Leaving the Hokage's office...
Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Honoka were caught in a tug-of-war over her living arrangements.
Minato wanted Honoka to stay at his place directly.
Having suddenly arrived in a foreign environment, with no sense of security, Honoka naturally didn't want to be apart from her lover. However, this was still Konoha—Minato's home. She couldn't help but worry that moving in with him right away might cause trouble for him.
Would others think badly of her? Would they see her as frivolous?
Yamanaka Shinno, always perceptive, wisely refrained from suggesting something like,
"Why not stay with Kushina?"
For one, Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't even mentioned Kushina earlier, a clear sign that Honoka still wasn't fully trusted. No one wanted a newly arrived Uzumaki interacting recklessly with the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.
For another, his best friend had finally gotten together with someone. Minato was galloping toward a blissful future, and as the matchmaker, Shinno wasn't about to throw a wrench in that.
"Minato, Honoka, the flowers at home haven't been watered in a while. I'll be heading back first."
With a casual excuse, Shinno said his goodbyes and turned toward the Yamanaka clan district.
Konoha's streets remained as lively as ever.
People bustled about, the atmosphere filled with cheerful chatter and the warmth of daily life. In the ten days he'd been gone, nothing had changed.
Compared to the turmoil beyond Konoha's borders—the constant skirmishes and unrest plaguing smaller villages and towns—the village felt like a haven in a world of chaos.
At the very least, most of the people on the streets weren't walking around with numb, pained expressions. They smiled from the heart.
"Konoha… it really is wonderful..."
A soft female voice drifted from nearby.
It was barely above a whisper, but those few words carried deep emotion—nostalgia, longing, admiration, determination, and a hint of sorrow.
The tone alone made Shinno turn his head, studying the young girl gazing at the same scenery he was.
She looked two or three years younger than him, wearing a long black robe. A pair of round black-framed glasses sat on her face, and her light blonde hair was mostly concealed beneath a white hood.
A nun?
...
Name: Yakushi Nono
Occupation: Konoha Spy
Traits: Wandering Miko (Blue), Medical Ninjutsu Proficiency (Green), Affinity (Green), Eye Disorder (Gray)
...
Yakushi Nono?
Shinno was momentarily stunned, but it quickly became clear why her emotions were so complex.
As a professional Konoha spy trained for deep-cover missions, she had spent years infiltrating enemy nations, enduring psychological pressure beyond what most could imagine.
Shinno had only been away for ten days, always with companions by his side, and yet, returning to Konoha filled him with a deep sense of relief and belonging.
For someone who had infiltrated enemy territories over and over, never knowing how long she would have to stay or whether she would even return—how much stronger must that feeling be?
But… this list of traits was quite something.
"Wandering Miko" was a title Yakushi Nono had earned through her exploits. Many factions knew of a formidable spy by that name, but none had ever managed to capture her, making her legend grow over time.
Now, that very title had become her trait.
What's more, her skills in infiltration, disguise, intelligence gathering, tracking, and counter-tracking were top-tier.
Combined with the "Affinity" trait, which made it easier for her to gain others' trust…
This woman was practically a born spy.
"Eye Disorder, huh..." Shinno glanced at the final gray-colored trait, then continued on his way home.
Near-sightedness and mild face blindness. A severe weakness for a spy, though the "Wandering Miko" trait probably compensated for it.
Still… wasn't it this very weakness that got her killed in the end?
In his memory palace, Shinno quickly reviewed the original events and couldn't help but curse Danzo in his heart.
That old bastard really was the worst.
Yakushi Nono had already retired, yet Danzo still forced her back into service by threatening the lives of orphaned children.
Not only that—he used her to manipulate Kabuto, coercing the boy into becoming a spy as well.
And as if that weren't enough, he later deemed her a liability and fed her false intel, leading to her being killed by none other than Kabuto himself.
This...
For the first time, Shinno felt like "prick" wasn't a strong enough word for Danzo.
Thinking of Shisui's stolen eye, of Nagato's tragic past, of what happened to Orochimaru and Kabuto…
"Maybe I really should find an opportunity to get rid of Danzo."
Rubbing his chin, Shinno considered it seriously.
Even with his "Ruthless Schemer" trait, Danzo might not have the same amount of time or energy to stir up trouble as in the original story. But someone like him was bound to cause problems sooner or later.
Might as well deal with it early.
Besides, as the "Strongest Scapegoat Hokage," the unofficial 5.5th Hokage, and one of the biggest behind-the-scenes disruptors in the original timeline…
If he took Danzo out, the system would probably reward him handsomely, right?
As Shinno walked away, his figure gradually fading into the distance, Yakushi Nono finally exhaled lightly and turned her gaze toward his retreating back.
As an experienced spy, she was always acutely aware of being watched.
The moment Shinno had looked at her, she had sensed it. Pretending to remain absorbed in the scenery, she had discreetly studied him in return.
His open display of sympathy and pity…
Why?
Had he guessed something from her casual remark?
No way. It was just a simple sigh of appreciation.
Yakushi Nono carefully recalled the young ninja's face. She was certain they had never met before.
A face that clean and handsome—once seen, it was impossible to forget.
After thinking for a while, only two possibilities remained in her mind.
Either he had somehow learned about her identity, or he was simply unnervingly sharp.
Because an ordinary ninja wouldn't react like that.
"I don't need anyone's pity or sympathy. Everything I do is for Konoha."
Steeling herself, Yakushi Nono cast one last, lingering look at the bustling streets of Konoha.
Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her mindset and prepared to infiltrate her next target.
From a distance, Shinno glanced back in her direction one last time.
With his heightened sensory perception, how could he not have noticed her momentary tension?
During his time in the interrogation unit, he had seen many captured enemy spies.
The one thing they feared most was exposure.
Even within their own village, an unexpected encounter could make them uneasy.
Seeing her now, clearly about to embark on another mission, he knew better than to disrupt her focus.
"Stay safe, Wandering Miko."
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