On this clear morning, in the forest beside the Water Country village.

"No, that's not it, try again..."

Haku, who was practicing tree climbing with Chakra, once again fell from a tall tree.

Due to Haku's innate talent since childhood, Yu could see that Haku had already refined a considerable amount of Chakra and had awakened the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, which was a fusion of water and wind Chakra attributes.

However, since no one had taught Haku any techniques or basics, Yu had taught him the method of using Chakra to climb trees and walk on water yesterday. Taking advantage of the day when the accumulated snow had melted and the sun had come out, Haku came alone to the nearby forest to practice.

"No, I must succeed this time..."

"I absolutely cannot... disappoint Yu-sama!"

After climbing up and falling down again, Haku gritted his teeth and continued to concentrate Chakra on the soles of his feet, walking up the large tree.

Haku didn't like fighting, but for the sake of Yu-sama's needs and to protect the people important to him, he had to persevere.

Focused under the large tree, repeatedly gathering Chakra to practice tree climbing, Haku's flawless face was unconsciously covered in fine beads of sweat.

Unbeknownst to the diligently practicing Haku, on the other side of the stream under a large tree, a white-haired boy of similar age was sitting quietly, watching him.

'Such a beautiful person... the boy marveled.'

"Why is he working so hard... What is the meaning of living?" the boy wondered as he silently lowered his head, watching Haku fall and climb up again across the stream.

"Hmm?"

Finally noticing that someone on the other side of the stream was observing him, Haku refocused and looked over.

White hair, emerald green eyes, slightly pale skin, adorned with two crimson marks on the forehead—handsome in appearance, but with a somewhat vacant gaze fixed upon him.

"Who... are you?" Haku wiped away the fine sweat on his face, looking at the boy across from him in astonishment.

"Uh... sorry!"

The boy's voice sounded a bit awkward, realizing that he might have disrupted the practice of the handsome young man across from him.

"No problem..."

Haku smiled and shook his head, looking at him with some curiosity. "Why are you alone here?"

"Alone..."

The boy muttered, lowering his head in silence. In his ice-green eyes seemed to hide an unknown past, his tone somewhat elusive. "Yeah, I've always been alone. I don't even know why I'm here..."

"Don't know?"

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Haku paused, realizing that the gaze of this white-haired boy resembled his own from the past. If he hadn't encountered Yu-sama yesterday, would he too have worn such a lonely and hollow look?

"Your gaze is quite similar to how I used to be."

Looking at the boy across from him, Haku's lips formed a beautiful curve.

"How you used to be?"

The boy gazed at Haku, and from Haku's eyes, he could see something that he had never possessed.

"Yeah... but now I've met Yu-sama sama..."

Speaking up to this point, a joyful smile appeared on Haku's face. "I won't be left unneeded anymore..."

"Not be left unneeded..."

The white-haired boy silently repeated this somewhat awkward phrase, looking at Haku with a hint of envy and anticipation in his eyes.

Watching Haku's smiling face gradually expanding, shining brilliantly and beautifully in the sunlight, the white-haired boy seemed a bit entranced.

'Such a beautiful smile, is it because of the Yu-sama sama he mentioned?'

Then, will there be someone who will show such a smile to me as well?'

Suddenly, the hopeful expression in the white-haired boy's eyes grew stronger.

"I hope you'll also meet someone who needs you in the future..."

Seeing the white-haired boy across from him lost in thought, Haku turned his head back, continuing his previous practice.

"Someone who needs me?"

The boy pondered in a daze, despised by his own people, feared by them, treated like a wild beast, confined in a cage from a young age. Like a combat tool, he was only released during battles.

Whether seen as a weapon or a mere shield, he couldn't fathom any meaning of his existence in this world, nor could he imagine anyone truly needing him.

"Hehe, two adorable children indeed..."

At this moment, a low, hoarse, and somewhat eerie voice suddenly echoed.

Haku and the white-haired boy turned in surprise, seeing a pale-faced, long-haired man with slitted snake-like eyes and a slender figure, dressed in a gray robe. Somehow, he had already appeared on the surface of the stream.

"You are?!"

The strange aura emanating from the man, along with the murderous atmosphere of a battlefield, almost suffocated Haku.

"Is it you?!"

However, the white-haired boy recognized the identity of the man before them. During the recent upheaval in the Water Country's Kaguya Clan, when he was sent by his people to fight in Kirigakure, he had encountered this person on the journey. The man had spoken some peculiar words to him.

"Hmm?"

Feeling the pressure Haku was under, the boy abruptly drew a white bone knife from his palm, placing it horizontally in front of his chest as he jumped in front of Haku.

"Oh? Truly a child of the Kaguya Clan..."

"So young, yet awakening their Kekkei Genkai. Battling has become your instinct, no fear at all, only excitement, huh..."

Observing the actions of the white-haired boy, the long-haired man appeared somewhat surprised. He lightly chuckled and, with a crimson tongue licking his lips, spoke.

"Kaguya Kimimaro... that's your name, right?"

Immediately, the long-haired man softly uttered the white-haired boy's name.

"How do you know my name..."

The boy, or rather, Kimimaro, tightened his gaze upon hearing his name from the man's mouth, looking at him with increased vigilance.

"Hehe..."

Feeling Kimimaro's hostility, the long-haired man remained unfazed. He shifted his gaze to Haku, saying, "So... the other adorable child, can you tell me your name?"

"..."

Silenced by the overwhelming aura emanating from the long-haired man, Haku couldn't find words to speak.

Having suddenly found two children with such outstanding potential, the long-haired man seemed somewhat excited as he licked his lips. Slowly extending his hand, he seemed to want to touch the faces of the two children.

"His name is Haku."

Suddenly, a voice that shouldn't have belonged to this forest interrupted, causing the long-haired man to abruptly stop his movements.

'I didn't even notice his arrival...'

Furrowing his brow, the long-haired man turned around just in time to see a black-clad, white-haired, handsome young man walking towards them.

"I said, his name is Haku. Any problem?"

Approaching them, the charming and stylish young man stood in front of them. With a single breath, he revealed the identity of the long-haired man.

"Orochimaru Senpai..."

"Is it you?!"

Looking at the sudden appearance of Yu, Orochimaru's slitted pupils contracted, but quickly, a sinister smile reappeared on his face.

"Who else did you think it was..."

"So, it's my junior disciple, the genius ninja who killed the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure a few days ago, Yu-sama..."

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