Ryōsuke dismissed the captain's warnings without a second thought.
No one in the Mist Village currently had the power to stop him.
Even if their combined strength were turned against him, they likely wouldn't succeed.
"It's fine. Just take me there. You'll be paid in full."
Seeing his resolve, the captain could only agree.
He could sense the man was physically formidable; surely he could handle himself even in a place as dangerous as the Land of Water.
He'd done his part by warning him, and he had his money. The rest was none of his business.
A few days later, Ryōsuke successfully landed at a port in the Land of Water.
After paying the captain, he changed into a black outfit and a white mask before departing.
When the captain saw him dressed like that, his nerves spiked.
'Is he planning to cause trouble in the Land of Water?'
'Did I just transport a dangerous fugitive?'
He immediately ordered his crew to forget they had even seen a passenger today; he wanted no part of any trouble.
It wasn't easy doing business in the Land of Water these days; caution was a necessity.
Meanwhile, Ryōsuke strode openly away from the port.
He noticed the local workers looked haggard, their expressions listless and devoid of vitality.
It was a clear sign that the country was in turmoil.
Compared to the Leaf Village, the state of the Mist Village was truly baffling.
From the Third Mizukage to the Fourth, the nation had begun to shun those with Kekkei Genkai, even going so far as to hunt them down.
It was nothing short of self-sabotage.
Every other ninja village valued their Kekkei Genkai users immensely.
Instead of such irrational prejudice, they would have normally placed them in high-ranking positions.
But it wasn't his concern.
This trip was for sampling the local seafood and capturing a Tailed Beast.
Passing through the port, he reached the main streets. His attire drew attention, but sensing his overwhelming presence, no one dared to cross him.
He stopped at a small restaurant.
He ordered a grilled seafood specialty from the owner.
At only 100 ryo a plate, it was roughly the price of two bowls of ramen.
When the dish arrived, the portion was surprisingly generous.
Perhaps it was only this cheap because they were so close to the sea.
The flavor, however, was excellent.
While the meals on the ship had included fish, they were simple, rustic preparations.
This was the authentic Land of Water seafood he had been looking for.
As he ate, he eavesdropped on the conversations around him.
He learned that the Kaguya Clan's rebellion a few months ago had ended in failure.
The situation in the Mist Village remained incredibly tense.
The other clans with Kekkei Genkai were already plotting another revolt, led by the Hōzuki Clan and a coalition of other shinobi.
Just then, a child in tattered, filthy clothes appeared at the door, gazing longingly at the food inside.
The owner's face soured the moment he spotted the child. He stood up and barked.
"Get lost, you little brat! You're scaring away my customers!"
The child flinched in fear, but the aroma was too much to resist. It had been so long since her last meal; she felt as if she might starve to death.
Seeing that the little beggar wouldn't leave, the owner grew even more irritated.
He stepped out from behind the counter, grabbing a broom to chase the child away.
Ryōsuke's attention was drawn to the commotion, and he glanced toward the entrance.
He saw the panic in the little beggar's eyes.
The child looked familiar. 'Is this Haku?'
Seeing the delicate features that looked so much like a girl's, he spoke up.
"Boss, she's with me. Let her in."
He gestured for Haku to come forward.
"Come inside. Have some fresh grilled fish."
The child couldn't believe it. Someone was inviting her to eat? Looking at the steaming fish, she swallowed hard, her heart racing with desire.
She hadn't seen food this delicious since her mother was killed by her father and the rest of the villagers.
She wanted to go in, but the owner's menacing stance with the broom made her hesitate. She knew how much a beating hurt.
The owner turned to Ryōsuke with a helpless expression.
"Sir, letting a beggar in will drive away my other business."
No patron wanted to eat alongside a beggar; it ruined the atmosphere.
Ryōsuke simply waved him off.
"It's fine. I'll pay double for the meal."
"Come in and eat."
Seeing the man's insistence, the owner lowered his broom and returned to his spot behind the counter.
It wasn't that he was generous, but he could tell the man in black was not someone to be trifled with.
The child timidly walked in and sat down beside Ryōsuke.
Ryōsuke smiled and handed her a pair of chopsticks.
"Go ahead. Sit down and eat your fill."
The child began to eat immediately. The food was so hot it practically burned her mouth, but she didn't care. It felt wonderful; it was the best thing she had ever tasted.
She didn't understand why this man was treating her, but she focused on the food. She was truly starving.
Watching her eat, Ryōsuke knew she hadn't had a proper meal in a long time.
"No need to rush," he said comfortingly. "If you're still hungry, we can order more."
The more Ryōsuke looked at Haku, the more he looked like a girl. 'I'll have to verify that later.'
"Boss, two more bowls of rice."
The owner quickly served the rice.
Since the other customers hadn't complained and no one was making a scene, the owner let the matter drop.
Ten minutes later, Ryōsuke was finished.
He looked at Haku with concern.
"Well? Did you get enough to eat?"
The child rubbed her stomach. She hadn't felt this full in forever. She asked tentatively.
"Why... why did you buy me food?"
This was, after all, their very first meeting.
Ryōsuke gave a small smile.
"How would you like to come with me and work for me?"
In the original timeline, Haku would have followed Zabuza, but fate had led them to cross paths first.
In the series, Haku was a kind-hearted soul with immense talent. He could have easily killed Naruto and Sasuke, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
'A boy would have definitely finished them off. Only a girl could be that gentle,' Ryōsuke thought.
The child processed his words. He wanted her as a subordinate?
"I... I will."
Following this man meant she wouldn't have to starve anymore.