Decision

This was a remote, secluded patch of woods. There were no chirping insects or singing birds anywhere in the forest, making it exceptionally quiet. White mist drifted among the trees, and the frigid air seemed capable of cleansing one's soul.

Deep within the woods, numerous trees surrounded a small clearing. In that clearing stood two simple graves, before which stood a young man of eight or nine. There was neither joy nor sorrow on his face, yet his pitch-black pupils held deep grief and hatred that could not be dispelled.

After standing before the graves for a long time, the young man slowly said, "Father, I buried Aunt Shunzi beside you so she could keep you company. That way, you won't feel lonely. And Aunt Shunzi, I will definitely bring Haku to visit you."

After speaking, the young man fell silent again for a long while before saying, "Rest in peace. And... thank you." With that, he slowly turned and left the woods, his figure gradually vanishing into the thick mist. The forest remained as quiet as ever, though it now held two more graves.

Nearly two days had passed since the battle in the small village, and today was Miao's ninth birthday. In the past, whenever he celebrated his birthday, his father, Haku, and even Aunt Shunzi would come to his home to celebrate with him. Unfortunately, everyone close to him had now left his side.

Miao slowly emerged from the woods and stood atop the high cliff outside, silently gazing at the ruined village in the distance below. A trace of sorrow flashed through his eyes. Although he was a member of the Uchiha Clan, this small village was his hometown. Now it had been destroyed—how could he not be overcome with sadness?

Miao wore a short black long-sleeved kimono, its hemline so short that it barely covered his butt. Beneath it, he wore a ninja undershirt with a mesh-patterned chest, while a white belt was tied around his waist. A ninja tool bag hung below his waist at the back, giving him the typical appearance of a Rogue Ninja. Yet paired with Miao's handsome face, it gave him an elegant presence that was impossible to ignore.

I need to leave this place quickly. Otherwise, Kirigakure will definitely notice what happened here before long!!! The aftermath of the battle was so massive that people nearby may already have discovered something unusual. The ninja dispatched by Kirigakure might already be on their way here. Nearly twenty Anbu had Lost Contact. If Kirigakure's high-level officials still failed to realize there was a problem here, then they were all pigs.

With that thought, Miao flashed down into the snow-covered woods below and raced along a narrow path. After several flickers, he vanished from sight. Yet not a single footprint was left on the snow-covered ground or tree trunks. This was a Chakra control technique, much like how Ninja could stand on water without sinking, though it consumed Chakra. Miao had learned it to evade Kirigakure's investigation. In his Previous Life, whenever he killed someone as an assassin, he would Clean Up every Trace and leave no openings behind. Such Counter-Reconnaissance was a Required Course for an assassin.

Miao had originally planned to find Haku first, but during his battle with the Kirigakure Anbu, he had exhausted too much Chakra, causing the Shadow Clone that had been with Haku to disappear as well. However, based on the information returned by the Shadow Clone, it had carried Haku in a mad dash to a sparsely populated town. Miao had no idea where that town was. Although he had been born and Grown Up in the Water Country, he had never traveled beyond the surrounding area. The farthest he had ever gone was the market closest to the small village. Searching for her would be too troublesome and would easily expose his whereabouts.

More importantly, what would finding Haku accomplish? He did not have the ability to protect her right now. In this world of Ninja, only great strength could protect oneself. If Haku followed him, not only would her safety remain unguaranteed, but she would not Become Stronger either. Because of his age, Miao's own strength was only around the level of a Jonin. His Strength was not particularly great, and without experience, he could not guide others. Haku following him would only waste time.

But according to the Original Work, Haku would meet Zabuza, be taken in by him, and receive his guidance. Zabuza possessed the strength of an Elite Jonin and was a formidable Ninja who had emerged from slaughter, known as the Demon. Furthermore, Zabuza was a Water Style Ninja. If he taught Haku, she would surely grow rapidly. After all, Haku was a genius with a Kekkei Genkai.

Even though Miao had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he was still no match for Zabuza. No Ninja who could become an Elite Jonin was simple. Although Miao had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had yet to completely Figure Out or master the abilities of these eyes. Moreover, the Mangekyō Sharingan consumed a terrifying amount of Chakra, far exceeding that of an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan. His current Chakra Amount could not sustain it for long.

Compared to a renowned Ninja like Zabuza, Miao was no more than a rookie. In Combat Experience, the application of Ninjutsu, strength, speed, Reaction Speed, and Chakra Amount, Miao was at an absolute disadvantage. If Zabuza did not let his guard down, Miao would not have the slightest Chance of Winning against him.

Although Miao had been a top-tier assassin in his Previous Life, assassins from that world could not compare to the Ninja of this world. Assassins had far too many Limitations compared to Ninja, and their battles were not even on the same level. To give the simplest example, a Ninja could leap onto a Big Tree five or even ten meters tall in a single jump. Could an assassin do that? Absolutely not. The Ninja of this world could not be judged by Common Sense. Miao knew that if he used an assassin's perspective and methods to deal with Ninja, he would definitely end up with Nowhere to be Buried. At most, he could only Learn From some of their experience and techniques.

Miao had already given up on searching for Haku. In the Original Work, Zabuza died in the Land of Waves just as The Plot Begins. Therefore, Miao planned to reach the Land of Waves when The Plot Begins and save Zabuza's life, repaying him for taking Haku in and teaching her. By then, he should have obtained enough strength.

As for Team 7 led by Kakashi, Miao had no interest in them. This world was no longer the world of a manga, but an incomparably real world. Everyone's fate should be controlled by themselves, not arranged according to the plot. Anything different from the Original Work could happen. They had been the protagonists in the manga because their fates had already been arranged there, but in this real world, fate could only be controlled by oneself.