Kazuyama Gekkō slowly stepped aside. The crystal had formed a barrier, but nothing inside the house had crystallized.
He pulled out a chair, sat down, and stared at the woman before him. Although she had tried to hide it, the bite marks on her skin were too obvious, and he noticed them instantly.
He let out a speechless sigh. Such a remarkable physique… and these bastards had her using it .
"You're using the special physique of the Uzumaki Clan… for this?"
"Even if it's to make a living and feed your child, do you really think you can keep this up for long?"
The woman was utterly stunned.
Seeing her reaction, Kazuyama continued talking, almost to himself.
"Red hair—that's a trademark of the Uzumaki Clan. And that special chakra? That's their gift."
"Although the Land of Whirlpools has been destroyed, many Uzumaki survivors are still out there."
"It wasn't hard for me to find out who you are."
"But I never imagined that someone with your talent would be reduced to this state."
By now, she had recovered from her shock, though her eyes were filled with fear. She only wanted to survive—survive with her daughter. But who was this man, and how did he know so much about her?
"Me? I'm a ninja from Takigakure. My sensei is Orochimaru, one of the Sannin of Konohagakure."
"Oh, he's no longer with Konoha—he's a Missing-nin now."
Konoha? Orochimaru? It was clear she knew those names.
"What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here for you. Someone with your physique shouldn't be rotting away in Kusagakure."
Her expression faltered, panic setting in. She was about to call for the nearby ninja, but he cut her off.
"Don't bother trying to call for help. This crystal blocks all sound."
"Even if you scream, not a single word will get out."
Kazuyama's tone carried a finality that made her fear deepen.
Noticing her unease, he gave an awkward smile. He really hadn't meant to frighten her.
"Do you have any idea what your future in Kusagakure will look like?"
"I don't know. I just… want to live."
"That's a simple wish. But here? It's nothing but a luxury. They already know about your ability. Do you really think you'll get to live in peace?"
A trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes. Of course she understood her situation.
"So… will you leave with me?"
"My sensei Orochimaru might not be a good man, but he treats people with special bloodlines like yours well."
"He's a researcher—he won't harm you. At most, he'll have you cooperate in some experiments."
"Better that than staying here, being used as a blood bag by Kusagakure's shinobi, right?"
She fell silent. She didn't know what choice to make. Her country was gone, her clan destroyed. She and her husband had barely escaped with their lives—but fate was cruel. Her husband had died during their flight, leaving only her and her child.
When she came to Kusagakure, they too had coveted her unique physique. Lately, more and more people had come seeking her healing.
Kazuyama glanced at the sleeping child. Small, adorable—just like his own son. Judging by her age, Karin should be about a year younger than his boy, Gekkō Dōjin, and the same age as Naruto and Sasuke.
"Even if you won't do it for yourself, you should think about her."
"She's inherited the Uzumaki bloodline. In this village, she'll grow up to become another you—suffering inhuman treatment."
"Is that what you want?"
A parent's child is always their softest spot. At those words, her pupils shrank sharply.
"If I go with you, will we be safe?"
"Takigakure might treat us the same way Kusagakure does."
After so many tragedies, she could no longer bring herself to trust anyone.
Seeing his persuasion wasn't working, Kazuyama sighed.
"Man… I'm tired of talking."
A flash of bewitching red light filled the room, and in the next moment, the woman lost consciousness.
"Should've done that from the start. You talk too much."
"Alright, grab the kid. We're leaving."
The red light wrapped around little Karin and then covered the woman. Once his chakra was in place, Kazuyama used the Flying Thunder God Technique to vanish.
After a few jumps, they landed in a pitch-black cave.
"Damn, why's it so dark in here?"
"Did my bastard of a sensei move?"
"Wait… no. This looks like a metal cabinet?"
"Seriously?! There's even a talisman on it! Bastard sensei! You're locking me in?!"
By Tagitsuhime's red glow, Kazuyama could see he was inside a large metal box covered in seals.
Before he could rant further, Orochimaru's cold, mocking laugh came from outside.
"Hehehe… serves you right for coming here every day to steal from me."
"This sealed chest was for storing medicines, but putting you in it works just as well."
Orochimaru opened the iron door, revealing Kazuyama's thoroughly displeased face.
"Hmph, I was going to have you look after her, but now I've changed my mind."
Kazuyama ignored the curiosity in his sensei's eyes and started to leave, but Orochimaru had already seen the woman—there was no way he'd let them go.
"Hmph. You can rob me, but I can't retaliate?"
"Having a disciple like you is exhausting."
Orochimaru gave a weary sigh. Anyone stuck with Kazuyama would have nothing but silent suffering.
"Tch, haven't I treated you well as a sensei?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Look at Minato Namikaze—he ignores Jiraiya completely."
"Speaking of Jiraiya, he's been looking for you."
At the mention of Jiraiya, Orochimaru sneered. The two had never been on the same path, and he couldn't be bothered to respond.
"I found her in Kusagakure—a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan. She's got a unique ability: healing others by channeling her chakra through her body."
"Though… the method requires biting."
"She didn't want to leave, so I skipped the talking, knocked her out, and brought her here.
"The little girl is Uzumaki too. I know you'll be interested, but you can only take a blood sample. I'm sending them both to Takigakure."
Hearing that, Orochimaru grinned and went to fetch his medical tools.
The blood of the Uzumaki Clan… excellent.
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