Sora remembered the casualty list he had glimpsed a few days ago in the mission briefing room.
Names were densely listed on it, including many who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago, and even newly promoted genin.
Some looked not much older than Yumi and Ayumi, should have been at a lively and vibrant age, but had forever stopped on the cold pages.
What made Sora's heart sink even more was that there were also several names of former classmates on the list, people who had mocked him before but he hadn't cared about, thinking they would become cannon fodder sooner or later.
Sora had never thought this day would come so quickly, nor had he ever thought he would "see" them again in this way.
Behind the cold numbers on that list were lives that had suddenly been extinguished.
The war machine, this meat grinder, does not distinguish between adult shinobi and children.
Originally, according to the normal schedule, as long as Yumi and Ayumi did not choose early graduation, they would still have four years left in the Ninja Academy. But given the current rate of consumption in the war situation, no one knew if their year might be conscripted early.
Maybe next year, maybe the year after, or even possibly in just a few months!
Once they graduate and become registered genin, their fate is no longer in their own hands.
Mission assignments, troop deployments... all of these could potentially push two little girls who have just left school directly to the bloody front lines of the battlefield.
'I cannot stay in Konoha forever. It's fine for the time being while Fox and the others are recuperating, but Anbu missions are becoming more and more frequent. I will always have to go out on missions and simply have no time to keep an eye on things in the village.'
Sora frowned tightly, stroking his chin as he kept thinking.
Even if he were in Konoha, he couldn't protect the two little girls personally every single moment.
Moreover, battles between shinobi change in an instant. On the battlefield, stray projectiles, traps, and ambushes are impossible to guard against completely. Even Sora couldn't guarantee he could dodge every attack.
He had to find a way to fundamentally prevent them from being sent to the battlefield.
Sora's fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on his knees as his brain rapidly worked, sorting through all the resources and connections he could utilize within Konoha.
The result, however, was that there were very few.
In Konoha, he was almost completely alone.
Trusted jonin? Only Fox, who was currently in Konoha Hospital.
Might Duy? He was only a chunin, his words carried little weight, and he also needed to go out on missions. He couldn't possibly act as a permanent babysitter for the two little girls.
After all, even in the original story, he couldn't constantly protect his own son, Guy, by his side.
Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma?
They had graduated less than three years ago themselves. Their strength was around chunin level at best now. Although their backgrounds were special, they had no say in major matters concerning shinobi deployment like this.
Actually, there was no way around it. Because of the Azure Dragon Fruit, Sora could not get close to those shinobi who were powerful or held high positions.
Furthermore, Sora graduated and entered the Anbu at age 7. Most of his time was spent carrying out covert missions outside the village. Outside of missions, due to the pressure of the Third Great Shinobi War, he was always alone improving his strength. He simply had no time to interact with powerful shinobi.
As for others in Konoha who were on good terms with Sora, such as Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and others, they might become well-known, powerful shinobi of Konoha in the future, but they were all his age, also around eleven or twelve years old now, and completely unable to help him.
Thinking it over, he actually couldn't find a single powerful person he could entrust this to or who could help speak up for him.
'It seems there are only two options.'
Two choices slowly emerged in Sora's mind.
The first was to find a way for Yumi and Ayumi to enter relatively safe departments after graduation.
For example, the Medical Corps.
In Konoha's medical system, medical-nin are usually stationed in hospitals located further behind the lines. The danger is far lower than for front-line combat shinobi.
Or the Intelligence Division.
Although there are risks too, most of the work involves documents, analysis, and communications. At least they wouldn't have to directly face enemy blades.
But the problem with this path was that it wasn't something you could just choose to enter.
Medical-nin require corresponding talent in chakra control and systematic study. The Intelligence Division also requires assessments. Moreover, both departments also need to obey deployments and could be sent to the front lines for support during wartime.
Hadn't Nonō been a medical-nin and intelligence operative, yet was ultimately sent to the most dangerous enemy territory?
The second option was to directly request an audience with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
With his identity as an Anbu member and the "value" he had currently demonstrated, perhaps he could request the Hokage to specially approve placing the two little girls into permanent logistics or internal service positions, fundamentally exempting them from the possibility of being sent to the front lines.
But this also carried enormous risks.
First, on what grounds could he make this request? As fellow orphanage companions?
Was this bond enough to persuade the Hokage?
Secondly, this would be equivalent to clearly exposing one of his greatest weaknesses to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sora knew that the seemingly benevolent Hokage always maintained a degree of wariness towards him, this outsider, deep down, and Sora felt the same way!
Letting Hiruzen know that he cared so much about these children from the orphanage was hard to predict whether it would be a blessing or a curse.
He might agree, to bestow a favor and further bind Sora to him.
He might also refuse, or even use this point in reverse to control Sora more effectively.
Both choices had their pros and cons; neither was a perfect solution.
Sora leaned against the cold wall, closed his eyes, and images flashed through his mind: Yumi and Ayumi's innocent smiling faces, the increasingly gaunt face of the old Director, and the figure of Miyamoto Ichirō silently taking care of this orphan home for five children.
In this cold shinobi world, in this Konoha filled with schemes and dangers, only this small orphanage could give him a trace of genuine warmth and a sense of belonging.
He absolutely could not let this warmth be ruthlessly crushed by war.
After weighing it repeatedly, risks and benefits were measured over and over in his mind.
Finally, Sora suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze becoming firm.
'Compared to placing hope on the variable-filled assignment of departments, directly approaching the person who has the final say, although the risk is more direct, the effect might be better and more thorough.'
Sarutobi Hiruzen might use this to gain leverage over him, but that would only be potential control.
On the surface, he still needed to maintain the Hokage's prestige and the hallmark of the "Will of Fire." He was unlikely to directly threaten using two little girls. That would be too cheap and could easily dishearten others.
'It's decided.'
Sora took a deep breath and made his decision.
Tomorrow, he would go and request an audience with the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He waved his hand, dispelling the two shadow clones that were still struggling to study sealing techniques.
A large amount of fatigue and scattered learning insights instantly flooded his mind, but his resolve was firm now. He only staggered slightly for a moment before recovering.
Tonight, he needed to rest well, conserve his energy, to deal with tomorrow's meeting with that old and shrewd Hokage.
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