Yakushi Nono's immediate and unhesitating agreement to keep the secret allowed Megumai to slightly lower her guard. The two began to reminisce.
Seiya played with building blocks by himself for a while, but when his enthusiasm waned, he knocked them down, opened his arms, and repeatedly called out, 'Mama, hug!'
A child this small is particularly clingy. Especially since Seiya has been raised solely by Megumai until now, his clinginess is even stronger; he practically wants to be glued to his mother all day long.
Hearing her precious son call, Megumai naturally rose quickly and scooped the baby into her arms.
Seiya nestled on her shoulder, turned his head, and with a pair of clear, innocent eyes, quietly gazed at the woman across the desk.
Yakushi Nono's reflection was mirrored in his bright black eyes.
"What a good child, so quiet and calm."
Her friend's compliment brought a smile to Megumai's face.
"Sometimes he's quite rambunctious, but he's genuinely well-behaved today."
"How old is the baby?" Yakushi Nono asked, her gaze gentle and her tone soft.
Megumai looked at her son, "Tell the Onee-chan, how old is Seiya-kun?"
Seiya thought for a moment and held up two small, fair fingers.
"The baby is so clever!"
Yakushi Nono was all smiles, generous with her praise.
She genuinely loved children, which was why she continuously donated money to the orphanage.
Now, facing her friend's intelligent and adorable son, her maternal instincts completely took over.
"Has he been weaned yet?"
"Not yet."
Megumai shook her head, tidied Seiya 's collar, and added, "I wanted to wean him a few days ago, but the little guy kept crying, and I couldn't bring myself to be firm."
Yakushi Nono nodded, "Since the child is still small, there's no need to rush. You can put it off for a while."
"Mm." Megumai wholeheartedly agreed.
When other children cry, it is usually accompanied by wailing and more expressive body language, often implying a spoilt demand.
Seiya was different: he didn't fuss or make noise, he just stayed quietly where he was, with red-rimmed eyes, clenched little fists, a downturned little mouth, silently shedding tears.
The last time Seiya cried, Megumai felt like crying along with him and immediately dropped the idea of weaning.
She had originally made up her mind not to compromise no matter what!
But the moment Seiya cried, her heart wrenched, and she had no choice but to surrender.
A mother simply cannot bear to see her son that sad.
...
Aside from the little episode of weaning, the daily life of Megumai and Seiya was extremely harmonious.
Simply watching from the side, Yakushi Nono could deeply feel the happiness and joy of the mother and son.
"Would you like to hold my son?" Megumai invited, a slight hint of testing in her tone.
"Are you sure?!"
Yakushi Nono's eyes lit up; she was surprised and a little flustered.
In this dangerous Shinobi World, a mother's willingness to hand her child to an outsider showed immense trust.
After years apart, Yakushi Nono never expected to be trusted by Megumai as she was before.
After pondering for a long time, Yakushi Nono finally pulled back her hand, reluctantly declining Megumai's suggestion.
"Never mind, I've never held a baby before, I don't want to accidentally hurt him."
"Never held one?! Don't you run an orphanage?" Megumai was quite surprised.
Yakushi Nono sighed, a hint of helplessness in her smile.
"I've been bouncing between the major Hidden Villages as a spy, barely taking a break. How could I have time to personally look after the orphanage?"
"I see..."
Megumai nodded thoughtfully, then gave a warm smile, "It's fine, I'll teach you. Holding a baby is very simple."
Yakushi Nono looked at the adorable Seiya , felt greatly moved, and finally accepted Megumai's offer, "Okay, I'll try."
"Here, like this, and then like this. That's all there is to it."
Under Megumai's one-on-one instruction, Yakushi Nono held Seiya in her arms with extreme care, as if he were a rare treasure.
"I thought you might cry!"
Yakushi Nono lowered her head, her eyes full of smiles, meeting the little baby's gaze.
Being held by someone other than his mother, Seiya was a little shy, and at this moment, he looked on the verge of tears, his gaze shifting, occasionally glancing at his mother nearby.
Megumai immediately held her son's hand to reassure him, and chuckled, "Tell the Onee-chan that our Seiya-kun isn't a little crybaby."
Seiya blinked his eyes, struggling to hold back his tears, clenching his little fists, and saying fragmented words: "Onee-chan... Seiya-kun is not... a crybaby..."
"Yes! The baby is so brave!"
Yakushi Nono praised him with a smile.
The child's innocent gaze cleansed her of her weariness as a spy, making her happier the longer she looked, and for a moment, she was reluctant to let go.
After a while, she reluctantly handed Seiya back into Megumai's arms.
"This meeting today has actually made me want to have a child!" Yakushi Nono sighed from the bottom of her heart.
Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. Reality did not allow her to do so.
As a spy, living a life of danger and uncertainty, having a child would be irresponsible to the next generation.
At this thought, Yakushi Nono felt a pang of melancholy, but she quickly cheered up and then seriously warned Megumai: "The Tetsu no Kuni is going to become increasingly chaotic. Especially since this place is a key economic center in the north, and you're the intelligence station chief, you might be targeted by ambitious people one day!"
"You are indeed strong, but it's best to make plans early. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, you'll regret it deeply!"
As she spoke, Yakushi Nono was looking at Seiya .
Megumai understood her meaning, smiled down at her son, and then nodded to Yakushi Nono, "I'll be careful."
"It's getting late, I should leave."
Yakushi Nono said goodbye without any lingering hesitation.
Megumai was surprised, "Such a rush? Won't you stay for a few days?"
Yakushi Nono shook her head and gave a faint smile, "If a spy stops moving and allows laziness to creep in, death isn't far behind."
Megumai was silent, pondered for a moment, and decided to remind her friend once more to change the future tragedy.
"Nono, remember this: there is no such thing as retirement for a spy. Given Shimura Danzo's operating style, he will definitely use you until you die! If you want to avoid that outcome, do not let him gain leverage over you!"
"You can donate money to an orphanage, but don't limit your donations to just one specific one! And absolutely do not personally look after the orphanage! When a person has bonds, they have weaknesses!"
Megumai's expression was solemn and earnest.
Yakushi Nono was stunned, became thoughtful, and then her eyes narrowed as she nodded seriously, "I've noted that!"
"Good, as long as you remember."
Megumai smiled broadly and waved goodbye to her friend.
Having parted today, a reunion would be difficult to schedule.
"Live well, Megumai!"
With that, Yakushi Nono turned and left.
"Onee-chan... goodbye..."
Seiya imitated his mother, waving his arm in a copycat fashion.
Yakushi Nono paused, turned, and waved back at Seiya.
"Bye-bye, baby!"
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