"My name is Masao. This is my younger sister, Kanae. Our family is dead. I've been wandering with her ever since."
Inside the cave, Masao softened some dry rations with rainwater and carefully fed Kanae while recounting their story.
To Ōoka Shin, their tale was nothing unusual.
He examined them closely, paying special attention to their red hair. Satisfied, he nodded inwardly.
Red hair didn't necessarily mean Uzumaki—
But Uzumaki were always red-haired.
The odds were high. After all, red hair was rare in the shinobi world.
"My name is Ōoka Shin. From now on, you'll follow me. Stay sharp. If danger comes, keep your distance. Don't slow me down."
Masao immediately nodded.
"Yes. I'm obedient. I don't eat much. I won't cause trouble."
Shin gave a small nod and began practicing with the short blade he'd taken. Because Kiichiro constantly trained in kenjutsu, Shin quickly became proficient.
Not only that—since all five of them had started from humble beginnings, even small improvements were noticeable. After Kyosuke began chakra refinement, Shin could clearly feel himself growing stronger. That made the journey to find the Akatsuki slightly safer.
The next day, the torrential rain eased into a drizzle. Shin left the cave with Masao and Kanae, heading toward the nearest town.
In the Land of Wind, Tasaka Chisuke had just returned home from school and was preparing to practice ninjutsu in the yard when his father, Tasaka Tomonari, hurried over excitedly.
"Chisuke! Good news! Lady Pakura agreed to give you a chance. If you pass her test, she'll take you as her disciple!"
Over the past year at the Ninja Academy, Chisuke had steadily risen to become one of the standout students.
Recognizing his own limitations, Tomonari knew he couldn't teach his son much more. He had pulled every connection he had to find Chisuke a proper mentor.
Such was a parent's heart.
Chisuke was fully supportive.
Having survived the Second Shinobi World War, Tomonari might not have been exceptional, but he knew many jōnin. Combined with Chisuke's evident talent, he had eventually persuaded Pakura to offer a trial.
At this time, Pakura was already a rising star in Sunagakure—a young elite among the new generation. Becoming her disciple would be a tremendous opportunity.
Assuming he passed.
"Don't worry," Tomonari said confidently. "You're outstanding. You'll pass. Go see Lady Pakura today and follow her instructions. I'll handle your leave from school."
Chisuke nodded. "I'll prepare at once."
"Don't keep her waiting. She's often away on missions."
"Understood."
Since this was a test, preparation was essential. Bladed tools, food, scrolls, even poison—Chisuke prepared as if heading to war.
Seeing this, Tomonari felt both proud and relieved.
That afternoon, Chisuke arrived at a barren yellow-earth plateau outside the village. Pakura stood atop it, waiting.
"So this is the first trial."
He looked up at the nearly ninety-degree cliff face and tapped it lightly. Soil crumbled away at the slightest pressure.
Severely eroded by wind and sand, the structure was loose and unstable—extremely dangerous to climb.
For an Academy student, reaching the top would be a daunting challenge.
Under the blazing sun and whipping sand, Chisuke first emptied his canteen to avoid running out of water mid-climb.
Then he took out three kunai.
Two were used for climbing—driving them into the cliff face to secure handholds.
The third was tied to a steel wire at his waist. Every certain distance, he anchored it into a relatively stable section of rock, creating a makeshift safety line.
After barely ten meters, his right-hand kunai struck a loose patch. The rock crumbled.
He fell.
Only the safety wire saved him.
It happened three times.
The most dangerous fall occurred nearly a hundred meters up. Without the wire, he would have died.
His stamina drained rapidly. Sweat dried repeatedly on his face until none remained, leaving him coated in cracked mud.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Chisuke finally pulled himself over the ledge. The moment he reached solid ground, he collapsed, muscles spasming uncontrollably.
Pakura had watched everything in silence.
Truthfully, she had no intention of taking a disciple—especially not as a wielder of a kekkei genkai. Proud by nature, she would not normally consider a child without exceptional lineage. This opportunity was granted purely out of obligation.
Though Chisuke performed well at the Academy, to her he was still just a child. Accepting him would be a burden.
That was why she had deliberately arranged such a harsh trial, expecting him to retreat.
Yet he had completed it.
His intelligence, stamina, and willpower had far exceeded her expectations.
Chisuke lifted his head slowly, peering through his goggles at Pakura.
She spoke calmly.
"I have a mission tomorrow. You'll come with me. Assemble at the main gate at six. That will be the real test."
With that, she grabbed his clothing and effortlessly carried him back down the cliff.
That night, in the dream space, they exchanged updates.
Kyosuke couldn't help but feel envious.
"If you really become Pakura's disciple, we've struck gold. Finally, we can learn powerful ninjutsu. Today we only practiced chakra refinement and memorized formulas. It's so dull. I want a good teacher too."
Chisuke grinned smugly.
"Of course. Pakura's a famous figure. As her disciple, I'll be Sunagakure's top rising star."
Kiichiro snorted.
"Daydreaming. Don't forget—she's eventually sacrificed by the Kazekage. As her disciple, do you think you'd escape unscathed?"
Chisuke shrugged.
"Doesn't matter. She'll live for years yet. And with us involved, who knows how events will change? Maybe she won't die at all."
At that moment, Ōoka Shin spoke up.
"Kanae's sick. Fever and vomiting. Anyone know medical treatment?"
Kyosuke shook his head.
"I've only been at school two days. I haven't learned medical techniques. And I don't have connections—I can't ask casually without raising suspicion. If you can wait, I could fake an illness and consult a doctor."
Chisuke considered.
"I'm going on a mission with Pakura tomorrow. I'll question my old man about basic medical knowledge tonight."
Mizumori chuckled softly.
"In Kirigakure, because of all the bloodshed, medical knowledge is widespread. Describe her symptoms. I can tell you what common herbs look like—you can try to find them."
Shin exhaled in relief.
"That helps a lot. I confirmed their background—they're Uzumaki. Their vitality is strong. With food and treatment, she should recover."