—Dear Kazekage. It is with sorrow in my heart that I must inform you of an untimely cessation of my activities as part of our mutually beneficial agreement for an estimated period of one year.
However, this is not a farewell!
I am a gentleman of my word, for a man's word must never be questioned, therefore, as a token of my goodwill, I hand over this special scroll, which I give as a gift to your warm Village so you may study and replicate it.
I wholeheartedly hope you manage to soften the harsh summer with this gift of mine.
With love, Yuki Takeshi~
P.S.: Here is a snapshot in time of our good moments. I hope you appreciate this copy, as I reserved about four for myself, to never forget the bonds that tie us together and make us such good partners and friends. I hope to resume our business as soon as I have put my affairs in order and you yours.
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—Miss, give me two more please!
—Onee-San, I want a strawberry one!
—Waah! This tastes so good~
People crowded around the large wooden and metal cart, which emitted a refreshing air that drove away the intense midday heat, just like the products it sold to the villagers.
A friendly woman with beautiful red hair moved frantically from side to side, her movements practiced, professional, diligently serving the clientele.
Despite the hustle, her charming smile never disappeared. She handled the situation calmly, greatly satisfying the small crowd.
After an hour, the ice pops of various flavors were completely sold out, and the red-haired woman had no choice but to dismiss the enthusiasts who came looking for a second or third round.
Uzumaki Yumi apologized to the disappointed children and the relieved parents, closing the metal window and stepping out of the special carriage she now worked in.
She walked with an enthusiastic smile to the front, took a seat, and shook the reins, mobilizing the six beasts that pulled the construction.
The fresh air of the virgin nature entered her lungs, the clear sky and the intense sun overhead, bathing her in its incandescent glow without the heat affecting her at all.
In fact, she welcomed it. Working inside this "cart" used to numb her limbs, given the low temperature inside.
But Uzumaki Yumi felt happy. She felt useful, normal. She felt alive.
After a while, she spotted a second cart resting beside the road, under a huge tree. She steered the beasts in that direction, her eyes searching for the familiar figures who were now her family.
As she approached, she found a woman resting lazily on one of the branches. Yuki Kimiko, her posture serene and her eyes always sharply scanning the surroundings.
To one side of the tree, there was her daughter, dirty and drenched in sweat, but with a determined look. The girl was taking deep breaths, executing slow movements, similar to those of a dance.
She was now in a stage of her training where she practiced the basic Taijutsu stances.
As soon as she crossed a certain threshold that she couldn't see, she felt a slight drop in temperature. It was soft, it was localized.
It still didn't cease to surprise her, the boy's mastery over his Kekkei Genkai.
At first, Yumi thought it was somewhat normal for a Ninja Clan. No, for one of the most renowned clans in the Ninja world, from one of the Five Great Villages.
But then she noticed the difference in abilities between Yuki Takeshi and his mother. When she mustered the courage to consult the distant woman about it, she told her that she had never seen or heard of anyone like Takeshi.
He was different.
—Mom!— called Karin, snapping Yumi out of her thoughts. The older Uzumaki smiled at her daughter, waving her hand.
Yumi stopped the carriage, released the horses so they could eat and rest, and approached the smaller cart with a bag in her arms.
—How was your day, Yumi-San?— came the voice of Yuki Takeshi, who stretched as he emerged from the cart to meet her.
—Very well, Master Takeshi. I sold everything today— she replied with a smile, holding out the bag to the boy. However, Takeshi shook his head, rejecting the object.
—It's your job, it's your money. You must take responsibility for it yourself— Takeshi said in an educational tone.
Yumi found it strange that a boy several years younger than her taught her so many things, but over time she had come to accept her circumstances.
She was uneducated in any sense.
—I understand, Master Takeshi. But still, please accept the money for your part of the work. It's not right for you to spoil me too much— she warned with a frown.
Takeshi didn't answer, giving her a mischievous smile.
Yumi sat silently beside the boy, taking out and counting her earnings for the day.
Half a year had passed since they found Lady Tsunade and she diagnosed her condition. Now, despite knowing her time was limited, Yumi didn't fall apart or become demotivated.
She pestered Takeshi for an entire week until the youth gave up and found her something with which to be useful.
Somehow, the boy managed to hire a good blacksmith and a carpenter in the capital of the Land of Rivers, thus getting them to build him a strange carriage made of wood and metal.
Yumi didn't understand its purpose, but things didn't end there.
Takeshi dragged her across the capital for two days, establishing relationships with fruit and sugar merchants, teaching her everything she needed to start and maintain a business in the process.
Yumi absorbed the knowledge like a sponge, even going back to studying mathematics and arithmetic operations to sharpen her mind and avoid being swindled with money.
And so began the ice cream business.
She learned how to make them, and Takeshi provided both the initial investment and the ice. Since then, Yumi alternated between her domestic duties and her new job.
Despite everything, Takeshi still refused to accept money for providing the ice every day, and Yumi kept insisting and paying him every time they reached a new town and she sold her products.
But things would soon change. They were getting closer and closer to their new destination, to a quieter life, and Takeshi would be leaving for a while.
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In a dark, hidden place underground, a gigantic statue witnessed a peculiar gathering of dangerous individuals.
Distorted images danced over some of its fingers, all silent, with cold stares. Then, a final image appeared with peculiar eyes, flashing power and authority.
—What's going on? I was about to collect a bounty— Kakuzu questioned with a steely voice.
The Deva Path, representative of Uzumaki Nagato, didn't bother to even glance at the man. Instead, Zetsu reported the reason for the meeting.
—A young power has appeared in the shinobi world. One who recently humiliated the Fourth Kazekage Rasa in the middle of the desert— the white creature commented with a jovial tone.
—Oh-ho? Is it really that impressive to kick around that excuse for a Kage?— Sasori scoffed with disdain.
—It is when he does it at thirteen or fourteen years old— Zetsu retorted with a mischievous smile.
Silence fell in the dark chamber. Kakuzu considered the future implications, or more specifically, the bounty on that brat's head.
Sasori considered the information. He remained unimpressed, as he himself had killed a Kage of Suna in the desert, one who was not only a Jiton user but also the one who developed it in conjunction with Satetsu and was definitely more powerful than Rasa.
—Kuku, he not only defeated him in his own land, along with several Sunagakure elites. He knocked him out, along with his shinobi, dragged him closer to the village, and tied him to a large P-shaped pillar...—
—That is not important— Pain cut off the white Zetsu with a penetrating gaze. —Konan and Kakuzu, you two will go recruit this rogue Yuki. He will be your new partner, Kakuzu, so don't kill him. Sasori, you and I will also move. There is a Sannin we must find.
After his words, Pain dispelled the technique.
For his part, Kakuzu embarked on a journey to Amegakure to meet Konan and depart in search of Yuki Takeshi, who had recently crossed the Land of Rain, heading towards the West of the continent.
That was why he entered Zetsu's radar.