Kabuto

For a long time after that, the two maintained this dynamic: Kabuto never said much to Eiyuling, occasionally offering her some guidance, and otherwise spending his time buried in books.

Eiyuling would choose to come by around noon and return in the evening. If there was anything she didn't understand, she would ask Kabuto; though he was quite cold, he was always willing to answer her questions.

To repay his help, she had a sudden impulse one day while passing a fish shop and bought a few half-dead fish. Perhaps because they were truly unsellable, the owner accepted the deal with surprising enthusiasm and even gave her a significant discount.

Handing the dying fish to Eiyuling, the owner beamed and said, "Come back again soon."

Eiyuling, realizing she had been taken for a fool, narrowed her eyes at the owner, her expression stiffening.

Eiyuling carried the fish toward the Orphanage, realizing on the way that they were about to die. She rushed toward the Orphanage like a madwoman, her frantic appearance best described as comical.

"Kabuto! Kabuto! Kabuto! They're dying, they're dying, hurry and save these fish!" Eiyuling shouted the moment she reached the entrance of the Orphanage.

The older children playing outside stared at Eiyuling in astonishment, all of them bursting into laughter at her ridiculous appearance. Eiyuling couldn't care less about being mocked; this was her money, and she couldn't let the fish die before they served their purpose.

Eiyuling ran inside like a gust of wind. After a few steps, she saw Kabuto emerging from a room. His face was etched with naked disdain, and he looked at Eiyuling with his usual lifeless eyes, asking impatiently, "What are you doing?"

Eiyuling ran up to him, panting heavily as she thrust the fish toward him. "Try using your medical ninjutsu to bring these fish back to life."

Kabuto's eyes drifted to the fish in her hands, which were still dripping water as they neared death. His gaze was filled with utter contempt. "They're going to die anyway; there's no point in treating them."

Eiyuling curled her lip in silence. "Haven't you been looking for a chance to test your medical ninjutsu? I'm just asking you to experiment; it might even help you refine your skills."

Kabuto raised his eyes to look at her, catching the helplessness in her gaze. However, what she said didn't seem wrong, so he said flatly, "Give them to me."

Eiyuling was already used to Kabuto's aloofness; she had encountered too many people like him. She handed the fish to him, and he took them and retreated into his room.

Eiyuling followed him inside, watching as he used medical ninjutsu to treat the fish, though he failed after several attempts.

Eiyuling stood behind him, secretly gloating. The genius had finally hit a snag; it seemed there was a gap between theory and clinical practice.

The fish didn't revive after several experiments, and as time passed, they truly died. Looking at the unsalvageable fish, Kabuto felt a slight heaviness in his heart.

In the end, those few fish became that day's dinner, and Eiyuling was uncharacteristically invited to stay.

The other orphans happily tasted the extra dish, their gazes toward Eiyuling becoming much warmer.

However, Kabuto ate in silence the entire time, not touching the fish even once, his expression sunken as he pondered something.

"It's been so long since I've had something this delicious. Thank you, Eiyuling!" the older girl from earlier said first, a bright, excited smile on her face.

Eiyuling smiled unconsciously, her tone turning joyful as well. "Don't mention it. I've been troubling you all lately, too."

Kabuto silently looked up at Eiyuling, only to find some fish meat added to his bowl. He frowned in surprise and looked up to see one of the older boys from the Orphanage smiling at him. "You've only been eating greens, so try this too. It's really delicious!"

Kabuto paused, looking down at the fish in his bowl. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, he didn't refuse the boy's kindness and tasted the fish.

After taking a bite, his body stiffened noticeably.

So this thing was actually this delicious...

The boy looked at Kabuto's shocked face and smiled, finally seeing Kabuto reach out to pick up more fish for himself.

Eiyuling looked at everyone in the Orphanage and smiled with relief. Although they shared no blood ties, hadn't known each other before, and came from all corners of the world, everyone treated their companions here as family.

After finishing the pleasant dinner, Eiyuling said her goodbyes. Everyone came out to see her off, and Kabuto was reluctantly dragged along as well.

"Stay safe!" they said in unison as they bid Eiyuling farewell.

Looking at their sincere smiles, Eiyuling felt for the first time that she had truly integrated into their group. She waved her hand and said, "Alright, you all head back inside first."

After parting ways with the children at the Orphanage, Eiyuling hurried back toward Konoha, as the sky had already turned dark.

"I didn't expect it to be this late. I wonder how Naruto is doing; I seem to have neglected him again these past few days."

Thinking of this, Eiyuling realized a problem: she had enjoyed a hearty meal today, but was Naruto still hungry? She had left him plenty of money, though; if he hadn't eaten, he could just go to Ichiraku.

Walking home along the riverbank, the Konoha River shimmered under the moonlight. The wind brushed across the surface, creating brilliant ripples. The night was gentle and charming, with darkness masking everything in a silence unique to the night, broken only by the chirping of cicadas.

Eiyuling stared at the river, momentarily dazed. This was the night in Konoha—no desolation, no despair, and certainly no unknown weeping.

This was a peaceful and prosperous land, free from poverty and hunger. Having followed Orochimaru to so many barren places, she realized that life in Konoha was truly too comfortable and gentle.

Eiyuling looked up at the sky, her mind recalling those struggling in this world. Because they had no shred of hope, even knowing that Orochimaru was not their dawn, they still begged him to pull them up.

It seemed that few who defected to Orochimaru regretted it; they simply couldn't withstand his power and met a bad end. Eiyuling didn't know if this was pathetic or rational, as she herself was someone who had made the same choice.

She gave a self-deprecating smile. Rather than thinking so much, she might as well focus on improving her own strength.

As Eiyuling walked back, she didn't expect to see a familiar figure at the Red Bridge. He was leaning against the railing with his head propped up, nodding off repeatedly, stubbornly trying to stay standing. There was only one idiot like that.

"How did this guy end up here? He isn't afraid of falling into the river," Eiyuling sighed helplessly. She walked up cautiously and saw Naruto's head bobbing; his silly appearance looked quite cute.

"I didn't expect him to be so cute up close," Eiyuling teased. She looked around and saw no one else. Could he have been waiting for her?

At that thought, a warmth rose in Eiyuling's heart. Enveloped by this warmth, she found such concern truly foolish...

Eiyuling gently pulled Naruto down from the railing, her eyes fixed on his eyelids to ensure she didn't wake him by accident. She carefully turned him around, bent over, and hoisted him onto her back.

Finding a support, Naruto fell into an even deeper sleep. Eiyuling carried him back, feeling his breathing steady; he must have truly fallen asleep.

This guy really could sleep. If she had known he was such a heavy sleeper, she wouldn't have been so nervous, acting like a little thief.

Though she thought this, Eiyuling looked back at Naruto and smiled softly, remembering how she, once weak, had been carried back by Naruto in the same way.

This time, it's my turn to carry you, Naruto, Eiyuling thought.

On a distant high-rise, Orochimaru stood quietly, his snake-like eyes fixed on the direction Eiyuling had just gone. The wind stirred his earrings, the magatama swaying back and forth. "Uzumaki Eiyuling, it seems I cannot leave you in Konoha..."