After saying that, he stood up and walked outside, occasionally reaching up to touch his eyes, looking quite sorrowful.
Over the next few days, Hyuga Shigeo learned from the other crew members on the ship that it was actually Kimaru's youngest daughter who had died on her way to find him.
It had been during the Third Great Ninja War. Kimaru spent most of his time at sea earning money, while his wife and two children lived in a small fishing village in the Land of Water. During a pirate raid, his wife was killed, and his two young children set out to find him—but the youngest daughter fell ill and died along the way.
Since then, whenever he encountered a wandering child, his sympathy would overflow. He always thought that if someone had helped his children back then, maybe his youngest daughter would have survived. So whenever there was a chance, he helped other children, giving them an opportunity to live.
Hearing this, Hyuga Shigeo felt heavy-hearted. Life was hard for everyone in this world.
The ship sailed from the southwest port of the Land of Bears. After two days, it stopped at a port in the far east, where many merchant ships docked. There, some ninja could be hired for tasks.
Their main role was to protect merchant ships, as beyond this point, pirates frequently roamed. Hiring ninja for protection could allow ships to evade pirate attacks, safeguarding both cargo and crew, which is why many merchant ships sought ninja here.
Hyuga Shigeo stood on the deck, watching Captain Kurein and two crew members disembark.
Some freelance ninja on the shore tried to pitch themselves: "Boss, how about the three of us? We're the Water Mist trio. He specializes in Suiton, I specialize in Water Mist Jutsu. We can trick the pirates' eyes. With us, no obstacle is insurmountable."
"Is this the captain of the Conch? How about the five of us? We have perception-type ninja, who can precisely locate enemies. Not only that, our ninjutsu is powerful, and our taijutsu in this port is second to none. We may be a bit expensive, but we guarantee your safe passage to the Land of Water. Choose us!"
Captain Kurein ignored them and continued forward, heading toward the ninja bureau at the port. Sometimes the bureau could hire ninja from the Five Great Ninja Villages; encountering one or two jōnin would be ideal.
Hyuga Shigeo, standing on the deck, heard Kimaru explain: "Those ninja aren't that useful. Last time, we hired some, spent a lot of money, and when pirates appeared, they ran faster than us! At sea, you just hope not to encounter pirates. Of course, if you hire real ninja, it's good too."
"Are there fake ninja too?"
Hyuga Shigeo, having never seen fake ninja in the original Naruto series, didn't know what they were like.
"Of course! Look at the people at the port—how many really have skill? Some can do Suiton, but they just spray it like this, even shorter than the water I spit. Is that real? And that skinny one, he joined our fleet last time, took a lot of money, bragged non-stop on board, but when pirates came, he jumped overboard. His swimming was good, but completely useless. And for these cases, our captain doesn't pay! Such protection jobs are settled only when the ship reaches its destination."
Kimaru's eyes suddenly landed on Hyuga Shigeo's backpack: "Kid, are you a ninja? I saw shuriken sticking out of your bag. You're not a ninja, are you?"
Hyuga Shigeo reached into his backpack, tucked the shuriken back in, and nodded: "Yes, I used to be in Konoha."
"Then can you use ninjutsu?"
"A little bit!"
"Wow, amazing! I've been alive for over thirty years and don't even have chakra—just a lifetime as a crew member!" Kimaru laughed.
At that moment, Captain Kurein appeared at the port with five ninja, walking toward the Conch. Once on board, he introduced them: "These five are ninja from Star Ninja Village of the Land of Bears. For the remaining eight important days of this voyage, they will protect us!"
Everyone applauded. Kimaru shouted: "Captain! This kid is also a ninja! Can he help protect us too? Just don't dock my pay!"
Hyuga Shigeo smiled, realizing Kimaru had helped him. If it prevented Kimaru from losing pay, he was willing to assist.
"He? A child? What a joke," Captain Kurein waved dismissively, ready to return to the cabin and set sail. After a few steps, he glanced back at Hyuga Shigeo.
He thought Kimaru had it rough; docking his pay would only frustrate him further. Plus, Kimaru had a son to support, and this child clearly couldn't pay for the voyage. Better to let him help than do nothing.
"Alright, let him help protect the ship. If the ninja won't take him, he can assist the crew!" Kurein said, shaking his head: "Ah! What a mess. A blind kid, what could he help with? Never mind, let him help. But next time, no sneaking people on board—understood?"
"Understood!" the crew replied.
Kimaru, hearing his pay wouldn't be docked, smiled and whispered in Hyuga Shigeo's ear: "See? Our captain is good-hearted, sharp-tongued but soft inside. No pay deducted." He patted Shigeo's shoulder and returned to work.
With no tasks for him, Hyuga Shigeo stood at the railing, enjoying the sea breeze.
The five ninja approached—three adults and two youths, all wearing Star Ninja Village headbands. They looked at Hyuga Shigeo with contempt.
A thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy stepped forward, looking down at him with disdain: "Hey, you're a ninja too? What jutsu can you use? Show me some chakra? Oh, turns out, you're blind? Hahaha…"
Hyuga Shigeo frowned slightly: "Whether I'm blind or not is none of your business."
(End of Chapter)
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