Across the vast land, the smoke of the Third Great Shinobi War swallowed countless lives, leaving behind innumerable orphans with no one to rely on.
Kabuto was one of them. Compared to those children who fell silently into the dust of war, he perhaps still possessed a sliver of fate's mercy.
He was too young back then; in his chaotic memories, the faces and names of his parents had vanished without a trace, and he had no way of knowing his own name.
Alone, he could only wander, like a withered leaf drifting with the wind, not knowing when he might be crushed in some corner of the desperate battlefield, with no one even to collect his remains.
Just on the verge of his life's flame burning out, a gentle figure named Yakushi Nono became his only salvation in the abyss of despair.
It was this compassionate nun who found him on a killing field strewn with corpses and brought him back to the orphanage she painstakingly managed.
This simple yet warm place not only sheltered him from the wind and rain but also bestowed upon him the deeply meaningful name "Kabuto."
The surname followed Yakushi Nono, who gave him new life; the given name carried her deep maternal expectations and blessings.
Life at the orphanage was impoverished, far from affluent; coarse food and a simple environment were the norm for him and his companions.
However, for Kabuto, who had experienced the bone-chilling years of wandering, this place was heaven.
More importantly, it also gave him an important gift: due to his natural vision defect, Yakushi Nono took off the black round-rimmed glasses that had accompanied her for many years and personally placed them on him.
At that moment, the blurry world suddenly became clear. This gift, filled with compassion and care, was the first he had ever received in his life, and its weight was heavier than any treasure.
To maintain the operation of this sanctuary, the orphanage, the young children, under the guidance of Yakushi Nono, learned the most basic Medical Ninjutsu early on if they had the aptitude.
They rushed to the rear of the perilous battlefield, carefully practicing what they had learned in medical camps, all to earn the meager compensation that kept everyone alive.
Those days, though often surrounded by exhaustion and smoke, were the brightest and warmest times in Kabuto's memory. The playfulness of his companions and the gentle gaze of Yakushi Nono were enough to dispel all gloom.
However, fate took another turn one day after the Nine-Tails' attack.
A group of uninvited guests sought out the orphanage and held a secret conversation with Yakushi Nono.
Young Kabuto, out of instinctive worry and curiosity, hid outside the door to eavesdrop.
Little did he know, in front of the experienced visitors, his presence had been completely exposed from the very beginning, only they didn't care.
It was this overheard conversation that, like cold thunder, ruthlessly split open a corner of his world. He learned in terror of the mysterious and heavy past identity that Yakushi Nono carried, as well as the immense threat that bound her like shackles.
To protect the only light in his heart, young Kabuto made a heart-wrenching choice. He "betrayed" the companions at the orphanage he spent every day with and resolutely stepped into Root, that deep and cold intelligence organization.
His only humble wish was to use his own sacrifice to help Yakushi Nono break free from these shackles of fate as soon as possible.
As for his own safety and future, he had long since put them out of his mind.
Sadly, on the chessboard of Root's top brass, he was merely an insignificant, expendable pawn, receiving not even a shred of attention.
His undercover life began hastily amidst indifference and exploitation.
Not long after, the war between Konoha and Kumogakure broke out.
Toward this Village that had raised him but failed to provide even a shred of warmth, Kabuto felt little attachment.
The only lighthouse he cared about in his heart was always Yakushi Nono.
Because he knew the nun's duties would not push her to the front lines of the war, he watched the course of the war with indifference, focusing only on completing his mission.
The war ended, and information exchange gradually returned to normal.
However, an explosive piece of news from a foreign land plunged him into unprecedented confusion and hesitation: the Root organization he belonged to had actually vanished into smoke before the war even began!
He had attributed all previous interruptions in contact to the strict communication blockade during the war; who would have expected it was because of the destruction of Root! This was like pulling the cornerstone out from his existence.
Return to Konoha? Would there be a place for him there?
Root was never meant to see the light of day. He might just be an undocumented person with no identity, and the upper echelons of Konoha would have no record of his existence at all.
A huge sense of loss and panic swept over him.
Eventually, he chose to turn back to the Land of Fire, not to return directly to Konoha, but to search for definite news of Yakushi Nono on this land and to investigate the truth behind the destruction of Root.
However, the shadow of Root was too deep; even in the Land of Fire, it was difficult to find out detailed inside information.
Or perhaps, too few people knew about Root, and no one cared about its news at all!
Just during this aimless search, a shocking piece of news struck him: the Yakushi Nono he dreamed of had not returned to Konoha, and her tracks actually pointed to the distant and inconspicuous Hidden Snow Village!
Hidden Snow Village? Kabuto felt a wave of absurd confusion and unease.
With Konoha's powerful foundation, it would never be so destitute that it needed to send important Anbu elites to the Hidden Snow Village to carry out missions; such an undercover act had no strategic significance.
Moreover, the news about her could actually reach the Land of Fire? This unreasonable situation could only point to one thing: Yakushi Nono had fallen into some kind of unimaginable, massive trouble or danger.
Confused and full of doubts, but after confirming the accuracy of the news, all hesitation was instantly replaced by determination.
Kabuto turned his direction without hesitation, his gaze fixed firmly on the snow-filled Land of Snow, racing toward the Hidden Snow Village at full speed.
Even if the path ahead was a den of tigers and dragons, a place of near-certain death, he would not look back.
At this moment, he had only one belief in his heart.
Find her, understand the truth, and do everything in his power to rescue her from that unknown peril!
The Hidden Snow Village, this Village covered in ice and snow all year round, appeared exceptionally eerie at this moment.
In the boundless pure white world, countless discordant specks of pitch black were quietly lurking in the shadows of the eaves throughout the Village, in the gaps of icy branches, and in the blind spots constructed by icicles; these were the crows dispatched by Takuno.
Ever since he intentionally leaked the news about Yakushi Nono, these black eyes had been like flowing shadows, silently monitoring every corner of the Hidden Snow Village, capturing any subtle movements below.
Why not directly entrust the Snow Shinobi to do this? Takuno had his own calculations.
He didn't really trust the basic professionalism of these Snow Shinobi; compared to entrusting them, he trusted this group of almost silent birds he had tamed even more.
However, reality was as clear as this bone-chilling cold wind.
In this white world of absolute dominance, the deep black of the crows, no matter how cleverly hidden, still appeared overly conspicuous. For those who were observant, it was not difficult to detect their traces.
Takuno naturally knew this clearly, but he chose to take a gamble.
He was betting on the bond Kabuto had with his foster mother, Yakushi Nono, a bond so deep it could transcend life and death.
Even if the path ahead was a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, as long as there was a shred of a clue about Yakushi Nono, this young man would definitely rush in, even if he discovered that the entire Village was already filled with the crow's surveillance.
Takuno's judgment was spot on; Kabuto had indeed long discovered those crows that looked like black stains in the snow.
Their existence was in itself a silent warning, but he could not stop. In order to find news of Yakushi Nono, he was willing to risk himself.
At this moment, a Snow Shinobi who had just left the Village became his substitute.
Kabuto used an impeccable Transformation Jutsu to take on the appearance of that Shinobi, silently sneaking into the core area of the Hidden Snow Village.
His steps were cautious and precise, his gaze scanning quickly among the familiar buildings, attempting to lock onto the location where Yakushi Nono might be detained as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, when he took his first step, cold gazes had already focused on him; he had fallen into the invisible net woven by the crows.
Takuno's arrangements were watertight; he had long strictly ordered all Snow Shinobi to report to the leader, Kazahana Dotō, the first thing upon returning to the Village.
The "Snow Shinobi" in front of him, disguised by Kabuto, not only returned unusually quickly but also had no intention of reporting in.
The most fatal thing was his posture of looking around and searching eagerly, which formed a stark contrast with the mechanical rigidity of real Snow Shinobi when executing orders, like a firefly in the dark night, impossible to hide.
Soon, one of the crows flapped its wings and flew away from its post.
Having received the alert, Takuno appeared unhurriedly. His figure emerged at a nearby high point, his sharp gaze piercing through the wind and snow, landing on the figure below who was still searching anxiously.
He slightly raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing over the feathers of the crow standing still on his shoulder.
A silent command was issued, and that black messenger, like an arrow off the string, accurately swooped down toward the imposter.
Whoosh! The black shadow swept past his eyes! Kabuto's pupils contracted violently, and a fine layer of cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.
Exposed! This thought pierced his mind like an ice pick.
In that instant of shock and horror, he locked eyes with the crow that was hovering with flapping wings.
Those eyes belonging to the Shinobi crow were actually glowing with a heart-palpitating scarlet like a blood moon!
Hum. Without any warning, the scene before Kabuto collapsed and reorganized!
The bone-chilling Snow Village disappeared, replaced by the scene of a warm, tranquil, and incredibly familiar corner of Konoha.
His foster mother, Yakushi Nono, was smiling at him gently, as if she had never left.
Everything was so real, fragments of the home he cherished in the deepest part of his heart.
"It's a Genjutsu!" Kabuto was conscious; this was not a particularly sophisticated illusion structure, and he possessed the strength to break free instantly.
But that sudden warmth made his movements slightly sluggish.
"Do you like this kind of life?" A calm voice without the slightest ripple sounded abruptly in his ear.
Kabuto's heart shook violently, and he turned his head abruptly!
In this illusionary realm constructed from his deepest inner desires, a figure wearing a mysterious fox mask had quietly stood by his side, unknown when.
Without answering, Kabuto's eyes were instantly filled with unprecedented vigilance and gravity.
The arrival of the illusionary realm was the strongest proof; he had been exposed long ago! The opponent threw out the bait of Yakushi Nono, and the target was definitely himself!
Confusion coiled around his thoughts like poison ivy. Why? He was just an unknown operative of Konoha, a small pawn that could be discarded at any time.
His insignificant Medical Ninjutsu? Or this awkward identity of an abandoned pawn? What was worth the opponent going to such great lengths and setting up layers of schemes to capture him?
His gaze locked tightly onto the fox mask. A series of intelligence fragments flashed through Kabuto's mind like lightning: that figure who spanned the battlefields of Konoha and Kumogakure, that powerhouse who could face the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and gain the upper hand—
A name was on the tip of his tongue.
"You are—The Collector?!" Kabuto's voice carried a hint of uncertain hoarseness.
Having recognized the opponent, he was even more bewildered.
For a powerhouse like "The Collector" who stood almost at the pinnacle, was his scheming and planning just to capture him?
This was simply absurd!
What value did he hide on himself that even he didn't know about?
Kumogakure's vague, post-war wanted notice had hinted that "The Collector" was a hidden power of Konoha.
Kabuto had also tended to believe this inference, yet at this moment, the opponent was clearly the supreme power behind the scenes of this Snow Country Village.
If he was a person from Konoha, why would he flee far away to this bitter, cold place to hide?
If not, then hiding in this remote corner, what kind of earth-shattering secret was he plotting?
And he himself, what kind of role was he playing in this huge game of chess?
Layers of questions piled up, making Kabuto feel an unprecedented sense of suffocation and an ominous premonition.
"Do you want to go and see her?"
Takuno asked. Accompanied by his question, the precise illusionary realm surrounding them silently disintegrated and dissipated, as if it had never existed, and the surrounding scene instantly returned to a real texture.
A brief silence etched deep traces of thought on Kabuto's face.
But in the end, these chaotic thoughts were suppressed by a more powerful idea: he wanted to see Yakushi Nono and confirm her safety.
He took a deep breath, and when he spoke again, his voice carried an unquestionable determination, and he nodded vigorously.
Even if the path ahead was an unknown abyss, as long as he could see that she was safe and sound, this was his only and most important goal at this moment.
Takuno's sharp gaze captured every subtle emotional change on Kabuto's face, that transformation from vigilance and struggle to the final solidification of determination to protect.
A flash of understanding crossed his eyes. He did not say much, just turned around very naturally and walked with steady steps toward the path leading to the orphanage.
Seeing Takuno's back, which seemed completely unguarded, Kabuto stiffened for a moment.
"—Hmm."
He habitually assessed the possibility of escape or resistance, his fingertips even moving unconsciously.
However, Takuno's unguarded yet absolutely powerful back was like an invisible mountain, making him calm down quickly.
He knew clearly that in front of this overwhelming gap in strength, any small movements attempting to hide were just futile struggles, and might even be counterproductive.
He forcibly suppressed the fluctuations in his heart, choosing to conceal all sharpness and vigilance, following closely behind that unfathomable figure like the most obedient follower.
Takuno, walking slowly ahead, didn't need to look back to see Kabuto's momentary hesitation and ultimate submission.
A trace of an imperceptible smile quietly curled the corners of his mouth.