Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

Perhaps it was a habit, but the old man always waited until the last rays of the setting sun had disappeared below the horizon before starting to prepare dinner. He declined Ye Zi's offer to help and slowly started a fire before beginning to wash rice and vegetables. The water used to wash the vegetables was also used to rinse the rice. After examining the vegetables and rice carefully, he seemed to be assessing the portions for two people.

Ye Zi watched the old man's actions and figure calmly, recalling how, after clearing weeds for the old man, he had been invited to the old man's home, where they were served hot tea and a piece of yōkan (sweet bean jelly) divided into four perfectly equal parts. This yōkan was the only one they had at the time.

As the night fell, the house by the fields, standing alone, sent up a thin plume of smoke. After a while, the smoke ceased, and the table inside was set with two bowls of rice, a dish of vegetables, and a plate of pickled radishes. It was a simple meal.

Used to a large appetite, Ye Zi finished his rice quickly, consuming it with a few bites of pickled radish, and then said, "I'm full."

The old man smiled at the empty bowl and slowly started eating his own meal.

Ye Zi got up, washed the dishes and the pot, and then went outside to look at the moon in silence. His initial goal had been to test the old man, but seeing the familiar figure had removed any inclination to do so.

He stood quietly, staring at the moon, thinking about the old man in the house and the old man from his memories. In the end, a glint of resolve appeared in his eyes.

The old man inside moved slowly but steadily, with no sign of trembling.

Ye Zi withdrew his gaze from the moon and walked back into the house, where the old man was only halfway through his meal. 

The old man gave him a kind smile, and Ye Zi waved goodbye.

Back at his residence, Orochimaru was sitting alone on the porch.

Ye Zi sat down beside him, following his gaze to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, listening to the chirping of insects from the bushes.

Orochimaru glanced at him and asked, "Where did you go?"

Ye Zi replied, "On a mission."

Orochimaru nodded and suddenly said, "I've joined Root."

Ye Zi's eyes widened in surprise. He looked at Orochimaru in disbelief and said, "How did you join Root?"

Many people wondered about this, but few knew the answer, not even the Third Hokage.

Seeing Ye Zi's disbelief, Orochimaru's lips curled into a hint of derision. He would not reveal the reason to Ye Zi, only saying lightly, "Root brings many conveniences."

Ye Zi agreed with this assessment but knew it wasn't the true reason for Orochimaru's involvement. There must be more crucial reasons, but since Orochimaru was unwilling to share, Ye Zi wouldn't press further.

In the following days, Ye Zi frequently visited the old man's home. When the old man asked why, Ye Zi sincerely replied, "You remind me of my late grandfather."

This was not a lie but a heartfelt truth. Thus, despite the old man's advanced age, he never doubted Ye Zi's words.

Over time, Ye Zi began to confirm that the old man, Kimura, was different from ordinary elderly people. Firstly, he was very healthy. Secondly, he was strong. Finally, he had no chakra.

He recorded these observations in a report and submitted it to his superiors. Consequently, a person from the Yamanaka clan was sent.

In a remote forest, he observed the arrival of the person, his expression cold.

"Genya Yamanaka." Ye Zi said, looking at the newcomer.

Genya examined Ye Zi carefully, smiling. It was hard to imagine that the once skinny boy he knew had grown into such a strong and capable individual.

"It's been a long time." Genya said, though he was eager to get to the point.

Ye Zi did not show any displeasure because Genya had helped him in some way. Moreover, he was curious about what Genya had seen that day, something he had increasingly wanted to know as he grew stronger.

"Yes." Ye Zi replied briefly, ending the pleasantries.

Genya smiled faintly and said, "Once confirmed, I'll take care of the rest."

Ye Zi nodded silently. It was clear that the mission to cleanse the spies was taken seriously by the village, even involving personnel directly under the Hokage. Typically, such shadowy matters were handled by Root.

In truth, eliminating spies didn't need to be so complicated. Once suspects were identified, it could be simple if one adhered to the approach of "better to kill wrongly than to let slip." However, this was Konoha, and such matters were not handled in darkness but in the shadows, making them very cumbersome.

Days later, Ye Zi visited the old man's home again. This time, he arrived just as the house's smoke ceased.

Entering the house, the old man was slowly chewing his rice, wasting time as if life's remaining moments were becoming precious.

Tonight, the moon was full and bright, casting light through the door and windows into the room.

The old man looked up in surprise as Ye Zi entered, swallowed his food, set down his chopsticks, and asked, "Have you eaten?"

Ye Zi sat in front of him and said, "I lied to you. I don't have a grandfather, and I've never had parents."

The old man's eyes widened in shock, his expression puzzled as he looked at Ye Zi, who stared at the meager meal on the table, calmly continuing, "I am an orphan. I have a younger sister. We were adopted into an orphanage, and when I was six, I escaped with my sister. When we were about to collapse from hunger, I met a very skinny old man who... you look very much like him."

Kimura, with a worried face worn down by time, released his grip on his chopsticks and gazed silently at Ye Zi. He said, "Child, what's wrong?"

Ye Zi suddenly looked up at him, his eyes cold, and said, "You resemble him, but you are not him. He was genuine; you are somewhat fake. Perhaps you are tired, making your life seem somewhat perfunctory. This does not seem like the life of an elderly but still healthy man."

At this point, the old man's worry instantly faded, replaced by a blank expression. His aged eyes showed understanding as he sighed and said, "I am indeed tired of this monotonous life. So, do you think you can learn anything from me?"

"I think I can. You have no chakra." Ye Zi said calmly.

Kimura hurriedly touched the seal on his chest. The sudden gesture did not provoke any reaction from Ye Zi, who continued to watch the old man calmly.

Kimura reflected on the seal on his chest and said with some nostalgia, "Yes, I have no chakra." He then seemed to lose interest.

"I'm sorry." Ye Zi suddenly apologized.

Kimura's face, which had been expressionless, showed surprise. He then smiled faintly and said, "Even when the night is quiet, I remain faithfully as an old man. Although I know there's no one else around, I've recently started to become dissatisfied with my current life. I want to leave, but that's only something I can think about. I know I will eventually die in Konoha. So, I've already chosen a place, not far, under that willow tree in my field. If possible, bury me there."

"Alright." Ye Zi responded straightforwardly.

"Thank you. Also, I must apologize. You might be disappointed. Even the Yamanaka clan can't learn anything from me." Kimura said with a smile.

Ye Zi replied indifferently, "That doesn't concern me."

Hearing this, Kimura smiled more brightly, in stark contrast to his previous expression. He then slowly said to Ye Zi, "Don't underestimate those without chakra."

"I won't." Ye Zi said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Kimura nodded, his smile fading as he turned to look at the doorway where Genya stood.

"Goodbye, interesting kid."

Ye Zi remained silent, watching as Kimura was taken away by Genya.

A few days later, he buried Kimura's body beneath the willow tree, facing the fields with a small lake behind. On the grave, he placed a dish with three pieces of yōkan.

Suddenly, a breeze carried a faint, familiar fragrance from behind, and a familiar and sorrowful voice said, "Not long ago, Kimura's looked so healthy."

Without turning around, he already knew who it was. He stared at the name inscribed on the gravestone and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"He could have lived a few more years, but I killed him."

Kushina's expression gradually changed to one of shock as she looked at his back.

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