Chapter 281

As the showerhead released a steady stream of water, Haku shuddered at the initial coldness of the droplets hitting his stiff, pale skin.

But gradually, as the warmth seeped in, the icy numbness in his body melted away. His tense muscles slowly relaxed, and the once-clammy skin absorbed the heat, growing soft and pliant.

Soap lathered over his skin, creating white bubbles that carried away the layers of grime and the lingering chill. With each rinse, his body became lighter, cleaner—almost as if he had been reborn.

Splash!

Toshiro, leaning lazily against the smooth stone of the hot spring, heard the soft sound of water as Haku stepped in. Instinctively, he glanced up.

After a brief moment, he sighed and reached for the tray beside him, picking up a small cup of sake. Tilting his head back, he downed it in one smooth motion.

Haku's skin, now free of dirt, was as pale as polished stone, smooth under the soft steam. Silky black hair, still damp, clung to delicate features, while the heat of the spring had given his cheeks a gentle pink hue, making his already refined appearance seem even more delicate.

Toshiro exhaled, setting the empty cup down.

But then…

"My Lord," Haku's soft voice broke the silence, his large, clear eyes blinking curiously. "Is there something wrong with my face?"

Haku was highly perceptive.

Noticing Toshiro's peculiar gaze, he instinctively tensed and shrank back, allowing the warm water to rise and conceal half of his face.

They had only just met, and yet this man had taken him to a hot spring, provided him with clean clothes, and even seen to his well-being. It made him uneasy, uncertain of the other's intentions.

"…Nothing. Just a pity."

Toshiro sighed, refilling his sake cup before staring at the liquid in quiet contemplation.

"A pity?"

The strange look in Toshiro's eyes, followed by his cryptic remark, left Haku confused.

"Yes."

At first, Toshiro hadn't thought much of it when he found Haku, but now, watching him in the water, he couldn't ignore it.

Haku's skin was unnaturally pale—too flawless, too delicate for a boy. The steam had flushed his face with a soft pink hue, making his already fine features appear even more ethereal.

Toshiro swirled the sake in his cup, feeling an inexplicable sense of regret.

Such an exquisite and delicate child—only to turn out to be a boy. How could he not feel a hint of regret?

—

"Hokage-sama, you shouldn't be so reckless. This is still Kiri territory—you need to be cautious about your safety."

After wandering around and visiting the hot springs with Haku, Toshiro returned to the inn, only to be met with his anxious subordinates.

"At the very least, take two guards with you when you leave. The Sandaime and everyone else are deeply concerned about your well-being."

Toshiro, however, disliked the hassle of moving around with an entourage. He had slipped out of the Kirigakure Inn without any fuss, traveling lightly, much to the distress of the Konoha ninjas stationed there.

As the conversation continued, one of the subordinates finally noticed the small figure standing quietly behind Toshiro. A flicker of confusion crossed his face.

"And… who is this child?"

It was no secret that their Hokage was unmarried, yet he had somehow returned with such an adorably delicate child in tow.

Could it be… an illegitimate son secretly raised outside?

At the thought of such a scandalous possibility, the ninja's eyes gleamed with excitement. A hushed murmur rippled through the gathered shinobi as more curious onlookers began trailing behind Toshiro, eager for any gossip.

Seeing the growing curiosity in the crowd, Haku instinctively shrank further behind Toshiro, trying to avoid their prying eyes.

"A promising seedling."

Ignoring the speculative glances from his subordinates, Toshiro gently patted Haku's head before shifting his focus to Shizune, who stood before him. Speaking in an offhanded manner, he offered a few nonchalant words before steering the conversation in a different direction.

"I heard about Yagura…"

"Is he dead from illness?"

Shizune's sudden excitement caught Toshiro off guard. He hadn't expected this reserved girl to have such a penchant for conversation.

He knew, of course, that the reason she was talking to him at length wasn't out of mere curiosity. It was likely because the Sandaime had noticed their similar age and wanted Shizune to offer him some 'guidance' in her own way.

However, the moment he mentioned Yagura's name, Shizune—who had been chatting animatedly—fell silent.

She had been the one treating Yagura throughout his journey. Yet, just as his condition had started to improve and he was handed over to the Kiri ninja, he had unexpectedly died within days.

As a medical professional who had thoroughly understood his condition, this sudden turn of events left her struggling to accept the truth.

"Alright, Shizune."

Toshiro's voice was calm but firm as he observed Shizune's troubled expression. It was difficult to accept—how could a village leader die so quietly in his own home?

"Alert everyone to remain on high vigilance. We don't want any overzealous Kiri ninjas thinking they can cause trouble for us."

He didn't particularly care about Yagura's fate. What surprised him was the Kiri ninja's impatience in orchestrating his so-called "death by illness."

It wasn't difficult to guess—the bloodline clans of the Mist were surely involved in this matter.

If nothing unexpected happened, the village would soon plunge into a period of unrest.

"Oh, and let everyone know—they're not to leave the premises for the next few days."

While Toshiro's presence as an external force would likely prevent the Kiri's power struggle from spiraling out of control, there was no guarantee that some clever Kiri ninjas wouldn't try to exploit the Konoha group to further their own agendas. He wasn't worried for himself, but it was always better to be cautious.

"…Understood."

Shizune let out a quiet sigh.

Honestly, she wanted to point out that aside from him, the Hokage, no one else had even considered stepping out.

But when she thought of Toshiro's identity, she suppressed her curiosity and stepped back to convey his order.

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