How Could You Still Be Alive?

Upon hearing that the person before him was none other than Haku, a look of "as I expected" instantly crossed Shi Xiu's face.

At this moment, Shi Xiu's bright eyes were fixed intently on Haku, and he was suddenly struck by the urge to adopt the boy.

Meanwhile, Haku was also observing Shi Xiu with a curious and scrutinizing gaze.

He parted his lips slightly, as if wanting to say something, but he seemed hesitant and ultimately remained silent.

Just then, Obito stepped forward and asked, "Lord Shi Xiu, are you truly intent on adopting this little girl?"

Shi Xiu, who had been lost in his own thoughts, was startled by Obito's sudden interjection. He paused for a moment before he could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

However, upon hearing this, Haku's face flushed red, and he hurriedly retorted, "I... I am not a girl! I am a boy!"

Obito's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Haku.

Despite the few bruises on Haku's face, these minor blemishes could not hide his flawless, snow-white skin, his willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows, his large, watery eyes, or his soft, flowing shoulder-length hair.

From every angle, he looked exactly like a dainty and adorable little girl!

For a moment, Obito's mind went blank, and he was completely at a loss.

While Obito stood there in a daze, Shi Xiu remained smiling, watching Haku with great interest as he asked softly.

"So, Haku, would you like to leave this place with me?"

Faced with Shi Xiu's inquiry, Haku lowered his head and fell into a long, deep contemplation.

After a while, Haku finally raised his head and shook it firmly, signaling his refusal.

Seeing Haku reject him, Shi Xiu raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion appearing on his face.

Shi Xiu stared at Haku and asked quietly, "Why refuse?"

Haku looked at Shi Xiu with eyes as clear as water. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice soft yet firm.

"I could tell from your reaction earlier that you are clearly very familiar with my situation. Although I don't know how you came to know it, it is precisely because of that that I cannot leave with you."

Hearing Haku's calm and logical analysis, Shi Xiu was taken aback, then couldn't help but chuckle.

Shi Xiu looked at the exceptionally intelligent boy before him with interest and said, half-teasingly, "Oh? And why aren't you afraid that I might just take you away by force?"

Yet, faced with Shi Xiu's threat, Haku showed no signs of panic. He continued to meet Shi Xiu's gaze calmly and replied unhurriedly.

"You wouldn't do that, because if you truly intended to, you wouldn't have asked for my opinion in the first place. Besides, even if you took me by force, it would ultimately be in vain."

Shi Xiu marveled inwardly; he hadn't expected Haku to be so sharp-minded at such a young age. The descriptions of Haku's childhood in the Hokage series were far too brief.

But Shi Xiu did not want to give up so easily; after all, Haku was of the Yuki Clan and possessed the rare Kekkei Genkai—Ice Release.

At that moment, the corners of Shi Xiu's mouth curled into a faint smile, and he spoke softly, echoing the words Haku once said to Zabuza in the story: "But your eyes are just like mine."

Hearing this, Haku froze for a moment, then looked up to meet Shi Xiu's gaze.

To his surprise, in the depths of Shi Xiu's eyes, he saw the same loneliness, solitude, and even a hint of bewilderment.

Obito, standing to the side, was full of confusion and did not understand why Lord Shi Xiu was so insistent on adopting this... little boy.

However, he knew that Lord Shi Xiu always had his own reasons and considerations, so he kept his silence.

Haku stared at Shi Xiu quietly for a long while before finally asking, "Why must you adopt me?"

Shi Xiu smiled, raised his hand, and gently ruffled Haku's soft hair before answering slowly, "Because in the near future, I will face a very powerful enemy. At that time, I will desperately need reliable help."

Of course, this was only half-true. After all, when facing a terrifying foe like the Otsutsuki Clan, if one lacked the power to destroy the world, finding more helpers would be no different than a moth flying into a flame—just a pointless death.

However, the innocent Haku did not overthink it. He nodded without hesitation, his expression resolute as he said, "Very well, sir! I will work twice as hard to become the sharpest blade in your hand as soon as possible!"

Shi Xiu's lips curled into a warm smile. He reached out and gently pulled Haku to his side, saying, "Haku, I have some important matters to attend to for now. Once everything is settled and we return to Konoha Village, I will take you to have a hot bath and get you some new clothes."

Haku nodded obediently at Shi Xiu's words. He looked down at his own dirt-stained body, then at Shi Xiu's grey robes.

Haku truly hadn't expected Shi Xiu to pull him close without the slightest hesitation.

(Sigh, what a pity Haku isn't a girl! He's so adorable!)

Just then, Haku could no longer suppress his curiosity and asked softly, "Sir, may I ask what we are going to do next?"

Shi Xiu looked ahead and smiled slightly, wanting to tease Haku, so he replied calmly, "We are about to embark on a difficult and dangerous mission: to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage."

With that, Shi Xiu turned his head, looked at Haku with a smile, and asked, "Well, Haku, are you afraid?"

Haku shook his head firmly without a moment's hesitation. He looked up, his clear eyes fixed on Shi Xiu, and said with determination, "Sir, please rest assured. No matter what dangers we encounter, even if it costs me my life, I will do everything in my power to protect you!"

Hearing Haku's resolute reply, Shi Xiu was slightly stunned, feeling genuinely surprised. Haku had said similar words to Zabuza in the original story, and now he was saying them to him.

Shi Xiu reached out gently and patted Haku's silky hair, a smile blooming on his face as he said softly, "Don't worry, Haku, I won't be in any danger."

Haku stood there motionless, his head slightly bowed. His long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, shielding his beautiful eyes and making it impossible to tell what he was thinking deep down.

Obito's gaze shifted back and forth between the two, an strange feeling rising in his heart, but he shook his head, thinking it was perhaps just his imagination.

Before long, Obito used his sensory abilities to successfully lead Shi Xiu and Haku to Yagura, who was currently under the control of a genjutsu.

However, the moment Yagura's gaze fell upon Shi Xiu, the situation took an unexpected turn.

Yagura's previously calm body suddenly began to tremble violently, followed by an unannounced, explosive surge of chakra as he completed his Tailed Beast transformation in an instant.

At the same time, Obito felt the genjutsu he had placed upon Yagura being forcibly shattered by an unknown power.

Obito's expression shifted abruptly. Without a moment's hesitation, he drew the long blade from his waist and, with lightning speed, positioned himself in front of Shi Xiu, calling out a low warning.

"Lord Shi Xiu, please be careful! It seems my genjutsu has been broken!"

Almost at the same instant, Haku reacted with equal swiftness, his figure flashing as he moved to stand firmly in front of Shi Xiu.

As his chakra surged wildly, the surrounding air seemed to react, the temperature plummeting sharply until, within a few short breaths, the entire room had grown several degrees colder.

Facing the fully transformed, menacing Yagura, Shi Xiu maintained his composed smile.

He even waved at the beast as if nothing were amiss, greeting it with a laugh: "Isobu, oh Isobu, it has been such a long time! Is this really how you choose to welcome an 'old friend' like me?"

A low, indistinct roar emanated from the throat of the Tailed Beast-transformed Yagura.

Then, a hoarse voice rasped out: "Shi Xiu... how... is it possible... that you are still alive!"