"Uncle, Uncle! You're from the Land of Fire, you must have heard of Konoha's Golden Flash!"
On the way to the treasure trove, Yahiko held an umbrella, shielding the rain for Konan, who was holding the map and leading the way, while curiously asking Kizaru beside him.
"The Golden Flash, huh? That kid is a genius from Konoha, said to be as strong as a monster." Holding the umbrella in his right hand and his left hand in his pocket, Kizaru replied thoughtfully.
"Mm-hmm!" Remembering the scenes of that great battle, Yahiko exclaimed excitedly, "We saw the Golden Flash fighting with Lord Hanzo, he's really amazing."
Finishing his words, a look of admiration and longing appeared on Yahiko's face. "I must become a disciple of the Golden Flash, follow him to learn ninjutsu, and make myself strong to change the plight of Amegakure."
"Is that so?" Hearing Yahiko's thoughts, Kizaru smiled and looked down at him.
"As far as I know, that Golden Flash is only ten years old this year, he probably won't take on any disciples."
"What? Ten years old!" Surprised, Yahiko exclaimed in disbelief, staring straight at Kizaru.
Beside Yahiko, Konan, who was looking at the map, also raised her head in astonishment.
Taking his hand out of his pocket and stroking his chin, Kizaru nodded and said, "Yes, only ten years old!"
"How is that possible at just ten years old?" Recalling the tall figure of the Golden Flash in the battle, Yahiko looked very puzzled. "Uncle, are you kidding me? Konan and I witnessed the battle between the Golden Flash and Lord Hanzo, how could he be just ten years old?"
Hearing that the two had witnessed their battle with Hanzo, a hint of surprise flashed in Kizaru's eyes.
What a coincidence!
Sighing in his heart, Kizaru continued, "Instead of worrying about his age, I think you should be concerned about another issue."
"What?" Looking at Kizaru, Yahiko asked eagerly.
"Konoha's ninja won't take children from other villages as their disciples, let alone from other countries."
Hearing Kizaru's words, Konan looked a bit worried and glanced at Yahiko, concerned that her companion would be disappointed.
Feeling a bit down, Yahiko lowered his head silently.
But soon, Yahiko rallied. He raised his right fist and placed it on his chest, saying firmly, "I will move the Golden Flash with my actions and determination."
Shaking his head with a smile, Kizaru continued to pour cold water on him.
"To prevent the leakage of ninjutsu and secrets, even if the Golden Flash is willing to take you as his disciple, Konoha won't agree. Unless..." Kizaru intentionally paused.
"Unless what?" Watching Kizaru, Yahiko couldn't wait to ask.
"Unless you pass Konoha's scrutiny and join Konoha."
"Join Konoha!" Yahiko muttered to himself.
"Yes!" Kizaru affirmed, "But if you do that, you'll be a ninja of Konoha, and you won't be able to go back to Amegakure to change things."
With Kizaru's words, Yahiko's head drooped again.
"Yahiko." Watching Yahiko become dejected, Konan called out her companion's name with concern.
"Don't you want to live that kind of life?" Kizaru pretended to be puzzled.
"Of course, I do!" Yahiko said longingly, "But not only me and Konan, I want to use my efforts to make all the people of Amegakure live happy and stable lives."
"What a lofty ideal!" Kizaru said with emotion.
"I will work hard to achieve it!" Facing Kizaru's emotions, Yahiko said passionately.
"I'll help you, Yahiko!" Konan, who rarely spoke out, also spoke at this moment. She looked at Yahiko gently, her voice not loud but very firm.
"Konan, let's work together!" Facing Konan's support, Yahiko smiled happily and contentedly.
"When we find the treasure, I'll take you to Konoha in the Land of Fire!" Looking down at the two kids smiling at each other, Kizaru reached out and patted Yahiko's head encouragingly.
"Hehehe!" Yahiko, who had his head patted, looked at Kizaru and thanked him sincerely, "Thank you, Uncle!"
What naive children!
Traveling behind them and hearing all the conversations between the three, the traveling spirit couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
As a tailed beast who had lived for hundreds of years, Matatabi knew too well the hidden darkness of this world. It could already predict that the future of this child would definitely be a tragedy.
No, if Kizaru guided and took care of them, perhaps the tragedy could be avoided.
Turning his gaze to Kizaru, Matatabi hoped for the first time that he would take these two children as his disciples.
Accustomed to sin and evil, Matatabi only appreciated the rare kindness and innocence!
With that thought in mind, Matatabi looked at the two little ones beside Kizaru, revealing an auntie-like smile.
As if sensing something, Kizaru, who was talking to the two little ones, turned his smiling face towards Matatabi in the distance.
Noticing Kizaru's gaze, Matatabi quickly restrained its smile, regained its graceful and dignified posture, effortlessly leaped onto a large tree in front.
How adorable!
Praising Matatabi in his heart, Kizaru withdrew his gaze and looked again at the two little ones beside him.
"We're almost there, the endpoint marked on the treasure map is on the mountain ahead." Comparing it with the map, Konan spoke up.
"Amazing, Konan!" Praising her, Kizaru placed his hand on Konan's head.
Rubbing it gently, Kizaru withdrew his left hand with a smile under Yahiko's wide-eyed gaze.
Knowing the destination was just ahead, Yahiko and Konan became excited, spoke less, and, together with Kizaru, quickened their pace.
After about two hours, just before the sun was about to set, they arrived at the endpoint marked on the treasure map.
The endpoint was a cave halfway up the mountain, with a relatively flat terrain.
This cave was blown up by Kizaru in advance using shadow clones after Konan drew the route location.
Standing in front of the cave entrance, Yahiko peered curiously inside but saw nothing but the deep darkness.
"Should we go in?" After all, still children, Konan looked a bit afraid as she gazed at the dim cave.
"Konan, you wait for us at the entrance! I'll go in with Uncle." Sensing Konan's fear, Yahiko said with concern.
Shaking her head vigorously, Konan looked at Yahiko and said, "I'm going in with you."
"Alright, I'll protect you!" Facing Konan's determined gaze, Yahiko didn't try to persuade her but instead promised, patting his chest.
By now, the rain had stopped. Kizaru, without an umbrella, extended his hands and placed them on the shoulders of the two little ones.
"Uncle's here! I'm very powerful, so you can rest assured!"
As Kizaru spoke, a burst of crimson light suddenly erupted from the cave, and a fireball flew out from inside.
With a change in his expression, Kizaru held onto the two little ones and threw himself towards the side.
The fireball exploded at the entrance of the cave, causing the stones above to fall, and a huge rock flew out, landing squarely on Kizaru's right leg.
"Uncle, are you okay?"
"Uncle!"
Struggling out of Kizaru's embrace and standing up, Yahiko and Konan asked with concern.
"Ahh!" Kizaru let out a convincing cry of pain, half-sitting up and reaching to hold his right leg, which was trapped under the rock.
The two little ones hurried forward, wanting to help.
"Roar!" A beastly roar sounded as Matatabi, now restored to one-third of its size, emerged from the cave.
"Ah!" Seeing the giant blue flaming tiger emerge from the cave, Konan let out a terrified scream.
Yahiko, who was trying hard to push the stone, also saw the formidable Matatabi, a mix of anxiety and fear appearing on his face.
"Konan, help quickly!" Pushing hard against the stone, Yahiko shouted loudly.
Hearing Yahiko's reminder, Konan snapped out of her fear, trembling slightly as she gritted her teeth and pushed the stone.
"You two, go quickly, don't worry about me!" Holding onto his leg, Kizaru shouted at the two little ones.
"I will never leave you behind, Uncle!" Pushing with all his might, Yahiko used his head to press against the stone, shouting loudly.
"Me too!" With a trembling voice, Konan also joined in the shouting.
Standing at the entrance of the cave, watching the two children pushing with all their might, Matatabi struck a pose as if ready to pounce at any moment, while casting a discreet glance at Kizaru.
Damn it! Haven't you acted enough?
Noticing Matatabi's gaze, Kizaru nodded slightly, knowing that if he kept acting, this somewhat proud cat was going to get angry.