"Protect Hokage-sama!"
The Anbu guarding Uzumaki Raiden shouted loudly, but Nono's speed was too fast. The Anbu stationed at a distance from Raiden could not react in time, and could only rush toward him, attempting to use his body to shield Raiden from Nono's assassination.
However, the Anbu's body suddenly froze in mid-air. A strong force wrapped around his waist and abdomen, suspending him in place. Looking down in shock, he saw golden chains tightly coiled around his lower torso, preventing him from advancing.
Nono, holding a kunai, swiftly approached Raiden. Just as her body closed in, Uzumaki Raiden made a sudden move, swiftly extending his left hand to grab her neck, completely ignoring her attack.
"Do you think an attack of this level could kill me?"
Uzumaki Raiden lifted Nono with one hand, applying slight pressure, making it difficult for her to breathe. The kunai slipped from her grasp. As a spy, Nono was exceptional, but as an assassin, she was no match for Raiden.
"A curse mark?!"
At that moment, black markings suddenly appeared on Nono's skin, spreading rapidly toward Raiden. The dark curse marks transferred from Nono's body onto Raiden's hand, creeping up his arm with alarming speed.
A flash of surprise appeared in Raiden's eyes. He quickly released Itachi and condensed chakra in his right hand.
"The Seal of Evil Sealing!"
"Bang!"
"Ugh..."
Raiden immediately struck Nono's lower abdomen with his chakra-infused palm. Under the immense force, Nono's eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness.
From the moment Nono attacked to the moment she was subdued, only a few seconds had passed. The battle was swift and silent. However, Raiden sensed a powerful chakra presence leaving the orphanage quickly.
These individuals made no effort to conceal their movements. In the keen perception of Raiden's Kagura Mind Eye, their presence stood out clearly.
"Are they baiting me?"
Raiden narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering for a moment before glancing down at Nono, who lay limp on the ground.
"Dean!"
A cry drew Raiden's attention. A silver-haired child rushed over, throwing himself onto Nono, who remained unconscious.
"Dean? Dean!"
"Who are you? What happened to the dean?!"
The child, wearing black glasses and with long silver hair covering his eyes, was clearly questioning Raiden's identity. However, upon spotting the kunai on the ground, his body stiffened, struggling to contain his emotions.
It was clear that the child recognized him.
This boy had lost his parents during the Third Ninja World War and had been taken in by the orphanage.
"Lord Hokage, Dean Nono—"
"Apologies, Hokage-sama. We never expected this person to attack you. Our investigation was inadequate!"
The Anbu, who had tried to protect Raiden earlier, knelt before him, bowing his head deeply. Moments ago, he had praised Nono for her kindness, only to have her attack the Hokage moments later—leaving him stunned and embarrassed.
Fortunately, Raiden's strength had exposed Nono's true identity before any harm could be done. Otherwise, the consequences would have been disastrous. Cold sweat trickled down the Anbu's face, though it remained hidden behind his mask.
"Relax, this isn't your fault," Raiden said.
"She's a spy trained by Root. Her identity was issued by Konoha, making it nearly flawless."
"In a way, she's one of our own."
Raiden stepped forward, casually flipping Nono's head to the side, then pinched her cheek and examined her tongue. As expected, the Eradication of Tongue Curse Seal was engraved there. Furthermore, her heart was also marked with a curse seal. Raiden's earlier Seal of Evil Sealing had only suppressed the symptoms, not eliminated the root cause.
"A powerful curse... it's been in place for quite some time."
"Even I will need some effort to remove it."
"Ada, take this woman to Fugaku. Have him arrange for skilled personnel to imprison her and seal her chakra."
Ada, the Anbu who had spoken earlier, immediately moved forward to carry out Raiden's orders. However, at that moment, Nono, who had been unconscious, suddenly opened her eyes. Shocked, Ada leaped back, clutching his sword in alarm.
Meanwhile, the boy named Kabuto, who had been pulled aside by Raiden, saw his beloved dean awake and rushed into her arms in relief.
"Dean!" Tears welled up in Kabuto's eyes. Despite his young age, he was perceptive enough to piece together what had happened from Raiden's words.
"Kabuto?" Nono looked at him in confusion before shifting her gaze to Raiden, who was squatting beside her. This time, however, she did not attempt another attack.
"Lord Hokage..."
"I voluntarily attempted to assassinate you. Please, do not harm the children here."
"I will bear the consequences alone."
Nono's voice was soft and gentle, a stark contrast to her earlier ferocity. At this moment, the warmth and tenderness of a woman were vividly apparent.
"Taking responsibility? You?"
"If you hadn't confessed, I'd have assumed this was Danzo's doing."
"Don't worry. I distinguish between right and wrong. You tried to assassinate me, so I won't let you off so easily."
"You will work for me from now on. Follow my orders, and don't even think about suicide—it would set a bad example for the children."
"Take her away."
A stunned expression crossed Nono's face, followed by relief. She hugged Kabuto tightly and whispered, "Kabuto, take good care of your younger siblings."
"Lord Hokage is a kind man. He won't harm me."
Although Nono was initially surprised, she soon calmed down. She clearly understood that the successor chosen by the Third Hokage was not someone as ruthless as Danzo.
"Don't worry, Dean! I'll take care of everyone!" Kabuto nodded firmly.
Raiden gestured to Ada, whispered a few instructions, left a shadow clone behind, and quickly set off in pursuit of the chakra signatures that had fled from the orphanage earlier.
"Itachi, Hokage-sama has ordered us to escort you back."
"Take Nono to Lord Fugaku."
With swift efficiency, Raiden's team left. Nono was taken to the Konoha Police Department, and Uchiha Itachi was personally entrusted to Fugaku's care. Meanwhile, Yūhi Shinku arrived with a dozen Anbu to secure the orphanage, thoroughly investigating every child to root out any spies or lingering ties to Danzo.
On the outskirts of Konoha, the figures pursued by Raiden came to a halt in a remote wasteland, far from the village.
(End of this chapter)