Chapter 49: Danzo Always Has a Backup Plan

Nonō spent a day visiting many of the children who had left the orphanage.

Those who didn't have families and were living alone in Konoha were willing to follow Nonō.

But those who had formed families, not just one person, refused Nonō's offer.

However, 80% of the people were willing to leave Konoha with Nonō.

This was good news for Nonō. These were the children she was familiar with.

Nonō returned to the orphanage that night.

She reunited with the orphans there and took them to a safe house in Konoha to hide.

"Kabuto, take care of them. I'll go report to Lord Raijin."

Nonō instructed Kabuto.

Moving around Konoha, the two of them risked exposure.

Contacting the Uchiha clan was even riskier.

So she didn't want Kabuto to take such a big risk.

"Headmistress, can you tell us where we're going?"

Kabuto still only had a vague understanding of the situation.

He had guessed some of Raijin's actions

but still didn't have the complete picture. He was curious

and wanted to know Raijin's plan from Nonō.

"Don't ask about this. It won't do you any good."

Nonō didn't hesitate and pressed a hand on Kabuto's head.

Could such matters be casually discussed in Konoha?

This concerned Lord Raijin's grand plan.

They couldn't just chat about it carelessly in Konoha.

"..."

Kabuto was taken aback for a moment, but ultimately nodded helplessly.

He would stay with his companions and wait for Nonō to return.

Raijin had revealed some details to them before.

But the details weren't enough, so he couldn't guess the whole picture.

He was itching to know.

In the Uchiha compound, a figure moved swiftly.

But before she could take many steps,

several pairs of blood-red eyes stopped her and stared intently at Nonō.

They didn't expect anyone to dare attack the Uchiha clan.

The ones patrolling the Uchiha compound were, of course, the combat faction, Raijin's subordinates.

These were all jonin with decent strength.

Compared to ordinary jonin in Konoha, they were much stronger.

But within the Uchiha clan, they were considered just average.

"I want to see Lord Raijin."

Nonō said directly.

The few people immediately exchanged glances.

"Stay here."

One figure quickly turned and ran towards Raijin's residence.

The rest were responsible for keeping an eye on Nonō.

After a few minutes,

the Uchiha returned.

He beckoned and signaled the others to lower their weapons.

"Please follow me."

The Uchiha's face was expressionless as he led Nonō towards Raijin's residence.

Along the way, Nonō looked around. The Uchiha clan's compound wasn't open to outsiders casually.

Although it seemed somewhat domineering, once outsiders entered,

they were always accompanied by an Uchiha.

They didn't even have the chance to explore the Uchiha clan on their own.

The two slowly walked to a two-story residence.

Two guards stood at the entrance, and they let Nonō pass after a quick glance.

The Uchiha, after escorting Nonō to her destination,

left immediately and returned to his patrol.

Nonō walked into the courtyard alone.

There were no decorations inside, not even a single tree.

The backyard only had a patch of grass!

"How did it go? Have you settled everything?"

Raijin sat in the living room, holding a teacup in his hand.

A quiet girl stood beside him.

"Yes, I've contacted all the children I know."

"Those willing to leave with me have already been gathered."

"You can take them away anytime." 

Chapter 49: Danzo Always Has a Backup Plan

Nonō spent the day visiting many of the children who had left the orphanage.

Those who didn't have families and were living alone in Konoha were willing to follow Nonō.

But those who had formed families, not just one person, refused Nonō's offer.

However, 80% of the people were willing to leave Konoha with Nonō.

This was good news for Nonō. These were the children she was familiar with.

Nonō returned to the orphanage that night.

She reunited with the orphans there and took them to a safe house in Konoha to hide.

"Kabuto, take care of them. I'll go report to Lord Raijin."

Nonō instructed Kabuto.

Moving around Konoha, the two of them risked exposure.

Contacting the Uchiha clan was even riskier.

So she didn't want Kabuto to take such a big risk.

"Headmistress, can you tell us where we're going?"

Kabuto still only had a vague understanding of the situation.

He had guessed some of Raijin's actions

but still didn't have the complete picture. He was curious

and wanted to know Raijin's plan from Nonō.

"Don't ask about this. It won't do you any good."

Nonō didn't hesitate and pressed a hand on Kabuto's head.

Could such matters be casually discussed in Konoha?

This concerned Lord Raijin's grand plan.

They couldn't just chat about it carelessly in Konoha.

"..."

Kabuto was taken aback for a moment, but ultimately nodded helplessly.

He would stay with his companions and wait for Nonō to return.

Raijin had revealed some details to them before.

But the details weren't enough, so he couldn't guess the whole picture.

He was itching to know.

In the Uchiha compound, a figure moved swiftly.

But before she could take many steps,

several pairs of blood-red eyes stopped her and stared intently at Nonō.

They didn't expect anyone to dare attack the Uchiha clan.

The ones patrolling the Uchiha compound were, of course, the combat faction, Raijin's subordinates.

These were all jonin with decent strength.

Compared to ordinary jonin in Konoha, they were much stronger.

But within the Uchiha clan, they were considered just average.

"I want to see Lord Raijin."

Nonō said directly.

The few people immediately exchanged glances.

"Stay here."

One figure quickly turned and ran towards Raijin's residence.

The rest were responsible for keeping an eye on Nonō.

After a few minutes,

the Uchiha returned.

He beckoned and signaled the others to lower their weapons.

"Please follow me."

The Uchiha's face was expressionless as he led Nonō towards Raijin's residence.

Along the way, Nonō looked around. The Uchiha clan's compound wasn't open to outsiders casually.

Although it seemed somewhat domineering, once outsiders entered,

they were always accompanied by an Uchiha.

They didn't even have the chance to explore the Uchiha clan on their own.

The two slowly walked to a two-story residence.

Two guards stood at the entrance, and they let Nonō pass after a quick glance.

The Uchiha, after escorting Nonō to her destination,

left immediately and returned to his patrol.

Nonō walked into the courtyard alone.

There were no decorations inside, not even a single tree.

The backyard only had a patch of grass!

"How did it go? Have you settled everything?"

Raijin sat in the living room, holding a teacup in his hand.

A quiet girl stood beside him.

"Yes, I've contacted all the children I know."

"Those willing to leave with me have already been gathered."

"You can take them away anytime." 

Nonō quickly walked to the door and bowed respectfully.

"That was fast."

Raijin nodded.

Nonō had acted swiftly.

It had only been a day since Raijin returned to Konoha, and Nonō had already completed her task.

This woman probably hadn't even rested.

"In that case, lead the way, let's go."

Raijin followed Nonō out.

The expressionless girl behind him also followed.

They followed Nonō to a tunnel that Root had dug under the Uchiha compound.

It led all the way to a training ground in Konoha.

If Nonō hadn't mentioned it,

Raijin wouldn't have known that Danzo, that old dog, had another trick up his sleeve.

He had left a tunnel in the Uchiha clan's territory.

It was really convenient for kidnapping people at any time.

After making sure no one was watching, Nonō led Raijin to a remote wilderness area.

They entered one of her safe houses, and Kabuto emerged from the shadows at the entrance.

This relieved Nonō. Thankfully, their actions hadn't been discovered by Konoha.

"That's quite a number."

Raijin glanced at the safe house and narrowed his eyes.

Every year, some children left the orphanage.

Over the years, Nonō had taken in many children.

They had formed a sizable group.

There were more than fifty people in the safe house.

This didn't even include those who had been taken away by Danzo or had died unexpectedly.

Raijin didn't mind at all and used Kamui to gather all these children.

He was currently short on manpower, so how could he possibly dislike them?

These people would become Raijin's assets in the future.

"You two go in too!"

Raijin looked at Nonō and Kabuto.

He casually brought them into the Kamui dimension as well.

Unfortunately!

Nonō and Kabuto hadn't found Orochimaru.

This was a bit of a regret.

If they had Orochimaru,

it would be even more helpful for his development.

But someone like Orochimaru couldn't be easily persuaded.

Unless there was absolute certainty of success.

Otherwise!

If they brought him to the One Piece world,

Orochimaru might go rogue.

He could turn into another Celestial Dragon in the blink of an eye.

So for now, he wouldn't consider such a talent.

He would wait for another opportunity to invite him.

"Izumi, go back and bring your mother to my house."

"You can send your mother away in advance."

Raijin said to the girl behind him.

This girl had been following him silently.

She hadn't even gone home after returning.

There was a strong sense of hatred brewing within her.

But she held it back and didn't say anything.

"Okay!"

Uchiha Izumi was silent for a moment before nodding.

She was thinking about what to say to convince her mother.

Her mother was her last attachment in the village.

Once she was sent into Raijin's Kamui dimension,

she could finally be at ease.

The two of them returned the same way they came, back to the Uchiha clan.

Izumi went to persuade her mother.

Raijin headed towards the Uchiha training grounds.

His figure moved like a ghost, and no one noticed his movements.

(End of Chapter)