The Crisis Arrives in Darkness [Please collect!!!]

"Hey, you two brats, it's time to eat. Look, the Clan Head specifically ordered me to give you extra rations today to help you build up your strength!"

"This food is packed with nutrition. I even managed to get you each a glass of milk. This should satisfy the Clan Head's requirements and help you recover, right?"

A burly man with a head of white hair and two red dots on his forehead—a typical adult of the Kaguya Clan—placed a tray filled with food on the ground in front of the iron prison door with a look of annoyance.

"Damn it, what rotten luck. I don't know what the Clan Head is thinking. The situation has been so tense lately, with the Fourth Mizukage's personal Anbu likely to strike at any moment. Under such circumstances, he actually has a dignified Jonin like me delivering food to two brats. I just don't get it."

After glancing at the prison one last time, the Kaguya Clan man cursed under his breath and strode away.

Jun Tianlin, who had been reaching out to pick up the tray of food from the floor, froze as he overheard the grumbling from outside the iron gate.

Subconsciously, Jun Tianlin asked in a weak voice, "Uncle, do you know what year it is? Also, you mentioned the Fourth Mizukage's personal Anbu are about to attack—what is that all about?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jun Tianlin's face turned pale. He jerked his hand back and instinctively took a step backward.

"Hmm?"

The middle-aged man, who had been about to leave, stopped in his tracks. He turned around with a look of interest, casting a malicious gaze toward Jun Tianlin.

"Heh, kid, you've got some nerve. You know I'm in a bad mood, yet you dare to question me? Do you think life here is too comfortable and you're looking for some excitement?

Hmph, if the Clan Head hadn't ordered me not to touch you two, I would have given you a 'gift' for your recklessness, just so you'd know that even for a child, bothering an adult is a serious matter!

However, since you two brats are so pathetic, being locked in a prison at such a young age, I'll show some kindness and satisfy your curiosity.

It is currently the year of the Mist, and the Fourth Mizukage Yagura is in power. As for the Anbu I mentioned, that is not something a brat like you needs to know.

Heh, I've wasted enough time here. If there's a chance next time, I'll be sure to 'entertain' you two brats properly. Hahaha!"

Amidst his arrogant laughter, the middle-aged man's figure gradually receded until he vanished at the end of the corridor.

Watching the man disappear and listening to the echoes of his voice, Jun Tianlin hesitated for a moment before reaching out his right hand again, silently picking up his portion of the food and eating it in large mouthfuls.

As for Kimimaro, Jun Tianlin ignored him once again...

"The year of the Mist? Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Konoha was established first, and the other four followed shortly after, all finishing their foundations in the same year.

That means the year of the Mist is Konoha 43. Combined with what that man said about Yagura being in power, I must be in the era of Kirigakure's infamous 'Bloody Mist Era'.

If that's true, then the Kekkei Genkai clans like the Kaguya Clan, Yuki Haku's clan, and Hozuki Suigetsu's clan are already in danger.

I fear the 'Bloody Mist Era' created by the Fourth Mizukage Yagura has already begun, and his personal Anbu have already started their extermination campaign!"

While stuffing his mouth with food, Jun Tianlin frantically recalled everything he knew about the 'Bloody Mist Era' of Kirigakure, desperate to find a way out for himself and Kimimaro.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't remember much. After all, the original story only touched upon the 'Bloody Mist Era' in passing; it was too vague and lacked detailed information.

After much thought, Jun Tianlin could only barely recall that the 'Bloody Mist Era' began with Yagura's succession as the Fourth Mizukage and ended with the tragic annihilation of the Kekkei Genkai clans like the Kaguya Clan, the Yuki clan, and the Hozuki clan.

As for anything else, Jun Tianlin had no impression at all.

As he continued to reflect, his mood grew increasingly heavy. Facing the impending clan-wide extermination, Jun Tianlin felt as if he were slowly suffocating.

However, the only thing that brought him a shred of comfort was that he wasn't alone—he was not alone!

At the very least, by his side was his brother in this life, his biological older brother—Kimimaro.

Although Jun Tianlin did not exist in the original story, Kimimaro—the first major side character to appear—was someone no fan of Naruto would ever forget.

As for when, where, and how the strongest early-to-mid-series villain, Orochimaru, managed to abduct the young Kimimaro, Jun Tianlin had no idea.

But the one thing Jun Tianlin did know was that while the various Kekkei Genkai clans of Kirigakure were being wiped out, a few survivors managed to slip through the cracks.

Figures like Zabuza's subordinate Yuki Haku, and Orochimaru's subordinates Hozuki Suigetsu and Kimimaro, were the representatives of those who survived the purge!

Therefore, nothing else mattered; what mattered was Kimimaro. As long as he stayed with Kimimaro, there would always be a glimmer of hope, even in the face of total annihilation.

Fortunately, his identity after transmigrating was that of Kimimaro's younger brother, which gave him a legitimate reason to stay by his side.

The sky gradually darkened, and the crisis slowly began.