Kizaru's Gift

"This is..."

Looking at the increasingly familiar surroundings, Minato finally realized.

This was none other than the Konoha Orphanage where he had spent his childhood!

"Brother Kizaru, ahead..."

"The orphanage!" Kizaru answered before Minato could finish asking.

Nodding, Minato became more curious about the children Kizaru mentioned.

The Orphanage? I wonder how are my old friends in the village doing?

Hearing Kizaru's words, Kushina thought of the Land of Whirlpools, which had already been destroyed by enemies, and her childhood friends!

Noticing Kushina's unusual expression, Kizaru smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "Maybe you'll become friends in the future."

"Friends?"

Kushina suddenly raised her head, feeling a bit hopeful about the people she was about to meet.

After comforting Kushina, Kizaru hastened his pace, leading a few people to the outside of the Konoha Orphanage.

"What a coincidence!" Looking at a little girl with pale blond hair not far away, who was taking care of her companions, Kizaru smiled.

Following Kizaru's gaze, the three people beside him also looked over.

"That girl?" Minato whispered as he looked at the little girl not far away, who had a gentle smile like his.

"Yes!" Kizaru stepped forward, walking towards the little girl.

Just as the fallen companion was about to be comforted by the most outstanding and caring girl in the orphanage, Yakushi Nono, he felt the light around him dim and sensed someone approaching.

Instinctively protecting her companion behind her, Nono looked towards the newcomer.

With a smile on her face, Nono recognized Kizaru.

"You're from last time!" Looking at Kizaru, Nono said softly.

Taking a step forward, Kizaru casually sat down on the ground, slightly lowering his head to look at Nono.

"It's been a long time indeed, Nono!" Seeing this child, Kizaru's smile grew wider.

"Don't take Big Sis away!" Behind Nono, a boy about five years old also recognized Kizaru. He nervously stepped forward, standing between Kizaru and Nono.

"Ooh, what a brave little guy!" Seeing the boy nervously glaring at him, Kizaru laughed happily.

"Ikoma, don't be rude!" Pulling Ikoma back to his side, Nono looked at Kizaru and said firmly, "Big brother, I want to stay at the orphanage."

"I feel like being a bad guy now, hahaha!" Making a self-deprecating comment, Kizaru laughed heartily.

Seeing Kizaru's words, Nono immediately realized that Kizaru didn't intend to take her away this time.

"Big brother, did you come to the orphanage for something?" Relaxing, Nono asked.

"I came to return the favor, Nono!" With his hands on his knees, Kizaru smiled and replied.

"Return the favor?" Nono looked a bit puzzled at Kizaru's answer.

"Hey Brother, bring the box over." Turning slightly, Kizaru called out to the boy behind him.

Being ordered by Kizaru again, the boy, Kakuzu, with a stern face, picked up the briefcase and walked to Kizaru's side.

Scared by Kakuzu's appearance and demeanor, Ikoma, who had been glaring at Kizaru just moments ago, hid behind Nono in fear.

After gently holding Ikoma's hand and giving him a gentle smile, Nono looked back at Kizaru and Kakuzu.

"Last time, you treated me to a bowl of water. Today, I've come to repay the favor!" Facing Nono's gaze, Kizaru explained.

With Kizaru's reminder, Nono also remembered.

That was her first meeting with Kizaru, when she was sitting alone outside, reading a book in the sunlight. She encountered Kizaru, who had just finished training.

Kizaru took the initiative to approach her and said strange things, asking for her name.

After knowing her name, Kizaru asked for a bowl of water from her.

After fetching a bowl of water and giving it to Kizaru to drink, she received his invitation.

He wanted to take her away from the orphanage, to his family, to adopt her.

Unable to leave her orphanage companions behind, she refused, worrying about it for several days, afraid she would be forcibly adopted and taken away.

"It was just a bowl of water, no need for repayment, big brother!" Looking at the big brother in front of her, whose name she still didn't know, Nono smiled and refused.

"This gift isn't just for you! It's for the entire... orphanage." In front of the two orphans, Kizaru didn't want to say the real name of the orphanage, so he changed it.

"Orphanage!"

Hearing Kizaru's title, Nono also understood Kizaru's intention for calling it that way. Looking at Kizaru, her eyes showed much more goodwill.

"I'll go call the director. Please wait a moment." Polite, Nono grabbed Ikoma behind her and ran into the house.

Smiling as she watched Nono run into the house with Ikoma, Kizaru withdrew his gaze and looked at Kakuzu.

"Brother, can you count out twenty million from the money box?" Trusting Kakuzu's calculating ability, Kizaru smiled and asked.

It wasn't that Kizaru was stingy, but the amount of money was too much. It wasn't a good thing for the orphanage!

"Damn, does this guy really think of me as his subordinate?"

"Tonight, I'll treat you to barbecue!" Observing the change in Kakuzu's expression, Kizaru said with a smile.

Considering Kizaru's strength, Kakuzu didn't speak, just silently opened the money box and began counting.

As Kakuzu started counting the money, Nono came out of the house with an old man and a middle-aged woman.

Behind the three of them, many children were secretly standing by the door, curiously and cautiously looking at Kizaru.

The old man brought out by Nono was the current director of the orphanage.

Seeing Kizaru, this director immediately recognized his identity.

"Lord Kizaru..." To this genius and war hero from a major clan, the director respectfully addressed.

"Just call me Kizaru." Interrupting the old director's greeting, Kizaru smiled and stood up.

"Um... Kizaru, may I ask what brings you here this time?" Looking up at the tall Kizaru, the director asked cautiously.

"My friend here wants to donate twenty million to the orphanage." Speaking, Kizaru turned his head and gave Kakuzu a look.

The astute Kakuzu immediately understood Kizaru's meaning. After nodding silently, he began quietly taking money from the money box.

One bundle, two bundles, scattered bundles...

Although each banknote was of a large denomination, twenty million was still not a small amount. The director couldn't handle it alone.

Seeing this, the caregiver aunt hurried forward to help. Together, they managed to handle the twenty million.

Holding so much money, both the director and the caregiver aunt were a little excited.

They weren't greedy, but they knew what twenty million meant for the orphanage!

"Lord Kizaru, I... I really don't know how to thank you." This time, the director sincerely called Kizaru "Lord".

"Hahaha!" Laughing happily, Kizaru patted Kakuzu, who had been silent, on the shoulder and said with a smile, "If you want to thank someone, thank Kakuzu here. He's the one who donated the money. I'm just a guide!"

"Lord Kakuzu, thank you for your help to the orphanage!" Hearing Kizaru's words, both the director and the caregiver aunt looked at Kakuzu with gratitude, sincerely thanking him.

Silently nodding, Kakuzu looked at Kizaru beside him with a meaningful gaze.

"The gift is delivered, we should go now." Clapping his hands, Kizaru looked back at Nono, who was grateful, "If you think the repayment is too heavy, come with me for barbecue! Nono!"

Receiving Kizaru's invitation, Nono didn't answer directly, but looked at the grandfather director and aunt beside her.

"Go, Nono!" The director, who was very fond of the most obedient and sensible child in the orphanage, smiled kindly and advised.

"I'll watch over the children. Don't worry. Go, Nono!" The caregiver aunt also smiled and persuaded.

After being persuaded by the director and the aunt, Nono hesitated for a moment, took a step forward, and bowed deeply to Kizaru and Kakuzu. "Thank you for your help, Lord Kizaru, Lord Kakuzu."

After saying that, Nono straightened up, looked at Kizaru, and showed a mischievous smile that children should have rarely, saying with a smile, "I'll rely on you from now on, Lord Kizaru!"