"How did you do it? You've been with me and Haku these past days, yet Sanbi appeared exactly as you planned," Kimimaro asked in confusion.
To him, Shigeo's ninjutsu was not superior, his intellect not higher. Why did his plans always succeed?
"Of course, heaven helps me. Wait here, I'll be back." Shigeo hurried down the mountain.
Kirigakure was in chaos. No one noticed a child. Shigeo entered the village, activated his mirror system, copied Sanbi, and stored it in his clone list. His mission in Kirigakure was complete.
Back at the cabin, Haku and Kimimaro were preparing food. Haku plucked vegetables, Kimimaro got in the way.
"Shigeo, I asked you to buy oil yesterday. You forgot again, didn't you? Tonight it's boiled cabbage," Haku said cheerfully despite the poor fare.
Kimimaro added, "I can eat anything. But Shigeo is the picky one."
"My work here is done. Let's move. Too close to Kirigakure is dangerous. We should leave the Land of Water," Shigeo suggested.
"Fine, but after we eat."
They cooked another meal, then set out. With Shigeo's wealth, the journey was comfortable.
"Let's form a group. What shall we call ourselves?" Haku asked, smiling at the rare warmth of family.
"Day-White-Ma group," Kimimaro suggested.
"Pff—" Shigeo spit out his drink. "That sounds awful."
"'Day' from Hyuga Shigeo, 'White' from Haku, 'Ma' from Kimimaro. Or better, Ma-White-Day."
"Still bad," Haku said shyly, rejecting it.
"Then how about the Kimi–Shigeo Duo?"
"That works. But Shigeo, you're last because you're weakest," Kimimaro laughed.
The three traveled for days, joking and bickering, until they reached the coast and checked into an inn.
The inn had a hot spring. The children splashed happily, laughter echoing.
Later, they rested quietly by the pool, listening to insects, breathing in the scent of flowers.
"Shigeo, what's your goal in life?" Kimimaro asked.
"To live," Shigeo answered softly. The words struck deeply. Haku lowered his head, memories of blood and sorrow flashing back.
"And you, Haku?"
"I don't want to hurt others." His fists clenched.
Kimimaro flexed his scarred arm. "Don't worry. This little cut is nothing."
Two days earlier, roughhousing had triggered his Shikotsumyaku. Haku panicked, ice bursting outward like shrapnel. Shigeo dodged, but Kimimaro was struck, bleeding heavily. Haku almost cried. The memory haunted him.
Shigeo reassured, "It's fine."
"See, Shigeo? You're the weakest. I have Shikotsumyaku. Haku has Hyōton. What do you have?" Kimimaro teased.
"I'm stronger than both of you. I can even use Hyōton." Shigeo raised a hand, summoning an ice mirror. Haku's eyes widened.
"Wow. I've never been able to control my chakra like that. Teach me!"
"Sure," Shigeo said gladly.
"Teach? You're kids. Stop pretending to be sensei." Kimimaro splashed water at them. They retaliated, laughter filling the night.
From the second floor window, a pair of golden eyes watched. Lips curled. "Shigeo, we meet again."
The next morning, Haku patched their torn clothes. "You two were too rough yesterday. Be careful."
"Yes, big sister Haku!" Shigeo saluted, then stretched. "I'll check the docks. If no ship, we wait a day."
Opening the door, he froze. Orochimaru stood there.
"Shigeo, long time no see. Let's talk."
"I have nothing to say to you." Shigeo's eyes narrowed. He didn't act immediately—inside the room were two children. He could not let this snake set his sights on them.
(End of Chapter)
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