In the Land of Fire, deep in a forest, two figures moved swiftly through the trees.
"Senior, Ye Zhicheng is just ahead. We've been traveling all day—let's rest there."
"All right."
Naturally, it was Kakashi and Shisui who were on the road together.
They had both shed their Anbu attire, now dressed in the plain clothes of civilians, and entered Ye Zhicheng.
Though not the capital, it was a thriving town within the Fire Country.
Restaurants, hot springs, casinos—everything was here.
Kakashi and Shisui found a hot spring inn and checked in.
The hot spring was deliberate—rest after a mission was essential.
"Shisui, want to go for a stroll later?"
"Ah, senior, I think I'll pass. I'm tired and want to get some sleep."
"You're so young and already this unmotivated."
Shisui gave a bitter smile. "Senior, I don't have your stamina."
"Well, I haven't explored this town before. Might as well look around."
"You're free to enjoy it, senior."
Shisui declined politely, and Kakashi didn't insist.
Over the years, after each mission, Kakashi had made a habit of exploring local areas and experiencing their culture.
It was something he had enjoyed even in his past life.
Back then it was business trips. Now it was missions.
Though they sounded alike, the content was completely different.
Now, it was blood and survival. Then, it was profit and ambition.
No matter the world, survival was never easy.
Kakashi wandered the lit streets of the town. He looked up at the moonlit sky.
"Tonight's moon is really full."
Just then, a small figure dashed down the road, chased by a shouting man.
"Catch that thief! She stole my bread!"
In chaotic times, many orphans were left to fend for themselves.
Some had been abandoned, others had lost their families. Either way, they faced hardship.
It wasn't rare for Kakashi to see orphans suffer.
Though not desensitized, he had grown used to it.
All he could do was give them a meal when he crossed paths with them.
Kakashi wasn't a savior—just another man surviving.
He almost ignored the commotion—until he saw the girl's hair.
Red.
In other worlds, that might mean nothing. But here—in the Naruto world—it meant Uzumaki.
The Uzumaki clan.
A bloodline powerful enough to defy death itself.
The girl was no older than three or four. Her clothes were ragged, face dirty, clutching bread as she ran with all her might.
But her legs were too short. The man chasing her was catching up.
Suddenly, the girl tripped and fell hard.
"Ah!"
Her knees scraped, bloodied on the stone road.
The man caught her and lifted her roughly by the collar.
"You brat! Always stealing from my shop! Finally caught you!"
"I-I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"
"Sorry? That's not good enough!"
He raised his fist.
The girl shut her eyes in terror.
But no punch came.
She opened her eyes—Kakashi's hand had caught the man's wrist.
"Let it go, sir."
"Let it go? What about my losses?"
Kakashi released him, pulled out a few bills, and handed them over.
"This is five hundred ryo. Should cover your losses."
"Hmph. Fine. If you're paying, I won't argue."
The man took the money and walked away.
Kakashi knelt and gently helped the girl up. "Are you all right?"
The girl nodded slightly. "I'm okay. Thank you, mister."
"It's nothing. Do you have a home?"
Tears welled in the girl's eyes. "No... I don't have one anymore."
Kakashi sighed. Just as he thought.
"What's your name, little one?"
"Xiang Rin."
He froze. That name…
Looking closer—despite the dirt, the facial features resembled the Karin he knew from later chapters.
"Xiang Rin? That's a lovely name. Xiang Rin, if you have nowhere to go, would you like to come with me?"
"Your home?"
"My village. It's warm there. You won't go hungry again."
Her eyes lit up. "Really? I'll go!"
"Then follow me. There, you'll discover your purpose."
"Okay!"
Kakashi watched her bright face and thought to himself, Little girls are too trusting… but I'm not that kind of man. Still…
A child of the Uzumaki clan—Kakashi wouldn't just walk away.
After all, his own ties to that clan were... uncertain.
Kushina Uzumaki had been one of the reasons.
And Kakashi's own mother... there were mysteries.
Though not from the Uzumaki clan, she'd possessed the Four Symbols Seal—highly unusual.
Kakashi had long suspected some deeper connection to the clan.
His father, Sakumo, had been on a mission near Uzushio when the village fell. Records showed it went poorly—Sakumo had returned a year later, injured... and holding baby Kakashi.
No one had ever seen Kakashi's mother.
The truth was murky, but Kakashi had never investigated.
Uzushiogakure was long gone. There were no easy answers now.
He'd never passed through its ruins on missions, and so had no opportunity to search.
Still, one day, Kakashi thought, if fate allows, I'll go see it with my own eyes.
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