Naruto: Thousand Unknown

"Huh~!"

Kimimaro was panting heavily. All the members of his clan had been slaughtered overnight. Now, he was the last surviving member of the Kaguya clan. Though his family had never treated him kindly, it was still the place he had called home. Now that he had left it behind, Kimimaro didn't know where he was supposed to go.

He couldn't find any sense of purpose, nor did he have any direction for the future.

Perhaps there was no time to think about those things now Kirigakure's pursuit squad was getting closer by the second.

A decisive look flashed across Kimimaro's youthful face, and a small bone blade extended from the palm of his hand. Let me die in battle like my clansmen!

Seeing Kimimaro's expression, a trace of admiration passed across Chao Yanqian's face. Although young, the boy had already demonstrated the resolve of an excellent shinobi.

Judging from the original work, Kimimaro's loyalty was absolute, and his strength was formidable. If not for his terminal illness, he might have reached Kage-level one day.

However, his incurable disease was a serious problem. Even while in Curse Mark Level 2, he was ultimately defeated by Gaara.

But with my medical ninjutsu, Chao Yanqian thought to himself, if I start treating Kimimaro now, I might be able to prevent his condition from worsening. If I wait until he's on the brink of death, it'll be too late!

Suddenly, seven adult shinobi appeared before Kimimaro.

"Is this kid the last survivor of the Kaguya clan?" one Kiri-nin asked.

"Kill him! Let's finish this already!" another snapped.

The seven Mist shinobi closed in on Kimimaro, their killing intent palpable. Cold sweat dripped down Kimimaro's face as he backed away. Still, his expression remained firm. Perhaps dying in battle would be a fitting end.

"I'm sorry, but you won't be killing him. He's someone I admire," Chao Yanqian said, stepping from the shadows and positioning himself between Kimimaro and the enemy, his eyes icy.

"Who are you...?" one of the Kiri-nin began.

"Shut up! Do you have a death wish?!" another interrupted, suddenly recognizing him. Turning respectful, he asked nervously, "Why are you here…?"

"So, you recognize me," Chao Yanqian said with a faint smile. He then whispered, "Wood Release: Wood Binding Technique!"

With a thrust of his right hand, seven wooden stakes shot forward, restraining each of the Mist shinobi. With a powerful clenched fist, the trees tightened around them, and the sound of bones breaking echoed through the forest.

"Incredible…" Kimimaro whispered, awe-struck.

"Kid, why are Kirigakure's ninja chasing you?" Chao Yanqian asked kindly.

"I… I…" Kimimaro stammered before explaining how his clan was wiped out.

"So, you have nowhere to go now," Chao Yanqian murmured.

"Yeah… no one needs me," Kimimaro said, crestfallen.

"Then come with me," Chao Yanqian said softly, reaching out and gently touching Kimimaro's face. "You're incredibly talented. Maybe you can help me one day."

"Can I find a reason to live by staying with you?" Kimimaro asked. "Do you really… need me?"

"Of course," Chao Yanqian replied with a smile. "Life is a miraculous thing. Human life is short, but we struggle and persevere because there's always something new to discover. As long as you keep living, you'll find what's meaningful. Once you're dead, there's nothing left."

"Yes…" Kimimaro nodded quietly.

"Let's go. It's getting late. You probably haven't eaten yet," Chao Yanqian said.

"Ah, y-yeah," Kimimaro answered shyly.

"After we eat, I'll take you out of this land. This country is too cold, too devoid of warmth. I'll take you somewhere beautiful you'll love it," Chao Yanqian whispered, his voice almost tempting.

"Is… is there really such a place?" Kimimaro asked, eyes filled with longing.

"As long as you keep living, you'll see it," Chao Yanqian said.

In his past life, Chao Yanqian had never understood why characters like Haku and Kimimaro clung so tightly to the idea of finding meaning in life.

But after coming to this world, he understood completely. The Blood Mist policy of Kirigakure had stripped away any warmth or kindness from the Land of Water. The people were cold and distant. For orphans like Haku and Kimimaro, their situation was even more tragic than that of the Akatsuki trio.

And due to the village's brutal persecution of kekkei genkai users, the populace feared them just as the villagers of Konoha feared Naruto Uzumaki.

But Naruto had at least felt a touch of warmth from the Third Hokage and Iruka. Haku and Kimimaro had no one. They stood on the edge of a world that didn't care if they lived or died.

"Stop!"

Just as they were about to leave the forest, a squad of hidden Mist shinobi stepped out to block their path. They didn't attack immediately perhaps out of fear of Chao Yanqian's strength but kept a safe distance.

Chao Yanqian was about to act, but paused when he scanned the four ANBU. His eyes narrowed.

"I didn't expect to see you here. Did the village's hatred of kekkei genkai users leave you no other option?" he said, looking at one particular ANBU with long, wavy brown hair.

"Chao Yanqian… you bastard. I didn't expect you to set foot in Kirigakure," said a voice seething with fury. Beneath the mask, the aquamarine eyes of Terumi Mei burned with rage.

"Haha, fate is strange indeed. I didn't come here looking for you… but since we've met, I think it's time I honored that promise I made to you," Chao Yanqian replied calmly.

"Promise? What promise?" Terumi growled.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten? I said if we ever met again, I'd tell you a secret the truth about the Fourth Mizukage," Chao Yanqian said with a smirk. "But this secret isn't something just anyone should hear."

"What…!?" Terumi Mei was briefly stunned before realizing what he meant. Her expression changed. "Don't you dare!"

[Yin Seal: Release!]

Entering Sage Mode, she flung six specially-marked kunai to block the escape routes of the remaining three hidden Mist shinobi.

In a flash, Chao Yanqian's figure vanished. When the kunai struck the ground, the three ANBU choked as blood spurted from their throats they collapsed lifelessly.

"I will kill you!" Terumi Mei screamed in fury, beginning to form hand seals.

Unhurried, Chao Yanqian bent down and picked up one of the marked kunai. "Calm down. Don't you want to know the truth about the Fourth Mizukage? This concerns the future of Kirigakure itself."

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