Yue slowly explained his plan to Nonō Yakushi.
He wanted her to write a letter—something that would earn Kabuto's absolute trust and guide his future loyalty.
And Yue didn't intend to change Kabuto's overall trajectory either.
Only the Kabuto who grew under Orochimaru would become the strongest version of himself.
By getting involved early, Yue could plant the deepest hidden nail at Orochimaru's side.
Nonō agreed to Yue's plan.
"Sir, then I'll entrust Kabuto to you," she said softly.
"Thank you for taking care of him. This kindness… he will repay for the rest of his life."
Looking at her—gentle, kind, utterly selfless—made Yue's heart ache.
How could a woman like her be discarded by Danzō like trash?
And she was right—Yue couldn't confront Danzō head-on yet.
In Konoha, he had no real influence, no foundation.
His only backing was the Third and Fourth Hokage's appreciation.
Yue had once considered killing Danzō, but that was just fantasy.
He wasn't strong enough—not even close.
Danzō had shed blood for Konoha. His methods were vile, but he genuinely eliminated countless threats to the village.
Yue even admired him in a twisted way.
But he despised Danzō's ruthlessness.
Trying to eliminate Danzō now was unrealistic.
Better to wait until Minato survived the Nine-Tails incident—
Then advise him to slowly strip Danzō of power and push him away from Konoha's political center.
Only then could Yue deal with him properly.
Yue firmly believed that if the Fourth Hokage lived through the attack, he would never allow the Uchiha mass slaughter to happen.
Shisui would survive as well.
Yue placed his hand over his heart and promised:
"Director Nonō, don't worry. I value Kabuto's talent very much.
I will protect him.
And when peace truly comes to Konoha, Kabuto will inherit your will—and this orphanage."
Nonō finally wrote the letter. She handed it to Yue, along with a small glasses case.
Yue read the letter—
and even as an outsider, his nose stung with the urge to cry.
The gist of the letter was as follows:
Kabuto, my dear child—
By the time you read this letter, I will already be gone.
Perhaps… it was even by your hand.
If so, I must have been under genjutsu, unable to recognize you.
But please believe me—you are my most precious child.
From the moment you arrived at my side, I have treated you as my own.
Do not feel guilt for what happened.
The man delivering this letter tried more than once to save me.
But I still chose this fate.
This is the final destiny of someone who joined Root.
There is something I must confess.
I have always been a Root operative.
I am not as gentle as you believed.
These hands are stained with blood.
Here, please allow me to call myself your mother.
Mother has always treasured the memory of the silly little boy you were when you first came to the orphanage.
In the blink of an eye, you've grown—and revealed remarkable talent.
You make Mother very proud.
Mother only ever wished for you to grow up healthy and happy.
But because of me, you now bear a burden no child your age should face.
Mother is sorry.
I want you to serve the man before you.
Grow strong.
Become someone useful to Konoha.
Repay the kindness he has shown to both you and me—with your entire life.
Mother will always love you.
Kabuto, your glasses must be old by now, yes?
I've asked this man to bring you a new pair—Mother's final gift to you.
Kabuto, please forgive me.
Yue accepted the letter and glasses case and left the orphanage with a heavy heart.
He knew this would likely be the last time he ever saw this gentle woman alive.
He silently cursed his lack of strength.
If he were as powerful as the First Hokage, he could've walked straight into Danzō's office and warned him:
"Nonō and Kabuto are under my protection.
Don't like it?
We can have a conversation—Senju-style."
Konoha Year 50 – Kushina becomes pregnant.
Kabuto graduates from the Academy and undertakes that fateful mission.
History remained unchanged:
Kabuto killed Nonō.
Orochimaru saw Kabuto's talent and recruited him instead of eliminating him.
Three days after the event, Yue met Kabuto.
"Kabuto, Director Nonō asked me to deliver something to you," Yue said directly.
He brought Kabuto to a secluded spot, placed the letter and the gift in his hands, then stepped away to let him read alone.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!"
Kabuto's scream tore through the quiet forest as he broke into tears of agony.
After a long time, he wiped his face, gently holding the glasses case like a priceless treasure.
Then he bowed deeply.
"…Thank you."
Yue nodded. He knew this moment had released Kabuto from his greatest emotional chain.
"Sir… what do you require of me?" Kabuto asked solemnly.
"I will honor my mother's final wish."
Yue blinked.
This Kabuto was frighteningly decisive.
"My name is Yue.
I know you've joined Orochimaru.
Good—stay by his side.
Unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't contact you.
Whatever Orochimaru orders you to do, just do it. Don't report to me.
Don't risk exposure.
Learn everything he teaches. Everything."
"That man is one of the Legendary Sannin.
My own teacher Jiraiya is also a Sannin.
Only after gaining Orochimaru's full knowledge will you truly be useful."
"But don't lose yourself.
Don't let Orochimaru devour your heart.
Carry your mother's will."
Kabuto didn't expect Yue's trust.
He bowed once more.
"Don't worry, Lord Yue.
I may betray anyone—
but I will never betray my mother's will."
At last, Yue had secured his first true subordinate—
and planted the deepest possible spy beside Orochimaru.
Even Orochimaru could never have imagined:
before Kabuto ever became his devoted follower, Yue had already turned him.
Time passed.
By year's end, Yue finally received word that Jiraiya had returned to Konoha.
After visiting Minato and Kushina, Jiraiya hadn't even settled down before Yue rushed over.
The moment he saw him, Yue threw himself into Jiraiya's arms.
"Jiraiya-sensei! I missed you so much!"
"You little rascal… You're a chūnin now. Can't you act a little more mature?"
Jiraiya chuckled and ruffled his hair.
"I don't care! Next time you go traveling, I'm going with you!"
"Alright, alright," Jiraiya said helplessly.
"How has your training been?" he asked.
He'd already heard from Minato how hard Yue had been working.
"I've mastered most of the Wood Release techniques!
But if I want to get stronger, I need those Sage Wood Release jutsu.
And I still have no idea what Sage Arts even are!" Yue said, frustrated.
Jiraiya blinked in surprise.
After thinking a moment, he said,
"I've been training Sage Mode myself lately… though I haven't fully mastered it yet.
But I can teach you the Summoning Technique.
Go to Mount Myōboku and ask Lord Fukasaku to train you."
Yue's eyes lit up with delight.
"Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei!"
~------------------------------------
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