beneath a distant tree, a lone figure caught his attention.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering dappled patterns across the grass. Under the shade, a small child sat alone, quietly playing with a toy—completely detached from the lively world around him.
That indifferent expression. That aloof presence.
It was almost identical to the demeanor of that lord.
Without realizing it, Cardo walked toward him.
In truth, Menma had already noticed Cardo the moment he arrived.
But to avoid drawing attention, he hadn't made any deliberate move.
Only when Cardo finally stood before him did Menma slowly lift his head. His childish face carried a calmness far beyond his years.
"You're here. How are the preparations?"
Those familiar words instantly reminded Cardo of his instructions.
'Find a child named Menma at the Konoha Orphanage. He is a member of the organization, ranked above you. Your mission is to properly settle him.'
Cardo had originally assumed the target would be a teenager with exceptional ninja talent.
After all, that lord had destroyed half of Kumogakure by himself, and even Kakuzu—whom he had witnessed firsthand—possessed terrifying strength.
Yet the child before him looked no older than three or four. Soft, childish features. A strange red fox doll with an eerie mask clutched in his hands.
Could this really be the one?
Testing the waters, Cardo cautiously replied, "The house and the branch company have already been arranged."
"Let's go then," Menma said, standing up with unquestionable authority.
"…Yes."
At that moment, Cardo became certain.
This child was indeed the one he had been sent to find.
At the entrance of the orphanage—
"Menma!" Yunai, the acting director, called out with hands on her hips. She stood beside Yamanaka Santian, her eyes full of worry.
This child was always so withdrawn, so distant. It was hard not to be concerned.
"So his name is Menma," Cardo nodded, then turned to Santian. "I feel a certain connection with him. I'll take this one."
Santian blinked in surprise. He had only just begun discussing options with Yunai—yet Cardo had already made his choice.
He raised an orange eyebrow and glanced at the little boy holding the fox doll.
Yunai hurriedly protested, "Menma became an orphan three years ago. He's rather introverted… I'm not sure he's suitable—"
Three years ago.
Hearing that, Santian was reminded of the terrifying night when the Nine-Tails ravaged the village.
Many children had been left parentless that day.
His gaze toward Menma softened slightly.
Kneeling down, Santian pulled a chakra paper from his pocket. "Little guy, try this."
Menma accepted the square sheet expressionlessly and channeled a trace of fire-attribute chakra.
Soon, the top of the paper ignited.
"Fire attribute, huh," Santian nodded. Not unexpected—many war orphans in Konoha possessed potential.
He stood back up and said to Yunai, "Then we'll go with this child."
"But…" Yunai still hesitated. Menma was so young, and his personality so withdrawn.
"Yunai Auntie, let me go," Menma said quietly, looking up at her.
Though he was the youngest among more than twenty children, his gaze felt oddly mature—like that of an adult.
For some reason, Yunai had always felt that Menma didn't truly belong in the orphanage.
Finally, she sighed deeply.
With the other children gathered around, she watched as Menma prepared to leave.
"Menma! Don't forget to come visit us!" A-Qi, the eldest among them, called out.
The rest waved eagerly, eyes filled with reluctance.
Menma turned slightly, glancing at them—and thought of his promise with Yakushi Kabuto.
"I will," he answered softly.
After leaving the orphanage, Cardo and Santian brought Menma to the administrative center near the Hokage Building to complete the adoption paperwork.
With the Hokage's special approval, everything went smoothly.
Before long, the procedures were finished.
Cardo then escorted Menma to the newly purchased estate.
"Welcome home, sir!" the servants greeted respectfully.
"Alright, you're dismissed," Cardo waved them away.
Soon, only he and Menma remained.
"You don't need so many servants. Keep just two for daily needs," a familiar voice suddenly spoke from the shadows.
Cardo jumped and turned around.
From the darkness emerged a masked figure—that lord.
"I thought you'd be faster," the masked Menma said, glancing at his younger self. "You kept me waiting."
The real Menma ignored the remark and turned to Cardo.
"You may leave."
"Yes!" Cardo bowed deeply.
As he prepared to exit, the voice added, "Inside Konoha, follow Menma's instructions."
"Understood!"
Cardo retreated and quietly waited outside the door, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Inside the room—
"Alright, hurry up and cancel the Shadow Clone," the masked Menma grumbled. "Staying in that orphanage was suffocating."
The real Menma formed a hand seal.
"Release."
Poof!
The clone vanished in smoke, and a flood of memories rushed back into the original.
At the same time, Menma dispelled his transformation technique—returning to the form of a three-year-old child.
"Let's see… by now, Orochimaru should be close to defecting," Menma murmured as he walked to the window.
He opened it and gazed out.
From here, the Hokage Building and the massive Hokage Rock were clearly visible.
Among the stone faces, the portrait of the Fourth Hokage stood out most prominently in Menma's eyes.
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