Kirigakure Ninja

Above the bustling marketplace, pedestrians hurried along as the cries of hawkers lining both sides of the street rang without end. All manner of seafood snacks dazzled the eye. Although the atmosphere throughout the Water Country was oppressive, especially at this tense moment, people still had to live. Firewood, rice, oil, and salt were all necessities, so the places that should have been lively remained lively.

At that moment, Two People stood before a fish shop. One was a handsome little boy of eight or nine, with black hair and black eyes. His black Bangs partly concealed his Right Eye, and he wore a black kimono as he spoke with the fish shop owner.

Beside him stood a beautiful girl. Her pure white winter clothes hugged her petite body tightly, making her look exceptionally adorable.

"All right, then we'll settle it like this. Next time, make sure you come to me first, little friend," the owner said with a kindly smile, placing a string of coins in the boy's hand.

"Thank you," Miao said with a smile, pocketing the money before turning to the Young Girl, who was glaring at him. "Haku, let's go!"

"Mm." The girl smiled and looked gently at the Young Man. The two slowly left the fish shop and headed deeper into the marketplace. They were Haku and Miao, and two years had passed since Haku's Kekkei Genkai had been discovered.

Afterward, Haku's mother, Aunt Shunzi, seemed to have taught Haku some things. Thus, even though her Kekkei Genkai had gradually awakened and she still could not fully control it, no one had discovered it.

Though Miao wore a smile as he walked with Haku, his heart felt heavy. Back then, he had recalled something: Haku's identity. A water-related Kekkei Genkai, the Water Country, a snow-covered village... linking those clues together, he instantly remembered the Young Man who had appeared at the beginning of the story under Demon Zabuza, the one capable of using the Ice Style Kekkei Genkai. His name was also Haku.

If his guess was correct, Haku's Kekkei Genkai would still be discovered. Her father would kill her mother, then bring a group of Villagers to kill Haku as well. Fortunately, Haku's Kekkei Genkai would erupt in the end, killing her father along with all the Villagers who had come to Siege and Kill her. Finally, she would be taken in by Zabuza and used as a tool.

Although Haku's mother seemed to know some method of controlling the Kekkei Genkai, Haku had never received systematic instruction regarding it. As her Kekkei Genkai awakened further and further, the demands of controlling it would only rise. It would become increasingly difficult for Haku to control, and in the end, it would inevitably be exposed.

The last matter was Miao's father. Over the past two years, his father's health had worsened by the day. Though he claimed there was nothing wrong, his increasingly pale face and the blood he often coughed up showed just how terrible his condition was.

According to him, he had fled for nearly a year with Miao's pregnant mother. During that year, he had continuously fought off Konoha's pursuers and driven them all back, but he had also suffered grave injuries. Those injuries had been left behind from that time. Moreover, his father did not know Medical Ninjutsu, causing the wounds to worsen. Now, his health was steadily declining.

"Konoha!!!" Miao slowly clenched his fists, and a flash of hatred passed through his eyes.

Miao had come out today to buy rice and grain. He exchanged fish caught from the river and animal pelts for money, then used it to purchase rice and grain. For all these years, his family had lived this way. Since his father was a Rogue Ninja and was too unwell to move about conveniently, these matters naturally fell to Miao.

At a shop on the eastern side of the marketplace, he used the money from the exchange to buy a sack of rice and grain. Carrying it in his hand, he left the shop with Haku, ready to return to the village.

But just then, the street suddenly grew noisy. Many pedestrians in the marketplace seemed to have spotted something terrifying and hurriedly moved aside. They carefully stood along both sides of the street, whispering among themselves without stop.

Seeing this, Miao quickly took Haku's hand and followed the crowd to the side of the street. He did not want to invite trouble right now. In the distance, a group of people slowly approached. At the sight of them, Miao's eyes narrowed slightly.

There was indeed a reason Ordinary People avoided this group. Every one of them wore a Ninja forehead protector, marked with a pattern resembling four drops of Rainwater—the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village Ninja. Kirigakure Ninja were also infamous for their cold-blooded ruthlessness. No wonder Ordinary People feared them so much.

At the head of the group was a middle-aged man with a Tachi strapped across his back. He had short gray hair, and his sinister eyes resembled those of a man-eating beast. An alarming killing intent naturally radiated from him, while the group behind him all wore cold expressions, giving off an intense air of slaughter.

Wherever the group went, the civilians standing along both sides of the street immediately retreated several steps, staring at them with terrified faces.

Haku, behind Miao, had already hidden herself behind him, clutching at his back and trembling. Miao gently patted Haku's hand and smiled. "Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll protect you."

Only after hearing Miao's words did Haku's trembling body gradually calm down. By then, the group of Hidden Mist Village Ninja had reached the middle of the street where Miao and Haku stood, seemingly discussing something.

Miao took a small step forward with his right foot, completely shielding Haku behind him. His face wore an expression of terror. Several of the Ninja saw his appearance and could not help sneering contemptuously, the mockery on their faces unmistakable. They then ignored him, turning back to continue their conversation.

As the group moved farther away, everyone on the street slowly let out a breath. Quite a few people wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, and all sorts of conversations gradually rose one after another.

There was no trace of terror left on Miao's face. His eyes were as calm as still water; everything earlier had merely been an act for that group. If an eight- or nine-year-old brat showed no reaction while facing that group of murderous Ninja, that would have been truly suspicious.

Watching the group disappear into the distance, Miao's face showed a hint of contemplation. Though they had been somewhat far away, when they passed before him just now, he had clearly heard one word: "Rebels!"

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