As the two talked, they passed through a temporary refugee camp erected after the war, and Lin Ze casually scanned his surroundings.
Although the war had ended, the area around Kikyo Mountain was still in chaos, filled with civilians returning after fleeing the fighting, along with scattered vagrants and orphans trying to find valuables in the ruins.
Konoha's ninja were busy with their own affairs. As long as these civilians did not provoke them or steal military supplies, they mostly turned a blind eye.
Just then, a small, thin figure in the distance caught Lin Ze's attention.
It was a boy who looked only six or seven, with rare light-gray hair and a battered pair of round glasses. Behind those glasses were eyes that held a fear and wariness beyond his years.
Dressed in filthy, coarse clothing, he was carefully searching for something in the ruins of a half-collapsed house. His movements were deft, but his eyes kept darting toward the Konoha ninja around him, full of unease.
That appearance... those glasses...
Lin Ze's steps faltered slightly.
Kabuto?!
He recognized the boy immediately!
Kabuto Yakushi, who would one day shake the Shinobi World, excel at Medical Ninjutsu and undercover infiltration, and even be regarded by Orochimaru as a trusted confidant for a time!
At this point in time... why is he here? According to the original story, my sister should have found him after the Battle of Kikyo Pass and brought him back to the Konoha Orphanage!
Lin Ze frowned slightly, his mind racing as he recalled Kabuto Yakushi's storyline.
Kabuto Yakushi had originally been a child at a shelter for war orphans near Kikyo Mountain. Because of his confused memories and talent for espionage, Danzo had exploited him, sending him to various countries on missions, before Orochimaru later recruited