After wandering all over the Kaguya clan grounds without finding any useful information, Hoshiyomi closed his eyes and scanned the area with his senses.
Near the clan head's residence, he detected an underground space hidden beneath a garden.
That must be it, Hoshiyomi thought. The location of the dungeon where Kimimaro was imprisoned in the original story.
Silently bringing Haku with him, Hoshiyomi slipped down into the dungeon.
He originally assumed there would be guards posted here, but upon entering he found… no one. Not a single guard.
How careless.
Muttering this inwardly, Hoshiyomi led Haku deeper into the dungeon.
The dungeon was empty and silent, and only when they reached the very deepest area did Hoshiyomi spot a white-haired boy inside one of the cells.
In the tiny cell, Kimimaro sat on the floor, staring blankly at the moss growing in the corner.
His beautiful green eyes seemed completely unfocused.
Ever since age two, he had been locked in this dark, sunless prison.
For years, his daily life had been exactly like this.
Sitting motionless like a stone, staring at the moss—sitting like that for an entire day.
Boredom?
He had long since become numb to such a concept.
Seeing the boy in the corner with lifeless eyes, Haku instinctively covered his mouth.
He simply couldn't understand why the Kaguya clan would imprison a child so young in such a dark, cruel place.
He was so small—about Haku's own age.
Even if he had committed some offense, chaining him up and locking him in a dungeon was far too cruel.
He must have been unbearably lonely…
Haku, having lived through two days of hell himself, felt that emotion deeply.
And then a thought struck him:
If he hadn't met Lord Hoshiyomi, wouldn't he have ended up just like this boy—dying alone, quietly, somewhere in the cold?
The thought brought tears to Haku's eyes.
He felt overwhelming sympathy for this white-haired boy he had not even met yet.
Perhaps sensing Haku's gaze, Kimimaro—who had been staring blankly at the moss—suddenly moved.
He turned his head sharply, staring directly toward Hoshiyomi and Haku.
A moment ago, he felt something—someone was watching him.
The sudden movement startled not just Haku, but even Hoshiyomi.
Kimimaro was only five or six years old, yet he could instinctively sense Haku's presence.
And Haku was completely hidden under Hoshiyomi's Transparent Release kekkei genkai—something even Kaguya jōnin couldn't see through.
Such animal-like instinct… truly a born combat genius.
Kimimaro tilted his head, staring at the spot where Hoshiyomi and Haku stood.
It was strange—there was nothing there, yet he felt eyes watching him.
He had never felt anything like this before.
Driven by curiosity, Kimimaro slowly lifted a finger, chains clinking softly.
Bang!
With a small pop, a pale segment of finger bone shot out.
Perhaps due to years of confinement weakening his body, or perhaps because he had not fully mastered his kekkei genkai, the bone projectile was soft and slow.
Hoshiyomi could have dodged it easily—but he didn't.
Instead, he raised his hand and casually caught the bone bullet between his thumb and index finger.
As Hoshiyomi made that motion, his Transparent Escape naturally dispelled, revealing both himself and Haku.
Seeing the sudden appearance of two strangers—one tall, one small—Kimimaro's eyes flickered, gaining a bit of color where moments ago they had been lifeless.
He examined Hoshiyomi and Haku, noticing that neither of them wore the clothing of the Kaguya clan.
Curious, he tilted his head slightly, but remained silent.
Seeing that expression, Hoshiyomi knew instantly: getting Kimimaro to speak first would be impossible.
He flashed a gentle smile at the boy, then casually tossed the bone bullet Kimimaro had fired up and down in his hand.
"Pretty impressive, you know? None of those adults outside noticed us at all… but you, a little guy like you, managed to sense us."
Hoshiyomi originally thought this would help put Kimimaro at ease—
but as he stepped closer, Kimimaro suddenly shrank back into the corner.
The skin on his shackled hands rippled, as though something might burst out at any moment.
Kimimaro didn't know who this man was, but every instinct screamed that he was dangerous—
far more terrifying than anyone he had ever seen, including the Kaguya clan head.
Seeing this, Hoshiyomi couldn't help but chuckle.
What frightening intuition…
Not wanting to increase the boy's fear, Hoshiyomi helplessly stopped walking, planning to wait until Kimimaro sensed he meant no harm before trying again.
But unexpectedly, Haku—who had been hiding behind Hoshiyomi—suddenly stepped forward.
He slipped out from behind Hoshiyomi, took two steps closer, and said:
"Hello. My name is Haku. What's your name?"
Kimimaro didn't retreat this time.
He sensed kindness from Haku—and something else…
something faint yet familiar, something similar to himself.
He stared at Haku's face for a long moment before finally responding:
"Kimimaro. Kaguya Kimimaro."
Hearing Kimimaro answer, Haku suddenly beamed with a warm, radiant smile.
He turned back and said to Hoshiyomi:
"Lord Hoshiyomi, he talked!"
Watching Haku's bright smile, Kimimaro instinctively glanced past him at Hoshiyomi.
Seeing Hoshiyomi still smiling gently, Kimimaro relaxed slightly—though he still asked:
"You're not from the clan. Why are you here?"
Sensing that Kimimaro was still afraid of Hoshiyomi, Haku—considerate as always—answered before Hoshiyomi could speak:
"We found this place by accident.
We were just curious, so we came down to have a look… and then we found you."
Kimimaro looked deeply at Haku, but didn't reply.
Instead, he lowered his head, conflict written clearly in his eyes.
He was young, but not stupid.
They weren't members of the clan, yet they were here.
So… they must be intruders.
According to what the clan taught him, intruders were enemies.
And enemies were to be killed.
But… he didn't want to hurt them.
Looking at Hoshiyomi and Haku, Kimimaro felt far more comfort from them than from anyone in his clan.
He didn't want to hurt them.
But… I am the Kaguya clan's weapon…
Kimimaro stared blankly at his own hands, confusion filling his eyes.
What… what was he supposed to do?