Chapter 8: Heading for the Distance
No, Hiiro Rinko hadn't asked that randomly; he was well-prepared.
Asking to take the forging furnace served two purposes: first, he genuinely needed it, and second, it was a test.
The original family's ability to secure orders from Sunagakure wasn't solely due to Suna's favoritism; it was also because their forge was genuinely high-capacity.
Unlike the common small coal stoves seen in ordinary blacksmiths' shops, the family's forge was a large piece of equipment capable of processing a large quantity of materials at once, often integrated with supplementary devices like power hammers. Even after dismantling the chimney embedded in the wall and the rooftop water tank, its total weight still exceeded seven metric tons.
Normally, even a Jōnin specializing in Taijutsu (physical combat) would never be able to carry such a massive and heavy piece of equipment from the Land of Rivers back into the Land of Wind.
Unless that item was sealed within a Storage Scroll (Hōkan no Makimono).
To be precise, this type of 'storage' device should be a composite product of Sealing Jutsu (Fūinjutsu) and Space-Time Ninjutsu (Jikūkan Ninjutsu). By sealing an object into an expanded subspace within the scroll using Sealing Jutsu, the goal of mass-storage is achieved.
Such devices are common among Puppet Masters or shinobi who use large quantities of tools. Even owners of certain powerful ninja tools will specifically use scrolls for storage for the sake of security and portability.
It could be said that the Storage Scroll is the most common application extension of Space-Time Ninjutsu in the entire Shinobi World.
However, since there is no specific link between the 'creation' and 'use' of such scrolls—the user only needs basic 'Sealing Jutsu' experience—the scroll's wide circulation does not mean it is a cheap or common item.
Scrolls with the capacity to hold only a few sets of shuriken or a dozen kunai are indeed inexpensive, but as the capacity increases, the value of the scroll grows exponentially, or even by dozens of times.
This meant that the shinobi holding a scroll large enough to contain the forge was either wealthy or powerful.
Either way, it was a massive asset to Hiiro Rinko.
Although the Puppet Chiyo used earlier was quite simple, and she herself appeared a bit flighty, her masterful Puppet control, her proficient Medical Ninjutsu, and the powerful aura Rinko could subtly sense all indicated that she was far from ordinary. This test was merely an extra layer of confirmation.
Furthermore, Rinko had felt a strange benevolence in Chiyo's words and actions.
Given this, it would be a waste not to take full advantage.
In Sunagakure, his status should ensure a relatively stable life, but one can never have too many powerful sponsors.
Avoiding future trouble early is always a good thing.
"Hmm? I don't mind at all. But before that, you'll have to attend the Shinobi Academy for a while, you know."
Chiyo was unaware of Rinko's detailed scheming. She simply assumed he wanted to accumulate strength to avenge his parents.
Since he was able to see through the Puppet's mechanism so easily, and seemed to have a talent for Puppet Jutsu, it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to personally mentor him.
Thinking this, Chiyo—who was busy deploying the large sealing scroll—answered without turning her head.
Once she had put in the effort, using Chakra wires to cut the forge from the walls and floor and seal the entire apparatus into the scroll, she turned around. She saw Rinko dragging his parents' corpses together, piece by piece, and placing them onto the fuel pile.
"What… are you doing?"
The corpses of Uzumaki Clan shinobi were valuable research material; Chiyo had planned to send a clone back to retrieve them after she and Rinko left.
"…Burning them. Along with this house."
Dragging two stiff bodies that weighed several times his own was too difficult for a six-year-old child. Rinko propped himself on one knee, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the other hand, and replied breathlessly.
"Burn everything here to ash… I don't want to leave any memory of this place behind."
"Besides, since they're already dead, moving on to the Pure Land cleanly is for the best."
He straightened up and turned to face Chiyo. The setting sun slanted in through the open door, casting his figure into shadow. Only his dull, gray eyes seemed exceptionally bright. "Sensei, isn't that right?"
"Ah… yes. That's right."
The gray-haired kunoichi paused, then walked forward and gently ruffled his hair.
She didn't know if the child was thinking about the possibility of his parents' bodies being taken for experimentation, or if he simply wanted to perform one final act of filial piety. Regardless, the soft emotions of this young child should not be tainted.
Since she had already secured a living 'Uzumaki,' there was no need to ruin Suna's image in the boy's mind just for two corpses.
Reassuring herself with this thought, Chiyo leaned down, patted Rinko's shoulder, and said softly, "Sensei will help you."
"…Thank you."
A forge never lacked fuel. After a brief setup, Chiyo arranged enough ignition points throughout the house to burn everything to clean ashes.
By the small path outside the forge, Chiyo took out a single piece of tinder and looked at Rinko inquiringly. He nodded to her, took the tinder from her hand, and lit the fuse at his feet.
A rustling sound quickly receded. After a brief silence, a magnificent burst of fire erupted in the forge.
The flames, like an all-consuming monster, swayed menacingly. Rolling heat waves washed over them, blowing Rinko's fringe upward.
However, his face, fully revealed by the orange-red light, was devoid of expression. He simply watched quietly as his parents' corpses on the makeshift pyre near the doorway gradually turned to charcoal.
'Now, there truly won't be a single trace left.'
Having inherited the original boy's memories and body, and witnessing this scene, it would be a lie to say Rinko felt nothing.
Even though the road ahead was still vague, at this moment, he would allow himself to mourn.
Chiyo did not rush him.
The gray-haired kunoichi stood beside the young boy, observing his deathly still expression, as if there was no longer any joy or sorrow in his life. She pondered how to care for him next to ease his emotional burden and help him integrate quickly into Sunagakure.
"We should… go."
After waiting for a long time, the pyre and the bodies atop it were reduced to mere embers. Chiyo pursed her lips and extended her hand to Rinko.
"Mhm, Sensei."
Chiyo's hand wasn't large, but it was enough to envelop his still-tender palm.
He took a deep breath, then turned around, standing side-by-side with Chiyo, their backs to the still-burning forge, and walked off into the distance.
He never looked back.