Inuzuka Hana looked at the children some no younger than herself, some only a little older—and yet there was not the slightest trace of what a childhood should look like in their eyes.
Wen Lan took down a large bag of candy from the handcart beside him. He had bought it casually on the way. Handing it to a boy who looked around ten or so, he said,
"Go distribute these."
The boy immediately bowed deeply to Wen Lan.
"Thank you, Wen Lan-sir!"
Then he hurried off to hand out the sweets.
Hana watched the skinny, frail children with a pained expression and asked Rensuke beside her, "Why don't these children go to the Ninja Academy?"
Wen Lan's face immediately twisted in visible discomfort as he looked at her, as if she had just said something extremely naïve—almost laughably so.
This question was no different from 'Why don't they just eat meat?'
Rensuke was also stumped, unsure how to answer.
Wen Lan sighed and said quietly, "Becoming a ninja requires both talent and resources. Even though civilians can barely manage the resources, these children are orphans—they have no backing.
"And the reason they're still here is simple: they don't have any ninja talent at all."
There was one thing Wen Lan didn't say out loud— any child with real talent had likely already been taken by Danzo into Root.
These children struggled just to eat their fill. How could they even think about chakra control or ninjutsu training?
That they were still alive at all was already a miracle, their lives were like candles flickering in the wind.
At that moment, the woman who had been feeding the sick little girl meat soup earlier walked over. She bowed with a gentle smile.
"Greetings, Wen Lan-sir. I am the director of this orphanage—Yakushi Nono.
Thank you for your support."
Wen Lan froze slightly when he heard the name, then carefully examined the woman before him.
Yakushi Nono— a former member of Root.
She had left Root because she could not accept Danzo's ruthless philosophy. Later, Danzo used the orphanage's funding as leverage, forcing her to act as a spy in other countries. In the end, she died by the hand of Yakushi Kabuto.
And right now—
Kabuto should still be one of the children here.
Wen Lan's gaze shifted subtly as he looked at this woman who still retained her kindness. A ripple stirred in his heart.
"It was nothing more than a small gesture," Wen Lan replied softly.
"Please come inside," Yakushi Nono said, stepping aside and gesturing politely.
"Allow the orphanage to show a bit of hospitality."
Wen Lan did not refuse and entered with Hana.
The orphanage building wasn't large, but it was exceptionally clean and tidy.
Childish drawings covered the walls—crude, colorful, and full of fragile hope.
A faint medicinal scent lingered in the air. Several neatly labeled medicine bottles sat on a cabinet in the corner, evidence that the director often treated the children's ailments herself.
Wen Lan quietly surveyed the room, his gaze settling on Yakushi Nono's gentle yet exhausted face.
This was a woman who knew how dangerous the road ahead was—
yet still chose to guard this sliver of light.
Rensuke brought over three cups of hot water and a plate of roughly baked snacks.
"Sorry for the poor hospitality," Nono said apologetically.
"This is already very good," Wen Lan replied with a smile.
Hana noticed several children standing timidly at the doorway, peeking inside. Their eyes were fixed on the snacks, saliva unconsciously dripping.
She waved them over. The children hesitated, glancing at Yakushi Nono. Only after she nodded did they dare to shuffle inside.
Hana handed out the snacks, and the children immediately burst into delighted cheers.
They called her "big sister" over and over again, their voices melting Hana's heart. Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes.
Wen Lan watched quietly, the warmth of the cup in his hand spreading into his chest.
"They haven't laughed like this in a long time," Yakushi Nono said softly.
Looking at the children carefully biting into their snacks as if afraid they might disappear, Wen Lan sighed.
"When the Fourth Hokage takes office, I'll explain the orphanage's situation to him."
Yakushi Nono naturally knew who Wen Lan was—and knew he had the influence to make that happen. She nodded gently.
"Thank you, Wen Lan-sir."
Wen Lan took a sip of water and said calmly, "I don't know if you're aware, but Danzo has already been suppressed by me. He's imprisoned in the Police Force's prison."
Nono's pupils contracted slightly—but her excellent spy training allowed her to regain composure almost instantly. To an untrained eye, nothing seemed amiss.
Before she could speak, Wen Lan continued, "That old bastard Danzo won't be leaving prison alive. You're completely free from Root now."
This time, Nono's pupils shrank sharply. Her hand trembled involuntarily as she stared at Wen Lan in disbelief.
Root members always operated with masks—just like ANBU.
Even long-time collaborators often didn't know each other's identities.
And she had left Root long ago.
Yet Wen Lan had exposed her identity in a single sentence.
Her fingers curled slightly. After swallowing hard, she finally said in a low voice,
"Thank you… Wen Lan-sir."
"There's no need for that," Wen Lan replied calmly.
"Just take good care of the children from now on."
His gaze then drifted toward the courtyard window, to a gray-haired boy sitting quietly on a swing.
That boy was someone who would one day play a pivotal role in the Fourth Shinobi World War—
Yakushi Kabuto.
Soon, the aroma of cooked meat drifted through the orphanage. Every child instinctively swallowed and looked toward the cafeteria.
Wen Lan stood up and said gently,
"We should be going. That meat should last the children about two months.
If there's ever a problem, you can come find me at the Uchiha compound."
Hana added quickly,
"You can also come to the Inuzuka clan. I'd be happy to help too."
"On behalf of the children, thank you both," Nono said, bowing deeply.
After leaving the orphanage, Hana couldn't help but glance back at the run-down buildings.
"I never imagined the village still had places like this…"
"The brilliance of a village always casts shadows somewhere," Wen Lan replied softly, his words sharp as carved steel.
"What we need to do is change that."
That evening, back at the Uchiha compound, Wen Lan shamelessly stayed for dinner at Fugaku's house.
Soon after, it was time for the clan meeting.
Fugaku, Wen Lan, and Itachi walked side by side into the ancestral hall.
Candlelight flickered, illuminating portraits of past clan heads.
Unfortunately—
Uchiha Madara was not among them.
By the time they arrived, everyone else was already seated on cushions, their expressions solemn.
Wen Lan stepped forward to his designated seat— the seat of the Third Elder.
Fugaku stood and addressed the hall.
"Today's clan meeting concerns two matters.
First—Uchiha Wen Lan has already reached Kage-level strength and possesses the three-tomoe Sharingan. I propose promoting him to the position of Third Elder. Any objections?"
"I agree," the First Elder said immediately.
"I agree as well."
The remaining elders followed suit without hesitation.
With that—
Uchiha Wen Lan was officially appointed as the Third Elder of the Uchiha clan.
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