"You are..."
Haku stared at Hyuga Sho, who was disguised as Sha Wusheng.
Hyuga Sho was slowly walking toward him.
"Just a traveler."
Hyuga Sho replied.
"What about you?"
"I... I live around here. It's noon now, so I'm picking some wild vegetables."
Like an unsuspecting maiden from a fairy tale, Haku answered Hyuga Sho's question in a gentle, lighthearted tone.
"Wild vegetables..."
Hyuga Sho stared at the wild vegetables Haku had picked into his basket.
It certainly looked like he was gathering them to solve his food problem.
"You have two swords strapped to your back. Are you a ninja?"
"I could be."
Hyuga Sho answered coldly.
He looked ice-cold.
"Oh... you're amazing..."
Haku said in an admiring tone.
"Why do you train?"
"Because I want to become stronger."
"Hmm...? But... you already look very strong..." Haku said.
"No, it's not enough yet... I have to work even harder."
There was not the slightest hint of hostility in their conversation.
Instead, it was filled with a fresh, almost refreshing feeling.
"Why... do you work so hard?" Haku asked again.
"Because I want to become the strongest."
Hyuga Sho answered without hesitation.
"Are you doing this... for someone? Or for yourself..."
"Of course, for myself."
Hyuga Sho's answer was still without hesitation.
"Hehe..."
Haku raised a finger to his lips and smiled gently.
There was no denying that his smile was incredibly soothing.
Anyone who saw that smile would probably be moved by it.
But...
He was a man.
"What's so funny?"
Hyuga Sho stared at that smile.
"Do you have..."
Haku stopped smiling, but the gentleness in his eyes remained unchanged.
"Someone who's very important to you?"
At that moment.
Haku thought of Zabuza.
He thought of the demon who had taken him in.
"When people want to protect