Naruto: Manipulation

The next day.

With no obstacles in his way, Kabuto swiftly made his way to Konoha.

After secretly infiltrating the village, he did not immediately seek out Danzo Shimura but instead headed quietly to the orphanage where he had grown up.

The Konoha Orphanage had not changed much. The number of children it housed had dwindled, and the caretakers who had remained had grown old with the years.

His childhood friends—

Were long gone.

Kabuto stood in a corner of the orphanage, recalling the moment when he first arrived here. His playmates had gifted him a helmet, and from then on, he had been given the name Kabuto.

"Who are you?"

An elderly caretaker noticed him, gazing curiously at the gray-haired, bespectacled young shinobi.

"Just someone who wishes to donate."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, concealing the slight disappointment in his heart from not being recognized. He spoke softly, "I heard this orphanage has always been struggling financially."

"That's true."

The old woman wiped the sweat from her brow and sighed. "Ever since our director passed away, we've had no one to fight for funding. We've barely been getting by."

However, her expression suddenly turned complicated. "But today, we may no longer need extra funds. Earlier, a friend of the director made a generous donation—enough to keep the orphanage running for at least another ten years..."

"A friend of the director?"

Kabuto was stunned.

Since when...

Did Director Nono Yakushi have friends?

As a spy, she had always lived cautiously in the shadows. How could she have had the opportunity to befriend someone so wealthy?

"It must be a close friend."

The old woman muttered, as if discussing some local gossip. "When he arrived, he even brought a portrait of the director. He looked like someone important. He's inside right now, treating the children."

"..."

Kabuto's curiosity deepened.

But the moment he stepped inside—

He saw a familiar figure.

His heart clenched.

"Shigen..."

Kabuto's unease grew.

The first time he met Shigen, he had assumed the man was just a kindhearted medical ninja.

But now—

He knew Shigen was the true mastermind behind Akatsuki.

"Your medical skills are amazing!"

A little boy from the orphanage clutched his chest in awe, exclaiming to the doctor who had treated him. "It really doesn't hurt anymore! The caretaker said our old director was a great healer too. I wonder who's better, you or her!"

"It's me."

Shigen answered without hesitation and even provided an example. "Your director was also skilled in medical ninjutsu, but whenever she saw me, she never dared to call herself a medical ninja in front of me."

"Really?"

"I don't lie."

"Wow!"

The boy's eyes lit up with admiration. He suddenly thought of a rumor in the village. "Then who's better, you or Lady Tsunade? I heard she's the strongest medical ninja in the entire shinobi world! The caretaker said that when she returns, she'll definitely be able to cure me!"

"..."

Shigen lowered his head, lost in thought for a moment.

It was unclear whether he was reminiscing about the old days—

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Or comparing his skills to Tsunade's.

"If she worked hard enough..."

"Perhaps she is now the strongest."

Shigen didn't deny Tsunade's talent. He didn't care whether this child understood him or not and simply explained, "Because I've already taught her everything I know. But I have never seen her teach me anything."

"That being said..."

He added casually, "No matter how exceptional she becomes, in the end, I will still be the strongest."

"Wow!"

The boy was thoroughly amazed. He then asked another question, "Then what about you and Lord Shigen? Who's stronger?"

"Same strength."

Shigen ruffled the boy's hair and tapped his forehead lightly. "Now go play with your friends. From today on, you can do whatever you want."

"Yes!"

The boy happily ran off.

"..."

Once the boy was gone, Shigen waved off the caretaker who had come to thank him.

Then, he turned to face Kabuto.

"You're late."

"...Yes."

Kabuto's heart sank.

As expected—

Shigen had already known he would come here.

But why was he here now?

What did he want with the orphanage?

"I thought you wouldn't come."

Shigen stood up, glancing at the portrait of Nono Yakushi on the wall. "After all, when I helped her pass on peacefully, I promised her that her children would be safe. But since you've come, I suppose I don't need to worry about this place anymore."

"...Yes."

Kabuto bowed deeply, his voice low. "Thank you, Lord Shigen. I had thought..."

He had thought—

That Shigen had changed too much and would no longer care about insignificant people like him.

"Are you staying here?"

Shigen asked him directly. "This orphanage was your home growing up. You and Nono Yakushi both dedicated a lot to this place."

"Home...?"

Kabuto murmured the unfamiliar word.

Then, he slowly shook his head. "I can't stay here."

Even if he wanted to—

Orochimaru and Danzo would never allow it.

Orochimaru had already made him his pawn.

Danzo knew he possessed too many secrets.

If he tried to leave—

Danzo would use the orphanage against him to force him back into being a spy.

And Danzo...

Was more than capable of doing such a thing.

But—

Kabuto had no idea how to escape this situation.

Even if he sought protection under Shigen, what value could he possibly offer?

His proudest skill—medical ninjutsu?

Shigen was the greatest medical ninja in existence.

His ability as a spy?

Akatsuki had no need for an informant like him.

In this world—

One must always give something in return.

Even kindness and love must be repaid.

He had always been grateful to Shigen for freeing Nono's soul.

And now—

Shigen had donated to the orphanage in Nono's name.

To keep taking without giving back—

Went against everything Kabuto had been taught.

That wasn't how he had been raised.

Otherwise, he never would have volunteered to be a spy in the first place.

"It seems you're still unsure."

Shigen didn't seem to know what Kabuto was thinking.

He simply assumed that Kabuto was still lost.

Casually, he said, "Time won't wait for you."

"...No."

Kabuto shook his head, his gaze downcast. "The shinobi world is filled with endless conflict. Even if I stay here, there will never be peace. My presence alone would bring danger to this orphanage..."

"Oh."

Shigen nodded, as if understanding.

Then, in an eerily calm voice, he said, "Then let's change this world first. Once it's no longer full of war... you can come back."

"..."

Kabuto froze.

He could hardly believe his ears.

Change the world?

Did he have any idea how absurd that sounded?

Even Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, had only managed to end the Warring States period.

And after his death—

The shinobi world plunged into even greater bloodshed.

Such a thing—

Was impossible.

Even Orochimaru, one of the most brilliant minds, thought Akatsuki's goals were delusional.

Not even Shigen could truly change the world.

"This kind of thinking..."

"Is too naive..."

Kabuto bit his lip, trying to reason with him. "As long as there are humans, as long as there are shinobi, conflict will never end! No one can change this world!"

That was the undeniable truth of this world.

And yet—

Shigen stood before him, his expression unchanged.

His deadly calm gaze settled on Kabuto's conflicted face.

"Kabuto Yakushi..."

"Will you follow me?"