"A friend of Kabuto?"
As a former ROOT agent and the famed "Wandering Miko," Nonō understood the weight of that admission.
Uzumaki Ku, even if he wasn't directly under the Fourth Hokage, clearly had some connection with him.
Otherwise, how could he have openly spoken with Kabuto at the orphanage gate? That conversation had been overheard by both Danzō and Orochimaru, giving them leverage to act against the orphanage, despite being hesitant to provoke suspicion too openly.
Yet before leaving, this man had approached her again, offering advice and indirectly revealing his identity...
'Kakashi?'
'Hatake Kakashi?'
The Battle of Kannabi Bridge gave Konoha two heroes, Uchiha Obito and Hatake Kakashi.
A disciple of the Fourth Hokage, and now his trusted ANBU.
Inside the Hokage Office, Nonō stood before the Fourth Hokage, while Kakashi, who had brought her, was briefing him on the situation.
Kakashi reported. "The head of the orphanage claims that Lord Danzō threatened her using the orphanage's funding and children, forcing her to participate in Root's espionage activities. The person who fought Danzō and Orochimaru was a red-haired young man who used the Flying Thunder God technique. The name left in the seal formula: Uzumaki Ku."
Minato glanced at the Flying Thunder God kunai Kakashi had just handed over. The formula on it was very similar to his own.
"Blade of Shinobi Love, Uzumaki Ku."
This man was likely the same one a year ago, the one who severed Obito's arm using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
That much had already been mostly confirmed back then.
In the year since, Konoha had compiled plenty of intelligence on this person.
Minato took out a file: a summary of all known intel on Uzumaki Ku. Red hair, use of Flying Thunder God, weak in taijutsu, presumed dead multiple times, yet keeps reappearing.
'That shadowy figure back then, was he immortal?'
"About Captain Fugaku a year ago—" Kakashi began, but Minato shook his head.
"No. My conclusion remains unchanged. If Uzumaki Ku truly wanted to save the masked man, he had ample opportunity to teleport him away when he severed the arm."
"And back then, I didn't sense any space-time ninjutsu residue near the Konoha Military Police. Just a hunch, but I don't believe this man harbors malice toward Konoha."
Kakashi nodded slightly, then looked at Nonō, signaling her to speak.
"Lord Hokage, I—"
Minato raised his hand and gently cut her off with a smile.
"I'll look into the orphanage's funding as soon as possible. As for ROOT, they'll receive a formal warning. As for the security of the orphanage..."
Seeing Nonō's hopeful eyes, Minato hesitated.
The orphanage's children weren't technically Konoha's; they were mostly war refugees. Orochimaru had highlighted this during his threats; children with no official identity made ideal test subjects.
Given this, Minato found it hard to assign guards. These weren't officially recognized Konoha children, and with the war only recently ended, the risk of spies among them still lingered.
"Sensei," Kakashi added, "Uzumaki Ku said before he left that he's friends with a boy in the orphanage named Kabuto."
'A friend?'
Minato focused slightly. 'A man with potential foresight abilities, Uzumaki Ku, claimed a boy like Kabuto was his friend?'
That changed things.
"Then I'll have Kakashi set up a sensory barrier around the orphanage," Minato decided. "And this kunai, hang it from the dormitory's rafters. If anything happens, Kakashi will contact me."
Nonō was moved and bowed deeply in gratitude.
"All the children in the orphanage will be forever grateful to you, Lord Hokage."
Minato smiled warmly.
"I was an orphan, too. I understand how those children feel. As for this child named Kabuto, once he's registered, let him attend the Ninja Academy under Kakashi's guardianship."
Minato turned to Kakashi.
"What do you think? The Hatake clan has always been just you, having someone around might make things less lonely, right?"
Kakashi was dumbfounded, 'Was this a burden disguised as kindness?'
Just as he was about to decline, Minato continued:
"Based on intel, both ROOT and Orochimaru seem interested in this boy. And since Uzumaki Ku is his friend..."
'So I need to report anything that happens, right? Protect the boy, and if Ku shows up, contact Sensei immediately.'
Kakashi quickly understood the real intent. All this planning, even for an unofficial orphanage, wasn't just about the children. It was because of Uzumaki Ku.
That man was linked to nearly every major event in the past year. Even the Fourth Hokage himself seemed eager to meet him again.
After Kakashi and Nonō left, Minato stood and looked out the window.
Scenes from the intel exchange space a year ago flashed in his mind again. That shadowy figure, Uzumaki Ku, he still wanted to meet him once more.
Even the Mangekyō users with space-time abilities weren't the masterminds. Someone else had rescued Obito in secret. Someone had assassinated Fugaku without a trace.
Who was truly behind it all?
Knock knock knock!
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal the Third Hokage, Danzō, and the two village elders.
"Regarding the events at the orphanage tonight," Minato said bluntly, "I expect ROOT to give me an explanation."
The Third interjected, feigning ignorance:
"It seems someone attacked Danzō and Orochimaru while they were negotiating orphanage funding. The disturbance was minor, but the attacker supposedly used..."
"The Flying Thunder God Technique," Danzō cut in. A technique exclusive to you, Fourth. I demand an explanation."
The elders Koharu and Homura exchanged looks before adding fuel to the fire.
"The Flying Thunder God isn't just any jutsu," Koharu said. "Only the Second and You have mastered it."
"And I heard rumors you were teaching it to your guards," Homura mused. "Were those successful?"
Flanking Minato from both sides, none directly accused him of sending someone to attack Danzō, but every word circled that implication.
In truth, since Minato took office and the Third began relinquishing power, they had started noticing a shift.
They realized Minato wasn't aligned with them or the Third. He wasn't their teammate.
Power breeds darkness, and the longer you hold it, the harder it is to let go.
Danzo also served their interests.
The Fourth did not.