For quite some time, Zetsume felt like he was on the verge of losing his mind and figured walking through the village would somehow ease his mind, but it did quite the opposite. The sights and sounds of the village seemed far too much today for the Jounin to handle. People were screaming trying to get customers to look at their wares while others were busy working on the infrastructure of the village. While watching them work was somewhat harmonious, it was also obnoxious. Repede, Zetsume's trusted companion seemed to not mind the people and the noises. In fact, it could be debated that he was rather enjoying himself while they strolled through the village. One by one the dog would go to someone in order to demand attention one way or another. The dog was not in sight, but Zetsume knew that was what he was doing at the time. It would not be long until the dog came strolling up beside him. Wearing his usual attire, Zetsume had his hands in his pockets while glancing at the village from all around. He was not particularly looking for something, but rather just needed to get his mind off of things for awhile. A sharp pain shot through his chest for a brief moment that almost caused him to double over. His right hand gripped his chest hard as the pain slowly subsided only for him to be crashed into by a small child who fell down onto his rear. It was obvious by the kids clothes and cleanliness that he was an orphan on the street. Out from the kids hands fell food of various kinds onto the ground as a bald man with a large gut came running around the corner. "Stop that kid!" He screamed at the crowd hoping one would comply. The kid quickly scrambled to get what food he could before trying to bolt off, but he was stopped by Zetsume who let out a long arm to grab the kid by the collar from the back. "Let go!" The kid screamed and tried to break free but Zetsume's grip was firm on the kid. Unlike most, he did not particularly care about thieves and liars. The less of them there were the better it would be for all. Once the kid figured that he could not break free, he tried to hit Zetsume but only was met by a swift kick to the chest that sent the kid flying a few feet back and knocked into a wall. From a distance he glared at the child as if he was the bane of the world and before the kid could regain his composure, Zetsume and the man he stole from earlier were above him. "What should we do with him, Sir?" The man said to Zetsume. This was a shock since he did not think the man knew of his rank but did not try to think much of it. Looking at the kid, Zetsume sighed softly before replying to the man, "This kid is just a product of the constant fighting between villages. Here, this should cover anything he stole and for your time. Leave the child to me and go on about your business." Zetsume handed the man a substantial amount of money and all he did was smile and walk away counting his money slowly while whistling. Looking around, many had stopped what they were doing to see what the commotion was. There were murmurs within the crowds that they thought Zetsume would kill the boy as his heart is as cold as ice they say. Zetsume yelled from the top of his lungs to the people who were being nosy, "Nothing to see here, get back to work!" The people reluctantly started back to what they were doing before. From the ground, the kid who must have been no older than twelve looked up at Zetsume with such hatred that he almost felt it. Around this time, Repede came strolling up and came to Zetsume's side before sitting. Unlike Zetsume, Repede was too happy go lucky for this. Turning towards the dog, Zetsume spoke, "Leave us be for awhile Repede, there are matters we must attend to."

The dog turned his nose up and walked away before looking for potential victims to his endless need for loving. Zetsume stretched an arm down to help the kid, who only slapped it away before standing on his own two feet. "I dont need your help. I DONT NEED ANYONE!" The kid went to bolt off but was stopped by Zetsume not even a step later. "I honestly do not care what you do or do not want. You owe me money and you will work it off." Zetsume dragged the kid kicking and screaming. After awhile the kid calmed down enough to walk on his own. Once they made it somewhat close towards where Zetsume lived, they stopped. Nearby he had left an old ax he uses to chop fire wood. Walking towards it, he picked it up and handed it to the kid while pointing at a nearby pile of logs. "Cut", he said while shoving the ax into his chest. The kid looked even angrier than before as he threw the ax on the ground. "Fuck you, I am not doing this." Zetsume looked at the kid with a cold gaze before replying. "Is that your final answer?" The kid went to speak but was stopped by Zetsume quickly picking up afterwards. "If it is then I will be forced to make sure you never steal again. In case you do not know, habitual thieves get a hand removed in a gruesome manner to warn other shop keepers. Either that or they throw you somewhere that you would be a toy to most of them and no one would care what they did to you. Now pick up that ax and start swinging or I will administer the appropriate judgement."

The kid still had the same fire in his eyes of hatred but knew somehow that Zetsume was not joking. The kid worked for many hours chopping wood then Zetsume made him carry it to local cooking shops as a sign of good faith. For the next month, Zetsume made the kid work until his debt to him was paid off and the kid would still come to Zetsume looking for work. During that month the two argued, bickered, fought and all sorts of manner of things until they became used to one another. The kid looked up to Zetsume shortly as he was present for when spies were caught on his property on the outskirts of the village. He saw first hand the ruthlessness that he possessed and would do. There was no sympathy in his heart for them. When the kid came to his house looking for work, Zetsume told him that his debt was paid off but the kid still wanted to be around him. A nuisance to say the least but at least he was not causing trouble. From there, Zetsume agreed to pay the kid for any work he did for others. It was not until today that he noticed that the boy's eyes were such an emerald green. Perhaps its easier to notice when you are not being scolded at. The kid agreed and ran off. Zetsume smiled a bit and told Repede to keep an eye on him for the time being. The dog barked and went to follow the kid towards the village. Finally he could relax for a bit. Maybe....