Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

"This child is very sensible, so sensible that it breaks your heart."

Qingwu nodded. It was remarkable that such a young child knew how to take care of even younger children.

However... it seems that those who truly shine in the Naruto world are those who "have love in their hearts".

"Kabuto has a good talent for medical ninjutsu, and I've been teaching him."

Nono continued, "He probably got the idea after seeing how easily you cured his younger siblings. Don't worry about it."

Qingwu shook his head and said meaningfully, "Dou is a good child."

“That’s right.” Nonoyu stood up with a smile: “You’ve worked so hard today, please stay and try my cooking.”

Qingwu smiled and replied, "Okay!"

While Nono went to prepare lunch, Seigo came outside and saw this scene.

In the courtyard, Iruka sat under the shade of a tree, holding a picture book and telling a story.

Surrounded by a group of children, he listened quietly.

"This guy..." Qingwu felt that the scene in front of him was particularly healing.

Iruka is indeed very good at interacting with children.

……

As the sun set, Qingwu and Iruka bid farewell and left.

As they walked out of the orphanage, Iruka suddenly said, "Qingwu, don't you feel like the director... looks familiar?"

Qingwu turned around: "What?"

"I don't know." Iruka looked deep in thought. "I'm sure I've never seen her before, but she just seems familiar."

“Hmm…” Qingwu said casually, “I often feel that way too.”

"You knew the dean before?" Iruka recalled their conversation that morning.

"I'd say we know each other," Qingwu replied, then added after a moment's thought, "We've met during patrol missions for the Dark Division..."

"Alright, Qingwu!" Iruka quickly interrupted, "Don't tell me about the Dark Division's missions."

"Okay," Qingwu said with a smile, "We're still hungry, how about we go get a bowl of ramen?"

The food prepared by the director was quite plentiful compared to the conditions at the orphanage, but neither of them ate much because they saw that the children were looking greedy.

While Qingwu and Iruka were heading to the ramen shop.

An unexpected guest appeared at the orphanage. "Chino, it's been a long time..."

Danzo, leaning on a cane, stood in front of the main building of the orphanage with two Root ninjas.

Nonou knelt on the ground. "My lord... what brings you here today?"

No sooner had Qingwu and the others left than Danzo arrived, forcing Nono to make the worst possible assumption.

"Don't be nervous, it's just a routine check-in."

Danzo walked slowly through the courtyard, leaning on his cane. "The orphanage is an important facility in Konoha. I've come to see if there's anything... that needs improvement."

Nono got up and followed behind, remaining silent.

After a moment, Danzo said casually, "Also, I heard that some outsiders came today and brought quite a few gifts and... money?"

Ye Naiyu was stunned.

The gifts were one thing, but how did Danzo know about the money?

"You should know that the orphanage is a charity, and all income is provided by the village."

Danzo slowly said, "Orphanages are not for-profit organizations."

"..." Nono had no words to express her suffering.

She always knew that the orphanage was, in a sense, her "shackles".

But with her kind heart, she couldn't bear to leave those children behind.

Thud!

Danzo stopped with his cane and walked out, saying, "Alright, that's enough for now. I'm taking him with me."

"!!" Nono suddenly looked up.

Whoosh!

Two more Root ninjas appeared, followed by a small, thin figure.

"pocket!"

Nonou suddenly realized something: "Did you tell... the master?"

When Qingwu paid the money, only Dou came downstairs, so the result was obvious.

Danzo did not turn back; his figure disappeared into the night.

Kabuto didn't dare look into Nono's eyes; he was afraid that this "betrayal" would hurt his mother.

However, before following the Root ninja out of the courtyard gate, Kabuto couldn't help but turn back and say, "Headmistress, the adults have promised to improve the lives of the orphanage."

What he didn't say was... Danzo promised him that if he accepted Root's training and became a spy, he would make the "Walking Witch" completely "retire"...

Dou left.

Nonou squatted on the ground in anguish, tears streaming down her face.

She...couldn't resist.

She could never resist what Danzo wanted to do!

……

Ichiraku Ramen Restaurant.

"I'm starting!"

Iruka slurped up a couple of mouthfuls of noodles and felt a warm glow spread through his body.

Qingwu, on the other hand, slowly took a sip of the hot soup.

“I will go to the orphanage every weekend from now on.”

Iruka said happily, "Those children...they need me."

Qingwu was also happy for Iruka, "You, don't you really need a day off?"

“No need,” Iruka said excitedly. “I feel very fulfilled every day now, and also… I like it when people call me teacher.”

"Hey, Irukasense!" Qingwu joked.

The two were unaware of what had happened at the orphanage shortly after they left.

Iruka envisioned a bright future.

"I will bring some books next time; the children love books."

"Well, in that case... Iruka, you take this money."

Qingwu counted out 3 taels of banknotes and handed them over.

"Huh?" Iruka looked surprised. "I have money, Qingwu, you can take it back. I haven't spent all the reward we got from the mission with Xiyan last time, and I also get a salary as a teaching assistant now."

Of the reward for the last mission, Iruka received 5 taels, and Qingwu received 10 taels.

It's been so long... and you still haven't finished spending it?

Qingwu patted his forehead, realizing how many 5 taels he had already spent.

Moreover, as far as he knew, the teaching assistant's salary was very low, at least much less than that of a combat unit.

“Here, this is also the payment for the mission.” Qingwu explained, “I ran into Zhina a while ago, and she’s already been paid her share.”

"Chino-senpai?" Iruka asked in surprise, "How are you doing now? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I forgot." Qingwu rubbed his temples. "I've been very busy lately."

Upon thinking of Qingwu joining the Shadow Guard, Iruka immediately fell silent.

“That’s too much,” Iruka said in a low voice. “Why are you giving me 30,000 taels?”

The two huddled together and whispered.

The middle-aged man's squinty eyes widened slightly; he was worried that the two sneaky little ones might suddenly skip out on the bill.

"It's not for you," Qingwu said. "It's for buying books for the orphanage, so count me in too. You can take care of it."

Iruka thought for a moment before putting it away.

He then whispered enviously, "The Dark Division's salaries must be very high."

"Great!" Qingwu nodded vigorously while eating his noodles.

My heart is already filled with tears... I'm so poor!!

Chapter 70 First Escort Mission

Time flies.

11 month.

The first snow of winter came later than last year.

Southern part of the Land of Fire.

A border town where the land of fire and the land of tea meet.

The Third Hokage of Konoha is discussing a trade agreement with the Daimyo of the Land of Tea.

Meanwhile, Qingwu and the other three also embarked on their first escort mission outside the village since the Shadow Guard was formed.

The land of tea relies on fishing and tea production as its economic pillars, and boasts fertile soil and abundant water and heat resources.

Because it does not have its own ninja village, although it is politically independent of the Five Great Nations system, it has many cooperative relationships with Konoha.

The town is ordinary, but the atmosphere today is subtle.