emuNAND is possible without a flashcart, but only classic mode, ie. no ROMs or .cias. Use the MT Card launcher.
What can I do in that mode if I can't do ROMs or CIAs?
You can access eshop without updating past an exploitable FW. I think I read that it was region free also.
I want CFW without Gateway or a DS flashcart
Yes that is all and there are plenty of threads here that already explain it.
No there aren't. Everywhere I look it requires a DS Flashcart.
I misquoted I was trying to quote your "That's all?" post. Right now you need a DS flashcard to exploit on 4.x to install the profile exploit.
I want CFW without Gateway or a DS flashcart
That's too bad? I'm not sure what else you're expecting. If there were a totally free CFW solution that updates to the latest firmware already you'd know about it because half the threads in this forum would be about it.
What about the MT card launcher you said, what does that do
You already got your answer, it'll let you run an emuNAND that updates to 9.4, but can't do anything that the standard 3DS firmware can't. If and when something better comes along, you'll hear about it.
You can play your original games
What about the MT card launcher you said, what does that do