DRIP*
Arthur was standing before the tall stone that craved the names of those who had fallen before. Among these names, 3 names caught his attention more than others.
" Not only my students. You have also passed away, huh?"
He saw Dan's name on it, indicating he passed away. Although he had limited memory of him, Arthur was fond of his character and talent. He recalled he was a pure person who genuinely loved his home.
Furthermore, the sight of other golden names pained his heart. He gently flew over the stone, touching the names with a sad face in this awful weather.
" My students!"
His voice quivered with emotion despite living for hundreds of years because he had only so many students in his life and he cherished all of them.
" Master."
Ian flew next to him, touching his shoulder to calm his heart down while thinking how terrible he would feel if his student died. The pain of losing one's child was similar to this since he cared so much for his students as Ian felt it firsthand.
" Where is the child of them and where are my other students?"
Arthur turned his head around to face Igashi who was reminiscing the past. He slightly lowered his face to avert his gaze, thinking he was at fault when his students were struggling.
" Lord Nawaki has lost his arm and left the village. Lord Fugaku is the current head of the clean. Lady Kushina and Lady Mikoto also left the village after Lord Minato's demise. Lastly, Lady Pakura is a rogue ninja after killing several mist ninjas. As for lord's son, he is in custody of the Hokage."
Igashi truthfully told everything to Arthur who was still glaring at his students' names. The only thing on his mind was to find his students and take care of their offspring. In fact, he didn't care about his original goal anymore because he felt his family was more important here.
" Take us to him."
Arthur lowered his head, gently saying to guide him there.
10 minutes later
Arthur stood outside the diluted building where his student's son was living. He couldn't bear to look at the surroundings as well as the living conditions because it was a poor place to live for an adult much less a kid who clearly needed the love of his parents.
" How horrible!"
Pheonix shook his head with shock, thinking this was no home for an orphan of the war hero. He understood his parents were the highest authority people in the village and had a considerable reputation but this was just too much.
" The child must have been living in poor condition by the looks of it. His money is probably limited and he doesn't seem to have foraging skills."
Simon silently spoke with a serious face, looking at the building. He saw many similar things in his career and he was used to it but he couldn't understand why he was being treated like this despite his background.
Knock*
Arthur gently knocked on the door, observing the place with a calm face whilst hiding his anger inside. He hated everyone for punishing this innocent boy while closing their eyes on him and blaming everything on him even though he was an innocent child.
" Hello! Who are you?"
The young boy opened the door with a slight hint of anxiety in his tone, thinking he might done something wrong. Even though he was a mischievous boy, nobody blamed him as they avoided him like he was some kind of plague.
" HI! My name is Arthur. Are you Naruto Uzumaki?"
Arthur looked at the boy with kindness in his eyes, unlike other people who showed disgust and hate. Naruto who never saw these eyes felt something warm inside his young mind as he looked at the strangers with a blank face.
He recalled seeing the old man next to them in the store because he frequently bought things for him, so he quickly reorganized himself whilst smiling innocently.
" Yes! Are you friends of this kind uncle?"
His reply immediately melted their hearts away because he was clearly just a kid who didn't know the cruelty of the world.
" You are right. Can we get in? I got a present for you."
Arthur lifted his bag, knowing this child was a smart kid, unlike his look.