"No one comes out unscathed once Danzo sets his sights on them..."
As Nonô drifted into her thoughts, Naruto was deep in conversation with Kurama.
"That woman... I remember her..."
Kurama was staring intently at Nonô, despite her coarse clothing.
They did no justice to her true beauty.
But that figure... those prominent features, Kurama remembered them well.
"Ohhh, now I remember!"
His fox-like pupils widened.
"That woman... she was the head of Konoha's Medical Team!"
Back then, Nonô was just a few years younger than Kushina and Minato.
Despite her youth, she had reached a prestigious position.
When it came to medical skills, only Princess Tsunade and a few others surpassed her.
And above all, that naturally generous figure...
Perfect curves where they mattered, and an incredibly slender waist.
It was hard to believe such a goddess-like body belonged to such a disciplined ninja.
If it wasn't genetic... Kurama was certain—this human was born to draw eyes.
"No~~, Kurama, you must be mistaken."
Naruto shook his head.
"This lady said it herself—she's a refugee from the Land of Fire. Since she was in charge of the village gardens, people called her Director... You're probably just confused because of your age..."
Kurama: "..."
Naruto's words made Kurama begin to doubt his memory.
Naruto: "Kurama... Didn't you say you were a thousand years old? Old folks forget things sometimes—it's normal."
Kurama: "Really?"
Three minutes passed.
Naruto picked up his chopsticks and said, "Let's eat!"
Slurp~!
Naruto and Nonô enjoyed their ultra-nutritious instant ramen dinner.
Once they finished, Nonô stood up to leave.
"Once I'm settled in Konoha and find a stable job... I'll come back to thank you personally for your kindness..."
She bowed slightly, grateful for the meal.
"No problem."
Naruto nodded, then pointed to the window.
"But, Director, look: it's dark outside. You won't find anywhere to sleep. Why not stay here?"
Nonô: "..."
As she hesitated, a knock came at the door...
Knock knock knock.
Naruto opened it, and a violet silhouette appeared:
"Sister Mangetsu? Happy New Year!"
"Naruto, Happy New Year!"
Wearing a casual outfit, yūgaosmiled from the doorstep.
Visiting a friend during the holidays was perfectly normal, right?
"Do you have company?"
She glanced inside and saw the "refugee."
Naruto explained the situation.
Nonô gave a slight bow, a flash of clarity in her eyes.
Thanks to Danzo's intel, she recognized yūgaoas a member of ANBU Team 6.
"Times have changed..."
After such a long absence, ANBU had been almost entirely renewed. Konoha was no longer the village she remembered.
yūgaowas cautious, while Nonô maintained her mask carefully.
An invisible tension filled the room, subtle as smoke.
"There've been a lot of refugees lately... the border's unstable."
yūgaostepped inside, her tone laced with suspicion.
"Konoha has a reception center. If you'd like, I can take you there..."
To ensure Naruto's safety, she insisted Nonô go with her.
"Staying here? Out of the question."
"Thank you."
Nonô bowed, ready to leave, not wanting to raise further suspicion.
ANBU and Root didn't always share intel.
Often, Root knew far more.
"The darkness sees what the light cannot..."
People said ANBU was the shadow of Konoha.
They were wrong.
Root... was the true darkness.
"Director, here... if you're thirsty."
Before she left, Naruto handed her a small carton of milk.
Holding it in her hands, Nonô felt deeply moved.
"What a kind child..."
And yet, Danzo planned to use him.
Her guilt deepened.
But if she refused...
The children at the orphanage, especially Dô...
"Naruto-kun, once I'm truly settled, I'll come back and tell you the good news..."
Before leaving, Nonô gave Naruto one last look, silently promising to see him again.
Naruto nodded enthusiastically: "Alright! I wish you good luck in advance."
Standing at the door, he watched Mangetsu—elegant in her winter outfit—lead Nonô away.
Tiny snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Once they were far enough, Nonô turned back.
In the dim light of the doorway, Naruto's small figure still stood, watching them...
"Dear God..."
A wave of emotion surged through Nonô, shaking her woman's heart.
"If you truly exist... show me the path to the light."
Once a head nurse, then a nun, Nonô offered her first heartfelt prayer to the divine.
She had started in the Medical Team.
Then joined Root, earning the nickname "Wandering Nun" in the underworld.
After retiring, she ran an orphanage, serving as a nun.
And now, threatened by Danzo, she was returning to the shadows.
"How far will I go?"
Parents love their children, just as God loves those who fear Him.
He knows how we are made, and remembers we are but dust.
Human life is like the grass, like flowers in the fields...
A gust of wind, and all is gone.
Even the place where they once grew forgets them...