Of course, this was also forced by the times. War, hunger, and pain filled everyone's nerves. Sometimes, just trying to stay alive was already hard enough. Who could care about anyone else?
So under such circumstances, no matter what choice someone made, there was always ample reason.
For example, the recent rumors of the Yuki clan's extermination, and lately even members of the Hōzuki clan becoming missing-nin. Kirigakure had already become the worst of the five great shinobi villages.
Heading east for a time, after asking for directions, Shigeo turned south and arrived at a small town about twenty kilometers from Kirigakure. The town had only one street. People hurried past without speaking to one another.
The oppressive atmosphere, combined with the miserable livelihood, made the mood even worse.
Shigeo entered the town, planning to first find something to eat. At the entrance of a restaurant, he saw a man shoving out a five- or six-year-old child.
"No money? Then get out, you filthy beggar. I'd rather feed my pigs scraps than give you any. Who's got it easy these days? Always freeloading! Get out, get out…" The restaurant owner shouted, pushing the child into the street.
The child fell, scraping his elbow, blood seeping out.
He was about Shigeo's age, thin, raggedly dressed, with big eyes full of grievance. Clearly an orphan.
"Boss, I can work for you. Just give me something to eat. Please, just one bite…" the child pleaded softly, eyes full of desperation.
"Get lost! A pig I raise, at least I can butcher it. What good are you? I don't need workers. If I see you begging here again, I'll break your legs!"
The man turned, came back out with a broom, and raised it at the boy who had not yet gotten up.
Shigeo's anger rose. So many pedestrians on the street, yet no one stopped to plead for the child.
Even if the boy were beaten to death here, no one would speak for him. Was this the Land of Water now?
Shigeo stepped forward, snatched the broom from the man's hand. "What are you doing? If you won't give food, fine. Why beat him?"
"Another beggar. I chase him away and he won't leave. Don't they deserve a beating? Kids like you shouldn't even be alive. Better off dead—alive you waste air, dead you waste land. Disgusting…" The fat man stood with arms akimbo, vicious expression.
Shigeo lifted the boy from the ground, turned to the man, and said coldly: "Don't you have children? Didn't you grow up as one? You didn't die as a child, so why should others?"
"You brat, standing up for him? I'll beat you too!" The man went inside. Shigeo followed.
The boy, afraid Shigeo would be harmed, also followed inside.
The restaurant was empty of customers. The boss rushed from the back with two kitchen knives.
At first, Shigeo thought: he already had a broom, why fetch another weapon? If he really attacked, Shigeo would just rough him up. But now he realized—the man had drawn knives. He meant to kill.
Shigeo's anger flared. He had been restraining himself for some time, ignoring many injustices, knowing he could not save everyone. But today he could not endure it.
Necessary violence could be understood. But bullies like this deserved death.
"Run…" the child behind him tugged, but no matter how hard he pulled, Shigeo didn't move.
"I'll kill you both!" The boss charged, knives raised high.
Shigeo didn't even move. The blades came down, not slowing. He really meant to kill.
Shigeo stepped back, dragging the child to the doorway. His hands formed seals, and he spewed a great fire.
Flames engulfed the shop.
The boss was stunned. "Ah—my shop, my shop! Damn it!"
He tried to rush at Shigeo, but realizing the boy was a shinobi, he panicked, dropped the knives, and ran to fetch water.
Shigeo's anger cooled somewhat with the blaze. Walking out, he wondered: should I kill him? Burning his shop feels too easy a punishment.
In the end, he shook his head. Some people living is worse than dying. Kill him, and it would be mercy. With nothing left, how would he survive?
"Thank you…" The boy still followed him.
"Take this, stop following."
Shigeo tossed him a gold ingot. The boy caught it, shocked.
"No, I can't take something so valuable. I don't want it…"
He ran up, returning the gold. "Hello, my name is Haku of the Yuki clan. What's yours?"
"I'm Shigeo. Haku of the Yuki clan? You have Hyōton (Ice Style) kekkei genkai?" Shigeo stopped, surprised.
Haku panicked, looking around before shaking his head. Nervous, he denied it. "No, I… I'm not…"
How did he know his secret? Everyone who knew was dead. Where had this boy heard it?
Shigeo understood. Near Kirigakure, even saying "kekkei genkai" was taboo. Haku could not admit it.
Thinking of Haku, Shigeo thought also of Momochi Zabuza—Haku's beloved master, teacher, friend, family.
If not for him, would Haku have lived? Yet Haku himself once said: to live without dreams, unwanted by anyone, was painful.
So his later choices were understandable.
"Right, you're not," Shigeo said, turning to continue through the town. Behind him, the fire blazed. Townsfolk rushed to extinguish it. The boy still followed.
By evening, as Shigeo neared Kirigakure, Haku was still trailing him.
(End of Chapter)
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