Sora brought Kabuto to the orphanage.
Currently, only Miyamoto Ichirō and the old Director were at the orphanage. When Miyamoto Ichirō saw Sora return, he was very happy, especially when he heard about his promotion to Jonin, he even excitedly patted his shoulder:
"Sora! I knew you could do it! A twelve-year-old Jonin, the first one from our orphanage!"
Sora smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries, then pulled Kabuto, who was hiding behind him, forward:
"Ichirō, this child is called Kabuto. I brought him back from around Kikyōyama. He will live here with us from now on."
Miyamoto Ichirō looked at the thin and small Kabuto, a flicker of pity flashing in his eyes. He crouched down and said gently, "Welcome, Kabuto. This will be your home from now on."
Kabuto nodded timidly and whispered, "Thank you."
On the way back, Sora noticed the worn-out round-framed glasses on Kabuto's face, the lenses badly scratched. So he took him to the village's eyeglass shop to get a new pair of black-framed glasses.
After putting on the new glasses, Kabuto looked much more spirited, and his eyes seemed clearer.
Looking at Kabuto, who still seemed somewhat reserved, Sora thought for a moment and asked:
"Kabuto, do you remember your surname? Or, what was the full name your parents gave you?"
Kabuto shook his head blankly and said in a low voice, "I don't remember... I only know I'm called Kabuto."
Just like in the original story, his memories are fuzzy, only remembering his name.
Sora pondered for a moment.
According to the original course of fate, Kabuto should have been brought back to the orphanage by Nonō, who gave him the name 'Kabuto Yakushi'. But now Nonō is missing, and it's unknown when she will return. He couldn't just keep calling him 'Kabuto'.
'Since I'm the one who brought him back, it shouldn't be a problem for me to give him a surname temporarily. When he grows up, or when sister returns, he can decide for himself later.'
Thinking this, Sora looked at Kabuto and said:
"Since you don't remember your surname, and you've now come to Konoha, you need a formal name to make life easier. I'll give you a name. Temporarily, take my surname, Nosjuro, and be called Nosjuro Kabuto. What do you think?" (Kabuto Yakushi is also fine, depending on what everyone thinks is better, it will be decided later)
[Translator: The original protagonist name was Lin Ze, i changed this to Sora. Now, that there is issue of surname. Let me add a surname Nosjuro Sora]
Kabuto raised his head, seemingly not fully understanding what 'taking a surname' meant, but he could sense Sora's goodwill. He thought for a moment and nodded gently:
"Okay, I'll listen to you, Sora brother."
"Good, then from now on you are Lin Kabuto." Sora ruffled his hair.
...
After naming Kabuto and settling him into the orphanage, three days passed unnoticed.
During these three days, Sora enjoyed a rare period of peace.
He didn't engage in high-intensity training, only maintaining basic taijutsu exercises and fuinjutsu study.
Occasionally, he would also guide Kabuto in some most basic physical training and literacy.
Kabuto's learning ability and comprehension were extremely high. He grasped many things almost immediately after being taught, and could apply them to other situations. This reaffirmed to Sora his future extraordinariness.
'As expected of the genius who could reach such heights in the original story. This learning ability is truly terrifying.' Sora watched Kabuto, who was practicing writing seriously, and sighed inwardly.
'I just hope this time, he can walk a different path.'
...
Peaceful days are always short-lived.
On the morning of the fourth day, an Anbu ninja appeared at the orphanage, conveying the Hokage's order, summoning Sora to the Hokage's office.
Sora understood in his heart. The new assignment after his promotion to Jonin should be coming down.
He straightened his clothes and followed the Anbu away from the orphanage.
...
Inside the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still sitting behind his desk piled high with documents, smoking his pipe, puffing clouds of smoke.
Seeing Sora enter, he lifted his eyelids and pointed to the chair in front of him.
"Sit down, Sora."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Sora sat down as instructed, waiting for what was to come.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of smoke and slowly said:
"Regarding your next arrangement, I have two plans here."
"First, you know the situation of Squad C Five well. Fox, although experienced, lost an arm and his strength is severely impaired. Grey Wolf also lost an arm. Night Owl is poisoned by puppet poison and needs a long time to recover. Squad C Five already exists in name only and faces reorganization."
Sora nodded silently. This was within his expectations.
"The first choice," Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Sora, "given the strength you displayed in the Kikyōyama campaign, the Anbu needs to replenish new squad leaders. You can choose to become the leader of a new Anbu squad, leading new team members on missions."
A new Anbu squad? Leading a squad?
Obviously, the Anbu also expanded its manpower during the war, but Sora immediately rejected this option in his heart.
Leading a team means responsibility, bonds, and more risk of exposure.
He has too many secrets. The ability of the Azure Dragon Fruit absolutely must not be revealed easily at present. Spending day and night with a group of teammates whose backgrounds are not fully known, and having to worry about their safety during missions, would undoubtedly be a constraint for him.
Moreover, he fundamentally lacks a sense of belonging to Konoha and does not want to cultivate any elite force for Konoha.
Seemingly sensing Sora's hesitation, Sarutobi Hiruzen was not surprised and continued:
"The second choice, you will still belong to the Anbu, but your assignment will be independent, not attached to any fixed squad. You will serve as a special operations personnel directly under the Hokage, carrying out some high-difficulty, high-confidentiality missions alone, possessing greater autonomy and flexibility."
"During the war period, unless I give a direct order, you will not be forcibly assigned to any frontline command sequence."
Hearing this option, Sora's heart stirred.
Independent action, taking orders only from the Hokage, having autonomy, not being casually deployed by frontline commanders like Orochimaru as during the Kikyōyama battle...
This undoubtedly better suited his needs.
It would allow him to utilize the Anbu's resources and intelligence network while maintaining maximum independence and concealment, making it convenient for him to do his own things.
'Sarutobi Hiruzen offering this option, on one hand, probably thinks I'm too young to effectively lead a squad and command respect. On the other hand, he wants to firmly grasp this 'sharp blade' in his own hands, preventing Danzo or other factions from getting involved.'
'After all, a twelve-year-old piece with elite Jonin strength, if used well, can be extremely powerful.'
Thinking this, Sora did not hesitate further: "Hokage-sama, I choose the second option."
A trace of an 'as expected' expression appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. He nodded: "Very well. Then this independent assignment will be temporarily named the 'Anbu Special Operations Group'. Your code name remains 'Green Snake', and you report directly to me."
"Yes!" Sora responded.
"Since you have chosen independent action, there is a task for you now." Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up a scroll from the desk and handed it to Sora.
"Although the Land of Wind has signed a ceasefire agreement with Konoha, Sunagakure's wolfish ambitions must be guarded against!"
"We need to know for sure, after the defeat at Kikyōyama, the real movements within Sunagakure, whether they still have the potential to continue the war, or... whether there are signs of collusion with other ninja villages."
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