Chapter 97 — Saving Nonō
The chorus of insects in the courtyard wove itself into a dense, living net. Amid the layered buzzing, even the fall of a single leaf could be heard with startling clarity.
Then—
Click.
The sound of a lock turning shattered the stillness. In the dead of night, it was unnaturally loud.
Taichi's gaze shifted instantly toward the gate, his hand settling silently on the hilt of his blade. A visitor arriving unannounced at this hour was rarely a good sign.
When the gate finally opened and the figure stepped inside, the tension drained from Taichi's body. A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Nonō… you're back."
Under the moonlight, Nonō froze for a moment as well. She clearly hadn't expected to see Taichi the instant she returned.
Then, the joy of reunion surfaced in her eyes.
"Taichi… you're here."
Taichi, who had been about to leave, no longer felt any hurry. He led Nonō into the courtyard, and the two began quietly sharing updates about their recent days.
They sat facing each other at the stone table beneath the moonlight. The night breeze brushed against Nonō's tired face—her pallor unmistakably the result of heavy blood loss. Taichi's sharp eyes also caught sight of several freshly healed wounds along her exposed arm.
"This trip…" Taichi said lightly, picking up a fallen leaf and twirling it between his fingers, pretending to sound casual.
"What kind of urgent mission needed the orphanage's headmistress to be deployed?"
Under normal circumstances, especially during peacetime, someone in Nonō's position would never be assigned missions.
But Nonō was different.
She was still part of Root.
She never spoke of it, and Taichi had always pretended not to know. But things were no longer the same.
In the last mission, regardless of who Danzō had been targeting, Taichi himself had been dragged into the mess.
Years ago, after refusing recruitment, Taichi had already offended him. Back then, he had been weak, protected only by the Hokage's shadow, barely slipping through unharmed.
Now, his strength was growing rapidly.
And the last two times Taichi had crossed paths with Danzō in the Hokage's office, he had clearly seen the deeply buried hatred in that man's eyes.
All of it forced Taichi to prepare for the worst.
"I just went to a neighboring country to procure medicinal herbs," Nonō replied calmly, her voice gentle, as though nothing significant had happened.
"I ran into bandits on the way. It delayed me."
Taichi didn't react outwardly. The leaf spun faster between his fingers.
"I heard a rumor recently…" he said softly.
"A spy operating near the border was killed."
He paused.
"They say the spy was disguised as a medicinal trader. When the body was found… it was barely recognizable. Clearly tortured."
Nonō's breathing hitched—just slightly.
"The kids at the orphanage are worried about you," Taichi said suddenly, lifting his gaze to meet hers. Moonlight reflected in his eyes like twin flames—cold, yet burning fiercely.
"Grandma Keiko said that before you left, you prepared everyone's birthday gifts in advance." His stare sharpened.
"Did you think… you weren't coming back?"
An owl cried out beyond the courtyard wall, breaking the silence.
Nonō's lips parted, trembling slightly—but no words came.
"In my last mission, a teammate died," Taichi continued. His nails dug deep into his palm.
"He died right in front of me. An explosion from a paper bomb swallowed him whole. I didn't even have the chance to try and save him."
He raised his head, eyes filled with pain too deep to hide.
"That's when I understood—no matter how strong your medical ninjutsu is, you can't save everyone on the battlefield."
Suddenly, Taichi seized Nonō's cold hands, gripping them tightly—so tightly it almost hurt.
"If something happens to you," he said hoarsely, "what will happen to the children?"
"They only have you."
Feeling the burning warmth of his palms, Nonō's heart softened—yet helplessness flooded her chest. Root was not something one could simply walk away from.
She could only remain silent.
"I've heard…" Taichi lowered his voice, each word heavy.
"Root shinobi who die don't even get their names on the memorial stone."
"Where did you hear that?" Nonō shot to her feet, knocking over the stone stool.
Bang.
Rumble.
The sound echoed harshly through the night.
"Did Nonō come back?" Grandma Keiko's voice called out. Lights flicked on inside the building—clearly awakened by the noise.
"Yes, Auntie Keiko," Nonō answered quickly. "I'm just talking with Taichi."
"Oh, it's late. Have you eaten? I can make you something."
"No, thank you. I've already eaten. Please go back to sleep."
The sound of movement stopped.
"Alright then. Keep your voices down—don't wake the children."
The lights went out again.
The courtyard fell silent once more. Even the insects seemed to hold their breath.
"You know, don't you?" Nonō finally spoke after a long pause.
"I've had contact with them," Taichi replied calmly.
"Before I even graduated, they tried to recruit me. So I learned about how they operate."
At the words before you graduated, Nonō's hands clenched tightly. Her already pale complexion lost the last hint of color.
"Ordinary shinobi—even ANBU—would never assign the orphanage's headmistress to missions," Taichi continued steadily.
"Konoha isn't so desperate for manpower."
"And now the orphanage isn't short on funds either. There's no reason for you to risk your life for money."
He picked up the fallen stool, set it upright, and gently guided Nonō back to her seat.
"Grandma Keiko is getting old. Taking care of so many children is already exhausting for her."
"The children need you," Taichi said softly.
"No one loves them more than you do."
Nonō's hands trembled as she struggled to suppress the turmoil in her heart. How could she not want to leave Root?
But—
"I've submitted requests to withdraw… ten times already."
Her voice suddenly lost all strength. She looked as though she might collapse at any moment.
"They said…" Her lips quivered. "They said the orphanage itself… is the best cover."
"I know they're using the orphanage to threaten me," Nonō continued, her voice choking. "But I don't have a choice."
She took a deep breath, forcing a faint glimmer of hope into her eyes.
"They promised me… that if I complete three more missions for Root, I'll be allowed to leave."
At those words, Taichi's heart plunged straight to the abyss.
He shot to his feet and began pacing restlessly across the courtyard.
Three missions?
How could Root ever be so generous?
Before she finished three missions, Nonō would likely die in some "accident" in a forgotten corner of the world.
Thank goodness I came tonight.
Thank goodness I ran into her tonight.
Thank goodness we finally spoke openly.
If today had been missed—
A bone-chilling cold surged up Taichi's spine, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.
He stopped pacing, strode back to Nonō, and grabbed both her hands, gripping them tightly.
"Nonō-neesan," he said firmly, "listen to me. From now on, you must never take another Root mission."
"Danzō will never allow you to survive all three."
"I'll go to Tsunade-sensei. I'll go to Lord Jiraiya. I'll have them speak to the Hokage personally."
"You're a medical ninja. You're the head of the orphanage. There is no reason for you to remain in Root."
"Promise me."
Nonō felt the cold dampness in Taichi's palms—proof of how nervous he truly was.
She didn't fully understand why he was so desperate… but she felt his concern.
After a long silence, she finally nodded.
The taut string inside Taichi snapped loose.
He exhaled heavily and collapsed onto the stone stool, as if all the strength had drained from his body.
Watching him, Nonō's heart ached. Only someone who truly cared would react like this.
After parting from Nonō, Taichi returned home without delay. He threw himself at his desk, grabbed paper and pen, and immediately began writing to Tsunade.
In the letter, he detailed Nonō's predicament in full—his suspicions, his fears, everything.
He emphasized Nonō's importance to him.
Aside from Tsunade-sensei… she was the only family he had left in this world.
At the end of the letter, Taichi pleaded earnestly, again and again, for Tsunade to intervene—to persuade the Hokage to transfer Nonō out of Root.
Whether as a medical ninja or as the head of the orphanage, Nonō did not belong in Root. It was a blatant violation of the Will of Fire.
After finishing, Taichi revised the letter repeatedly until even he felt moved by it. Only then did he form seals and summon Katsuyu.
"Katsuyu," Taichi said solemnly, placing the letter carefully on her back, "this message is extremely urgent."
"If Tsunade-sensei replies, please notify me immediately."
"I understand, Taichi-sama."
As Katsuyu disappeared, Taichi finally relaxed a little.
He didn't know whether Tsunade would help—but this was the only path he had.
Still, in the end, it came down to one thing.
His strength wasn't enough.
If he had Kage-level power—no, even near-Kage—he would storm into the Hokage's office and argue directly with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But—
He didn't dare waste a second.
With time still left in the night, Taichi threw himself into taijutsu drills and meditation.
---
The next morning, after completing his training, Taichi headed into Konoha with a clear goal: find Jiraiya.
Unfortunately, fate was uncooperative.
He searched nearly every corner of the village all morning—without finding a trace of that iconic white-haired figure.
By afternoon, he had no choice but to visit Minato's home, hoping to get some information.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door opened to reveal Kushina.
Seeing Taichi, her face lit up instantly.
As the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, her freedom was limited, and people she could truly talk to were few.
And Taichi—who cooked well, spoke kindly, and repaid kindness with loyalty—was one of her favorites.
"Taichi, are you here to see Minato?"
"Good afternoon, Sister-in-law!" Taichi greeted sweetly, his voice practically dripping with honey.
That single word made Kushina beam.
"Can't I come see you?" Taichi blinked playfully.
"Haha, you little rascal," Kushina laughed. "Don't call me sister-in-law—just call me big sister."
"Got it!" Taichi grinned. "Kushina-neesan."
They chatted as they entered the house. Once seated, Kushina spoke first.
"You're unlucky today. Minato's on a mission—won't be back for a while."
Taichi paused, disappointment flickering across his face—but only briefly.
"That's okay. If Minato's not here, I can still chat with you."
"Nice try," Kushina snorted, noticing his earlier reaction. "You clearly came for something important."
Taichi hesitated.
Should he tell her?
After all, Kushina's nickname was Red-Hot Habanero. Nicknames weren't given lightly.
If she lost her temper and flipped the Hokage's office upside down—
"What are you hesitating for?" Kushina snapped. "That's not very manly."
That settled it.
The more help, the better.
And honestly—this situation might need someone bold enough to tear the roof off.
Taking a deep breath, Taichi explained Nonō's situation in detail, including his plan to enlist Tsunade and Jiraiya.
As expected—
Kushina exploded.
Her crimson hair flared as if alive, and she grabbed Taichi's arm.
"Come on! I'm taking you to see the Third Hokage right now!"
She already despised Danzō. Learning he'd gone this far only fueled her rage.
Taichi barely managed to calm her down, painstakingly laying out the pros and cons.
If they rushed in now, they'd lack influence, alert Danzō, and put Nonō in even greater danger.
This had to be decisive. No hesitation. No half-measures.
Once calm, Kushina agreed with Taichi's plan and promised to notify him immediately when Minato and Jiraiya returned.
It was then Taichi learned that Minato and Jiraiya were on the same mission—clearly a serious one.
With the urgent matter settled, Taichi smoothly changed topics.
"Since you're here, Kushina-neesan… I have some questions about sealing techniques."
Kushina almost laughed.
Taichi had only been studying fuinjutsu for less than three months—between missions, no less. She assumed he hadn't even memorized all the symbols yet.
Still, she patiently answered.
But slowly, her smile faded.
Her casual tone vanished.
Her eyes widened.
This progress… isn't it way too fast?