While the two were talking, they passed by a temporary post war refugee gathering area. Sora's gaze casually scanned the surroundings.
Although the war had ended, the area near Kikyōyama was still chaotic. There were civilians who had fled and returned everywhere, as well as some scattered vagrants and orphans trying to find valuable items in the ruins.
The Konoha ninja were busy with their own affairs. For these civilians, as long as they did not actively provoke or steal military supplies, they mostly turned a blind eye.
At that moment, Sora's gaze was attracted by a thin, small figure in the distance.
It was a boy who looked only about six or seven years old. He had rare light gray hair and wore a pair of old, round frame glasses. Behind the glasses were eyes that did not match his age, filled with some panic and wariness.
He wore coarse clothes stained with dirt and was carefully rummaging through the ruins of a half collapsed house for something. His movements were nimble, but his eyes kept darting towards the surrounding Konoha ninja, full of unease.
This appearance... these glasses...
Sora's steps paused slightly.
'Kabuto?!'
He immediately recognized this boy's identity!
Kabuto Yakushi, the future figure who stirred up the ninja world, skilled in medical ninjutsu and infiltration, even Orochimaru once regarded him as a trusted aide!
'At this point in time... why would he be here? According to the original work, he should have been discovered by his sister after the Battle of Kikyōyama and taken back to the Konoha orphanage!'
Sora's brows furrowed slightly, his mind racing as he recalled the plot about Kabuto Yakushi.
Kabuto was originally a child from an orphanage near the Kikyōyama battlefield. Due to his memory confusion and spy talent, he was used by Danzo and sent on missions to various countries. Later, he was subdued by Orochimaru...
However, then Sora thought of Nonō. According to his previous calculations and the original timeline, Nonō should have completed her mission and returned to Konoha within the last year or two, and should have been active around the time of the Battle of Kikyōyama.
But in fact, Nonō had left the orphanage for more than five years now, without any news!
'It seems, this mission of big sister's is even more important and dangerous than in the original work.'
Sora silently pondered the information about Nonō, but with Hiruzen Sarutobi's endorsement, he speculated that Nonō would most likely return within this year or two, just a matter of time.
However, what was more important at the moment was dealing with the issue of Kabuto.
'No matter what, I can't ignore Kabuto.'
Sora had complex feelings towards the character Kabuto.
The later Kabuto strayed from the right path and did many wrong things. But at its root, he was also a pitiful person destroyed by war and conspiracy, who lost his self identity.
His current state, how similar it was to when Fox brought Sora back to Konoha!
Both were orphans struggling to survive in the flames of war.
'If Fox hadn't brought me back to the orphanage back then, if I hadn't had big sister's care, what would my fate have been? Probably not much better than his.' Sora sighed inwardly.
Since he encountered him, he couldn't just leave him be.
Moreover, Kabuto's talent was undeniable. His medical ninjutsu, analytical ability, and disguise skills were all top notch.
If he could be guided onto the right path, he might become a powerful ally in the future.
Even if not, at least he shouldn't be allowed to fall into the hands of Danzo or Orochimaru again, becoming their tool.
Thinking of this, Sora hesitated no longer and walked towards that thin, small figure.
Fox noticed Sora's action. Following his gaze, he also saw the boy rummaging in the ruins. He seemed to understand something and did not stop him, just silently watched.
Kabuto was obviously very alert. Sora had only taken a few steps closer when he suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with vigilance and fear. He instinctively took a few steps back, tightly clutching a piece of dry, hard bread he had picked up from somewhere.
"Do not be afraid." Sora stopped, trying to keep his tone as gentle as possible. "I am not a bad person."
Kabuto did not speak, just looked Sora up and down with a suspicious gaze, especially focusing on the Konoha ninja uniform he wore and the Anbu mask attached to his waist.
Obviously, compared to Nonō who radiated maternal warmth, Sora, who exuded a stern and murderous aura, was hard for him to let down his guard.
"What is your name? Where is your family?"
Sora continued to ask, while slowly squatting down to make his height level with Kabuto's, reducing the sense of pressure.
Kabuto pursed his lips, still silent. But the fear in his eyes decreased slightly, perhaps because Sora didn't look very old either, and his attitude seemed friendly enough.
"The war is over. It is dangerous here. There are still many uncleared traps." Sora pointed at the surrounding ruins. "It is very unsafe to be here alone."
Kabuto looked around, then looked at Sora, and finally said in a barely audible voice,
"... I have no family left."
The voice carried the childishness of a child, yet had a hoarseness and numbness beyond his years.
Sora was silent for a moment, then took out some soldier pills and water from his ninja tool pouch and offered them,
"Hungry? Have something to eat first."
Kabuto looked at the food in Sora's hand. His throat moved involuntarily, and longing showed in his eyes. But he still did not step forward immediately, his vigilance extremely high.
Sora did not rush him, just waited patiently.
After a while, perhaps unable to resist hunger any longer, or perhaps feeling Sora meant no harm, Kabuto carefully stepped forward. He quickly grabbed the soldier pills and water, then immediately stepped back several paces, devouring the food ravenously.
Watching his sorry state, Sora seemed to see himself many years ago, just brought to the Konoha orphanage, and couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
'Fate is truly unpredictable.'
After Kabuto had recovered somewhat, Sora spoke again,
"My name is Sora. I am a ninja from Konoha. Do you want... to come back to Konoha with me? There is a place to stay, there is food to eat. It might not be very rich, but at least you won't have to worry about hunger, or be afraid of war."
Kabuto looked up, looking at Sora through his dirty lenses. His eyes were full of hesitation and uncertainty.
He had experienced too much deception and betrayal. He instinctively felt suspicious towards the goodwill of strangers.
"Konoha... orphanage?"
"Yes, the Konoha orphanage. I live there."
Sora nodded. These words seemed to have some effect. Kabuto's eyes flickered, and he murmured softly,
"I... I am called Kabuto."
It was indeed him!
Sora confirmed in his heart, showing a gentle smile on his face.
"Kabuto, that is a very nice name. So, what is your decision? To keep staying here, or to come back with me?"
Kabuto looked at the remaining half of the soldier pill in his hand, then at the messy ruins around him. Finally, his gaze fell on that smile on Sora's face, which wasn't brilliant, but was sincere enough.
After a moment of silence, he nodded lightly and said in a voice almost inaudible, "... I will go with you."
Sora let out a sigh of relief and reached out his hand. "Let's go. We are returning to Konoha."
Kabuto hesitated for a moment, but finally extended his dirty little hand and grasped Sora's finger.
At this moment, Sora seemed to see the track of fate, because of his intervention, quietly shifting by a tiny angle.
Fox watched as Sora brought Kabuto back. He did not seem surprised, just asked lightly,
"Decided?"
Sora nodded. "Yes, taking him back to the orphanage."
Fox looked at the thin Kabuto, then looked at Sora, as if remembering the scene years ago when he brought Sora back to Konoha. His single arm lightly patted Sora's shoulder, and he said nothing more.
Just like that, just as Fox had brought him back to Konoha years ago, Sora brought the young Kabuto Yakushi with him and set off on the journey back to Konoha.
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