Mastermind of the Akatsuki

"She is…?" 

Hearing Byakuya's words, Kabuto's face turned pale, and his breathing grew rapid. He had already deduced the identity of the target. 

The traitor Danzo wanted him to eliminate was most likely none other than the orphanage director, Nono Yakushi. 

The reasoning was straightforward. Due to the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, very few within Root opposed Danzo. Those who did were either people with sensitive identities or individuals even Danzo wouldn't dare provoke. 

The only exception was the director, who had long since left Root. 

Once a vital member of Root, the director had achieved great merit during the Second Shinobi World War. However, disillusioned with Danzo's methods, she eventually left the organization. 

Danzo viewed his Root operatives as tools, and the director's defiance would have undoubtedly angered him. 

As for why the director had rejoined Root after leaving, Kabuto had already surmised the reason. She likely returned out of concern for his safety. 

But he hadn't anticipated Danzo's malice to be so twisted, setting up a scheme that would force him and the director into a deadly confrontation. 

If not for Byakuya's intervention, tonight would have ended with him and the director gravely wounded—or worse, a disastrous outcome too painful to imagine. 

Hatred for Danzo, and even Konoha, began to simmer in Kabuto's heart. 

However, with Byakuya's foresight and ability to uncover Danzo's conspiracy, such a tragedy wouldn't occur. Instead, he was about to reunite with the director after five long years. 

Taking a deep breath, Kabuto removed his mask, put on the glasses gifted to him by the director, and stepped toward Nono Yakushi. 

In his mind, once he revealed his face, the director would immediately recognize him and embrace him with joy. 

To his shock, Nono pulled out a kunai from her sleeve and, in a flash, lunged at him. 

Kabuto quickly dodged and blocked the attack, confusion filling his heart. 

Why didn't the director recognize him? Had five years changed his appearance so much that she no longer remembered him? Or had she completely forgotten who Kabuto was? 

The thought caused a sharp pain in his chest, as if his heart itself was aching. 

Unable to accept the cruel reality, Kabuto shouted, "Director, have you forgotten me?" 

Nono ignored his plea, retreating to perch on a large rock nearby. 

Scanning her surroundings, her gaze locked onto Byakuya and Konan. Her eyes filled with doubt. 

The mission Danzo assigned her involved only one traitor. Why were there three people here? Moreover, the other two seemed far too composed, raising an ominous suspicion in her mind. 

Could it be that the village's traitor had known she would come tonight and had brought reinforcements to capture her alive? 

The thought made her wary. She wasn't ready to die in Iwagakure. 

At that moment, Byakuya used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Nono and Kabuto. His tone was laced with mockery as he addressed Kabuto: 

"Kabuto, it seems your director has forgotten you. Do you need some time to cry it out and relieve your frustrations?" 

Seeing Byakuya's speed, Nono sank into despair. 

She realized escape was impossible. This man was likely one of Iwagakure's high-ranking officials, or at the very least, a member of their assassination unit. 

Although she bore the title of "Wandering Shrine Maiden" and served as a special jōnin in Root, her combat abilities were far from impressive. She specialized in intelligence gathering, not battle. At best, she could be considered a mediocre chūnin in terms of raw combat power. 

However, upon hearing Kabuto's name, Nono froze. 

Why would he mention that name? Could this glasses-wearing young man be her adopted child, Kabuto? 

Her voice trembled as she asked cautiously, "Who are you? Why are you here? And how do you know the name Kabuto?" 

Byakuya shrugged and answered casually, "You'll have to ask him yourself. He received the same mission as you—to eliminate you." 

Nono's expression shifted rapidly, disbelief and realization dawning on her. 

Her gaze fell on Kabuto's glasses—the very pair she had gifted him years ago. Why were they now on someone else? 

Taking a deep breath, Nono asked carefully, "Are you Kabuto?" 

Kabuto nodded and began recounting secrets only the two of them would know. He also produced several items to further prove his identity. 

After repeated confirmations, Nono finally accepted that this young man before her was indeed the child she had raised, her Kabuto. 

However, the question remained: why was Kabuto here in Iwagakure, and who were the two ninjas standing beside him? 

Sensing the confusion in Nono Yakushi's eyes, Kabuto quickly explained: 

"Director, Danzo sent me here. I've been on assignment in Iwagakure for the past two years. I never imagined my final mission would involve eliminating you..." 

"Danzo also told me this was my last task. It seems he never intended for either of us to survive. I shouldn't have returned to Root."

As he spoke, Nono felt a wave of dread wash over her. 

Her original intent in accepting this mission was to protect Kabuto, but Danzo had given her an assignment to eliminate him. 

Listening to the exchange between Kabuto and Nono, Konan frowned deeply. 

She had always considered Danzo an irreconcilable enemy. Given the chance, she would gladly take him down. However, she had believed that their differences were solely ideological. 

Danzo, though despicable, was a respectable adversary. His ruthless tactics, both in the Hidden Rain Village and against other ninja villages, were all part of his vision for Konoha's future. He was willing to play the villain in the shadows, just as Byakuya was. 

But to learn that Danzo had gone so far as to pit his own subordinates against one another—this was a betrayal beyond mere politics. This was a direct violation of the Will of Fire, and it revealed just how rotten Konoha's leadership had become. 

After exchanging pleasantries with Kabuto, Nono turned her gaze to Byakuya and Konan, then asked Kabuto, "Kabuto, who are these two ninjas with you?" 

Kabuto hesitated, glancing at Nono before answering in a soft, uncertain voice: 

"Director, do you remember the extra donations that appeared at the orphanage five years ago? Those were from Byakuya. He met with me long before that and even taught me some techniques." 

"What?" Nono gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "You were in contact with someone outside the orphanage five years ago?" 

Nono stared at Kabuto, feeling as though she no longer understood him.