I am the most popular character in Naruto!

If Neverland were truly an orphanage, personally controlled by Hiruzen Sarutobi, then Danzo could reasonably demand that Hiruzen Sarutobi send a portion of the orphans to be raised and nurtured by Root.

Those raised from childhood are far more loyal than ninjas who join later in life.

Adopting orphans is an excellent way to inject fresh blood into the roots.

If Neverland wasn't an orphanage, but rather a facility built by Hiruzen Sarutobi for some purpose, it would be even better for Danzo.

Why would a Hokage like you build such a strange facility that nobody knows about?

And they used such shady methods, using young children?

Do you want to do something bad?

If you keep messing things up like this, you'll ruin the Hokage position sooner or later. In that case, I might as well become the Hokage.

If this method could be used to remove Hiruzen Sarutobi from his position as Hokage, or at least tarnish his reputation and shake his authority in Konoha, it would be much easier for me to take over in the future.

Haha, that way I'll benefit even more.

In short, exploring the Neverland orphanage was a huge win for Danzo, so why not?

Therefore, Danzo directly used his trusted confidant, Aburame Ryoma.

The parasitic insects of the Aburame clan are an excellent means of reconnaissance. In addition, Aburame Ryoma is meticulous, able to notice many details, and has excellent on-the-spot reaction.

Danzo felt reassured that the exploration mission was directly entrusted to Aburame Ryoma.

"Open the door, open the door!"

"If you don't open the door, we'll have to use force!"

The man wearing a face mask pounded on the door, his movements rough and casual, displaying utter arrogance.

Aburame Ryoma watched his men's actions silently. He did not stop their brutality; on the contrary, he even encouraged them.

The Root organization's image in Konoha wasn't particularly good to begin with, so it didn't matter if their subordinates were a bit tyrannical; in fact, it was quite in line with their style.

Furthermore, their brutal and domineering actions easily arouse people's resentment and resistance, and given the power of the root, most people often choose to swallow their anger.

Those who swallow their anger need not be dealt with; they don't want to cause trouble, and the root force is too lazy to bother with them.

Those who choose to resist will be placed on the root's list of key targets.

Excluding the mindless idiots who resist, what remains are beings who are not afraid of the Root at all.

Fool, the root of the problem can be crushed directly by force.

Those who aren't afraid of Root can at most cause Root to lose some temporary workers. Out of respect for Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha, no one will really break ties with Root.

Danzo only needs to make a statement and send someone to take the blame, and then the matter will be over.

Using this method to filter and judge intelligence is easy and convenient, and it can also eliminate brainless ninjas in Root. Why not do it?

"Last minute! Open the door immediately!"

The ninja who was pounding on the door felt his hands were hurting, but the heavy wooden door in front of him barely moved, unlike any other door he had ever seen.

Come to think of it, the buildings in Konoha are all low houses and courtyards, and the gates are all ordinary wooden doors, with the only difference being the decorative patterns.

The Dream Island Orphanage was built according to the design of a church. Its doors are made of solid hardwood, each weighing at least half a ton. They are opened and closed by a mechanism, making them impossible for ordinary people to push open.

Normally, this gate is open, since the orphanage is not just a building, but also has a courtyard and walls for activities, and that gate is easy to close at any time.

It's understandable that the orphanage is currently closed as it hasn't officially opened for business yet.

"Mr. Ryoma, what should we do?"

The henchman who was banging on the door rubbed his sore hand, grimaced, and turned around to ask Aburame Ryoma for a solution. Aburame Ryoma pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Lead the men and retreat."

"Here they come."

As soon as he finished speaking, the pair of wooden doors slowly opened, and twelve women dressed in identical black and white outfits filed out.

Welcome to Neverland Orphanage.

The woman at the head of the group had blonde hair, wore a black and white nun's habit, and round-framed glasses. Surprisingly, she looked quite harmonious and natural in contrast to the strange style of the orphanage.

"welcome!"

The woman in the lead, followed by eleven other women, clasped their hands together and bowed to Aburame Ryoma.

"Greetings, everyone. I am the director of the Dream Island Orphanage, Yakushi Nonou."

Yakushi Nonou clasped her hands together tightly and bowed slightly to Aburame Ryoma, asking, "May I ask what brings you all here today?"

"...Orphanage?"

Through the open door, Aburame Ryoma surveyed the interior, which looked even more magnificent than the palace of the daimyo of the Land of Fire, and made up his mind.

As expected, Lord Danzo was right.

If this Neverland really is an orphanage, then he...!

Chapter 229 One Billion

"Our Neverland Orphanage is committed to providing individualized education, giving new life to children who have become orphans due to tragic experiences, and changing their destinies in a dreamlike way."

Following behind Yakushi Nonou was Isabella, who led Aburame Ryoma on a tour of the orphanage, while Ryoma himself began to familiarize himself with the orphanage's environment.

At his signal, the group of Root ninjas brought by Aburame Ryoma spread out and began searching the orphanage.

Yakushi Nonou glanced at the Root ninjas but didn't say anything.

In any case, the orphanage is still just an empty shell at this stage, in the early stages of preparation and operation, and there isn't much stuff. Even if the Root ninjas wanted to check, they wouldn't be able to find anything.

Moreover, Neverland Orphanage is truly just an orphanage; there's nothing else amiss. Even if they searched it from top to bottom, that's all they'd find.

Go ahead and check, check whatever you want. You can also absorb some residual formaldehyde while you're at it.

"This is the prayer area, which is mainly responsible for providing prayer education to children and teaching them to read and write."

"Across from the prayer area is the gym, which is equipped with various large building materials and complete exercise equipment."

"The medical room is right next to the gym, where doctors from Konoha Hospital are specially hired to provide diagnosis and treatment, ensuring the children's health."

Pharmacist Nonou smiled slightly at Aburame Ryoma, "Of course, as the head of the Department of Pharmacology, I don't think I'll encounter too many difficult problems."

Ryoma Aburame nodded. He had recognized the walking shrine maiden the moment he saw Yakushi Nonou.

But why would this shrine maiden suddenly abandon her hospital job to become the director of this strange orphanage?

Ryoma Aburame couldn't quite understand it, so he could only continue to follow Yakushi Nonou on her tour.

"This room is a library and lounge. The collection of books and toys is not yet complete, but it is expected to house at least a thousand books in the future."

"The rooms over there are dormitories. Each room can accommodate twenty small beds for the children to sleep and rest."

"This last area is the dining area, where a dedicated person prepares the nutrition every day to ensure that the children's diet is not problematic."

"Of course, if the adults in the root could provide some financial assistance to us so that we could eat better, I'm sure the children in the orphanage would be extremely grateful to them in the future."

Yakushi Nonou smiled slightly at Aburame Ryoma, emphasizing the issue of funding and support, seemingly offering Aburame Ryoma a very good condition, in order to comply with Root's own choice and judgment.

Isabella stood beside Yakushi Nonou, providing tacit support and cooperation, trying her best to make Yakushi Nonou feel her importance.

Although Yakushi Nonou was a last-minute replacement, she perfectly answered Aburame Ryoma's questions thanks to her exceptional intelligence gathering abilities and Isabella's subtle hints.

"Sponsorship?"

Aburame Ryoma's voice was strange. He didn't take off his mask and asked Yakushi Nonou in a muffled voice, "Are you sure you need our assistance?"

He glanced sideways; the crystal chandeliers, the high-end kitchenware and tableware, the magnificent solid wood tables and chairs—all demonstrated the orphanage owner's wealth.

You know, orphanages are full of naughty kids. It's quite normal for them to break a plate or two, or smash some tables and chairs.

The fact that such valuable items are treated like consumables and casually placed there is enough to make people feel the gap between classes.

To avoid wasting the value of these high-end items, it is necessary to have someone specifically educate children on etiquette and control their playful nature.

If this were truly possible, then the children who would grow up in this luxurious orphanage would inevitably possess extremely high manners, aristocratic bearing, and perhaps even an outstanding ability.

Whether it's academic knowledge, physical fitness, or both.

In short, the children who grow up in this orphanage will probably achieve great things in the future.

People who can adopt children of this caliber from Neverland are probably quite capable and of high status themselves.

There is a high probability that by the time these children reach adulthood, few suitable families will be able to adopt them, and they will all eventually have to go out and seek their own lives, becoming sought after by various organizations.

and many more……

Isn't this a talent training and export base?

More likely, several factions have already signed contracts with Dream Island, and after they have finished raising the children, they will send them directly to those factions and organizations to join as new recruits.

Ryoma Aburame's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that the Neverland Orphanage had far-reaching ambitions.

Given that Hiruzen Sarutobi personally approved the project and it was built quietly, it is highly likely that this was Hiruzen Sarutobi's pre-planned contingency plan, preparing for a future action!

Ryoma Aburame became increasingly panicked. If that were really the case, then Lord Danzo might not benefit at all; on the contrary, he might fall behind in future competitions.

No, I must report to Lord Danzo immediately!

“As for funding, of course it’s needed.”

Yakushi Nonou keenly sensed the change in Aburame Ryoma's aura and attitude. She frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "As long as the adults of Root pay a sufficient price, the children's final fate can still be negotiated, right?"

"Ok?"

Ryoma Aburame was taken aback by what Yakushi Nonou said. What did that mean?

If the price is right, all the children in this orphanage could join the Roots.

This is getting interesting, this woman...

Isabella also looked at Yakushi Nonou with surprise, but Yakushi Nonou always had a sweet smile on her face, making it impossible to tell what her true thoughts were.

"So, how much do you think is appropriate in terms of funding?"

At this moment, Ryoma Aburame changed his mind about leaving immediately and asked Yakushi Nonou a question.

For Danzo's confidant, Ryoma Aburame, being able to resolve matters independently without troubling Danzo is a testament to his ability.

"I think... a billion should be about right."