pdf-ebookys Chapter 94 Emotional Investment
Chapter 94 Emotional Investment
Chapter 94 Emotional Investment
Sosuke is drinking tea.
Chun walked over.
"He's better now. That Hyuga man is as strong as an ox. I don't need to turn him over anymore, and I don't need to help him pee."
"My work is finished."
"Boss, what happened to what you promised? That medical license."
Sosuke put down his teacup and looked at the woman.
During this time, she took care of Hyuga Katsumi with utmost care. Although she was sharp-tongued and often made sarcastic remarks about ninjas, as a doctor, her professional ethics were impeccable.
"I never break my word."
Sosuke stood up and straightened his collar.
"Put yourself away and change into something more presentable."
"Where to?"
"Go see someone."
Konoha Orphanage.
Sunlight streamed into the courtyard. Although it was a sunny day, the air carried the chill of late autumn.
Sosuke, with Tsubaki by his side, walked through the gate as if he knew the way well.
He was carrying two bags of freshly baked red bean cakes.
"Mr. Sosuke has arrived!"
The sharp-eyed children immediately gathered around. They were no longer as timid as before, but boldly hugged Sosuke's legs, and some even went to search his pockets for candy.
"Alright, alright, don't get Mr. Sosuke's clothes dirty."
Nonou came out. She was wearing an apron with the sleeves rolled up, clearly having been working. When she saw Sousuke, she gave him a relaxed smile.
"Mr. Sosuke, you're spoiling them again."
"These are some snacks I picked up on the way." Sosuke smiled as he distributed the red bean cakes to the children, getting straight to the point, "I came today to ask you for a favor."
He stepped aside, making way for Chun behind him.
"This is Tsubaki. A doctor from the Land of Rivers. I want to get her a medical license from Konoha."
"Dean Nonou, I remember Konoha Hospital has a talent recruitment policy."
"For medical personnel from outside the region, as long as they have the guarantee of a senior medical ninja and pass the examination, they can be granted a medical practice license without exception."
"I would like to ask you to act as my guarantor so that she can participate in the medical department's assessment."
Nono looked at Tsubaki.
Tsubaki was wearing a new robe, which made her look somewhat awkward. Her calloused hands caught Nono's eye.
Those were the hands of a field medic.
"Since it was recommended by Mr. Sosuke, I trust her character."
Nono was very straightforward.
The three of them arrived at the dean's office.
The office was simple, but very clean. However, for some reason, it felt colder and more damp inside than outside.
Nonou looked at Tsubaki. "Miss Tsubaki, what are you good at?"
"Stop the bleeding, amputate, suture, drain the pus."
"I don't understand those advanced chakra cell theories. I only know this surgical knowledge."
Nonou smiled.
"Konoha is in dire need of people like you right now. Medical ninjas from academia have solid theoretical knowledge, but when it comes to dealing with sudden external injuries, they are often not as decisive as field doctors."
She stood up and took a first-aid kit from the cabinet.
"However, guarantees come with responsibility. I need to verify your technology myself."
"Right here?" Tsubaki raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Nono pointed out the window, "A child was chopping wood in the backyard just now and accidentally cut his arm. The wound is quite deep."
Chun grabbed the first-aid kit and went outside.
Five minutes later.
A brief gasp came from the backyard, followed by silence.
When Sousuke and Nonou arrived, Tsubaki was already packing up her tools.
The wound was treated very well.
Cleaning, hemostasis, and suturing. The suture knot, in particular, was tied extremely firmly and neatly; it was a "double-locking knot" specifically used to prevent the wound from reopening during strenuous activity.
"No healing techniques were used; it was purely surgical."
Nonou examined it and her eyes showed admiration.
"His technique is very skillful. Even many regular doctors in hospitals can't match his suturing speed."
She turned to look at Sosuke and nodded.
"No problem. I can be her guarantor. We'll apply to the medical department for a separate practical assessment under the guise of 'talent recruitment.' If she passes, she'll get her medical license."
Thank you.
Sosuke habitually reached into his pocket and pulled out his checkbook.
"Consider this a guarantee fee —"
A hand stopped him from moving.
Nonou shook her head slightly and pushed the check back.
"Mr. Sosuke, we're friends, aren't we?"
Her expression was very serious.
"You've helped the children so much. If I were to charge you for even this small favor, I would be incredibly ungrateful."
Sosuke looked into her clear eyes and took back the check.
"Okay. Then I won't talk about money."
He keenly noticed a hint of sorrow in Nono's brow.
"However, as a friend, it seems you've encountered some difficulties?"
Nono was stunned for a moment.
"Was I being too obvious?"
"Very obvious."
Sosuke had noticed that it was a few degrees colder inside the office than outside.
"Is it a fuel problem?"
Nono gave a wry smile.
"I can't hide it from you."
"The control over supplies is becoming increasingly strict. Not only medicines and metals, but even coal and charcoal have been included in the control list."
"Frontline field hospitals and fortifications require a lot of fuel for heating. Therefore, rations to the rear have been greatly reduced. Orphanages—are the lowest priority."
She sighed.
"I'm not afraid of the cold, but the children can't stand it. Especially at night, many children can't sleep because they're so cold."
"With your donation, the orphanage is not short of money, but the charcoal available on the market is of very poor quality and produces a lot of smoke. I am afraid that it will harm the children."
"So that's how it is."
Sosuke stood up.
"If it were anything else, I might have to think of something. But if it's charcoal—"
He smiled.
"Nonou, have you forgotten? I'm the Uchiha's partner now."
"Uchiha?" Nonou asked, puzzled. "Does the Uchiha have extra charcoal?"
"have."
Sousuke did not explain much about the byproducts of the Uchiha's "Great Fireball Iron Refining".
In order to refine refined iron, the Uchiha clan produced a large amount of high-quality charcoal, which piled up like mountains.
It burns much longer than ordinary charcoal on the market.
"Wait."
Sosuke left a message and turned to leave.
in the afternoon.
The sun was blocked by clouds, and the temperature dropped sharply.
The children in the orphanage huddled in the activity room, and although they were wrapped in thick clothes, some of them were still sniffling.
The door was pushed open.
Sosuke pushed in a handcart piled high with sacks.
-
"Ren, unload the cargo."
Ren followed behind, picked up the sack, and headed towards the warehouse.
Sosuke walked into the activity room carrying a bag.
"Nonou".
Nonou was rubbing the children's hands when she looked up and saw the burlap sack in Sosuke's hand.
"This is----"
Sosuke opened the bag.
Inside were blocks of shiny black charcoal.
"This is the best charcoal."
Sosuke walked to the large fireplace, set up kindling, and put in wood.
I struck a match. The flame licked the charred embers. There was no choking smoke, only the blue-red flames quietly flickering up.
A moment later, a wave of heat surged out of the fireplace.
The chilly air, as if ironed, quickly became warm and dry.
Wow! It's so warm!
The children cheered and gathered around, stretching out their little hands to warm themselves by the fire, the flames dispelling the chill.
Genuine gratitude was evident in Nono's eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Sosuke. I always have to trouble you—I'm really failing in my duty as the dean."
C
"Then as a token of my gratitude, would you do me the honor of walking around with me? I haven't strolled around the village in a long time."
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Nonoyu paused for a moment, then smiled.
"it is good."
The two walked out of the neighborhood where the orphanage was located.
Instead of going to the bustling commercial streets, we took a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Namga River.
The leaves in late autumn are beautiful.
The maple trees on both sides of the riverbank have turned red, and the fallen leaves cover the path, making a rustling sound when you step on them.
The setting sun dyed the river water gold, making it sparkle.
The two walked side by side, chatting casually.
"Mr. Sosuke, what did you do before?"
"Wandering. Doing nothing."
"No wonder." Nono looked at the fallen leaves at her feet. "You have a kind of free spirit about you. Unlike us, who are always bound by the rules of ninjas."
"Freedom comes at a price," Sosuke smiled. "For example, sometimes you'll go hungry."
"Hungry—"
Nono seemed to remember something, a hint of nostalgia on her lips.
"I often went hungry when I was a child. My biggest wish back then was to be able to eat a hot taiyaki."
"Then let's go eat."
Sosuke pointed to a spot not far ahead.
At the end of the riverbank, an old woman was selling taiyaki (fish-shaped fritters) from a cart. The sweet aroma wafted on the breeze.
"Two, freshly baked."
Sosuke took out his money.
"Here, be careful, it's hot."
He handed the paper bag to Nono.
Nono held the warm paper bag in both hands.
She took a small bite. Crispy outer layer, soft and piping hot red bean filling.
"So sweet."
She squinted her eyes, savoring this moment of peace.
The two walked to a bench by the river and sat down.
"Mr. Sosuke."
Nonou looked at the fallen leaves on the river.
"You could have easily lived a comfortable life as a wealthy businessman. Why did you have to get involved in the world of ninjas?"
She was referring to Sousuke becoming a special Jonin.
Sosuke took a bite of the taiyaki.
"Because I want to take control of my own destiny."
He turned his head and looked at Nono's profile. The setting sun had gilded her face.
"Nonou, what about you? Why are you working so hard?"
"For the children."
Nonou answered without hesitation.
"I have seen too many children displaced by war. If no one takes care of them, they will either starve to death or become tools of war."
"I want to give these children a home. A home where they don't go hungry and aren't treated like tools."
She was once an elite member of "Root".
During her mission, she witnessed too much killing, betrayal, and families torn apart by war.
Such experiences often produce two types of people. One type becomes more ruthless, like Danzo, while the other, like her, yearns to protect the light even more because they have witnessed the ultimate darkness.
Her decision to leave her "roots" and run an orphanage was, to a large extent, a form of redemption.
She realized that she was powerless to change the system of the ninja world, so she chose to protect the children within the scope of her power.
"You're amazing," Sosuke exclaimed sincerely.
The wind blew, swirling up the fallen leaves on the ground.
Nonou instinctively shrank her neck. Her nun's habit was very thin.
A coat, still warm from her body, was draped over her shoulders.
It's Sosuke's coat.
It's thick and has a faint herbal scent.
"If you get tired, you can stop and take a break."
Sosuke gently adjusted her collar.
He inadvertently touched her cold earlobe.
Nono trembled slightly, but did not flinch. She craved that fleeting warmth.
"If you get tired one day and don't want to do it anymore."
Sosuke looked into her eyes and made a promise.
"There will be a place for you in the Takaya Trading Company. Not as a ninja or a subordinate, but as—a friend."
Nonou raised her head.
In that single eye, she saw sincerity.
"Thanks----"
She spoke softly, a serene smile playing on her lips.
it's dark.
Sosuke escorted Nonou back to the orphanage gate.
"Let's go back. The fire should be burning brightly."
Sousuke smiled and waved.
Goodnight, Mr. Sosuke.
Nono walked through the door carrying the coat. She had forgotten to return it, or subconsciously didn't want to.
Her steps became much lighter.
-
The door closed.
The moment he turned around, the gentleness on Sosuke's face vanished, replaced by his usual calm.
Does he really like Nono?
Perhaps a little. After all, she is very kind and strong.
But more importantly—she's easy to use.
Whether it's the skills of a top-tier medical ninja or the intelligence network of a top-notch spy.
She was an indispensable talent in Sosuke's heart.
This "date" is to get closer to each other.
When Nono encounters Root again and feels suffocated by the pressure exerted on her in the name of the Will of Fire, she will remember this evening with its red leaves and taiyaki.
She will know that there is another path to take in this world.
This is emotional investment.
He tightened his collar and strode into the darkness.
Warmth is for others.
What he needs is the capital to survive.
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