Where Is Ranmaru?

"Kill him! We have to kill him!" Not far away, a group of villagers had gathered, shouting furiously.

"What happened? Come on, let's take a look!" Jin was the first to head toward the crowd.

Zabuza muttered a few words to Raiga, then the two left Jin and the others and headed down a small path. Jin looked at their retreating figures and thought helplessly, Sigh, maybe Ranmaru and I just aren't meant to be. I can't keep following Raiga forever. I'll let nature take its course!

The three entered the crowd and saw a woman locked inside a cage, holding a newborn baby in her arms. A trace of blood had stained her pants red. Judging by her clothing, she was clearly a ninja. Having lost too much blood, her face was deathly pale.

"Cough, cough! What happened here?" Jin asked in an elderly voice.

"The child's father was a monster. He's the monster's child, so we're going to kill both mother and son!" an old man over fifty explained. The crowd was worked into a frenzy, all shouting that the mother and child in the cage should be killed.

"The mother didn't do anything wrong, did she? You want to kill her too?" Jin asked.

"This woman was defiled by a monster! She has monster aura on her!" the old man roared, spraying spittle.

"How ignorant! Save them!" Jin said to White and Kimimaro.

Crack! The wooden cage was instantly split apart by Jin. The surrounding villagers were stunned. One of them actually raised a hoe and swung it at Jin. Jin roared, "We're ninjas! Whoever dares take another step forward will be killed without mercy!" Killing intent instantly filled the entire area. Everyone in the town stood frozen in place.

"Old man, go find me a cart. We won't be coming back to your village again!" Jin ordered.

"Hyah!" Jin sat in the driver's seat, urging the cart onward. White tended to the female ninja and child inside the carriage, while Kimimaro sat at the rear, keeping watch.

"Jin, where are we going? Are we really just going to wander around aimlessly?" White asked.

"We're going to Konoha. That's where our home is. You and Kimimaro can live next door to me. Oh, and that auntie in the carriage, along with that little brother." Jin smiled cheerfully.

"Konoha? Are you Konoha ninjas?" the female ninja asked.

"Not exactly. We're going to seek refuge in Konoha! What do you think? Interested?" Jin asked happily.

"The child's father is dead. He was a true hero. To protect the village, he died together with that monster! The villagers believed our whole family were monsters and wanted to kill my son and me! Now, my child and I have nowhere to call home. Going to Konoha with you sounds good too! Thank you, my three benefactors. From now on, you may call me Lan Huizi." Lan Huizi bowed.

"My name is Jin! The one in the carriage is White, and the one at the back is Kimimaro. As for our surnames, I'll tell you once we reach Konoha! There are too many ears on the road, and I'm afraid our identities might be exposed! Please forgive us! Also, I'm actually very young. This appearance is just a disguise," Jin explained after introducing everyone.

"Everyone, be careful! Someone is chasing us from behind! Their intentions are unknown!" Kimimaro warned.

"Stop! Hand over the child in the carriage!" a voice shouted.

Jin looked at the two men and cursed, "Damn it, you think I'm easy to bully? White and Kimimaro, protect Lan Huizi! Water Style! Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" Splash, splash, splash—splash—splash! Seven water dragons flew toward Zabuza and Raiga in succession. "Body Flicker Technique! Lightning Release! Super Giant Lightning Ball! Damn it, that was Zabuza's water clone! Body Flicker Technique! This Raiga should be the real one, right? Lightning Release! Super Lightning Ball! Zabuza, you finally came to save him! I've been waiting for you! Let's see whose water dragon is stronger! Water Style! Super Water Dragon Bullet! Damn it, Raiga, you actually ambushed me! Lightning King Fist!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! The three flew off in three different directions.

"Huff... huff... huff. Hahaha, I finally understand!" Jin laughed excitedly.

"Urgh, such fast hand seals!" Raiga struggled to his feet.

"Cough, cough. What terrifying chakra reserves!" Zabuza shook his head helplessly.

Jin looked at the two of them. "I finally understood something important because of you. Thank you. You can leave now! I hope that the next time I see you, you'll be much stronger!"

The two supported each other as they left.

Only after they had gone far away did Jin spit out a mouthful of blood and collapse. White hurried forward, cradling Jin in her arms as tears streamed down her face. "Jin, are you okay? Wake up, please! Don't scare me! I know you're just trying to scare me. You have to be!"

Lan Huizi said, "Quick, carry him into the carriage. Let me take a look." After a while, she said, "Don't worry, he's fine. He's only exhausted all his chakra. A night of rest will be enough! Kimimaro, drive the cart. Hurry and find somewhere to stay!"

The four set up three tents in a forest. White held Jin in her arms for the entire night.

"Sigh, that was such a comfortable sleep! Huh? Isn't this White's embrace? Why am I sleeping here? Ah, I remember now! Yesterday, I used up all my chakra! White is so good to me!" The moment Jin woke up, he found himself lying in White's arms. He quietly stared at her beautiful little face, his heart thumping wildly!

"Jin, you're finally awake!" Kimimaro shouted happily. Jin wanted nothing more than to subject him to every torture in the eighteen levels of hell.

"Jin, are you all right? You scared me to death yesterday!" White said, still shaken.

"I'm fine! I'm an unkillable ninja, after all! By the way, where's Auntie Lan Huizi? How many more days until we reach Konoha Village?" Jin asked casually.

"I'm right here, you little rascal! You're young, but you sure act grown-up! I really couldn't tell that you were this capable! If news of you spread through the ninja world, those people who call themselves geniuses would probably kill themselves out of shame!" Though Lan Huizi was still weak, she was already much better than when they had first met her.

"Hehe... hehe!" Jin laughed foolishly. "How many more days until we reach Konoha?"

Lan Huizi smiled. "Still a week away! What, do you have another little beauty waiting at home?"

"I finally found you!"

"Who?" all four shouted at once.