Why did Uchiha Obito unleash such a bloody storm in Kirigakure, turning it into the infamous "Bloody Mist"?
The answer was simple. Under Uchiha Madara's manipulations, Obito had always believed that Rin Nohara's death was caused by the Hidden Mist Village. How could he not harbor resentment toward Kirigakure?
"Catch him! Quick, catch that cursed child! Beat him to death—he's a monster!" Several adults, armed with hammers and shovels, were chasing after a four- or five-year-old child.
The child, seemingly exhausted from running, noticed that Mukuro wasn't chasing him or trying to stop him. Without hesitation, he hid behind Mukuro.
The adults stopped in front of Mukuro, panting heavily. "Quick, hand over that child—he's a monster," one of them said.
"A monster?" Mukuro frowned slightly. He couldn't see how a young child could resemble a monster in any way.
"He can control ice crystals! He's a monster, and if we don't kill him, we'll all be cursed!" A middle-aged man among the group exclaimed, staring at Mukuro.
Control ice crystals?
Mukuro was taken aback. He turned to take a closer look at the child hiding behind him. The boy's clothes were tattered, his feet bare, and his face was strikingly delicate, making it hard to tell whether he was a boy or a girl.
When the child noticed Mukuro's gaze, fear flickered in his eyes. He instinctively took two steps back, ready to flee at any moment.
Mukuro gave the child a gentle smile, saying nothing. Then he turned back to the adults in front of him, slowly raising his right hand. "Control ice crystals? Like this?" he asked.
As he spoke, small ice crystals began to form at Mukuro's fingertips, spreading to cover his entire hand, even extending to his exposed wrist.
Although Mukuro wasn't as proficient with Ice Release as he was with Wood Release or Lava Release, thanks to his Asura bloodline, he had a natural advantage in chakra fusion. This made basic use of Ice Release manageable for him.
"You... you're a monster too!" The adults were horrified. Gripping their hammers and shovels, they charged at Mukuro.
Mukuro gazed at them indifferently, his expression unchanged. These villagers, who weren't even ninjas, posed no threat to him whatsoever.
Just as the hammers were about to strike him, Mukuro flicked his ice-covered fingers, sending a few sharp ice shards shooting out. The shards struck the adults in their chests, and in an instant, ice crystals began spreading across their bodies. Within moments, the men were entirely encased in ice, their movements frozen in place.
Seeing this, the child behind Mukuro couldn't help but show a hint of joy. He asked timidly, "Big brother, are you like me? Are you also a monster?"
Mukuro shook his head, and the joy in the child's eyes turned to disappointment. His gaze dimmed as he murmured, "So... I really am the only monster, after all."
"You're not a monster, and neither am I," Mukuro said softly.
"I'm not a monster?" The child's eyes lit up briefly, only to dim again. "But my father and the villagers all say that my mother and I are monsters."
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, the child looked up at Mukuro and said, "Big brother, can I stay with you from now on? I can cook and even wash your clothes!" His hopeful eyes looked up at Mukuro.
"What's your name?" Mukuro asked abruptly.
"Haku... My name is Haku of the Yuki clan," the child replied cautiously, as though afraid of displeasing Mukuro.
So it really is Haku, Mukuro thought to himself, surprised at how smoothly this encounter had gone.
Mukuro had come to the Land of Water for two main reasons: first, to track down Uchiha Obito. After being outmaneuvered by Obito during the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha, Mukuro had been nursing a grudge. Second, he wanted to find Haku and Kimimaro.
Looking at the boy in front of him, Mukuro's lips curved into a slight smile. "But what if I don't need someone to cook or wash clothes for me?" he asked.
Haku tensed up, clearly anxious. For the first time, someone didn't treat him like a monster, and he didn't want to lose this chance. "Big brother, I can be your tool! Please, let me stay by your side," he pleaded.
"A tool, huh? Sorry, Haku, but I don't need tools either," Mukuro said, shaking his head.
"I see..." Haku's expression became lifeless, his head drooping as he prepared to walk away. The sight made Mukuro's heart ache.
"But," Mukuro continued with a smile, "I do need a companion. Would you be interested in being my companion, Haku?"
"A companion...!" Haku turned back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Big brother, can I really? But... I'm a monster."
Mukuro walked over and gently patted Haku's head. "I told you, you're not a monster."
As he spoke, Mukuro's other arm became encased in ice crystals, which he held up for Haku to see. "Haku, this is called a kekkei genkai. Ice Release is a very powerful kekkei genkai in the shinobi world. You're incredibly fortunate to have it."
"Fortunate?" Haku's eyes sparkled once more, and a smile spread across his face. "Then I can help you, big brother—no, my lord!"
"Of course, Haku," Mukuro replied with a smile.
In Mukuro's view, Ice Release was indeed an exceptionally powerful technique, with potential rivaling even that of Wood Release. Unfortunately, being born in Kirigakure was a tragedy for those with such abilities. Their talents were ruined by Uchiha Madara and Obito's schemes.
Think about it: seventy percent of the human body is composed of water. If someone could instantly freeze that water into ice crystals, they would be unstoppable. Only someone like Mukuro, with a perfect Sage Body, could resist such an attack. However, such mastery of Ice Release was far beyond what Haku could achieve at this stage.
"By the way, Haku," Mukuro said suddenly, his expression turning slightly awkward.
"Yes, my lord?" Haku asked nervously.
Mukuro hesitated, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Haku, are you a boy or a girl?"
Whether in this life or the last, Mukuro had always been curious about this question.
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