Fugaku and Nono 1

Tsunade and Shizune exchanged puzzled glances as they observed Fugaku's surprised reaction to the bespectacled girl walking away.

"Who is she?" Fugaku asked in surprise, his eyes fixed on the retreating figure. He knew her, and a compelling urge to apologize tugged at him. However, the reason behind her unexpected presence eluded him.

His question hung in the air, perplexing both Tsunade and Shizune. How could Fugaku not know her and yet wear such an expression of recognition?

"You don't know her?" Tsunade inquired, her skepticism mirroring Shizune's confusion.

Fugaku's response only added to the enigma. "I do… But I don't know who she is!"

The perplexity etched on his face deepened, leaving everyone in a state of bewilderment.

Tsunade, with skepticism, pressed further: "What do you mean by that? Her name is Yakushi Nono, and she is the director of an orphanage on the border of the village. She is skilled in medical ninjutsu, so we asked her to assist us."

Fugaku's realization echoed in his words, "Yakushi Nono? That's her?"

The pieces fell into place as he connected the dots. She was the adoptive mother of Kabuto and the right-hand person to Orochimaru, the benevolent head of the Yakushi orphanage.

A figure with a complicated past, from a short-lived life as a medic ninja to becoming a member of the secretive Root.

"You've met her before?" Tsunade realized what he meant.

Her question prompted Fugaku to scratch his head, a hint of embarrassment coloring his expression. "Well… Kind of. Remember the night we chatted? Never mind, I'll go and see her."

Ignoring Tsunade's lingering inquiries, he swiftly left the tent, driven by the need for talks and momentarily forgetting everything else.

As Fugaku disappeared from view, Tsunade remained puzzled by his cryptic words.

Trying to piece together the fragments of the puzzle, she suddenly recalled something that made her gasp in shock. "No, no way!"

"Tsunade-sama.... What are you talking about?" Shizune, silent and confused, sought clarification.

Caught in the awkwardness of the situation, Tsunade blushed and looked embarrassed. "Well… You see, Shizune, some things are better left unsaid."

"What…" Shizune, though a ninja of almost eleven years, remained puzzled. What could be so complicated that her mentor couldn't explain it?

"Shizune, you've worked hard all afternoon; aren't you hungry? Come on, let's eat!" Tsunade decided to change the subject, diverting Shizune's attention away from the mysterious encounter.

How could Tsunade explain such complexities to her young niece? The truth seemed too intricate and delicate for a straightforward discussion.

Fortunately, the diversion worked seamlessly, as Shizune, still young and naive, responded eagerly to the prospect of food. Hungry after a day of making the antidote, she quickly set aside her curiosity, leaving Tsunade relieved that the truth could remain concealed, at least for the time being.

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Akihiko observes Nono's attempt to treat and bandage a wounded person beside him. However, he finds himself taken aback by her evident clumsiness.

The bandages on the arms are haphazard and loose, leaving the wounds still visible. It is apparent that Nono lacks the necessary skill and care for such a delicate task.

Unable to endure the sight any longer, the civilian ninja intervenes, his frustration evident. "Stop… What are you doing? I'll do it myself!"

Taking the bandage from her, he expertly wraps it around the wounds, not uttering a complaint. Even ninjas untrained in medical techniques can handle basic wound care, and tying a bandage isn't a difficult feat.

"I'm sorry." Nono muttered in response to the silent correction.

"What's the matter with you? You seemed fine in the afternoon," Akihiko asks, puzzled by the sudden change in her competence.

The discrepancy between her earlier demeanor and her current struggles leaves him seeking an explanation, adding an air of confusion to the scene within the tent.

"No… I am fine. By the way, when will your clan leader come back?" Nono inquired, trying to divert attention from her recent clumsy mishap.

"He'll have to rest his tent!" Akihiko responds, his curiosity evident as his eyes brighten. "Oh, isn't that him?"

Following Akihiko's gaze, Nono spots the person at the door and is taken aback, her face reflecting bewilderment.

The man before her is the leader of the Uchiha clan—the heroic ninja praised by everyone? It seems implausible.

"Hey, Fugaku, she seems to be a fan of you!" Akihiko remarked, noting their silence.

Nono, feeling an unexpected sense of shame, wished she could hide. When did she have anything to do with him?

Responding to Akihiko, Fugaku said, "Fan of mine? What do you mean? Let's go outside and talk; we don't want to disturb the wounded."

He led the way out of the tent, signaling his intent to keep their conversation private.

Frozen in place, Nono debated whether to follow. What if he tried something? No, she reasoned, he was the leader of the Uchiha clan; he must have character and restraint. Besides, with so many people around, it was unlikely he would do anything outrageous. Taking a deep breath, she decided to follow his lead out of the tent.

"No… I am fine. By the way, when will your clan leader come back?" Nono inquired, trying to divert attention from her recent clumsy mishap.

"He'll be here in the afternoon!" Akihiko responded, his curiosity evident as his eyes brightened. "Oh, isn't that him?"

Following Akihiko's gaze, Nono spotted the person at the door and was taken aback, her face reflecting bewilderment. The man before her was the leader of the Uchiha clan—the heroic ninja praised by everyone? It seemed implausible.

"Hey, Fugaku, she seems to be a fan of you!" Akihiko remarked, noting their silence. Nono, feeling an unexpected sense of shame, wished she could hide. When did she have anything to do with him?

Responding to Akihiko, Fugaku said, "Fan of mine? What do you mean? Let's go outside and talk; we don't want to disturb the wounded." He led the way out of the tent, signaling his intent to keep their conversation private.

Frozen in place, Nono debated whether to follow. What if he tried something again? No, she reasoned, he was the leader of the Uchiha clan; he must have character and restraint. Besides, with so many people around, it was unlikely he would do anything outrageous. Taking a deep breath, she decided to follow his lead out of the tent.

In the darkness of the night, at the corner of the camp, they leave one after another, unnoticed by anyone. When they reach the top of the mountain and he stops,

"I'm sorry…"

Nono was stunned by the unexpected turn of events. What was going on? She had imagined countless scenarios, but none involved him apologizing to her. Would he threaten her with his status or her orphanage? Instead, he surprised her by expressing regret.

Nono remained silent. Fugaku sighed and admitted, "I should have looked for you, and we did something in the heat of the moment. I'm really ashamed... I don't expect you to forgive me; I just want to make it up to you somehow."

"Responsibility?" Nono repeated, seeking clarification.

"Yes, it's hard to explain this, and it's already done, so there's no point in making excuses. So… I'm really sorry." Fugaku's apology hung in the air, leaving Nono grappling with a mix of emotions and uncertainty about what might come next.

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