On a winding forest path, a large caravan moved steadily forward.
Behind it, a group of ragged children trudged along, their weary figures determined to keep pace. They varied in age, the eldest around fifteen or sixteen, the youngest no more than three or four. Though frail and thin, not a single child lagged behind. Supporting one another, the older ones protected the younger ones, pressing forward with unwavering resolve.
These children were orphans from the Land of Hot Springs, victims of a war they did not start and tragedies they could not prevent.
Ever since the death of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, the ninja world had maintained a fragile peace. But beneath the surface, countless schemes festered.
The catalyst for the current unrest stemmed from lost intelligence concerning Rain Shinobi Village. In response, Hanzō of the Salamander, wary of security threats, dispatched numerous ninjas to guard the Rain Country's borders. This, in turn, prompted major movements from the nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth.
While Rain Shinobi Village was not a significant force in the eyes of the five great nations, the Second Tsuchikage saw an opportunity to attack Kirigakure. Convinced that the Rain Village was being manipulated by the Mist Village, he prepared to launch a surprise assault.
The tension between the Earth and Water nations ran deep, their conflicts predating the founding of the villages. Accusations flew, and when Kirigakure saw Iwagakure casting blame, the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, dismissed diplomacy entirely.
"Enough talk! Let's fight!"
Thus, both nations mobilized their forces, converging in the Lands of Hot Springs and Fields.
The outbreak of war drew in other nations. The Second Raikage, feeling excluded from the fray, expressed his outrage. If the Tsuchikage intended to wage war, he should have at least invited Kumogakure to join the battle. Seizing the moment, the Raikage launched a surprise attack on Konoha, plunging four of the five great nations into chaos.
As always, the small nations bore the brunt of the conflict. Despite the general professionalism of the shinobi armies, the destructive power of their techniques was indiscriminate. A stray Fire Style could reduce a village to ashes, while an errant Water Style could flood an entire town.
Thus, a new wave of war orphans emerged.
The Hot Spring Ninja Village, valuing peace and stability, sealed its borders, refusing entry to outsiders and forbidding its citizens from leaving. Left with nowhere else to go, the orphans began a desperate exodus toward the Land of Fire, the most accessible and hospitable option.
This caravan was but one of many groups making the journey.
Fortunately, the escort ninjas belonged to Konoha, a village known for its discipline. While they did not actively care for the orphans, they did not drive them away either. Occasionally, kindhearted kunoichi would sneak food to the children.
At the front of the caravan, a boy carrying a massive backpack walked beside a young merchant.
"Nibongi, didn't you say we'd reach Konoha by this afternoon? It's already noon, and I don't see any sign of it yet."
"Relax, Rinto! I've traveled this route countless times. We'll be there by afternoon, not evening. Trust me!"
Rinto eyed Nibongi skeptically. "This coming from the guy who told me there were giant statues of Hashirama and Madara at the Valley of the End? I ran over there, and all I saw were two bald heads staring at each other."
Nibongi nearly tripped. "That—That's because of the war! They would have been fixed by now!"
"Sure," Rinto scoffed. "If you lie to me again, I'm telling Miss Yuriko you peeked at her bathing yesterday."
"Don't!" Nibongi paled, covering Rinto's mouth.
Just then, a deep, mature voice called out from behind them. "Nibongi, are you bullying Rinto-kun again?"
"I didn't!" Nibongi shot back, his face reddening. "Dad! Rinto's the one bullying me!"
"I didn't see that. I only saw you causing trouble for Rinto-kun."
Rinto turned to the white-haired but still robust caravan leader. "Uncle Kaito, it's fine. Nibongi and I were just joking."
Hearing this, Nibongi muttered under his breath. "Damn Rinto, always playing innocent."
Kaito Fujiwara sighed and ignored his son's grumbling. "Alright, let's rest and eat. Push forward, and we'll reach Konoha by afternoon. I'll treat everyone to barbecue once we arrive!"
The caravan members cheered, unloading their packs and pulling out food. The children at the back stopped as well, eyes turning toward a young girl at their center.
She was about four or five years old, dressed in black cropped pants and a sky-blue pullover. Though slightly oversized, her clothes were clean, a stark contrast to the other children's tattered garments. Her round face and chubby hands marked her as better nourished than the rest.
"Big Sister Rie, do you have any food?" a timid girl asked.
The other children looked at Rie expectantly, their gazes fixed on the small backpack she carried.
Rie tilted her head, her face scrunching up in thought. "I have to count!" she announced.
She set her bag down, unbuttoned it, and pulled out a small white bundle, mumbling as she counted.
"There are twenty-one of us. Yesterday, there were thirty-one ration pills in the bag. We ate twenty-one... so that means—"
She started counting on her fingers. "One, two... there should be eleven left!"
Rie opened the bag and counted again. "Huh? One's missing! There's only ten!"
The children's hopeful expressions dimmed. The older boys insisted they could go without, offering the food to the younger ones.
"Sister Rie, please give the rest to the little ones," urged a girl named Meiko, though hunger was evident in her eyes.
Rie frowned, struggling with the unfairness of it all. "I'll go ask my brother!"
"Don't!" Meiko and the others tried to stop her. "Last time you asked him, he scolded you!"
Rie puffed out her cheeks. "That was because I miscalculated, not because I asked for food!"
She skipped toward Rinto, dodging the smiles of caravan members who admired her kindness.
A short-haired kunoichi waved at her. "Rie, looking for Rinto again?"
"Yep!" Rie grinned. "Sister Yuriko, you look so pretty today!"
"Really? Must be the hot spring bath yesterday." Yuriko chuckled. "Why didn't you come?"
Rie's face turned red. "Uh... my brother gave me a math test! Yeah! That's why!"
In truth, Rinto had made her stand guard for Nibongi, who had tried to peek at Yuriko. But Rie wasn't about to admit that.
She found Rinto leaning against a tree. "Brother, brother! Stop pretending to sleep!"
Rinto opened one eye and sighed. "How many ration pills did you say were left?"
Rie hesitated. "Uh... nine? No, eight! Eleven?"
Rinto groaned, grabbing her forehead. "You're the child of a blacksmith! How is thirty-one minus twenty-one anything but ten?!"
"Oops..." Rie stuck out her tongue.
"That's it! Today I'm giving you a proper lesson! Don't run!"
Laughing, Rie bolted, clutching the extra food. Her brother's frustration couldn't hide his smile. She was safe, happy, and had friends now. That was enough.
Rinto looked skyward, exhaling. "You sure know how to cause trouble, kid."
And yet, despite everything, he wouldn't change a thing.
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