Orochimaru roamed Kusagakure with Haku.
It wasn't until Haku's stomach rumbled with a 'grrr~ grrr!' sound that Orochimaru realized how long they had been walking.
He then led Haku into a nearby restaurant.
Haku, at this moment, had his head bowed, feeling a bit shy and a bit guilty.
He had caused trouble for Lord Orochimaru again!
The Ninja World was like this; apart from children in capital cities and Ninja Villages who had some vitality and pride, most children in other places were as humble as weeds in the dirt, feeling like they owned the whole world with just a little rain.
Haku only wanted to stay by Orochimaru's side, whether it was cruel training or boring knowledge; as long as it was what Orochimaru desired, Haku would do his utmost to achieve it.
At this time, Haku felt ashamed for affecting Orochimaru, bowing his head and secretly fretting.
Orochimaru was naturally aware of Haku's state, but he did nothing.
Orochimaru had seen too many such things; life was so fragile and meaningless.
After experiencing two Great Ninja Wars, defecting from Konoha, and wandering the Ninja World for a long time, Orochimaru had completely lost his reverence for life.
Life itself was meaningless; there was only the meaning that people imposed upon it!
Orochimaru, with his mysterious confidence in his own charm, naturally knew that he was the meaning of existence for many children.
Everything would be fine if it just took its natural course; endless life always needed some sense of anticipation.
For example, now, what he had just heard felt unexpectedly interesting!
A minute ago, Orochimaru and Haku's entry caused the restaurant to fall silent for a moment; after all, long black hair wasn't common in the Ninja World!
However, very quickly, everyone resumed their lively atmosphere as if nothing had happened.
"That special medical item from the hospital is really effective!"
"Be careful, don't talk nonsense, that's a Ninja Lord after all!"
"Tch, you're just a coward. So what if she's a Ninja? It's thanks to our Kusagakure that we took her in."
"Exactly, otherwise she and her daughter would have died outside long ago. Now, after all these years of free food and lodging, what's wrong with making a contribution!"
"That's right, we're not eating people, just one bite, it's much more effective than slowly taking medicine before!"
"Sigh, why are they only letting us use such a good thing now? How much money did I spend to see a doctor back then!"
"I know this, let me tell you, but don't go spreading it around."
"Quick, tell us, tell us!"
"You also know me, my aunt's son's cousin is a Chunin in the Village, this is top-secret information I heard from him!"
"Alright, alright, this pot of sake is for you, now hurry up and tell us!"
"Hehe, thanks. According to him, that woman was initially specialized in healing Ninja Lords, but she's been failing recently, so the medical department decided to make use of her, which is why we ordinary people can use her!"
"Ah! Does that mean we can only use her for a while?"
"Don't worry, have you forgotten that woman also has a daughter? The Village is already preparing to make her daughter a Ninja!"
"But it will be a long time before it's our turn. No, I feel a bit uncomfortable in my stomach, I need to go to the hospital."
"Wait, let's go together."
"...."
Orochimaru found interesting points in their conversation and immediately began to ponder.
Healing through biting? No, that's impossible!
Could it be that she can inject vitality into others? If so, it's very similar to a certain special physique of the Uzumaki Clan recorded in history!
Orochimaru looked at Haku beside him, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
Haku, bringing you along was indeed the right choice!
Orochimaru did not act immediately but wanted to wait until night fell.
In Kusagakure, a slightly dilapidated house had a disproportionately large yard.
Karin looked at her mother, who appeared much weaker than usual, and was at a loss.
Karin, who had always been well protected by her mother, now didn't even know what the words war, hunger, and Ninja meant.
Very obedient, Karin followed her mother's words and stayed at home since childhood, never going out.
The farthest Karin had ever gone was once, to catch a grasshopper, running to the edge of the yard.
That time, her mother, who had just returned home, saw her, and that was the first time Karin saw fear and panic in her mother.
To avoid worrying her mother, Karin never ran far from the house again.
Every day, someone would bring food to Karin and her mother; Karin only had to wait for her mother to come home from work.
Karin's happiest time each day was when her mother played with her after returning from work.
However, recently, her mother seemed to have become exceptionally weak, her skin aged and full of wrinkles, and her hair had all turned white.
Karin didn't even know what death was; she just looked at her mother, who couldn't play with her, and became very unhappy.
Karin looked at her mother's arm and noticed many more of those gruesome marks on it.
Her mother had told her that it was part of her work. Karin was a little sad; her mother had been working too hard lately and didn't even have the strength to play with her.
At this moment, Uzumaki Qinai, who was not yet thirty but looked as old as a sixty-year-old woman, softly said:
"Karin, starting tomorrow, someone will teach you how to refine Chakra. Remember, absolutely do not refine Chakra!"
Karin, who knew nothing about Ninja and Chakra, answered vaguely:
"Mother, don't worry, I won't refine Chakra. Will you play with me after you come home from work tomorrow?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Karin, come to Mama, let Mama hug you."
Karin obediently walked to Qinai and was then embraced tightly.
On Qinai's aged face, tears flowed continuously from her eyes.
Karin, you must not refine Chakra!
As a mother, she naturally knew Karin's talent, a talent that even surpassed her own.
After her country was destroyed and her family scattered, Qinai wandered the Ninja World for a long time, finally living peacefully in a small Village until war broke out again.
Having lost her home once more, Qinai's only motivation to live was her daughter.
Qinai constantly pleaded in her heart, hoping that Karin would not suffer such a tragic life like hers in the future.
"Mother, why are you crying?"
Karin looked up, her face full of confusion.
Qinai held back her tears, pulled at the corners of her mouth, and showed an ugly smile, saying:
"No, Karin, you're mistaken. Do you remember what Mama just said?"
"I remember, don't refine Chakra."
Qinai touched Karin's bright red hair, which was as vibrant as her own used to be.
"Yes, Karin, good girl!"
Qinai was only making a final struggle, hoping to get by.
At the same time, she prayed in her heart, if there are gods in this world, whoever you are, please do not let Karin suffer this hardship again!
Outside this house.
Two Ninja of Kusagakure sneered:
"Tch, how ridiculous! Do they think we won't be able to test her daughter's Ninja aptitude?"
"It's just a dying wish. What do you say, if we pretend to be very disappointed tomorrow, and then take her daughter to the hospital the day after?"
"Hahaha, your idea..."
This Kusagakure Ninja's words were cut off because he and his companion were already dead.
A figure gradually appeared, it was Orochimaru, but he didn't pay attention to the two dead Ninja, but looked in one direction and said:
"Aren't you coming out yet?"
"Hahaha! To be discovered even when hidden so well, as expected of Senior Orochimaru!"
Yuuki's figure then appeared in Orochimaru's sight. At this moment, Yuuki had a brilliant smile on his face, and his eyes even intentionally carried a hint of respect.
"Senior Orochimaru, it's our first meeting, please take care of me!"
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