After the destruction of the [Land of Whirlpools] (a land now lost to history),
Shinyu and her mother wandered to the [Hidden Grass Village].
To escape pursuit, seek protection, and raise her daughter,
Shinyu's mother had no choice but to submit to the oppressive power of the [Hidden Grass Village], making a deal with them.
By sacrificing herself and using her healing constitution, she helped numerous [Hidden Grass Ninja] recover from injuries.
This was just enough to secure them a sliver of survival.
Because of this, information regarding Shinyu and her mother was strictly suppressed by the [Hidden Grass Village],
to prevent other ninja villages from finding out.
Therefore, the mother and daughter were always kept in a hidden, rundown wooden cabin outside the village.
Only when needed would the [Hidden Grass Ninja] come and take Shinyu's mother away.
Sometimes for an entire night;
sometimes for several days straight—
she would be drained and exploited by one Grass ninja after another, nearly reaching her limit.
Only then could she drag her exhausted body back to the cabin, hiding bite marks all over her skin, carrying food and daily necessities with great difficulty...
Weak, alone, and possessing something others desired—
it was painfully obvious what their fate could be.
Even if they had managed to escape,
the survivors of the [Uzumaki Clan] still found it hard to survive in this cruel Ninja World—with their gifts making them targets rather than blessings.
After all, so many people coveted the Uzumaki Clan's special powers…
Thus, this mother-daughter duo had no choice but to walk a path—
the most painful, hardest path... yet at least one that allowed them to barely survive.
...
Right now, outside Grass Village, about a thousand meters away,
in a dilapidated small wooden cabin.
Shinyu, who had just turned eight, was pulling on a stool with effort, pouring water from a basin into a pot, preparing to boil water and cook food.
After all, her mother had been taken away again yesterday evening.
Today's lunch would have to be made by herself.
And if she was lucky, her mother might return before lunch.
So she had to prepare early.
When her mother wasn't around, she had to rely on herself and live independently…
That was also what her mother had repeatedly taught and warned her:
[No matter what happens—you must never give up on life!]
...
"Boom——"
The ground shook violently, and the house trembled.
Little Shinyu was startled while cooking.
"Was that an earthquake?"
The shaking quickly subsided, and the house didn't collapse.
Shinyu exhaled in relief and calmed down, continuing to cook.
But barely two minutes passed.
"Dong dong dong!"
Suddenly, a series of heavy knocks came from the door, startling Shinyu and causing her to freeze.
She stumbled and fell off the wooden stool.
Without minding the pain from the fall, Shinyu immediately curled up into a ball, too scared to open the door.
After all, aside from her mother,
only those damn Grass ninjas would ever find their way here!
"Dong dong dong!"
The knocking came again, and Shinyu grew even more terrified.
She absolutely didn't want to face those bastards, so she crawled further back into the room, trying to hide.
A moment later—
"Ka——"
The wooden bar on the inside was effortlessly snapped in two by an invisible force.
The door opened and a figure walked in.
"Moshi moshi! Are you home alone?"
The boy's voice startled Shinyu, who was inside the house.
She opened her eyes wide in surprise.
The person standing there wasn't actually one of those goons from the Hidden Grass Village, but a teenage boy about ten years old—very young-looking, and somewhat cute.
"You..."
The girl raised her head, staring blankly at Shimoku, unsure how to respond.
However, the fear in her heart had already been greatly eased by the warm sunlight and the boy's voice.
"You're Shinyu, right?"
"Y-yes...yes!"
"Are you home alone?"
"Yes...yes."
Shimoku couldn't help but feel annoyed upon hearing this answer.
He immediately whirled around to face the three elders from the Hidden Grass Village behind him, eyes blazing with killing intent.
The three elders instantly dropped to their knees, hastily defending themselves:
"That's right! That's right!"
"I remember that child's mother was taken away yesterday..."
"She must've been temporarily sent over to Hozuki Castle for medical duties!"
"The ninja responsible for escorting her were Anbu—we don't really know much about it!"
The elder explained swiftly to save his own life, not daring to hide anything.
What could he do?
This boy was just too ruthless—he'd kill people without hesitation.
He definitely didn't want to die yet!
So he could only be as obedient as possible.
"She was sent to Hozuki Castle?"
"What bad timing."
"She should still be alive, right? If she's dead, you guys can go die with her... That child's mother, I mean."
"She's alive! Definitely alive!"
The elder replied nervously.
Though deep down, even he wasn't entirely sure.
"Tsk."
Shimoku gave the three elders one last look before spitting on the ground in contempt.
Such trash wasn't even worth drawing his blade against anymore—it would dirty his sword.
Thus, he simply dashed past the three men and continued walking into the house toward the girl:
"Come on, I'll take you to see your mother!"
Since he was here already, he might as well take Shinyu along too.
After all, he needed to make a trip to Hozuki Castle anyway—it'd be convenient to bring her along.
Shinyu stood frozen, still trying to wrap her head around what was happening.
Those three elderly men outside—the ones dressed in luxurious robes and wearing masks—she'd seen them before.
They were powerful figures within the Hidden Grass Village!
Every time those grass ninja came to take her mother, they treated these elders with utmost respect.
Therefore, Shinyu couldn't understand.
How come such important figures now knelt so submissively in front of this boy?
He wasn't even that much older than her.
Was his identity truly something extraordinary?
Despite her confusion and shock,
Shinyu still followed her mother's instructions:
"No! I won't go. I need to wait here for my mom to come back!"
"I'm not going anywhere!"
She was being stubborn—defiant even.
Dealing with girls this age—who refused to listen to reason—was indeed difficult.
But Shimoku didn't have time to waste here either.
So he had no choice but to take more forceful measures.
The next moment.
Shimoku flicked his finger, shooting out a small burst of Chakra that instantly struck Shinyu on the neck.
She collapsed unconscious.
Then, he quickly stepped forward and scooped up the girl lying on the ground.
The girl's body was very soft, as if made of water.
Of course, Shimoku had no ill intentions.
Let's be honest here,
she was petite in stature, beautiful in appearance, and with vibrant crimson hair—Shinyu really was quite adorable.
But then again, she was still very young.
Shimoku didn't have any weird preferences.
He wasn't about to start having weird thoughts about a little girl.
Hmm...
Better to wait at least two more years, let her grow up a bit first!
Quickly, carrying Shinyu, Shimoku leaped forward and vanished from sight in an instant.
He headed north toward [Hozuki Castle].
Leaving behind only three elders from the Hidden Grass Village, still crouching on the ground, shaking like leaves…
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