A forest in the Land of Fields—a quiet woodland that housed one of Uzumaki Tō's small outposts, a calm and tranquil place.
Inside the forest, a field of rapeseed waves lazily in the breeze. Nearby, on a slope, stood a wooden farmhouse—not enormous, but sizable enough. A stream flowed gently at the hill's base, imbuing the setting with a serene, almost idyllic quality.
By the stream, a young girl practiced a water-style form. She looked over at a massive blue-and-white wolf and said, "I find I like this place more and more."
The great wolf gave a low laugh. "Yes. You picked a good spot. But…" His tone hesitated slightly, "…you seem to get grumpy when you see me."
The girl merely smiled faintly and began walking uphill, with the wolf rising instantly to follow. She sensed something had changed. The wolf's alertness and scent-detecting senses were extraordinary—but when she looked at him, his face was calm.
Suddenly, a cloud of white mist materialized, and a handsome youth appeared, carrying a long sword, wearing a slightly helpless expression as he looked toward her.
"Shiro, is Zabuza's condition nearly recovered now?" he called, stepping forward, with the wolf calmly trailing behind like a guard.
From atop the slope came a voice: "If there's something, come in and speak."
The youth and the girl, Shiro, nodded and entered. Inside the farmhouse—beyond Zabuza—were two masked ninjas wearing gas masks, alert and tense at the arrival of the youth and the wolf.
Those two remembered that night clearly: it was this boy who blocked a strike from the Mizukage and helped them break through enemy lines. Back then, Zabuza was seriously wounded, and Shiro's chakra was failing. Had the youth not intervened, they might not have made it out alive. That someone so young could perform such a rescue shocked them all.
Zabuza sat on the couch. Though he appeared unharmed, his breathing revealed lingering internal injury. Not yet a full-fledged jōnin—but his silent Killing Technique alone surpassed elite chūnin levels, and his water-style ninjutsu was extraordinary.
The young boy spoke easily. "Heh heh… I'm having a rough time, too—ever since the higher-ups in Konoha started targeting me, assigning me infuriating missions."
He was Uzumaki Tō, though now his manner was lighthearted. Still, Shiro and Zabuza didn't treat him as a child; in power, he was surely beyond both of them. His ability to remain undetected even by mystic-style senses was unmatched, even despite Zabuza's skills.
Zabuza coldly scoffed, frustrated. "Why did you even go to Kiri's base to assassinate the Mizukage? You weren't even a match for her… even if you aimed to reform Kiri's system, that was rash. Fortunately, you used a mist-style jutsu, so they think it was you who rescued me."
Tō's face darkened. "That simple mission was made impossible because of what you did." He shook his head. "My demon beast staked out for days so I could sneak in and retrieve the scroll. But you attacking the Mizukage exposed me!"
At that moment, a soft but chilling voice echoed from a mural on the wall. "Yes, the higher-ups believe you were rescued by this one."
Then the demon beast's voice came, clear and cold. Both ninja brothers and Zabuza stiffened. This being was more twisted than Tō: inhabiting a painting, emerging only when necessary… and vastly powerful. The great wolf snarled: "It's you again!"
The demon beast replied with a grin: "Already told you, I serve my master. If you don't like me, you can challenge me to a fight anytime."
The wolf's expression turned feral—he knew he stood no chance in a fight.
Tō frowned and turned to the beast. "Did you hear what they said? Do they intend to eliminate me—even Lord Sarutobi?"
The demon beast's tone turned serious. He nodded. "Those high-ups, especially Danzo, say you were rescued by a rogue from Kiri and brought a scroll to Sarutobi. But I saw through it… they reported your meetings with Pain and other Akatsuki ties to Sarutobi as well." He sighed. "This… it'll lead to trouble. But your mother is still in Konoha. You can't let her suffer."
Zabuza stirred. "So… there are political schemes within Konoha, too. And who is Pain and the Akatsuki?"
Tō answered coldly: "An organization that's a threat to the world. Shounen, what do you think... join me? I might help you fulfill your wish. Besides, you owe me your life—and I can offer you benefits."
Zabuza and the others were taken aback. Their swords, their silent killing arts… but Tō's words and strength inspired respect. And Zabuza admitted quietly: against the demon beast and Tō, he wouldn't last a minute. But what were those benefits?
Zabuza nodded slowly. Tō smiled, then looked to the demon beast: "Tell me, Danzo plans to send assassins after me again?"
The demon beast smiled mysteriously: "I already know the positions of those squads—and it seems members of the Uchiha are coming too. Heh… this time, maybe we can fight with full force."
Tō smiled. "Good. Want to join in? Let them see the might of Konoha shinobi.