Konoha's orphanage is located in a secluded area in the northwest corner of the Village, housing many orphans.
Orphans from Shinobi Clans were fine; their clans would look after them, so they wouldn't come here.
When a Shinobi died in battle, if they had close teammates, those teammates would also help look after their children.
Besides that, Konoha was a very simple and honest place. Many orphans, even if they had no relatives, would be spontaneously cared for by their neighbors.
Only truly helpless orphans or orphans from outside the Village would come here.
The Village was not sure if there were any spies among them.
However, it would not conduct strict investigations based on this, as the orphans' identities would not allow them to access important secrets.
Children in Shinobi Villages generally matured early. At a certain age, these orphans would naturally integrate into the Village's life and become members of the Village.
On this morning, after the children had breakfast, they would play in groups on the orphanage's playground.
In one corner of the playground, the conversation between two adults would determine the fate of these innocent children.
Time had etched its marks on her face. The white-haired, hunched Granny faced the young and strong man, her figure appearing helpless and desolate.
"This is for the Village. The Village needs these children's service," Danzo said coldly. "I will give you a batch of subsidies."
The Granny's lips moved, but she dared not refuse the man's request.
As an ordinary villager in the Village, she had no power to refuse a Shinobi's demand.
Moreover, the orphanage was the Village's property, and the Village had always raised these orphans. Now it was time for these children to repay the Village's kindness.
But...
"This kind of thing never happened before!" the Granny protested fearfully.
This bit of resistance was too insignificant.
Danzo frowned and sneered, "It's happening now. Or are you suggesting the Village should close the orphanage and send these little ones back to wherever they came from?"
A feeling of powerlessness welled up in the Granny's heart, and she said, "How many people do you want?"
"Forget about the children under six. I want all the children aged six and above," Danzo said.
Hearing this, the Granny was both sad and happy.
She was happy that the children under six had escaped, as she didn't want any child to become a Shinobi.
She was sad because...
"You won't come again, will you?" the Granny asked.
Not come? Where would I find manpower if I didn't come?
Those detestable Shinobi Clans in the Village, if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be in such a desperate situation.
I hope there are enough outstanding talents among these little ones.
Danzo said coldly, "That's not for you to worry about."
The Granny sighed powerlessly and said, "I will do as the Village requests."
As she slowly walked away, looking at the peaceful Village in the distance, the Granny's heart was filled with complexity.
If the First Hokage were still alive...
That man would never let children go to war.
Living in a Shinobi Village, even if one knew nothing, prolonged exposure would inevitably lead to knowing certain things.
Children in the Village had complex information exchanges, often inadvertently leaked in the form of bragging. When these children returned to the orphanage, the director would naturally become aware of these things.
For example, the approaching war.
Walking among the children, some of the naughty ones who usually ran into the Village to play were absent.
What usually made her angry now only made her feel fortunate. Looking at the remaining children, she called them to gather.
Before long, the Granny brought a girl to Danzo, forcing a smile and saying, "This is Yakushi Nono, the smartest girl here. She will help you manage the children."
Hearing this, Danzo couldn't help but take a closer look at the girl.
She had blond hair and wore round-rimmed glasses, which were large enough to almost cover half of her small face, making her appear quiet and demure.
"How old is she?"
"Eight years old," the Granny replied.
"Very good." Danzo nodded with satisfaction and said to Yakushi Nono, "Report back in a day with the children. You can select the personnel, but it's best to have all those of eligible age."
Danzo didn't care who they were or if they had talent. In brutal training, only the useful ones deserved to survive.
Only then could true elites be selected.
"Yes, I understand." Though small, the girl agreed gracefully and without subservience.
When she arrived, the director Granny had briefly explained the situation to her, asking her to secretly take care of her younger siblings.
At eight years old, she could already live independently in the Village, whether by becoming an apprentice to learn a trade or by entering the Ninja Academy after an assessment.
The director Granny asked her if she was willing, even if it might mean death.
She said she was willing.
Looking at the man before her, the girl's eyes were calm, hatred and anger deeply hidden in her heart, staring intently at this face she detested.
The once bright sunlight seemed to turn dim, and even the world in her eyes began to appear gray and white.
In her heart, she told herself over and over again.
Yakushi Nono, don't be afraid, you can do it, you must do it. Take your younger siblings and survive!
But...
Was this man really so tall and terrifying?
The small figure stood before the man, her body trembling slightly.
Her vision was a little blurry, and the tears she held back moistened her sight. Vaguely, she seemed to see a figure wearing a terrifying mask slowly and silently approaching from a distance, standing behind Danzo.
"Danzo..." A cold, emotionless female voice sounded in her ear.
Danzo was startled and turned to look.
"Mushi-Hime!" He then said with a grim expression, "What do you want to do?"
"What do I want to do?" Miki said softly, "I'm the one who wants to ask you, what do you want to do?"
"Hmph!" Danzo said, "You have no right to interfere with Root's affairs. Besides, this is Hokage-sama's will."
"Is that so?" Miki said, "If I do interfere, what will you do? Report it to Hokage-sama?"
"You're truly unreasonable, Mushi-Hime. Don't be so childish and interfere with the Village's decisions!" Danzo said coldly, "Mind your own status!"
"What status? Speaking of which, does your Shimura Clan have no one left?" Miki chuckled and said, "You need to use these little ones to serve the Village. Have all the people in the Village died! Does Lord Third Hokage think that tender sprouts can be roasted over a fire! Should we Shinobi Clans bring our five or six-year-old children to the battlefield to see the world!"
"If that's the case, is there even a need for the Village to exist! Why don't you relay these words to Lord Third Hokage, tell him I said them, Danzo Shimura."
The world once again became vibrant and colorful. The little girl stared blankly at the warm figure bathed in the bright sunlight.
Meanwhile, the director Granny on the side could no longer hold back and began to sob quietly.
This was truly wonderful. There were still real people in the Village, not just ghosts who looked like people.
And now, it was Danzo's turn to start trembling.
He was extremely angry.
"Mushi-Hime! Are you determined to go against me!?"
I already gave you face by not demanding people from the Aburame Clan!
And now you won't even give me orphans!!!
"How bothersome," Miki said coldly, "Go against you?"
With a wave of her hand, a swarm of insects instantly surged from the ground, violently engulfing Danzo in an instant.
"So what."
Danzo fell to the ground, screaming shrilly within the clustered black insect swarm!
His cries made one want to laugh.
Yakushi Nonou laughed out loud, covering her small mouth, her eyes curving into crescents.
Go, little bugs! Go!
Bite the big bad guy to death!
She covered her mouth, cleverly snickering.
Everyone can take a look at the pinned post in this book's review section.
Help to upvote it, so they can see what a normal person is, and what a pervert is.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!