Kabuto

For a long time afterward, the two of them continued to interact this way. Kabuto never said much to Hui, occasionally offering her some guidance before going back to reading.

Hui Youling would come here around noon and return in the evening. Whenever she had a question, she would ask Kabuto. He was rather distant, but he was always willing to answer her.

Wanting to repay him for his help, one day Hui Youling had a sudden impulse while passing a fish shop and bought several fish that looked half-dead. Perhaps the shopkeeper truly couldn't sell them, because he eagerly accepted the deal and even gave her a hefty discount.

Handing the half-dead fish to Hui Youling, the shopkeeper beamed and said, "Come again!"

Taken for a sucker, Hui Youling narrowed her eyes at him, her expression stiff.

Carrying the fish to the Orphanage, Hui Youling realized on the way that they were about to die. She dashed toward the Orphanage with the fish, looking so frantic that "ridiculous" was probably the best way to describe her.

"Kabuto! Kabuto! Kabuto! They're dying! They're dying! Hurry and save these fish!" Hui had barely reached the Orphanage entrance before she started shouting.

The older children playing outside stared at Hui Youling in astonishment. Seeing her ridiculous appearance, they all burst out laughing. Hui didn't care that they were making fun of her. She'd spent her money on these fish—she couldn't let them die before they'd served any purpose.

Hui Youling rushed inside like a gust of wind. A few steps in, she saw Kabuto coming out of a room, his face openly full of disdain. His lifeless eyes fixed on Hui Youling as he asked impatiently, "What are you doing?"

Hui ran up to him and, panting, held out the fish. "Try using your Medical Ninjutsu to bring them back to life."

Kabuto looked at the fish in her hands. Water dripped from the dying fish, and his eyes brimmed with distaste. "They're going to die anyway. There's no point treating them."

Hui gave him a speechless look. "You haven't even tested your Medical Ninjutsu yet, have you? This is a chance to try it out. It could help you improve your skills, too."

Kabuto looked up at Hui and saw the helplessness in her eyes. But she did seem to have a point. "Give them to me," he said quietly.

Hui was already used to Kabuto's aloof manner. She'd met far too many people like him. She handed him the fish, and he took them into the room.

Hui followed him inside and watched as he treated the fish with Medical Ninjutsu. But even after several attempts, he failed.

Standing behind him, Hui Youling secretly rejoiced. The genius had finally run into trouble. It seemed he'd hit a snag when moving from theory to practice.

After several attempts, the fish still hadn't revived. As time passed, they really did die. Looking at the fish beyond saving, Kabuto felt a little heavy-hearted.

In the end, the fish became that night's dinner, and Hui Youling was invited to stay for the meal—a rare treat.

The other orphans happily tried the new dish, and their gazes toward Hui Youling grew much warmer.

Kabuto, however, ate in silence and didn't touch the fish at all. His face was downcast, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"It's been so long since I've had something this delicious. Thank you, Hui!" The older girl from that day spoke first, smiling with excitement.

Hui smiled too, her voice brightening. "You're welcome. I should thank everyone for putting up with me lately."

Kabuto quietly looked up at Hui Youling, only to find some fish in his bowl. He raised his brows in surprise and looked over. One of the older children at the Orphanage smiled at him. "You've been eating nothing but vegetables. Try some of this, too. It's really good!"

Kabuto paused and looked down at the fish in his bowl. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he didn't turn down the older child's kindness. He tried a bite.

As soon as he bit into the fish, his body stiffened.

So this is actually delicious...

Seeing Kabuto's surprised expression, the older child smiled too. At last, Kabuto reached for another piece of fish himself.

Hui looked around at everyone at the Orphanage and smiled with relief. They weren't related by blood, hadn't known one another before, and came from all over the world, yet they still treated their companions here as family.

After happily finishing the meal, Hui said goodbye to everyone. They all came out to see her off, and Kabuto was dragged out with them, though he was reluctant.

"Stay safe!" they called to Hui Youling in unison.

Looking at their sincere smiles, Hui felt for the first time that she truly belonged with them. She waved and said, "Okay, you should head back inside."

After saying goodbye to the children at the Orphanage, Hui hurried back to Konoha. It was already dark.

I can't believe it's this late. I wonder how Naruto's doing. I seem to have neglected him again these past few days.

Thinking of that, Hui realized something: she'd had a proper meal today. Could Naruto still be hungry? She had left him plenty of money, though. If he really hadn't eaten, he could go to Ichiraku.

As she walked home along the river, moonlight shimmered across the Konoha River. A breeze brushed over its surface, stirring up dazzling ripples. The night was gentle and enchanting, its darkness veiling everything in a quiet that belonged only to the night, broken only by the chorus of cicadas.

Hui gazed at the river, lost in thought. This was Konoha at night—free of desolation, free of despair, and free of nameless weeping.

This was a peaceful, prosperous country without poverty or hunger. After visiting so many desolate places with Orochimaru, she realized just how comfortable and gentle life in Konoha was.

Hui raised her eyes to the sky, remembering those people struggling to survive in this world. Without even a glimmer of hope, they had begged Orochimaru to help them, even knowing he wasn't their salvation.

It seemed few people who followed Orochimaru regretted it. They simply couldn't withstand his power and ended up with a tragic fate. Hui didn't know whether that was pitiful or rational. She had made the same choice herself.

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

As Hui walked on, she didn't expect to see a familiar figure at Red Bridge. He was slumped over the railing, his head propped on his hand, nodding off again and again as he stubbornly stood there. There was only one idiot like that.

"What's he doing here? Doesn't he worry about falling into the river?" Hui sighed helplessly and carefully went over. Naruto's head was bobbing up and down. He looked so silly that it was kind of cute.

"I didn't expect him to be this cute up close," Hui teased. She glanced around. There was no one else there. Could he be waiting for her?

At the thought, warmth rose in Hui Youling's heart, wrapping around her. This kind of concern was really sweet and foolish...

Hui gently pulled Naruto away from the railing, keeping her eyes on his eyelids in case she accidentally woke him. Carefully turning him around, she bent down and carried him on her back.

Finding someone to lean on, Naruto fell into an even deeper sleep. Hui carried him home, feeling his breathing grow steady. He must have really fallen asleep.

This guy really could sleep. If she'd known he was such a sound sleeper, she wouldn't have been so nervous, sneaking around like a little thief.

Even so, Hui glanced back at Naruto and smiled softly, remembering how he'd once carried her home when she was weak.

This time, I'll carry you, Naruto, Hui thought.

On top of another tall building, Orochimaru stood quietly, his snake-like eyes fixed on the direction Hui Youling had just gone. The wind stirred his earrings, and the Tomoe swayed back and forth. "Uzumaki Eiyuling, it seems I can't leave you in Konoha..."