The boy stayed silent, his eyes fixed on Kazuyama Gekkō.
"What are you staring at me for?"
"Kid, what's your name?"
Kazuyama Gekkō turned to look at the delicate-faced youth. Yes, this was a boy—his name was Haku, bearer of the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.
A boy more beautiful than most girls.
"Haku..."
"Heh, fitting name. You really are pale."
Haku said nothing, his gaze never leaving Kazuyama Gekkō.
"Alright, stop staring. I'm not prettier than you, okay?"
"I can guess your situation. Kekkei Genkai, right?"
At those words, Haku finally reacted—his body trembled again. Clearly, it struck a deep wound.
Kazuyama Gekkō understood. The kid had just lost his mother, and the trauma of bloodshed still lingered. His mind was clouded with confusion.
Still, Kazuyama Gekkō felt fortunate to have arrived at just the right moment. Any later, and he might have missed out on a rare talent.
"Don't be afraid. Kekkei Genkai is a blessing from the heavens. We should accept it, not fear it."
"We?"
At that, Haku slowly lifted his head, confusion flashing in his eyes.
Kazuyama Gekkō smiled faintly.
"Yes, we. We both possess Kekkei Genkai. Mine is just different from yours."
"Look... this is mine."
With a casual wave, crystal formed in his hand. Transparent facets glimmered under the firelight, refined and exquisite, leaving Haku momentarily entranced.
"This..."
"Is it... ice?"
Kazuyama Gekkō paused, then burst out laughing.
Well, to be fair, crystal and ice did look somewhat alike—especially transparent crystal.
"No, not ice. Crystal. A hard mineral. It might look similar, but its nature is different."
"What I want to tell you is this—don't hate this power. On the contrary, it's a gift, one that grants us unique abilities."
"Haku, do you understand?"
Haku's eyes lingered on the crystal, curiosity flickering within them—only to be smothered a moment later by pain.
"If I could, I wouldn't want this ability."
"Because of this power... Mother... she..."
Kazuyama Gekkō sighed quietly, cursing Kirigakure in his heart.
No, the real culprit was that damn Third Mizukage he had already killed. What nonsense—turning the village into the Village of the Bloody Mist, hunting down shinobi with Kekkei Genkai?
Because of them, geniuses like this boy were forced to live in hiding, burying their brilliance.
Haku was the clearest example.
In his village, the people feared and hated Kekkei Genkai. Haku's mother had hidden hers, but when Haku was discovered to possess the same power, his father rallied the villagers to kill her. Just as they turned on Haku, the terrified boy accidentally unleashed his Kekkei Genkai, slaughtering them all.
The cursed Blood Mist Village had brainwashed even ordinary villagers.
"Poor kid. Don't dwell on it."
"From now on, come with me."
Kazuyama Gekkō handed the roasted meat to Haku, putting on what he thought was his warmest smile.
Of course, in Haku's eyes... that smile carried a strange kind of menace.
"Who are you?"
"Me? A shinobi. A strong one."
The aroma of grilled meat stirred something in Haku. After so long in the frozen wilderness, his hunger gnawed at him.
Yet he remained hesitant, questioning Kazuyama Gekkō instead of taking the food.
"Kirigakure isn't a place for a child like you. I'll take you away."
"I'll show you the beauty of this world. Don't worry—I'm not like those bastard villagers. I won't see your gift as a curse. I'll see it as a miracle."
Kazuyama Gekkō ate calmly, unbothered. He knew Haku would follow. A kid who had lost everything couldn't help but lose direction.
And he was only a child. How could Kazuyama not handle him?
"Eat. Don't starve yourself—there's no reason to punish your body."
"If you're hungry, eat. There's plenty more."
At last, unable to resist hunger and the smell of roasting meat, Haku began to eat.
Kazuyama Gekkō smiled faintly, then pulled a flask from the side and handed it over with a mischievous grin.
"Easy now. Want something to drink?"
"Mm..."
Haku's mouth was dry from eating. Without thinking, he grabbed the flask and gulped down a mouthful.
Kazuyama Gekkō barely kept a straight face, but the next moment he burst out laughing.
"Pfft!"
"What is this?! It's so spicy!"
The liquid burned down Haku's throat—hot, fiery! This was no water!
"Hahahaha! Kid, water's not for times like this!"
"I can't breathe—too funny! Don't tell me you don't know what sake is?"
"You've gotta drink sake with grilled meat! That's what makes it right!"
Kazuyama Gekkō was utterly wicked. Even though Haku was just a kid, he couldn't resist teasing him.
Over the years, he had learned—nothing scattered shadows faster than laughter.
And sure enough, the boy who had looked like death itself moments ago was now glaring at him with indignation.
"What? Kid, it's just a little sake. No harm done."
"In this cold, it'll warm your belly. Just don't gulp it down like that."
"Here, let me make you a small cup. Sip it slowly."
Chakra flared in Kazuyama Gekkō's hand, and in the blink of an eye a delicate crystal cup appeared before Haku.
Seeing the cup form from thin air, Haku's anger gave way to awe.
"So this is Kekkei Genkai..."
"Could I... do that too?"
Kazuyama Gekkō chuckled inwardly. Perfect—he'd taken the bait.
Handling a child like this? Too easy.
"Of course. I'll teach you how to wield your power."
"From now on, I'll be your sensei."
"But for now... come on, take a sip of sake!"
"Then eat your fill of meat!"
Without hesitation, Kazuyama Gekkō poured Haku's cup full, eager to see what this strikingly beautiful boy looked like drunk.
Haku stared at the brimming cup, his face twisted with hesitation. If he had a choice, he really didn't want to drink it.