Chapter 280

The moment Toshiro saw the elder's wary expression, he knew exactly what was running through his mind. With a chuckle, he dismissed the notion.

"Haha, Elder Genji, you're overthinking things!"

"I have no grand ambition to rule the world or impose peace upon the ninja world. At most, I'd like to gather the Kages from each village and establish a few mutually agreed-upon conventions."

"Is that so?"

Genji studied Toshiro carefully, skepticism lingering in his aged eyes. He had once stood face to face with Uchiha Madara, and the memory of that overwhelming presence had never faded.

For a descendant of the Uchiha to rise to the rank of Hokage—without harboring similar ambitions—was difficult to believe.

"I understand that Elder Genji has reservations about this agreement," Toshiro continued, his tone unbothered. "But that's fine. Time will prove everything."

He could tell that the elder was beating around the bush, subtly probing for hidden motives. The proposed agreement was unusually lenient—even with its high interest rates, it was far more generous than what a defeated nation should expect.

Before Genji could respond, a voice interrupted.

"Hokage-sama, Elder Genji—please, this way~"

While Toshiro and Genji were engaged in conversation, Mei and Shikaku approached with a large entourage, standing before them with a sense of formality.

"Is this the final agreement?"

At the center of a long rectangular table, several meticulously drafted agreements lay neatly stacked. Beside them, only two pens rested in silence, awaiting their purpose.

Without a moment's hesitation, Toshiro stepped forward and signed his name first, his movements swift and decisive.

For the Kiri, the responsibility fell to Elder Genji, who took on the role of their representative.

As for Yagura, still unconscious, he would not be handed over until the agreement was formally sealed.

"Is that it? Is it really signed?"

Genji stared at the document Mei placed before him, still somewhat dazed. Even now, a lingering suspicion gnawed at him—was there some hidden agenda behind Konoha's generosity?

He had only been testing the Hokage earlier, trying to gauge his true intentions.

But now… everything had gone so smoothly that it was almost too easy to believe.

"Alright, next, we will officially hand over the Mizukage to you. In return, Kiri must begin deploying forces to eliminate the pirates at sea as per the terms of our agreement," Toshiro stated calmly.

"Once that is underway, Konoha will proceed with issuing the loan on schedule, exactly as stipulated in the contract," he added with a smile, subtly reminding them of their obligations.

"Yagura…?"

At the mention of the Mizukage's name, Genji's previously composed demeanor shifted slightly, a flicker of unease appearing in his expression.

It wasn't just him—every Kiri ninja present at the signing tensed, their expressions heavy with apprehension.

Their eyes held a mixture of wariness and quiet resentment as they gazed at Toshiro. To them, if Yagura had fallen in battle, it might have been a more merciful outcome.

Now that he was being returned to them, did this mean they would have to endure an even harsher version of the infamous Bloody Mist era?

Sensing the tension, Genji quickly changed the subject.

"Hokage-sama, do you have any plans to stay in our village for a few days? While our village may not have the breathtaking landscapes of the Land of Fire, it possesses its own unique charm."

Observing the Kiri ninjas around him, their eyes darting with uncertainty, Elder Genji felt a deepening headache. Though Kitaro was suppressed, the village was still rife with ambitious figures eager for power.

"Well..."

Toshiro was momentarily taken aback by the Elder's invitation. His gaze swept over the surrounding Kiri ninjas, their expressions betraying their true intentions.

Admiring the scenery? What a thinly veiled excuse. This wasn't about hospitality—it was about leveraging my presence to maintain order.

Were they afraid their own people would tear each other apart?

"Since Elder Genji has extended the invitation, I suppose I'll stay a few more days," Toshiro finally agreed.

The next few days would be nothing short of turbulent for the Kiri ninjas. With Yagura unable to continue as the Fourth Mizukage, the inevitable power struggle loomed over the village.

Given the Kiri ninjas' history, selecting a new Mizukage without bloodshed was nearly impossible.

Genji was well aware of this. Instead of trying to stop it outright, he had chosen a bold strategy—using Toshiro's presence as a deterrent, a temporary force to suppress the ambitious individuals waiting for their chance to strike.

Toshiro couldn't help but admire the old man's audacity.

—

On a snowy winter day, the village lay beneath a thick blanket of snow, frozen in time like a scene from a white fairy tale.

At the corner of a quiet street, beside an old trash can, a ragged yet strikingly handsome homeless boy crouched, locked in a silent battle with a frail puppy over scraps of food scavenged from the garbage.

The boy's hands were raw and swollen from the biting cold, yet his eyes remained clear and bright. His tattered clothes did little to shield him from the harsh winter wind, and his thin frame trembled against its icy grip.

The puppy, equally emaciated and covered in grime, stood its ground despite the freezing air. Though small and weak, its stance was fierce, its eyes fixed on the stale, moldy bread in the boy's grasp—both desperate for sustenance, both fighting for survival.

The boy clutched the meager scrap of bread, knowing it was perhaps his only meal for the day. In this cruel winter, even something as unappetizing as moldy bread was a blessing. But as he glanced down at the trembling puppy, a wave of sympathy washed over him, warming his heart despite the cold.

"Are you alone too?"

His voice was soft, almost lost in the howling wind. He met the puppy's wary gaze, sensing in its eyes a loneliness that mirrored his own.

Without hesitation, the boy loosened his grip on the bread. He let go of the hunger clawing at his stomach, his own survival momentarily forgotten.

Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to fight for food against something just as lost as he was.

Curled up in a desolate corner, the boy clung to the feeble warmth of his own body, his tattered clothes offering little protection against the biting wind.

His thin frame trembled from the cold, yet his eyes remained calm, almost serene.

Snowflakes drifted down, settling gently on his shoulders. He felt their fleeting touch—cold, pure, and weightless. Tilting his head upward, he gazed at the sky, as if searching for something beyond the gray expanse.

In that moment, he saw the world of his dreams—a place filled with warmth, hope, and the loving presence of his father and mother. He knew, deep inside, that perhaps it wouldn't be long before he saw them again. Then, he would no longer be alone.

Crunch. Crunch.

The quiet stillness was broken by the sound of footsteps pressing into the snow.

Lifting his gaze, the boy saw a tall figure standing before him, casting a shadow over his fragile form.

"What is your name?"

The stranger studied him intently, his voice firm yet unreadable.

"…Haku."

A flicker of crimson gleamed in the man's eyes—cold, unsettling, yet strangely familiar. It should have frightened him.

But it didn't.

"Come with me."

Without waiting for a response, the man turned and walked away, his footsteps disappearing into the snowy night.

Haku hesitated.

Should he follow?

His gaze lingered on the retreating figure, and for the first time, he sensed a loneliness in the man's eyes—one even more bitter than the winter that surrounded them.

Haku hesitated for only a moment before rising to his feet and chasing after the man. Though the stranger's eyes were cold and distant, an inexplicable warmth radiated from him—something that Haku couldn't quite understand, yet instinctively trusted.

—

Toshiro hadn't expected to meet Haku. He had simply been wandering Kirigakure, bored and aimless.

At this point in time, it wouldn't be long before he crossed paths with Zabuza.

His gaze shifted slightly, landing on the shadows behind him. There, half-hidden in the dim light, stood a Kiri ninja—his forehead protector slanted across his body, silently observing Toshiro's every move.

As for the small figure trailing behind Toshiro, the ninja barely spared it a glance before looking away.

'What a strange twist of fate…'

Zabuza had been assigned as Toshiro's guard, tasked with ensuring his safety and, inevitably, keeping track of his whereabouts.

Toshiro had no objections—so long as Zabuza remained out of sight and didn't interfere.

Yet, despite his usual sharp instincts, Zabuza showed no particular interest in this unexpected encounter.

"Let's go. You need a bath first."

With Haku still trailing closely behind him, Toshiro strode toward the entrance of a hot spring inn, the steam curling invitingly into the cold evening air.

Haku was covered in dirt, his clothes tattered and barely offering any protection against the biting cold. A thorough wash and a change into warm, clean clothes were absolutely necessary.

"This way, please!"

With a few bills discreetly passed over, the owner of the hot spring inn quickly discarded his initial look of disdain and led Toshiro and the filthy Haku to a private hot spring pool.

"Prepare some extra clothes for him—something warm," Toshiro instructed before the innkeeper could leave.

"Of course! I'll take care of it right away!"

The innkeeper's grin widened as he pocketed the hefty payment and hurried off to make the necessary arrangements.

"Haku, go ahead and wash up first," Toshiro said, guiding the boy toward a showerhead. "After that, take a good soak in the hot spring—it'll help warm you up."

With only a brief explanation, Haku quickly grasped how to use the unfamiliar shower equipment. Toshiro watched for a moment before leaning back into the steaming water, allowing himself to enjoy the rare warmth amidst the frigid winter of the Land of Water.

Splash!

Haku, perceptive as ever, adapted swiftly. Within moments, he was using the facilities with ease—proof of his sharp mind and quick learning.

------------------

AN: Check out my P@treon For +70 extra chapters. 

Thank You For your Support!!

www.p@treon.com/noviceauthor777