Kabuto Yakushi was now immersed in the vision of the future that Shindai had painted.
Although he didn't completely understand, he got the general idea.
In short, the orphanage would no longer face financial shortages.
However, Kabuto Yakushi feared that if he approached the Headmaster himself, he might be dismissed for being just a child. So he asked Shindai to discuss his profitable scheme with Nonou Yakushi later.
Shindai immediately agreed.
Because at this moment, Shindai could clearly see this was a lucrative opportunity. After all, it was his idea originally. Taking a small share and getting some dividends wasn't too much to ask!
"Aniki, remember this, okay?"
"No problem! Got it!"
Kabuto cheerfully went off to heal other ninja.
Shindai happily started calculating profits, and the more numbers he crunched, the wider his smile grew. It was possible they'd even have enough money for opening their adult puppet shop directly from this.
Huh!
A sudden spark lit up Shindai's mind.
During the charity event held by the orphanage, he could take advantage of the occasion.
Wasn't that his specialty? He traveled alone from Sunagakure to Konoha—that was already an emotionally compelling backstory. He could definitely move those kind-hearted people into donating some extra funds!
Perfect! That's exactly what I'll do!
Every time Shindai was fantasizing about a beautiful future, someone would always show up to dampen his enthusiasm.
Back then it was Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara—but now, it was Orochimaru.
Orochimaru said to the cheerful Shindai, "You can't do it."
"Why not?" Shindai replied in surprise. "Is there something wrong with my profitable scheme? Or are you saying Konoha has no compassionate people? That'd be too stingy!"
Orochimaru answered, "Your profitable scheme itself has no issues. If everything goes smoothly, it really could solve the orphanage's financial problems—but only under ideal circumstances."
Shindai listened, puzzled. "What do you mean by 'non-ideal' circumstances?"
Orochimaru glanced sideways at Shindai and said, "You know quite a lot about me already, so you should also know whom I'm currently working for."
Shindai thought for a moment, then his face darkened.
Damn it! Danzō, that cunning old bastard!
Seeing Shindai's expression darken, Orochimaru knew he'd figured it out and continued, "Nonou used to be a Root ninja. She was an exceptionally skilled intelligence agent known as the 'Walking Miko,' but she left Root.
Because she was simply too good, no one within Root could replace her role as an intelligence agent. Danzō won't let her leave Root that easily.
Therefore, Danzō wants her back. Don't you remember meeting someone speaking with me at Konoha's doorstep before? You even asked me who that person was?"
He is Danzo's direct subordinate, Tatsuma Aburame. He came simply to inform me that Danzo wants Nonou to return to Root.
After I finish this current mission and return to Konoha, I will join Danzo in locating Nonou and bringing her back to Root.
Danzo is a schemer who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Based on what I know of him, if Nonou refuses to work for Danzo, he will use the orphanage as leverage against her.
The orphanage's funding, those children—they will all be exploited by Danzo to force Nonou's compliance. Donations raised through charity events one day might mysteriously disappear the next; stores she opens could face constant disturbances until they are forced to close.
Such sabotage would be effortless for Danzo. So you simply can't handle these matters."
Shindai bit his thumb thoughtfully, frowning deeply in thought.
The junior he had just taken under his wing—as his Aniki, he had already promised Kabuto Yakushi. How embarrassing it would be to break that promise now.
That would be so shameful.
Danzo truly is a classic schemer.
Shindai would even consider Danzo the greatest schemer directly beneath Black Zetsu.
Even if he succeeded in helping the orphanage, Danzo would certainly hold a grudge against him—it would become an enormous hassle.
In other words, before helping the orphanage, he must first deal with Danzo.
Once Danzo was out of the picture, his plans to earn money would naturally proceed smoothly.
What should he do?
Shindai glanced at Orochimaru beside him—and couldn't look away anymore.
Orochimaru had been patiently waiting for Shindai's response, curious to hear what plan he would come up with in this situation.
Seeing Shindai's eyes shining, Orochimaru asked, "Hmm? You've thought of a solution?"
Shindai grabbed onto Orochimaru's sleeve excitedly, his eyes sparkling. "Orochimaru-sama, are you interested in investing?"
"Eh?"
Orochimaru looked puzzled. Why out of the blue was Shindai asking about his interest in investing?
Shindai continued enthusiastically, "Actually, dealing with Danzo is very simple. All we need to do is get Hokage-sama and the Konoha Sannin to publicly support us… Well, actually, have them officially endorse the orphanage.
Have Hokage-sama personally promote the orphanage and give Sister Nonou some award, like 'Konoha's Kindest Person,' clearly showing that the orphanage and Sister Nonou are under Hokage-sama's protection!
Then, when opening shops for the orphanage, Orochimaru-sama, Jiraiya-sama, and Tsunade-sama could each take a small stake. With the Konoha Sannin personally endorsing them, these shops would be fully protected.
In that case, who would dare steal the funds? Who would dare threaten the orphanage? Who would dare cause trouble in their shops? Anyone causing trouble would essentially be defying Hokage-sama and the Konoha Sannin! Wouldn't everything then fall into place effortlessly?"
Even though Danzo is powerful, there's no way he could surpass Hokage-sama, right, Orochimaru-sama!
Orochimaru listened to Shindai's proposed solution and couldn't help but admire how quick this kid was on the uptake.
Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "It's certainly a feasible solution, and it also keeps you out of the mess. But this matter can be handled sufficiently by Sarutobi-sensei, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—they'd be more than willing to do something like this. Why did you bring me up? I'm serving under him, so how could you think I'd help Nonou?"
Shindai stared into Orochimaru's snake-like eyes and said, "Orochimaru-sama, people like us are quite clever—not just intelligent, mind you—so the fact that you brought up Danzo to me just now shows that you already have intentions of compromising, right?
I can't get personally involved in this matter—I don't want to attract Danzo's attention since he's such a troublesome guy. And once you, Orochimaru-sama, decide to compromise, your relationship with Danzo will definitely deteriorate anyway. Since things will worsen regardless, why still worry about Danzo's feelings?
This matter could earn you a good reputation, which can be quite useful at times. After all, there's no such thing as too much goodwill, right? It would also give you more leverage when negotiating with Hokage-sama."
Orochimaru gazed at Shindai for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Shindai, I find myself wanting you to become my apprentice even more now. If you were my disciple, I wouldn't have to bother myself with so many troublesome issues anymore."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>