Orochimaru entered university with a phone full of contacts and a steadily growing network of debts and favors owed. He saw a fair-haired woman debating medical ethics with their teacher, only for her to turn and reveal a familiar face, now young and unlined by worry and woe. Their eyes met. ANBU signs flashed between their fingers, unnoticed by any save the two shinobi. There was no desperation in his erstwhile companion's eyes, that ROOT-born grimness exchanged for determination born of compassion.
The day done, they went to a nearby café for coffee.
"You registered your chakra as a quirk?" He asked incredulously.
Yakushi shrugged, "I needed to be able to use it legally for healing."
"And can you?"
"No." Nono replied darkly. "It was suggested that I enter heroics for a license, along the lines of Recovery Girl."
"You would never allow yourself to be restrained by from doing your utmost to heal." He complimented in reply, "Nor will you be lacking in those who will need your healing."
"Is this a ploy to lure me into your employ, Otokage?" Nono laughed gently.
"Wander where you may, Miko," He returned, "But know you will always be welcome at my side. But who suggested that you enter heroics, Nono?"
"An organization called the Heroics Commission. They pressed, but I insisted on medical school."
How dare. How dare they attempt to put Nono, ROOT-tied Nono, kunoichi of Konohagakure under their thumbs? They would force a scalpel to be a hammer, and profit from its abuse.
"I have heard of them." He hissed, "They trick children into contracts when they're too young to escape, and then raise them as their pet soldiers."
"Then great injustice wears the cloak of lawfulness yet." She said evenly, "Medicine is a tool that treats the body, but it appears that the illness we must confront is one of society." Nono set her cup down with a deliberate delicacy, "Tell me, Orochimaru, what have you been creating?"
"A song." He smiled, "And it sings of personhood."
She laughed at that. "Otogakure reborn as the champion of the weak?"
The Otokage snorted, "I see no reason not to take advantage of the resources civilians have so foolishly discarded."
"That sounds more like you." Nono raised an eyebrow, "And seeing as my son is not here to remind you of deadlines and the existence of sustenance beyond ration bars and takeout, I presume that you're lacking in a Yakushi adjutant."
They fell silent as a waiter set a plate of sesame mochi on the table.
Nono accepted the offering.
"Not anymore, I hope." Orochimaru said in response.
"No." Confirmed Yakushi Nono, "Not anymore."