At the entrance of the orphanage, Rinto sat on the steps while a white-haired elderly woman stood beside him.
"Excuse me, are you Rinto-kun?" The old woman's kind voice broke the silence.
"Rinto-kun is unworthy of such formality," he replied humbly. "Just call me Rinto."
"Good, good child," the woman said warmly. "I often hear Yazi and the others mention you. They say that without you, they wouldn't have survived."
Rinto smiled and shook his head. "Not at all. They can survive without me; it's just a little harder."
"Even so, thank you. Thank you for saving them." The elderly woman, trembling with age, slowly sat down beside him with the aid of her cane.
Rinto shook his head again. "I only did what I wanted to do."
"Alright, alright, just because you were interested," she said with a chuckle.
After some conversation, Rinto learned that the white-haired woman was the director of the orphanage. The children here called her Granny Mai. Her husband had once been a Jōnin of a vassal clan under the Senju but had lost his life in war. Her two children had also been separated from her during the Sengoku era.
Heartbroken, Granny Mai had prayed for a kind-hearted person to take in her children and raise them. Later, when the Konoha Orphanage was established, she applied to become its director, using her resources to care for abandoned children.
While they chatted, Granny Mai turned her gaze toward Rinto.
"Rinto, I heard from Meiko that you and Rie-chan are also orphans?"
"Strictly speaking, not really. We still have each other." Rinto looked at Rie, who was playing in the distance, his eyes filled with warmth and a small smile forming on his lips.
Granny Mai looked at him with surprise before breaking into a gentle smile.
What an extraordinary child!
She had never expected an orphan to say something so positive.
"Then, may I ask, how do you support yourself and Rie-chan?" she inquired curiously.
"Forging," Rinto replied, a kunai floating out from his ninja pouch and twirling deftly in his hands. "Look, Magnet Style."
The kunai danced in the air, guided by his chakra, like a swift bird.
"I'm not sure if this is a Kekkei Genkai, but it's useful for metalwork."
As he spoke, Rinto noticed a fleeting expression of disappointment on Granny Mai's face. He sighed inwardly.
He had already guessed her intention. She wanted him to pass on his skills to the orphanage children, helping them secure a better future.
If he were just an ordinary Konoha villager, he wouldn't have refused. But he wasn't.
He was an undercover agent.
A pawn on a chessboard that had already crossed the river—there was no retreat, only the path forward. He had to proceed carefully, proving his worth step by step, without drawing too much attention.
Winning favor—especially among orphans—was a dangerous path.
His gaze drifted toward Rie, who was laughing with her friends. A bold idea formed in his mind.
Rie was only four years old.
No one would suspect a four-year-old child. Even the most cautious adults wouldn't guard themselves against an innocent, chubby-faced girl.
A barely noticeable smile played on Rinto's lips.
"Granny Mai, it's getting late. I should head back."
He stood up, bowed respectfully, and walked over to Rie, taking her hand as she bid farewell to her friends.
---
As they walked home in the glow of the setting sun, Rie seemed unusually quiet.
"What's wrong?" Rinto asked.
The little girl stiffened slightly and gripped his hand a little tighter.
"Can't I tell my brother?" she asked hesitantly.
Rinto smiled. "Of course, you can."
Rie hesitated before murmuring, "I just feel... useless. I only help my friends using things that belong to you. I don't have anything of my own."
Her small voice was tinged with frustration, and the setting sun cast a deep shadow on her face.
Rinto was momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile.
At least she wasn't growing up spoiled! His efforts were paying off!
Clearing his throat, he put on a stern face. "What are you talking about, kid? You're my sister. You don't need to be so polite with me."
Rie looked up, her eyes brimming with determination. "Then when I grow up, I'll take care of you, brother! I'll give you all my money and take you to eat barbecue every day!"
Pfft!
Rinto almost choked on laughter but managed to keep a straight face. "It's settled then."
Inwardly, he was delighted. Rie's mother, you heard that, right? She promised on her own! I didn't force her!
"By the way, what did you want to ask me earlier?"
Rie's usual bright smile returned. "Brother, I want to help Meiko and the others."
"Oh? Are they not eating well or sleeping enough?"
"No, it's just... the other kids in the orphanage stick together too much. Since Meiko and the others came later, they're often bullied."
Rinto sighed.
Bullying was universal—whether in Konoha, the shinobi world, or even his past life. It was an unfortunate part of human nature.
Even adults were guilty of it, so how could children, with their underdeveloped sense of empathy, avoid it?
He looked at Rie, who was gazing at him with hopeful eyes.
"Rie, do you want to stop the bullying?"
She shook her head. "No, I just want Meiko and the others to stop being bullied. I don't want to cause you trouble, brother."
Rinto felt warmth spread through his heart.
Rie, you're so considerate! If only you had the same dedication to learning math!
A thought struck him—an opportunity to test his earlier idea.
"You're a big girl now, Rie. You should come up with ways to help your friends. How about this—every time you come up with a good idea that I approve of, I'll give you 1,000 ryō. You can spend it however you like."
At the mention of money, Rie's eyes sparkled like stars. "Brother, it's a deal!"
She hooked her pinky around his, sealing their agreement.
---
As they walked through the village, Rinto noticed an unusual number of lanterns hanging in the streets.
He grabbed a middle-aged woman with a joyful face. "Auntie, why are there so many lanterns today?"
"Triumph!" she beamed. "We fought off the Cloud Shinobi! We won!"
A man next to her chimed in, "Yes! Second Hokage Tobirama just announced the war is over! My son is coming home!"
A young woman wiped tears from her eyes. "My husband is finally returning!"
Letting go of the woman's hand, Rinto watched the celebrating crowd with mixed feelings.
Those who survived rejoiced in the streets. Those who lost loved ones grieved in silence. But at last, the war was over.
That meant one thing—
Would Senju Tobirama's death come next?
Even with the Flying Thunder God Technique, how could a man as powerful as Tobirama be easily killed by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers?
Rinto admired the Second Hokage.
It was easy to conquer a nation, but difficult to maintain one.
And yet, despite Tobirama's intelligence and power, his fate had already been decided.
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