Although seemingly wandering aimlessly through the Land of Water, Uya's first destination was actually Kirigakure ). Since the Akatsuki's base was in the Land of Water, it was most likely connected to Kirigakure.
It's even possible that Kirigakure, just like in the original story, is completely controlled in secret.
As Uya continued forward, she gradually entered a snow-covered area. Snowflakes fell continuously from the sky, landing on Uya's shoulders and hair, but before they could settle completely, they were gently bounced away by a strange force.
The color of these snowflakes was even whiter than the color of Uya's hair.
The last time I visited the Land of Iron, I also saw a snow scene like this, but at that time, Uya had things to do, such as handling the Five Kage Peace Talks and dealing with the Dragon Vein of Rōran, so he didn't have time to appreciate the snow scene.
What Uya needs now is to comprehend, to comprehend the transformation of his soul. In addition, with the full release of his Shockwave Sensing, Uya's entire spirit is focused on the outside world, and he cannot move at full speed. His speed has slowed down a lot, so the snow scene within a radius of several miles is all under Uya's perception and is extremely clear.
The area spanning dozens of miles was clearly visible, and the trajectory of each snowflake could be clearly sensed as it fell. This feeling was as if the gods were composing a beautiful painting.
As Uya walked, a small town appeared at the edge of his perception range.
The town wasn't on Uya's main path, but rather in a slightly off-center location. Uya ignored it and continued onward.
But as he walked, and the town came completely into Uya's perception range, Uya suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a strange expression.
In the snow-covered town, a frail-looking child, about five or six years old, sits quietly in the snow on the side of the street.
His clothes were thin and tattered, clearly indicating that he was a homeless orphan begging on the snowy streets. However, most passersby ignored him and hurried past.
Although her face was a little dirty, she still looked fresh and refined. Coupled with her delicate temperament, she didn't seem like a boy, but rather a girl.
Even in this icy and snowy landscape, his tattered clothes seemed to make him feel no cold at all; the ice and snow couldn't make him shiver, yet he was still shivering.
Because I was hungry.
Begging in the snow is a very difficult thing in itself.
The ice and snow couldn't take away his body heat, but having nothing to eat caused his body heat to gradually dissipate.
Just then, a piece of bread suddenly fell into the bowl in front of him.
A glimmer of light appeared in his blank eyes, and although his body was a little stiff, he immediately raised his head and looked at the person who had thrown him the bread.
"Thank you... thank you."
Even though he was so hungry he wanted to swallow the bread whole, he first thanked the person who gave him the bread, his voice trembling slightly.
The figure before him was dressed in a white robe, with hair as white as snow. Standing in the snow, he seemed to blend completely into the ice and snow, leaving the man holding the bread slightly dazed.
In this icy and snowy weather, it's rare to see someone dressed like this, and their demeanor is unlike anything he's ever seen before—as if they've merged into the world, exuding a sense of transcendence.
He pursed his lips, then lowered his head and began to eat his bread.
Uya gazed at the boy before him, a strange look flickering in his eyes. It wasn't out of sudden pity, but because Uya was very familiar with the boy's identity.
To be able to kneel on the street in this freezing weather without showing any signs of freezing, as if ignoring the cold, this physique belongs to the Yuki Clan who possess the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.
Given his Ice Release, his appearance here at this time, and his age, there's little doubt that he's Bai.
Seeing Shiro munching on bread, Uya felt a slight pang in her heart.
Haku, who possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, can be said to have a higher starting point than ordinary people. After all, even in the Yuki Clan, there are not many people who possess the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. Just like the Uchiha Clan, not everyone can possess the Sharingan.
However, in the Land of Fire, Kekkei Genkai considered an exceptional talent is regarded as a cursed and ominous person in the Land of Water due to war and various policies of the higher-ups.
In the village where Haku was born, the villagers feared and hated the power of Kekkei Genkai. Haku's mother possessed Kekkei Genkai and kept it a secret until Haku was discovered to also have Kekkei Genkai. After discovering this, Haku's father led the villagers to kill Haku's mother. Just as they were about to kill Haku, the terrified Haku unintentionally used his Kekkei Genkai and killed everyone.
From then on, Bai became an orphan and wandered from place to place.
Because of these things, Bai was terrified of this talent. Like the villagers he killed, he regarded it as a curse and lived a life of begging in a daze.
Similar to Haku is Kimimaro of the Kaguya Clan, who also lacked goals and lived aimlessly. If Haku had Zabuza Momochi and Kimimaro hadn't met Orochimaru, their lives might not have found any meaning.
I never expected to run into him in this small town.
"May I have your name?"
Uya stood there quietly, watching the boy finish his bread, and then asked softly.
"White..."
The boy's answer was not unexpected for Uya. After all, there weren't that many members of the Yuki Clan who had awakened Ice Release, especially not at that age, begging in the Land of Water.
Bai's gaze darted away slightly. He didn't know why Uya was lingering here. Most people would just throw food away and leave, not paying any attention to him.
Bai quickly finished the bread Uya had given him, and seeing that Uya hadn't left yet, he couldn't help but ask a question timidly.
Is there anything I can do for you?
Upon hearing Bai's question, Uya smiled and said, "I need you to come with me."
After saying that, Uya turned around and walked out of the town.
Bai stood there somewhat stunned, staring at Uya's retreating figure, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
It wasn't until Uya's figure was almost disappearing into the vast snowscape and at the end of the street that he suddenly woke up, struggled to his feet, and with somewhat unsteady steps, chased after the direction Uya had gone.
Bai, who felt abandoned by the world, suddenly heard that someone needed him. It was as if a ray of light had appeared in the dark world, and he couldn't help but desperately try to grasp that ray of light.
Uya's silhouette was like a ray of light. (To be continued.)