At some unknown point, Kairen and Yakushi Nono walked over to the swing and sat together, gently swaying back and forth.
Yakushi Nono rested in Kairen's arms, watching the children with a complicated expression as she said:
"Kairen, there are still so many children in this world living in filthy ditches, never seeing the light of day."
"Kairen, I want to save them. I want every child to have a warm place they can call paradise."
Kairen lowered his head and kissed Yakushi Nono's forehead softly, answering with conviction:
"I'll help you. Once I take control of this village, I'll slowly change this country… maybe even the entire shinobi world."
"We'll create a paradise just for children—one that war will never touch."
"Kairen, you're so good!"
"Since I'm so good, how about you make a baby with me tonight?"
"No! Way too fast!"
The two chatted for a long time. During that time, Kairen secretly took advantage of her here and there, earning a flurry of light punches from Yakushi Nono's small fists against his chest.
The children ran up to Kairen and Yakushi Nono, inviting them to join their game.
They agreed, playing with the kids and making them laugh with joy.
Soon after, they started a round of Truth or Dare. Kairen was chosen. Jinrei asked him:
"Kairen-san, what was your childhood nickname?!"
"Nickname?!" Kairen recalled memories from his past life.
Yakushi Nono reminded him from the side:
"It's the name others called you when you were a nursing baby!"
Kairen suddenly understood and answered toward Yakushi Nono:
"Mm… it was....!"
Yakushi Nono repeated it softly, and a blush quickly spread across her face.
She was a worldly priestess—unlike Tsunade, who had absolutely zero experience in these things—so of course she instantly understood the hidden meaning behind Kairen's dirty joke.
As the day slowly darkened, Kairen stood up and greeted everyone:
"See you tomorrow!"
"Goodbye, Kairen-san!"
The children answered politely. After spending just a short time together, they had already grown fond of him.
Jinrei tugged on Kairen's sleeve and pleaded:
"Kairen-san, next time can you bring the two baby pandas?"
Kairen gently rubbed her head:
"Sure. I'll let them become your companions then."
"Yay! Yay!"
Jinrei beamed with delight.
Yakushi Nono came to Kairen's side, fixing the front of his clothes that had been disheveled from the games. Her gentle touch made her seem like a warm, caring wife.
Then someone started chanting:
"Kiss! Kiss!"
The children quickly joined in:
"Kiss! Kiss!"
Kairen slowly leaned down. Yakushi Nono sighed helplessly and closed her eyes.
Their lips met—exchanging each other's warmth.
When they parted, they could both see the reflection of the other in their eyes.
"Chirp—"
A puff of white smoke burst around Kairen, and he transformed into a great hawk, soaring straight into the sky and heading toward the Senju Clan.
The children underground looked up with stars in their eyes:
"Wow~ Kairen-san is a hawk!"
"He can fly! Next time he has to take us with him!"
Flying high above, Kairen's Byakugan noticed two signatures of jonin-level chakra approaching this place.
He circled higher in the air, calmly observing.
…
Two jonin wearing the Shimura clan crest appeared at the Konoha Orphanage, releasing a wave of murderous intent toward Yakushi Nono.
"Get back inside!"
Sensing danger, Yakushi Nono told the children to retreat into the orphanage immediately.
The taller jonin flickered forward, grabbing Jinrei in an instant and squeezing her throat with one hand. He threatened Yakushi Nono:
"Priestess, here's your chance. Leave the ANBU and swear loyalty to the Shimura clan."
Yakushi Nono was the strongest intelligence operative in Root—otherwise Danzo wouldn't pay her a salary.
The Shimura clan desperately needed this hidden blade lurking in the dark.
"Damn it!"
Yakushi Nono clenched her fists as she watched Jinrei struggle to breathe, fury welling up within her. A golden curse mark at her neck ignited, its burning-red patterns spreading…
Children were her weakness—no one could touch them!
Before Yakushi Nono could attack, a wave of fragrant, alcohol-scented springwater poured down from the sky, enveloping Jinrei and pulling her safely away.
"Who?! Who dares to interfere with the Shimura clan?!"
Both Shimura jonin looked upward.
A young man with wings hovered above them, his black hair streaked with dark red.
"Kairen! Run!!"
Seeing that familiar face, the two jonin turned pale, as if they had seen their own fathers die, and immediately tried to flee.
"Wood Release: Multiple Wood Clone Jutsu!"
Kairen formed hand seals. Instantly, the earth surged, and a hundred or so wood clones burst from the ground, surrounding both jonin completely.
Kairen slowly descended, releasing Jinrei from the springwater and controlling it gently.
"Jinrei, don't be scared! Don't be scared!"
Yakushi Nono held Jinrei tightly, soothing her trembling little heart.
"Jinrei's not scared. Kairen-san will beat them!"
Kairen's cold eyes locked onto the two surrounded jonin. He walked forward step by step and said icily:
"I haven't even gone after the Shimura clan yet, and you dare deliver yourselves to my door? Seeking death!"
The Shimura jonin were trapped—no escape possible.
The tall one glanced at Kairen, then at Yakushi Nono, suddenly realizing:
"So you two are working together!"
Then he cursed at Yakushi Nono:
"Stupid woman! You really can't be tamed!"
Yakushi Nono moved closer to Kairen with Jinrei in her arms, frowning:
"This will affect my undercover mission in Root."
No one had ever seen Yakushi Nono's real identity, but the Shimura clan knew.
Kairen smiled:
"Don't worry. They won't live past today. And I've had enough of the Shimura clan anyway. Tonight, they can join Danzo in hell."
Kairen approached the two jonin with a disdainful smile, clearly not taking them seriously:
"Insects. Go ahead—struggle. If I feel generous, I might spare one of you."
The tall jonin pointed and cursed:
"Damn you, Moku Kairen! Stop being arrogant! You killed our clan head—we haven't even avenged him yet!"
Kairen shook his head, lifted his palm, and formed a blazing red sphere of light.
"Moku Kairen! Don't underestimate us!"
The two jonin weren't complete pushovers. They pulled out shuriken and hurled them at Kairen.
Kairen put away the flame sphere, crossed his arms, and watched their "dance" quietly.
More than ten shuriken and kunai struck his body, producing wisps of smoke.
Kairen didn't want Yakushi Nono or Jinrei to worry, so he used Smoke Transformation Genjutsu.
"Ding!"
"Shimura Ichirō and Shimura Nagay dealt 100 damage to you!"
Kairen smirked. His massive chakra surged—his cells regenerated instantly, restoring him in a blink.
He untied his gray short-sleeved hoodie and hung it around his waist, revealing his powerful muscles. Then he stepped forward, charging at Shimura Ichirō and Shimura Nagay.
Shimura Ichirō—the taller jonin—saw him coming and quickly formed hand seals, cheeks puffing up:
"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!"
"Shu-shu!!"
Five white vacuum bullets shot toward Kairen. He didn't defend at all, letting them pass straight through his chest.
"Ding!"
"Shimura Ichirō dealt 100 damage to you!"