"You're ninjas from Konoha, right?" Yahiko looked at the forehead protectors on their heads and asked. There was hatred in his gaze as it fell on the symbols.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten.
It wasn't just Hanzo who had turned Ame into a battlefield, the Konoha ninjas were involved too. The war between their villages had caused countless deaths in Ame.
Nagato kept his head lowered. He feared that the moment he lifted it, the hatred in his eyes would be seen. The image of his parents' tragic deaths replayed endlessly in his mind. He could never forget the sight of the Konoha ninjas approaching him with a kunai in hand.
Shiratori looked at the forehead protectors worn by Jiraiya and Tsunade. Although he had watched the anime, he couldn't clearly remember the forehead protector symbols of each ninja village.
He only knew the general plot and main characters. Details like forehead protector patterns and mask designs, he had long forgotten them completely.
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged glances but said nothing.
In the heavy silence, Yahiko already knew the answer deep down. He pressed his lips tightly together. For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to ask them to teach them ninjutsu. It was as if an unknown sense of pride was holding him back, refusing to let him beg in front of these people.
"I want to kill these children."
A hoarse voice suddenly broke the silence.
Jiraiya and Tsunade looked in shock at the one who had spoken, Orochimaru. His tone was incredibly calm, as if he were talking about something as trivial and ordinary as the weather. But it was precisely this casual tone that made people even angrier.
To decide someone's fate, their precious life, so effortlessly. This wasn't just arrogance anymore.
"I've seen many war orphans. Their ends are always tragic."
Sensing the shocked looks from Jiraiya and Tsunade, he responded coolly. His gaze fell on the children, as if he had already seen the miserable future that awaited them.
"Rather than letting them drown in the pain of war, it's better to kill them here and now. It's better for them too."
As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp and icy killing intent, almost tangible, suddenly surged toward them.
"..."
Who said this is for our good? Damn! Could you at least ask what we think?
It was precisely to avoid this kind of helplessness that Shiratori wanted to become stronger.
Noticing Konan trembling, he stepped forward to stand in front of her.
Nagato kept his head low, fists clenched, teeth gritted.
No!
We won't let our fate be decided so easily! Don't we even have the right to live?
[Killing Intent detected: +5000 points]
[Total accumulated: 11,000 points]
[Activation threshold reached]
[Cursed Spirit: Ryomen Sukuna - ACTIVATED]
[Development progress: 11%]
Shiratori's pupils dilated sharply. He suddenly shielded Yahiko, Nagato, and the others behind him.
He stared at Orochimaru.
If killing intent must be aimed at someone, let it be him! He was willing to bear this overwhelming emotion!
[Personal Status Interface Updated]
Available Cursed Spirits:
- Orimoto Rika (Activated - 35%)
- Sukuna Ryomen (Activated - 11%)
He clenched his fists in excitement and took a deep breath. He stared at Orochimaru, growing more and more fired up.
Bring it on!
Let the storm come even fiercer!
He could handle it! Give him more!
Orochimaru: "?"
Was this kid... angry?
He felt nothing in response to the child's fury. Human understanding was limited. He was well aware that for these children struggling to survive, they clearly had no idea how harsh the future would be.
But he had already seen the futures of countless children like them. And it was never much better than their present.
So, to end their pain here, that was his version of mercy.
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Jiraiya immediately looked at him and frowned.
"Enough!"
The seriousness in his gaze made it clear to both Orochimaru and Tsunade, he would never allow Orochimaru to kill these children.
If Orochimaru didn't want to start infighting with Jiraiya…
Tsunade gave Orochimaru a look. She knew his personality well, he wouldn't go as far as to clash with Jiraiya over these children.
To him, they simply weren't worth it.
Jiraiya looked at the group of children, then glanced at Tsunade and Orochimaru, hesitation briefly flashing across his face.
But only for a moment. Very quickly, the uncertainty in his eyes was replaced with resolve.
"You go back first. I'll stay a little longer to take care of these kids."
Having made up his mind, he spoke to his companions.
Tsunade looked at Jiraiya disapprovingly, her brows furrowed slightly. Although the war had momentarily died down... She glanced at the children, then turned to meet Jiraiya's gaze. He stared back without flinching, his eyes filled with unwavering trust.
She sighed in defeat and slowly lowered her gaze.
Fine.
She understood him.
She knew that once he made a decision, no one could change it.
"Think of it as… atoning for some of our sins."
Jiraiya's words echoed in the minds of Tsunade and Orochimaru as they left Ame.
Tsunade's heart was filled with mixed, tangled emotions.
Unlike her, Orochimaru simply thought Jiraiya was making things worse for the war orphans.
Once they lost the protection of a ninja, those children would be forced back into the brutal world of war and would only suffer more, possibly even resenting the one who had once sheltered them: Jiraiya.
Unless, he taught them ninjutsu and helped them become ninjas themselves. But not everyone had the talent to become a ninja.
Orochimaru just hoped that Jiraiya wouldn't regret this choice in the future.
---
A small wooden cabin appeared by the endless seashore. It sat on a hill close to the sea, blanketed in calf-high green grass that rippled like waves in the wind.
At this moment, the cabin was filled with warmth. The soft overhead light bathed everyone in a cozy glow. The bone-deep chill that had clung to Yahiko and the other orphans finally faded away.
Shiratori and Yahiko sat around a round table with the others. In front of them, the low table was piled high with delicious seafood dishes. Grilled fish, braised sea snails, steamed abalone, steamed crab…
The entire table was full of fresh ocean delicacies, all made by Jiraiya alone.
Shiratori and the others had only helped out a bit from behind. Jiraiya sat across from him. Smiling, he cheerfully passed out chopsticks to everyone.
He pressed his hands together.
"Let's eat!"
Yahiko and the others eagerly picked up their chopsticks.
Shiratori looked at the table full of pure, unpolluted seafood with a beaming smile.
Seafood's the best!
He loved eating seafood!