Hayato Ren originally intended to leave some money for the Little Beggar, considering their encounter here to be fate.
However, innocence invites disaster when possessing valuables. If he truly gave the Little Beggar money, it might actually bring harm to her.
So, Hayato Ren left some food for the Little Beggar instead. He hoped she could endure until the war ended and survive.
After all, Hayato Ren wasn't a saint—there were so many people in the Rain Country who had lost their homes, and he couldn't possibly help all of them.
Just as Hayato Ren was about to leave with Charizard, the corner of his clothes was tugged.
The Little Beggar was holding onto the hem of Hayato Ren's clothes with one hand while offering an exquisitely crafted paper flower with the other.
"Ninja-sama, this... this paper flower is my gift to you. May... may I know your name?"
Hayato Ren looked at the paper flower before him, then at the Little Beggar's blue hair, and a sudden realization struck him like lightning.
He quickly crouched down, placing both hands on the Little Beggar's shoulders, and spoke urgently:
"Are you called Konan?"
Although Konan didn't know why this handsome ninja knew her name, she believed someone who treated her to grilled fish couldn't be a bad person, so she nodded gently.
Due to long-term malnutrition, Konan's body was emaciated, making it impossible to tell she was a girl.
Hayato Ren had originally thought she was a boy, never expecting that while having dinner, he would encounter a future core member of the Akatsuki.
At this point in time, had Konan not yet met Yahiko and Nagato?
Seeing Hayato Ren silently staring at her, Konan instinctively lowered her head, thinking she had done something wrong.
After a long while, Hayato Ren finally snapped out of it and said to Konan:
"Konan, do you want to become a ninja?"
Hearing this, Konan nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice.
She had always dreamed of becoming a ninja, as only then could she possess the strength to protect herself and her family.
If she hadn't been so useless before, perhaps her father and mother wouldn't have...
At this thought, large teardrops began to stream down Konan's face.
Hayato Ren gently wiped the tears from Konan's cheeks and said softly:
"If you want to become a ninja, then come back to the Leaf with me. Once we're in the Leaf, no one will be able to bully you anymore."
Konan wiped her face vigorously and asked Hayato Ren cautiously:
"Why... why are you being so kind to me?"
Hearing this, Hayato Ren was momentarily stunned, then reached out to pat Konan's head a few times before responding with a smile:
"Meeting is fate—there's no particular reason. Oh, I haven't told you my name yet, have I? I'm Konoha Jonin Hayato Ren. Please take care of me from now on."
Looking at the bright smile on Hayato Ren's face, Konan carefully placed her hand on his outstretched right palm.
Hayato Ren had originally planned to continue his "hunting," but after meeting Konan, he abandoned that idea.
Calculating the time, it had been a while since he last returned to the camp. He wondered how Tsunade was doing.
But for now, the most urgent matter was to properly clean up Konan, as she still looked rather disheveled.
Afterward, Hayato Ren had Charizard return to the Summoning World. He then took Konan to a nearby town, where he bought several sets of clothes before bringing her to an inn.
After some time, Konan, now dressed in new clothes, nervously appeared before Hayato Ren.
At the sight, Hayato Ren was stunned. In that moment, he deeply understood the saying, "Fine feathers make fine birds."
The previous Konan had been indistinguishable from the little beggars commonly seen in the Rain Country—at most, she was just a bit cleaner.
But after bathing and changing into new clothes, she looked remarkably striking.
Though her figure was frail due to long-term malnutrition, it was clear that she would grow into an extraordinary beauty.
Seeing Hayato Ren staring at her without saying a word, Konan nervously wiggled her adorable little toes and whispered:
"Am I too ugly? Do I not deserve to wear such beautiful clothes?"
Noticing the anxious expression on Konan's face, Hayato Ren stepped forward and patted her shoulder.
"Nonsense. It's these ordinary clothes that don't deserve you, Konan."
Hearing Hayato Ren's words, Konan finally broke into a radiant smile.
Afterward, Hayato Ren brought Konan to a deserted area and summoned Charizard.
Staring at the "giant creature" before her, Konan's small eyes filled with curiosity.
Charizard glanced at the tiny figure in front of him and, after a moment's thought, cautiously extended his right claw.
Konan instinctively looked toward Hayato Ren.
Hayato Ren explained with a smile:
"This is Charizard, my most important partner. He's just greeting you."
After receiving Hayato Ren's reassurance, Konan gently placed her small hand on Charizard's claw and said happily:
"Charizard, please take care of me from now on."
Hayato Ren then lifted Konan onto Charizard's back.
Once they were seated securely, Charizard flapped his massive wings and soared into the sky in an instant.
The sudden ascent startled Konan, who let out a sharp scream and tightly wrapped her arms around Hayato Ren's waist, too afraid to open her eyes.
When Charizard's flight stabilized, Hayato Ren leaned close to Konan's ear and whispered softly:
"You can open your eyes now. Charizard is very skilled—we won't fall."
Comforted by Hayato Ren's words, Konan cautiously opened her eyes and curiously surveyed her surroundings.
The novel sensation of flying high in the sky instantly made her forget her earlier fear.
At this moment, Konan gazed down at the significantly shrunken scenery below, her expression brimming with excitement.
...
"That Ren, why hasn't he returned yet? I shouldn't have let him go on that mission. Could something have happened to him? It's been so long without any contact."
As usual, Tsunade stood at the camp's main gate, thinking with mixed feelings of hope and apprehension.
Just then, an orange-red figure suddenly appeared in mid-air.