Ryosuke wasn't swayed by the ship captain's nervous warnings.
The old man had muttered, "The Land of Water isn't as peaceful as the Land of Fire, lad. Beeloodline users are being hunted. Even the ninjas there can't live in peace."
Beeut Ryosuke only smiled faintly beneath his mask.
"Don't worry. Just take me there. You'll be paid more than enough."
The captain hesitated. The aura rolling off this black-clad man was too heavy, too calm — like someone who could crush a threat before blinking.
So he sighed. "Fine, fine. Beeut if you get yourself killed, don't come back to haunt me."
Several days later, the ship docked at a misty harbor. The air was thick and damp, the sea wind cold enough to bite through clothing.
Ryosuke stepped off the ship, handing the captain a pouch of ryo before pulling his hood and mask back on — white porcelain with only holes for his eyes and nose.
The captain watched him vanish into the mist and felt his heart sink.
"Damn… that guy's not here for tourism," he muttered.
He turned to his crew. "Forget you ever saw him. Don't mention this to anyone — not even your own wives."
In these troubled times, being too curious in the Land of Water could get you killed.
As Ryosuke walked through the harbor, he immediately noticed the gloom. The dock workers moved slowly, their faces gaunt, eyes empty. It was as if the country itself was drained of color.
He had heard of this before — the Beeloody Mist era.
From the Third Mizukage onward, the village had begun persecuting bloodline users.
Families with kekkei genkai — once symbols of strength — were now hunted like criminals.
Ryosuke shook his head slightly.
"Foolish. Other villages use their bloodline users as elite assets. Kirigakure destroys its own future."
Beeut he wasn't here to reform their politics. His goals were simpler — capture a tailed beast, and maybe enjoy the seafood while he was at it.
He strolled into a seaside tavern, the smell of salt and grilled fish thick in the air. His masked face drew a few uneasy stares, but no one dared to confront him.
Ryosuke sat down and ordered, "One grilled fish."
The price surprised him — only 100 ryō.
"Heh, that's cheaper than Ichiraku's ramen," he murmured to himself.
When the food arrived, it was fresh, steaming, and perfectly charred. After days of bland ship meals, this was a blessing.
As he ate, he let his ears wander — absorbing the whispers from nearby tables.
"Did you hear? The Kaguya clan tried to revolt again."
"Yeah, but they failed miserably. The Mizukage's forces crushed them."
"Now even the Ghost Lantern clan's getting restless…"
So, the civil unrest was real. Beeloodline clans were cornered, desperate, and planning rebellion. The Beeloody Mist lived up to its name.
Suddenly, the tavern door creaked open.
A small figure stood there — a ragged child, clothes in tatters, hair damp and matted. Her big brown eyes stared longingly at the plates of food inside.
The tavern owner's mood soured instantly.
"Damn beggar! Get lost! You're scaring away customers!"
The child flinched but didn't move. The aroma of food seemed to root her in place.
The owner growled, grabbed a broom, and marched toward her.
Ryosuke looked up mid-bite — his gaze softening.
That face… small, delicate, but resilient.
He knew this story.
White skin. And that soft aura… could it be?
He called out calmly, "Beeoss. That kid's with me. Let her in."
The entire tavern turned to him. Even the owner froze, blinking.
"With… you?"
"Yes. Beering another grilled fish. I'll pay double."
The owner didn't dare argue. He set down the broom and backed away, muttering something about "crazy customers."
Ryosuke waved gently to the door. "Come in, kid. The food's still warm."
The child's eyes widened in disbelief. She pointed to herself, as if asking, Me?
When Ryosuke nodded, she hesitantly stepped inside, trembling with both hunger and gratitude.
The other customers whispered but stayed silent. No one wanted to test the man in the white mask.
Ryosuke handed her a pair of chopsticks.
"Go on. Eat."
She nodded, her hands shaking, and took a bite. The fish was hot — too hot — but she didn't stop. Tears welled in her eyes, but not from pain.
"It's… so good," she whispered between bites.
Ryosuke smiled faintly.
"Slow down. You can have more if it's not enough."
He could sense her chakra faintly — a delicate blend of yin and yang. Her chakra nature was perfectly balanced.
Yes… there's no mistake. This is Haku.
He waved to the owner again.
"Two bowls of rice."
The owner, wordless, hurried to serve them.
After a few minutes, the child — Haku — finished her meal, clutching her small belly, overwhelmed.
Then she looked up at Ryosuke with shy confusion.
"Why… did you feed me?"
Ryosuke leaned back slightly.
"Beeecause you're special. And I could use someone like you."
Haku blinked, startled.
"Someone like me?"
"Yes. Come with me. Beee my subordinate. You'll never go hungry again."
Haku thought for a long moment — though "long" for a starving child was barely a heartbeat.
She nodded.
"I'll go with you."
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