Probably today for the first time I truly enjoyed life in this world. No Chunin exam burden like in the forest. No need to impress like at Temari, Shikamaru, and Ino's birthday. I was on my own, limited only by age preventing the fun Jiraiya was having now. Kinda envious.
But even so, after nearly dying several times, I learned to cherish such moments. Most life here is hard, thankless labor that builds strength but is necessity-driven. I wouldn't sweat like this without monthly life threats or more. Sure, train anyway, but no joy in alarm clock wake-ups for workouts on days off, especially after patrol shifts nearly 24 hours on feet. Rain or shine, mood or not. Sometimes spend nerves, release some chakra twisting some drunk showing off kunai skills into a pretzel.
Then wake up realizing first 30-40 minutes running, then main workout. In my world, I could jog for fun with headphones. Sigh... How many times I'd sell my soul for the crappiest player?
First wandered the market where less crowded. Shashlik stands, ice cream vendors, candy stalls, even bakers whose variety would smoke my world's. Finally... Quick scan of this market—more elongated trading square with shops mixed with stalls—yielded the expected: found a coffee shop. Waited a bit, but real fresh hot coffee after years...
Divine.
No coffee in Konoha.
To the vendor's surprise, ordered 1.5 liters, had him fill my thermos—dumped the tea, asked thorough rinse. Extra fee, naturally...
1.5 liters plus a big disposable cup to sip while picking food. Slept five hours, walked plenty, faced two assholes who nearly killed me. Stress, damn it...
Walking, picking food... Ordered lamb shashlik. Two portions. Breakfast with Pervert was light: tea, cookies from rations, split a MRE.
With shashlik, some veggie side; ready in half hour. Perfect... Not bad. For snack, grabbed candy and ice cream to eat with coffee while waiting.
Such spending naturally drew unwanted attention, and I was ready. Created shadow clones turned into folks from my past world as I remembered. Task: track any tails. After Land of Waves mission, ANBU tailed less and less, then stopped. But now the surveillance was amateurish. I'd spot without clones once focused off food, but dispersed clone reported first.
Over fifteen minutes, a girl my age with azure hair tailed me. Per clone, not dye like Sakura... How do such hair colors work?
Red, pink... Thought anime red was like my world's ginger, and early on with Sarutobi as Jews, Iruka half-Asian, figured Gaara like Uzumaki gingers.
Wrong—hair color's constant here.
Anyway...
Dressed modestly: dirty-green shorts above knee, homemade slippers maybe. Long hair below shoulder blades, not as groomed as Sakura or Ino's. Oversize white tee, thin sleeveless jacket on top. Dressed wrong for season—pretty cold now.
She tailed hiding in queues, peeking as I bought stuff, sometimes gaping open-mouthed. Understandable...
Blown about five thousand total—near half monthly wage for most laborers. In bad cases, whole wage, but no such poverty in Konoha. Orphan pension ~4k, but no utilities, live in orphanage till 15—free food, weekly bath, summer shower. Remembered lessons on it. Orphanage no picnic—work from kids: cleaning, hauling groceries, kitchen help from four. But livable.
From 14, legal work per country laws. Not dumb, minimal setup in a year. Non-shinobi: stockroom or Ichiraku courier, save for apartment or room.
Heard kids settled well in Konoha, no need cheaper spots. Some apprenticed in workshops, lived there.
Some didn't find place. Caught one thieving on patrol—breaking in empty house. Ran fast but not long...
Mysterious stranger wouldn't stop tailing, not hiding much, followed to shashlik stand.
"Two lamb portions with veggies, ready?"
"Couple minutes, young master, slicing veggies now." The cook replied. Titles bugged me a bit, but ignored. Local culture. No special to me—they do for "specific" clients. Worthy by Leaf forehead protector. No others here.
While he sliced and packed, I turned to the girl now peeking close from nearest stall corner. Saw my gaze, hid, realizing spotted.
"Hey, you want something?" I called. No reaction first seconds, then peeked again, saw still watching her, greeting wave.
"Yo... Yeah, told you. Want something? Come closer, I don't bite." Puffing cheeks a bit at my words, she approached anyway.
"Sorry, young master, I... I just haven't eaten in a long time, and you're buying so much tasty food..." She looked sadly at floor, hands clasped. Slightly taller than me or seemed from slippers... "I thought maybe..." I eyed her, knowing she wanted food but words hard. Eyes up, glanced my Leaf protector, flinched. "N-no... Never mind... Sorry, sir." Bowed. "I'll go..."
"Here..." Interrupted, pulled bakery bag from pack, broke off quarter fresh hot bread, offered. "Take it..." Her look—you had to see. Stunned. Trembling hands took bread; corner-eye saw cook smile slicing veggies. "Wait, here more..." Gave her sausage-in-dough and big leftover MRE from Jiraiya. Cookies, two chocolate bars, MRE with water bottle. "Instant noodle pack there, know how to brew?"
"Y-yes... Th-thank you! Thank you so much!" Burst out, clutching food to chest, deep bow.
"Come on, lift head. No bowing peers, even like this."
"Sorry if wrong..."
"Heh..." I exhaled.
"Your order, young master. Double lamb medium, ketchup, veggies." Handing paper bag with takeout shashlik, heard her gulp loud, eyeing bag.
Man...
Sad such exists not far from Konoha. Probably dreams of such food.
"Thanks. Good day." Replied, giving 500 Ryo.
"And to you, young master." Packing, got info from dispersed far shadow clone: small clearing city edge under tree to eat. Also locals pickpockets and adult guy spotted me but backed off quick, knowing no chance vs shinobi.
While packing, blue-haired still stood watching.
"Listen..." Addressed her, seeing candy bag. "Like candy?"
"Uh..." Stunned.
"Here, more candy." Under surprised gaze, handful various candies. Hadn't tried these; Konoha sweets half absent, others ate with Shikamaru under tea, debating his teas.
"Thanks so much... Never thought you'd be so kind, young master." Nodded bow, smiled, eyes on Leaf protector again.
"No biggie..." Shouldered pack. "Just treated you, nothing special." Added, scratching nape.
"Usually, people like you aren't so kind..." she said sadly, looking away. "True, I haven't met any of my peers yet."
Judging by her features, she was a typical Asian girl, just like the ones I remembered from my world. Her blue hair only added to that "Japaneseness." Taking a quick close-up look at her, I realized that not only shinobi life, but life in general hadn't been nearly as kind to her as it had to me. The whites of her narrow black eyes were slightly bloodshot, and there were clear signs of sleep deprivation under them. Not as bad as Gaara's bags, but still... Her bangs were a bit dirty, and up close, her hair looked dry and unkempt, but there was no obvious unpleasant smell coming from her, so she didn't live on the street and still washed regularly somewhere. Her clothes were relatively clean. Her hands, especially her fingers, clearly weren't the pampered digits of a spoiled girl like Ino or someone who regularly cared for her hands like Sakura. Those two trained hard, but their palms and fingers stayed quite feminine, without obvious signs of abuse. This girl's had a few fresh cuts covered in scabs. Her nails were barely grown back after being broken multiple times. And the scars along with dry skin didn't add any beauty to her hands.
In my taste, she was quite pretty, and if she started taking care of herself, she might even surpass Sakura and Ino in that regard—though for now, she was still far behind those two. And that obvious thinness...
"People like me? You mean shinobi? Did someone treat you badly?"
"N-no... Don't mind it, young master... I... I probably said too much."
"No big deal, I get it—unfortunately, some of us can be real pieces of work, but now you know there are decent shinobi too, if you can even call me that, heh-heh... Anyway, I'll get going... Don't eat all this by yourself; you must have someone to share it with." I had already turned to leave, but she replied.
"There's a nice forest clearing a bit further on; you can eat there in peace if you're interested."
"Well, actually, I was just looking for a place to eat."
"I can show you the way... If you don't mind my company?"
"Of course not... What's your name?"
"Huh? M-me?" She suddenly got flustered as we walked. "Maha... I'm an orphan, and they don't give us surnames until we're fourteen here."
"Got it..." I replied, remembering the practice myself. It was the same with Ken from my orphanage. In general, getting a surname, even in Konoha's orphanage, was rare. I was the only one in my age group, for example. Kabuto was an exception, as were those adopted right away. There were also cases where kids got their deceased parents' surnames, but only if it was known exactly where the child came from. "I'm Naruto, also an orphan..." I decided not to mention my surname. She probably hadn't heard of the Uzumaki from the Leaf, but I figured having someone like her around would make her more comfortable.
"Uh... So you became a shinobi straight from the orphanage? Is that even possible?"
"Well, as you can see, and you can use 'you' with me; I'm not proud."
***
Sitting in the forest clearing, we ate everything I'd bought together and laughed heartily at my orphanage stories. She opened up too, of course, but it was clear telling stuff to an outsider—let alone a shinobi—was hard for her.
We sat on the blanket I'd spread out. It looked like a regular picnic, except there was no need to light a fire this time. As it turned out, she'd tried coffee for the first time too, just like me in this world—not counting the sip I'd had fifteen minutes before meeting her.
"And we kept running, and there really were no patrols..." I continued the story while she, smiling and happy to meet a softie like me, took the chance to eat her fill. "Then he shows up to lecture us, all formal-like. In that white robe, with the hat... The whole Lord-Hokage. He called me into his office separately afterward, and when I saw his face, I recognized the old guy who'd covered for us and blurted out, "Huh? Lord-Hokage? That's not fair; I thought you were just some retiree, old man!" And he just starts cracking up."
"Kkh-kkh... Ha-ha-ha-ha..." She laughed genuinely too, nearly choking on her bread.
"Hey, eat slower..."
"Phew..." She caught her breath. "You picked the funniest part to tell right then. What if I'd choked?"
"Well... I'd have saved you. I'm no medic, but I know a thing or two. No big deal..."
"Heh... Lucky you... I mean, you, sorry..." She suddenly grew sad. I'd already finished my share and even snacked on some honey sweets. "You know so much; it's hard to believe we're the same age... You said you just turned thirteen recently? So I'm a bit older than you."
"Yeah..." I laced my hands behind my head and leaned back on the blanket, gazing at the blue sky through the branches of the big tree we sat under. "But I sweated blood to learn it all. And I'm no perfect either. Had to run away from the orphanage too..."
"Me too, one of the runaways..." she said, looking away. "They don't like us like that, so runaways usually don't come back to avoid the caretakers' hot hands."
"Heh... I get it; probably way harsher there than at mine, but is it worth it? Where do you live now? Sleep? What about clothes if you're begging for food? Better to tough out the punishments at the orphanage?"
"No... I... I don't want to go back... Sorry, but I really don't want to talk about it now." She lay down next to me and gave a sly smile, looking at me and my right arm, which like the left propped up my head instead of a pillow.
"Listen..." She added, blushing a bit. "You're really well-developed for your age... Look all grown-up. Can I?" She asked, indicating she wanted to touch my right bicep.
"Uh... Sure..." I pulled my arm out from under my head and even flexed the bicep a little as she touched it.
"Hard..." she noted, then trailed her finger playfully from my shoulder to my wrist. At the same time, she leaned in closer, sitting on her knees right up to me, and with her other hand reached for the zipper on my jacket, unzipping it. Then she ran her palm over my chest through my black T-shirt.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked, starting to sit up, since the joke seemed to be going too far. Sure, I might not be fully grown yet, but at thirteen, everything that matters works fine and reminds me sometimes.
"Well..." she replied. "Gotta thank my... Provider somehow." She smiled and slowly leaned right into my face, kissing me on the lips.
Whoa, hold up... She's not joking?!
To say I was stunned would be an understatement—like I'd been caught in genjutsu, barely able to move as she kissed my cheeks and lips more actively, even slipping her tongue into my mouth, which I reflexively helped with. Lifting my T-shirt a bit, she gently stroked my abs with one hand, gradually getting on top, and with the other unbuttoned her shorts, doing something down there. Catching it out of the corner of my eye, I froze like an idiot and lost control completely. I snapped out only when she broke the kiss and placed my hand on the inside of her thigh, near her crotch.
"You can probably feel it already... Oh..." she said, shifting closer to my waist from my right leg.
"Maha..." I said, trying to sound stern. That was it; time to stop before it got too late to fix.
"I can feel you can; you're like... Hee-hee..." She smiled, her cheeks burning. "Raring to go... Want me to help with that?" She started undoing my belt and slipped her hand into my pants. "How about THAT for thanks?"
"Enough!" I yelled, surging up and shoving her off me with one hand like she weighed nothing. Good, didn't overdo the strength; she just fell beside me, not flew off or got hurt. Thank god—my hands were shaking. Could've gone too far...
I jumped to my feet quick, tucking in my T-shirt and buckling my belt. She stared at me in clear confusion. Looked like she'd been rejected for the first time, and worst, she clearly wasn't doing this for the first time—far from it. Thirteen-plus years, damn...
"Naruto! What's wrong?!" she asked, baffled. "I just wanted to thank you; I was good..."
"You're thirteen! That's what's wrong, Maha!" I shouted. "You think it's normal to jump a stranger like that? Where'd you even learn this?!"
"I wanted to make you feel good..." She got on her haunches, barely holding back tears. "Sorry, I thought you'd... Like it..."
"Feel good? Oh, you were close, but I'm not one of those creeps who were with you before! For a thirteen-year-old girl to do that... Hell, it's wrong at any age, Maha!"
"P-please forgive me, Naruto; I really didn't mean to offend you, and now thinking about it, I'm so, so ashamed..." She started crying as I reached for my backpack to pack up.
"Heh... Hope you're really ashamed—for your sake, but anyway..." I sat back on the blanket. "I think it's time for me to go..."
"Naruto, sorry, forgive me please... You weren't going to leave. I-I get I went too far; please stay a bit longer... I..." She started bawling.
"Heh..." I said, looking at her. "Crying like a kid, but acting all grown-up... Calm down; I'm not going anywhere."
"Really? C-can I... Can I pour us more coffee then?"
"Go ahead..." I allowed, sitting back on the blanket. Pulling out honey sweets and the rest of the baked goods from my backpack, I caught out of the corner of my eye that she wasn't embarrassed at all—in fact, went further, sprinkling some powder into my cup while pouring the coffee. She tried to hide the motion, and if I were my old self, I'd probably miss it back home. Unfortunately for her, shinobi have a different level of attention.
Well, let's play along...
***
"Wanderer... I hope you're deliberately trying to surprise me more each time." I heard the voice from the cage. "Otherwise, you're a fantastic idiot."
"Shut up." I replied, lying in cold water up to my shoulders, unable to move. "Better help destroy this crap in my system quick."
"And this instead of thanks?" the Fox said. "By the way, even though you're paralyzed, you're still conscious only because of me and my power. That thief didn't skimp on the poison for you. Without me, it'd knock you out for a day. But now... Couple minutes and you'll be good as new. What demon possessed you—besides me—to let yourself get poisoned? You saw her slip it in!"
I tried wiggling my toes, clenching my fist, and moving my neck a bit. It worked... Finally, sensation's back. Whole fifteen minutes lying like this, damn...
"Thanks, Kurama. Only because of you did the trick work. Even the shadow clones didn't dispel from the paralysis, and they're watching her now. Understand, she's only thirteen... She didn't come up with seducing or poisoning strangers and stealing their money herself. Without you, I'd have to use a shadow clone to drink the coffee, and I'm not sure it wouldn't dispel when the poison hit."
"Tch..." He clicked his tongue. "Why'd you even need all this? Could've just caught her red-handed and broken a couple fingers for good measure."
"And what would that change? Yeah, I wouldn't get robbed, but no point. She'd keep doing it. Kurama, she's only thirteen... That's... Wrong!"
"Goody-two-shoes..." the Fox replied unexpectedly. "What's age got to do with it? You humans don't mind sending your kids to kill and die. As for breeding, I remember times when girls her age were married off—and that was less than a century ago."
"That's exactly what I mean when I say I want..." Straining to sit up, I said. In the real world, I lay on the blanket in the same position and sat up by the cage there too. "...To change everything. It disgusts me that stuff like this exists. Sure, I know you can't clean the world's dirt completely no matter what, but this isn't my first life; I've learned from bitter experience. Now, I'll put all my real effort in and do way more to make the world one I'd want to live the rest of my life in."
"Hm... Then you should've killed her."
"Huh?" I turned to the cage. "You and your killing again? Damn... Murder won't solve the root. If not her, someone else. Get it, Kurama—she's still a kid, and someone's pushing her into this. I've seen it before and know what I say! Kids don't turn like this on their own, especially girls."
"So you wanna find the source? And then? Kill whoever's behind her?"
"You'll see how I solve it... You're awfully chatty lately, Kurama."
"Tch... Shut up and look at yourself. Next time you pull crap like this, I won't heal you—maybe you'll gain some sense..." He had the last word, and the inner world faded before my eyes. Smiling and a bit wobbly, I stood up.
Half an hour later, after warming up good and confirming the poison effect was gone, the shadow clone sent me her location info via head. He made another clone that dispelled right away.
Okay... Got it. Remote orphanage outside the city. Two klicks west. And she said she didn't want to go back. Time's just past noon. No point bothering the Pervert before evening. And I'm not planning risky moves. I'll use shadow clones for what they're for: recon and intel on the enemy.
Let's see what goes on in the other orphanages...
"Phantom Escape Technique." My clone said, forming the tiger seal as he hit an open area outside the city. Here, no cover, forced to tail her openly on the road. Without invisibility, she'd spot me instantly if she turned. Good thing her hair color's hard to lose in a big city. I'm no tracking expert, but she really feared being followed. Right after entering the city, she ducked into an alley, constantly looking back. Tail her there? Too obvious—had to leap to a rooftop. She barely looked up. Caught her just tying off someone else's trash bag. Weird...
Checked it—no qualms—as it turned out, classic thief trick. Found my wallet on top. Money's near impossible to ID without serials. But if I'd told city patrols I'd been robbed, whoever had the wallet would get beat—even without cash. With her distinctive looks I'd describe, they'd grab her quick, and matching my description, no doubt it'd be her. No fingerprints or deep investigations here.
Sad it only works on really dumb or drunk thieves. She's no dummy. Obviously, the remaining nine thousand Ryo weren't there, but I took the wallet anyway.
Slipping into the orphanage grounds invisible was easy.
Kids' playground with little ones playing under caretakers' watch. Maha was clearly from the oldest group. Doubt the age grouping differs from Konoha's orphanage—we follow the same Land of Fire laws. But unlike Konoha, this place had guards—surprising. Why two armed guys at the gate? And apparently at all three gates.
Orphanage had playground, several buildings: one guard barracks-like, central building with annex (boiler room?), third looked like dining hall from the smell. We don't have that—luxury. But way more kids than ours. Nearby, barn and big veggie patch. Behind central building, only fence by the barn—no entrance. Perfect, original'll go there. Trees nearby for great view.
Maha passed the playground, asked a guard something, headed quick to central building.
Doors heavy, close fast behind entrants. But not too fast for instant body flicker user.
*Whoosh* and I'm behind Maha, fully invisible.
Damn... Had to leap back extra with flicker and step soft. Maha whipped around sudden, startled—I'd appeared behind her. She could make some kinda shinobi; she's got senses. But even rubbing her eyes, no see me—my step silent.
Concierge met her near entrance.
Well... Gotta praise their vigilance. Won't save from shinobi, but decent overall.
"Maha? You're back early."
"Got lucky—nabbed a lot from that tourist Jun-sama pointed out. He around?"
"Jun-sama's busy; I'll tell him, and he'll send for you when free."
"Got it. Can I rest?"
"Well... Since you lucked out on Jun-sama's personal errand, fine—but don't expect me always so nice; you still owe me."
"Tch..." Maha clicked her tongue.
"And don't tch me, runt. Forgot how I punish? Lucky they pulled me from your group—especially you, now Jun's backing you, but his favor ain't forever. Remember that—and scram."
"With pleasure..." Maha said and headed left down the hall to stairs, up to third floor far wing. I tailed at distance. Senior dorms. Maha in eight-person room. Opening door right after her? Too risky. Out window, wall-crawl to peep. Hid paper bag of food scraps under bed. Room pretty clean, beds in row... Reminds me of barracks from home world.
Then shut window, out to girls' third-floor toilet, washed with cold water awhile. Soon after, senior group back—boys one stair, girls same as Maha. Counted twenty-seven around our age. Not many; playground toddlers outnumbered.
"Phew... Finally over..."
"Hope we don't help in the dining hall again soon; it's unbearable..."
Heh... Get it...
"Oh, Maha... You're here already? Long?" Several girls—roommates probably—came right up.
"Fifteen minutes before you. Super lucky today; c'mon, I'll show..."
"Whoa..." They gawked at the paper bag from under bed. "Lamb shish kebab chunk—damn, only one; gotta draw lots..."
"Look, tons of honey sweets, cookies, sweet buns... I'm awesome, right?" Maha grinned.
"Yeah, cool—can't wait till we can go out too."
"Speaking of—where's Anna and Karura?" Maha asked. Other girls sobered quick.
"Morning after you left, Jun-sama ordered them to clean up..." The oldest—our age—said. "Gave new dresses, makeup, told em dress and sent with guards somewhere. Faces like death... Maha, they'll come back, right? You did..."
"I... Think so... They'll return, but... I..." She stammered. "I'll talk to Jun-sama. Got something to cheer him..."
"Sis, not that?"
"No!" Maha snapped. "I said I'd be useful for both of us." Kneeling, grabbed speaker's shoulders. "Don't worry; you're not at fault—I just scared you. Won't do it again. Jun-sama's pleased with my thefts; if keeps up, we'll have enough cash to escape soon. I'll take you all—hear? Won't let them do to you what they did me, Anna, Karura. Don't fear; you got at least a year—I'll arrange by then. Now, dig in..."
With that, I climbed wall higher, stopped eavesdropping as they ate.
Couple hours later—original wandering nearby too—they finally called Maha to that Jun. Tailed her, obviously.
Couldn't enter office—window detour again, but nearing his windows on wall, heard...
"Well, Maha, get to it—you're prickly today... Heh-heh... Told you want to please me. True?" Peeked in to ID speaker—chakra running low, hard hold Phantom Escape.
"Yes, Jun-sama." To fat guy at nice desk. Papers nearby. He's top dog? Pushes kids to steal, maybe worse—sells girls for fun... I clenched fist peeking. Maha's look said he wasn't alone. Can't see second window, but guy by wall probably. "Here..." Pulled money from shorts pockets. "Four and a half thousand—all that guy had after buying food. Sorry, Jun-sama, had to use powder. He didn't want... Me..."
"What?! You saying you drugged a shinobi?! Told you seduce him, lift cash while relaxed—or powder after he finishes, more chance. And you say Leaf shinobi dumb enough you poisoned without?"
"Surprised me too, but worked..."
"Heh... Proved right—mediocre shinobi. Whaddya think, bro?! Kids these days."
"Tch... Idiot—can't believe you sent her seduce underage shinobi. Know how that could've ended?! I'll chew you out later... Not in front of brat..."
"Tch..." Jun clicked back. "Fine, don't nag. You shinobi overdo it. Shame so little cash; thought more..." Counted, stashed in desk.
"Little?" Maha bristled. "Same as usual month's take!"
"Fine-fine... Good job today, Maha. Don't nag. Since no luck with that guy, comfort my tough bro? I'd love hour with you, but too busy..." Maha paled sharp, eyeing second guy.
"But... Jun-sama, promised if I steal for you, no more using me like... that..." Tears rolled. "You promised, Jun-sama..."
"Heh... Told you times, Jun—your kiddies don't interest me! Better feed em right; look at her—skin and bones..."
"Ain't slim in fashion? Or shinobi tastes differ? You ain't normal..."
"God, what an idiot..." Wall voice. "Relax, girl—he's messing. You don't interest me."
So second's shinobi... Bad... Slow to roof then, lest he hear, dispel—send original all info.
***
Clone memories hit—tailing Maha's—I dropped from tree overlooking orphanage and guards. Shinobi there? Bad. Probably not strong—missed me—but older, experienced. Plus "bro"—if fight, won't retreat like merc; fight to death for brother. Tough win either way. Need Pervert; can't handle solo. Won't overrate now, or use all Kurama power for hell and Israel—attract wrong eyes. Nooo, gotta smarten up... Can't go straight-line.
Summoned—first Gamakichi. Any small toad fine, but him. Sent for Pervert in city; took eagerly, said find quick, relay where I am, waiting. Circled tree, lay to rest—even dozed awaiting teacher...
"There you are..." From trees nearby. "What the hell you doing here? Booked us inn, you vanish—send toad urgent come. Jiraiya said."
"Won't lecture leaving underage student to booze and bang alone..."
"Naruto..." Grimace of displeasure-shame. "You got wrong idea... Told you..." Brow twitched nervously.
"Yeah, intel gathering. While you worked hard... Never mind... Got poisoned and robbed here."
"What?!" He yelped. "How'd you manage?!"
"See that orphanage?"
"Yeah..."
"Let underage thief go, tracked here. While waiting you, shadow clone peeked-eavesdropped with "Phantom Escape." Messy... Jun—seems head—makes older kids steal, sells girls to pervs for fun."
"Wait—"for fun" meaning..."
"Yeah, like you gather intel and book material in pleasure houses."
"If under seventeen, illegal... Not surprising—demand always—but edge big city? Peak cynicism. Or why not caught yet. No one'd suspect suicide case." Arms crossed, pondering.
"Also, office-talked brother—shinobi, guards maybe. Notice posts—not every town hall has. Look... Night, dogs at gates. Daytime, no see... Called you help. Unsure solo adult shinobi and all guards."
"Rampage here gains nothing. Even confession—hand to authorities, he'll flip. Your word vs his... Any evidence we find, he'll call planted."
"Chance grab him now. Didn't tail girl I let rob for nothing. Steals tourists/locals cash for him—to avoid... Y'know. Unhappy, plans escape with friends—steals from him now. Gave him half mine. Convince her against him, snag docs—doubt sends kids sans return/secret guarantees."
"Hm... Still, no one listens kid. He'll cry provocation, spiteful ward lies."
"That's why find those two—overheard sent today. Think if authorities find orphanage kids in some jerk's house, finger him? Claim Jun orders too. He's vulnerable now—shut whole sham. But not even that. Imagine scandal if someone like you blows it? Your word to city head—they devour him whole to hush..."
"Heh... Couldn't stroll peaceful—barefoot in trouble? Now drag me too? Naruto... Kill me, don't get why. Could've stopped robbery, end. Why dive in? Messy already—some shinobi... Get it, but sure? Once go, no back."
"You won't back me?"
"Are you kidding? Of course I'll support you, but don't expect me to do everything for you. I'll intervene if things go bad, but for now... Here's the most important lesson. You got yourself into this, so clean it up yourself now. Those people won't stop. If you're right, they've already piled up enough crimes to hang for," Jiraiya said. "So I'll ask again... Why are you going to risk your life here?"
"You see, old man... I myself grew up in the Konoha orphanage, surrounded by boys and girls just like me, who aren't to blame that their parents are either dead or just abandoned them. Not all of them were lucky enough to be strong and become shinobi to take care of themselves. They're already in a sorry state, and if in this world some bastard thinks he can take advantage of that and do things like this and get away with it, then I don't want to live in such a world." At that, Jiraiya's eyes widened. "If I, who was lucky enough to become strong... To become a shinobi, allow such things to remain unchanged and just walk by, then I have no reason to live. What's the point of all my strength if not for moments like this?" I said, looking from a small rise at the barn of that orphanage. Of course, sticking your nose into other people's business is wrong, but after facing such filth, trying to just forget about it and pretend it doesn't concern you means becoming scum even worse than this Jun, and then... I have no reason to live.
"Heh..." Jiraiya exhaled.
"One day, you will take a child as your apprentice. This child will become the herald of a great revolution in the shinobi world.
"Herald of a revolution?
"Yes, this child, like you, will become a shinobi of astonishing power, and soon after that, you'll have to make a difficult choice that will determine the fate of this world. Depending on what you choose, this revolutionary will either be able to change our world or destroy it. No third option..." He recalled his conversation with the supreme toad-sage.
"Then watch this..." Jiraiya said. "Here's how we'll do it..."
***
Lights out was given, as always, strictly on schedule, two hours before midnight. Maha really wanted to sleep, but right now she couldn't afford that. She hadn't eaten anything since that simpleton—Naruto—treated her. The shinobi she'd heard about as terrifying mercenaries, each worth hundreds of sturdy warriors. Stealthy assassins, cunning schemers, and the strongest chakra users in the world, capable of burning enemies with fire and lightning, drowning them in water, burying them in stone, and blowing them away with wind. She couldn't even imagine that one of such people would be like Naruto. He wasn't the first shinobi she'd seen.
Her first time was with an old shinobi from a distant country who simply poured his lust into her and left her lying there crying, curled up. During those three days when she was first taken out of the orphanage—at thirteen, just half a year ago—she cursed Jun a thousand times for what he'd done. She cursed the shinobi who guarded her on the way back and also used her. She cursed herself for her powerlessness. All because she didn't heed the words of the older girl who was no longer here. She had immediately told Maha, back when she was nine, that on the day her first blood came, the main thing was to hide it in time. But Maha didn't hide the bloodstained sheet on her bed, and they reported it to Jun, who smirked slyly, promising her a "gift" for her birthday.
Upon returning, all she could do was sob, even when they beat her to bring her to her senses and threw her into a separate room; all she could do was lie there, bawl, and beg them to kill her. Then Jun came to her personally for the second time and said that if she didn't calm down, she wouldn't die so easily.
Maha had no relatives, but there was a girl with whom they'd spent all these years together like best friends, and she was just half a year younger. Once, as a joke, they played "family" with the other girls and agreed to be sisters. It was funny because of Maha's hair color—they didn't look alike at all then or now. But from that moment on, they called each other sisters, and Maha was glad that now she had a sister, even if not a real one, but one she'd chosen herself.
Jun didn't beat her like the others, didn't yell, didn't threaten her with hunger or torture. He just said he didn't care about the rebellious Maha... Her spot would be taken by her little sister, and she could sit here further. Then she was ready to do anything, but Jun said it was already too late, and tomorrow evening he'd personally take her to a new client. They'd both try out her little sister, and she could sit here and whine, realizing what her stubbornness had led to.
Then Maha realized she had to do something... Then she stole for the first time. She stole a spare key from the guard's pouch who brought her lunch and took out the dishes, since Maha hadn't gone to the dining room, just begging to be killed for a week after those days. But hunger was stronger, and when they put hot soup nearby, she couldn't hold out and ate a little, replenishing her strength and postponing starvation, cursing herself again and again for weakness.
She broke out at night and, sneaking into the bedroom, tried to escape, taking her little sister with her, who was supposed to be taken away tomorrow. She scared her by saying that if she let herself be taken, she too wouldn't want to live anymore, like Maha herself. And they ran until they were caught...
Jun highly valued Maha's thieving skills and offered a deal... As long as she stole in the city, her sister wouldn't be touched, nor would she. She couldn't negotiate the same for the others, but gritting her teeth, Maha agreed, and since then, she's been preparing her second escape. Over this time, she'd gained the trust of many guards in all sorts of ways...
Soon, the escape plan was ready, but today Jun's brother arrived, who turned out to be a shinobi too. That was very bad. Right before Maha's eyes, he bolstered the guard, bringing dogs and starting construction of a kennel. She was very afraid that this shinobi's interference would make her escape impossible. After all, there were other girls living near her who could face the same fate, as Jun's appetites kept growing. She didn't want that for them; maybe a mass escape would draw the attention of some authority to this orphanage and get rid of the bastard Jun. But even if not, she was saving money from thefts in the city so they'd have something to buy food with at first, and what happened next wasn't so important—they'd be free and far from this cursed place.
She couldn't hide the remaining money stolen from Naruto for long. The hiding method was already making her sick. At midnight, when everyone in her room was fast asleep, she carefully got out of bed, got dressed, and trying to be as quiet as possible, opened the window and climbed out from the third floor onto the roof via one of the pipes. From the roof, continuously looking around, she descended the fire escape behind the central building of the orphanage and headed to the barn. At night, guards rarely patrolled here. Mostly, they all stood at the gates, since the kids here were all obedient, especially after the punishments for discipline breakers.
Getting a public whipping here was easy as pie. Just fail to stop on the first command from a guard.
The worst punishment Maha had seen was for escape. Those caught were branded with hot iron, like slaves in old times. This practice hadn't touched only her and her sister due to Jun's mercy.
Inside the barn was a small warehouse with various things occasionally allocated by the city or the country government for orphanages. Jun sold most of it, and what couldn't be sold right away, he ordered stored here.
This warehouse was of no interest to Jun or the guards by nature, so many orphans even stole junk from here like toys, old clothes, and such. However, contrary to expectations, Jun didn't punish those caught stealing but encouraged them if they agreed to go on jobs in the city to steal for him.
She knew where there was always an open window in this barn and how to crawl in. At the far wall behind crates of old toys was her stash. In a pit under the wooden floor, she kept money and valuables wrapped in a bag that she'd hidden from Jun. There was already about seven thousand Ryo here, plus a few items that could be sold for about the same. The four and a half thousand she'd stolen from Naruto were a hefty addition and greatly sped up her escape plan. Kneeling and turning away from the stash, she bent over, sticking two fingers into her mouth as deep as she could to induce vomiting. After several tries, she finally got the swallowed transparent package with the money out. This was the most reliable way to hide it, since kids' dorms could be searched several times a day. Unwrapping it, she shook off the bag with the money and wiped her hand on her knee, taking out the bills to add to the main pile.
"Yo..." A familiar voice came from somewhere above. Maha's whole life flashed before her eyes from fright before she realized whose voice it was that called out to her. "There are my money."
Maha turned and looked up, where on a ceiling beam about ten meters high, Naruto stood smiling down at her.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan