A village somewhere in the Land of Water.
Amid a heap of garbage reeking with an unbearable stench, a small, thin figure sat slumped on the ground. His clothes were in tatters, no different from those of most war orphans.
The only difference was that, on his filthy little face, his eyes seemed utterly devoid of light. All that remained was a deathly dullness.
He watched numbly as cockroaches and rats crawled over him, as though he were already dead.
He looked as if he had completely lost any reason to live and no longer held any hope for this world.
"Boss Shinichi, that's him."
A man and a dog suddenly appeared a short distance away and slowly entered the garbage-filled alley.
"Pakkun, great work!"
Once he made out the delicate features beneath the child's grime, Shinichi gave Pakkun a satisfied thumbs-up. "Just what I'd expect from the ninja dogs! Like I said, double the canned food at the end of the year!"
Nothing won people's hearts like tangible rewards-or rather, dogs' hearts.
That was why Shinichi was never stingy with hardworking ninja dogs like Pakkun. The Hatake Clan had plenty of money anyway. What was a little canned food?
"Thanks, Boss Shinichi! I'll head back now!"
The Summoning Technique was released, and Pakkun vanished in a puff of smoke.
"I finally found you."
Smiling, Shinichi slowly approached the foul-smelling garbage heap. Ignoring the grime, he extended his large hand toward Haku, who sat slumped on the ground. "It's dirty down there. Come on, get up."
"You were looking for me? Why?"
Looking at the handsome man who had suddenly appeared before him, Haku spoke in a voice devoid of emotion.
"No particular reason."
Shinichi shook his head with a smile. "Maybe fate guided me here. The moment I saw