The meeting with Tagitsuhime at sea, although brief, contained information and potential dangers that made Sora take notice.
Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage.
These existences were undoubtedly too large and dangerous variables for Sora, who currently only wanted to develop cautiously and discreetly.
Sora entered the borders of the Land of Fire. As he sped rapidly through the forest, he thought quickly.
Being targeted by Ryūchi Cave, this great serpent hidden in the shadows of the ninja world, was definitely not a good thing.
Orochimaru could be easily discarded by them. He, this "True Dragon" carrying unusual treasures, definitely held higher value in their eyes, but the danger was absolutely greater.
'Cooperation is possible, but absolutely must not go deep. The summoning contract… cannot be signed for now.'
'At least before I possess strength that can contend with, or even suppress, the White Snake Sage, I must not set foot in Ryūchi Cave half a step.'
Sora silently set the White Snake Sage's strength at a minimum of Kage level peak in his heart, and decided that his attitude towards Ryūchi Cave would primarily be one of utilization and caution.
That contact scroll would absolutely not be used unless absolutely necessary.
…
Konoha.
Sora walked towards the orphanage at a steady, unhurried pace.
The closer he got to the orphanage, the more Sora slowed his steps, adjusting his breathing, trying to temporarily suppress the thoughts about Ryūchi Cave and the various conspiracies and schemes of the ninja world in his mind.
The orphanage was one of the few places in this cold ninja world where he could slightly relax his mind.
However, today seemed somewhat different.
Still a hundred meters away from the orphanage, bursts of cheerful laughter came over.
Sora was slightly startled.
The orphanage was never lacking in the vitality of children, but a lively scene like today's, where it seemed everyone was immersed in some kind of great joy, had not happened for a long time.
The sharp, joyful shouts of the two little girls Yumi and Ayumi, the rare hearty laughter of Miyamoto Ichirō, and even the somewhat shy but equally excited voice of Kabuto mixed in…
'What happened?'
Sora felt puzzled in his heart, and unconsciously quickened his pace a bit.
He pushed open the somewhat peeling paint courtyard gate.
He saw everyone in the courtyard gathered in a circle.
Miyamoto Ichirō stood with his hands on his hips, laughing so hard his teeth showed, Uesugi Min was vigorously patting his back, seeming to be saying something happy.
The two little girls Yumi and Ayumi were jumping up and down even more, their little faces flushed red.
And in the middle of them, surrounded, was a woman with her back to the gate, wearing light gray casual clothes, her figure slender and gentle.
That familiar short blonde hair, under the afterglow of the setting sun, seemed coated with a layer of warm halo.
Sora's steps instantly stopped, his heart as if lightly bumped by something.
Seemingly startled by the noise of the door opening, the blonde woman slowly turned around.
Time seemed to weave a strange intertwining at this moment.
Nearly seven years had passed. The young girl of that time was now nineteen years old, having shed some of her youthful naivety and gained a bit more mature charm.
She still wore that familiar pair of black-rimmed glasses on her nose. The eyes behind the lenses were still, as in Sora's memory, clear and full of warmth.
"Sora?"
Nonō looked at the tall, straight figure of the youth at the gate, who was a head taller than her, almost one hundred and eighty centimeters, her voice carrying a trace of uncertainty.
She looked carefully at the youth's outline.
The little boy from her memory, whom she needed to look down to meet eyes with, had now grown into a handsome youth.
The bandages that used to be wrapped all over his body in childhood were long gone, replaced by solid muscle lines faintly discernible under ordinary clothes.
Under the simple, neat silver-white short hair was a face that had shed its childishness, appearing steady and calm.
Only those eyes were still dark and bright, now clearly reflecting her figure, with unconcealed concern.
The conspicuous weighted bindings on his legs silently spoke of the fact that he had never stopped striving these seven years.
"Sister."
Sora walked forward, his voice hoarse as he spoke. "Welcome back."
He was also carefully observing Nonō.
Her clothes were neat, her posture natural, her breathing steady, and no new wounds could be seen on the skin exposed.
But Sora's keen perception could detect that the chakra within her body was somewhat sluggish, and a trace of exhaustion occasionally flashed across her face.
'It seems these seven years, the missions sister carried out were definitely not easy.'
Sora understood in his heart, an indescribable emotion surging within him. If it were before, he might only be able to secretly clench his fists, hating his own powerlessness.
But now…
A cold glint flashed deep in his eyes.
Danzo? The Root? If they dared stretch their claws towards Nonō again, he wouldn't mind letting Konoha's shadows be short of one old schemer who played with conspiracies all day.
Sora had always wanted to develop discreetly, not wanting to attract too much attention.
But when those he cared about were threatened, he absolutely didn't mind baring his fangs. Nonō was his most serious bottom line.
"It really is Sora."
Yumi exclaimed excitedly. "Sister Nonō, I didn't lie to you, right? Brother Sora has grown so tall now."
"Yes, I almost didn't recognize him."
Nonō laughed. She reached out her hand, wanting to pat Sora's head like when he was little, but found that Sora was already too tall, making the action somewhat difficult.
Sora slightly bent his knees, actively lowering his head, bringing it close to her hand.
This subtle action made Nonō slightly startle, then the warmth in her eyes grew thicker. She gently rubbed Sora's hair.
"You've grown up."
She sighed softly, her tone full of relief, also carrying a trace of melancholy at the passage of time.
"Mhm."
Sora straightened up, looking into her eyes, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable force. "Sister, now that you're back this time, you don't need to leave again."
Hearing this, Nonō's body stiffened slightly. She subconsciously avoided Sora's overly sharp gaze, forcing a faint smile.
"Sora, about missions…"
"Don't worry, sister. No need to leave again."
Sora interrupted her, his voice not loud, but carrying an absolute confidence. "From now on, you can stay at the orphanage peacefully. Leave other matters for me to handle."
Nonō looked at him in astonishment, seeming to search his face for traces of a youth's naive overconfidence, but she only saw a deep, unfathomable calm and determination.
This kind of presence…
She had only felt it on a very few truly important figures.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end it only turned into a complex, soft sigh.
She vaguely sensed that the Sora before her eyes seemed to no longer be the child who needed her protection.
"I will take good care of everyone."
Sora emphasized again. This statement was no longer a childhood promise, but a declaration he now had the ability to fulfill. "Including you, sister."
Just then, Miyamoto Ichirō, as if remembering something, suddenly slapped his head.
"Oh right. The Director. We must quickly tell the Director this good news."
Before his words finished, they saw Uesugi Min already running out from inside the house, her face carrying an expression of disbelief and joy.
"The, the Director… the Director is up. He said… to eat together."
This news shocked everyone even more than Nonō's return.
The old Director had been bedridden with illness for many years. In recent years, it had become extremely difficult for him to even get out of bed, barely sustained by everyone taking turns caring for him.
Sora had even prepared himself for the day he would return and not see this kind old man.
Unexpectedly…
Everyone quickly rushed inside the house.
They saw that emaciated old man actually relying on his own strength, trembling, sitting on the edge of the bed.
His dim eyes searched through the crowd, finally settling on Nonō.
"You're back… good… you're back, good…"
Nonō quickly stepped forward, crouching down to tightly grasp the old man's withered hand, her eye sockets instantly turning red.
"Director, I'm back."
Sora stood at the door, watching this scene, complex feelings in his heart.
Now that Nonō had returned, this was clearly a case of the old Director's final rally before death. His wish now fulfilled, probably…
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