Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Iruka suggested, "Qingwu, you don't seem to have slept well for the past few days. Get some rest tonight."

Qingwu nodded, "Then I'll leave it to you."

Late at night.

Chino, who had been keeping watch for the rest of the night, made sure that Iruka and Seigo were both asleep before quietly climbing out of the ravine and into the forest.

She looked around and quickly formed a hand seal.

A miniature summoning circle appeared on the ground, and a black communication ninja hawk appeared in front of her.

She quickly wrote down a report and stuffed it into the bamboo tube on the ninja hawk's leg.

As she watched the ninja hawk fly past the treetops, she turned to go back...

"Who are you contacting so late?" Qingwu's voice sounded from behind her.

Chino's body stiffened, and she slowly turned around.

Qingwu leaned against a tree, playing with a leaf in his hand, looking at her calmly.

"Captain," Chino said, feigning composure, "I just... got up to use the restroom."

"Does it require a spirit medium to make things convenient?" Qingwu's expression turned playful.

They finally caught her; it was worth it for him to keep an eye on her all the way.

Chino fell silent.

She could, of course, explain it as simply communicating with a close friend.

But... if it weren't important intelligence, who would get up in the middle of the night to deliver a message?

A moment later, she sighed, grabbed her long brown hair, and cut it short. Then she put on a pair of round-framed glasses.

Her squinting eyes widened, and her demeanor instantly changed.

He transformed from a gentle medical ninja into... someone Qingwu knew very well.

"When was it discovered?" she asked.

Qingwu did not answer.

He didn't even realize how wide his mouth was open.

So it was her!

Yakushi Nonou!!

This woman, who didn't appear much in the original work, left a deep impression on many anime fans.

He hadn't been wearing glasses before, and his hairstyle was different, so even though he felt familiar with him, he couldn't immediately remember who it was.

"Qingwu...Captain?" Nonoyu frowned slightly.

"On the first day," Qingwu suppressed his astonishment, "your chakra control was too perfect, abnormally perfect."

Nonou smiled wryly, "As expected, Lord Danzo was right, you're no ordinary brat."

"What did Danzo send you here for?" Qingwu asked. "To monitor? To assess? Or to find an opportunity to get rid of me?"

“Assess!” Nonou said, “Collect your ability data, determine your threat level, and assess… your loyalty to Konoha.”

"and then?"

“Then the adults will decide the next step!” Nono said. “It could be to win them over, or to control them? Or maybe…”

"Alright, I understand." Qingwu looked at her. "So, how's your assessment going?"

“It exceeded expectations,” Nono said. “His combat ability, combat awareness, and insight all exceeded what a thirteen-year-old should have.”

"Heh..." she chuckled, "More importantly... you're very cautious!"

The two asked and answered questions quickly.

Even when exposed to her face, Nono's tone remained very calm, as if she were commenting on how nice the night was.

This made Qingwu feel somewhat uneasy.

Does Danzo have another plan?

He looked around warily, but the wood elves and centaurs he had sent out showed no unusual behavior.

“Well, there was supposed to be another test tomorrow,” Nonou said. “But now that we’ve been discovered, let’s just skip it.”

Qingwu thought of the people she had met on Tanche Street.

“We are not on opposing sides.” Nonou shook her head and said, “I have no ill intentions towards you, nor have I tried to harm… my comrades.”

Qingwu withdrew his gaze and looked at her again: "What do you plan to do?"

“I will report the truth,” Nonou replied, “including the fact that you saw through me.”

What will Danzo's reaction be?

“I don’t know,” Nonou said, “but one thing is for sure: the adults will value you more. Maybe next time, it won’t be me they send.”

She paused for a moment, then said, "Captain Qingwu, you're a smart person. A smart person should know that if you want to be free, you can't tie yourself to one thing. What do you think?"

Does that mean I don't want to rely solely on the Third Hokage?

Qingwu laughed, "Are you recruiting me for Danzo?"

"I was just making a suggestion." Nonou smiled, her eyes crinkling into squinty eyes again. "Well then... goodbye!"

They're leaving already?

Looking at Nono's unguarded back, Qingwu hesitated whether to take her down and ask her for more information.

Just then, Nono stopped after taking a few steps.

She turned around and said, "Captain Qingwu."

"Ok?"

"Wood Release... is too important for Konoha."

"what?"

“Be careful, Lord Danzo has never been patient with ‘uncertain factors’…”

"..."

While Qingwu was still in a daze, Nonoyu's figure disappeared into the woods.

What do you mean?

Countless fragments flashed through Qingwu's mind in an instant.

From her poor eyesight, to Tanabata Street suggesting they separate, and then to her volunteering to keep watch tonight...

"She did it on purpose so I would find out!"

Qingwu suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Chapter 32 Basic Earth Magic

flaw!

It was discovered far too easily.

Looking back now, even if he had suspicions from the very beginning.

But as a renowned spy in the ninja world—a walking shrine maiden—how could Yakushi Nonou let him discover her secrets so easily?

"As expected... truly worthy of being called the 'Guardian of Light in the Darkness'?"

Yakushi Nonou undoubtedly loves the village.

Besides her identity as a member of 'Root', her public identity is the director of the orphanage in Konoha Village.

Since the First Hokage, Konoha has seen another "Wood Release ninja".

How could she possibly do anything to harm the village?

"so……"

Qingwu figured out the key point: "Did Nono deliberately reveal a flaw in this operation as a final reminder?"

“Danzo…” Qingwu’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the dark forest.

He had always known about Shimura Danzo's ambitions.

That's why he had no choice but to align himself with the Third Hokage after "awakening Wood Release".

But Danzo's roots always weighed on his heart like a mountain.

"We'll move this mountain sooner or later!"

Qingwu made a silent vow to the night sky.

……

early morning.

Iruka seemed somewhat downcast after learning that Chino had left.

“She’s a very good senior,” Iruka said dejectedly. “Although she sometimes seems to have poor eyesight, her treatments are very professional.”

“Yes!” Qingwu said meaningfully, “Very 'professional'.”

"What urgent matter could have led you to leave so late at night? Can't you come back with us?"

"After all, they're from the medical team; they're probably on some kind of emergency medical mission."

"Didn't she tell you, Qingwu?"

"No, I was awake when she left, but she said goodbye in a hurry and left. Oh, and she asked me to say hello to you and apologize."

"Really? Senior has approved of me as a teammate."

"Yeah, but it seems we won't be able to team up together anymore."

"Huh? Why? We finally found a medical ninja."

"Well... um, Chino said it. She said she'll be very busy from now on."