"Izayoi-kun, you're here!"
Izayoi arrived with Hanabi outside the villa.
Before he could knock, a girl's voice rang out.
With a whoosh, Karin appeared before Izayoi and Hanabi.
Her red eyes, matching her hair, locked onto Izayoi, then lit up with a joyful smile.
"Yeah, it's the real me this time."
Izayoi nodded, smiling. "Thanks for your hard work, Karin."
"No trouble at all!" Karin shook her head, her face full of gratitude. "Compared to life in Grass Village, this is paradise. All I did was buy materials in Sunagakure for you, yet I get to live in this amazing house and earn so much. I don't deserve it."
"No, you've been a huge help."
Under Hanabi's pouting gaze, Izayoi reached out, ruffling Karin's hair—now glossy and soft compared to its former brittle state. "There are few people in this world I trust, and you're one of them. I'm grateful for Grass Village's shortsightedness. Without their foolishness, I wouldn't have found my clansman during the Chunin Exams."
"Hehe… I'm lucky to have met you too, Izayoi-kun. I won't let you down."
Karin basked in his head-pat, giggling while vowing with fierce determination.
Hanabi studied Karin, who seemed one step from tying a "loyalty" bandana around her forehead, and her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
So this woman is Onii-chan's clansman.
It didn't seem like cheating.
Right—Onii-chan wouldn't have brought her along if he were.
With that, Hanabi's wariness toward Karin vanished.
After chatting at the door, Izayoi led Hanabi into the villa.
Along the way, he introduced Hanabi and Karin to each other.
Learning Hanabi was the sister of Hinata, who'd been kind to her in the Forest of Death, Karin warmed to her instantly, treating her like a little sister.
"Hanabi, explore the villa with Karin-nee. If you're bored, go have fun outside," Izayoi said, patting Hanabi's head. "Onii-chan's got work to do, but I'll join you when I'm done."
"Okay!"
Mature for her age, Hanabi nodded eagerly. "Onii-chan's business comes first. Karin-nee can keep me company."
"Then I'm leaving Hanabi to you, Karin," Izayoi said with a smile.
"Don't worry, Izayoi-kun. I'll take good care of her," Karin promised, her face serious.
With that, Izayoi entrusted Hanabi to Karin and approached a locked door.
Opening it revealed a staircase descending.
He reached the bottom—a spacious basement.
But now, it was crowded.
Rows of figures stood in neat formation.
A rough count neared triple digits.
And that wasn't all.
In a corner, a table held several large sealing scrolls.
The figures wore uniform black cloaks embroidered with red clouds.
Most had bandaged faces, their eyes lifeless.
They were ordinary puppets, with a few crafted from corpses.
Beyond the Kurogo clan, some were rogue ninja hunted by Izayoi's shadow clones.
Scanning the puppets with his Tenseigan, Izayoi walked among them, channeling chakra into their cores like charging batteries, murmuring, "Whether the system has hidden mechanics depends on you. Whether upgrading traits is hellish or easy—it's up to you too!"
"But this grand gift? I'm sure the Akatsuki and 'Lord Danzo' will love it."
After charging every puppet in the basement and scrolls, Izayoi returned upstairs, taking Hanabi and Karin to explore Cherry Blossom Street.
Along the way, he checked on Karin.
"How's your recovery going?"
"I'm fine—full of energy," Karin said, gratitude in her smile. "Thanks to your treatment and the medicinal meals your shadow clone prepared."
"Any plans for the future?"
Izayoi asked, "We've got enough materials for a while, no need for resupply soon. Do you want to stay here, managing my assets, or continue as a ninja? Either way, I'll teach you ninjutsu to grow stronger."
"I'll do whatever you need," Karin said firmly. "Whatever you want me to do, I'm in."
"I love your answer, but I want your true thoughts." Izayoi patted her head again, smiling. "You're not just my subordinate—you're my clansman, my family. Whatever you choose, I'll make it happen."
Meeting Izayoi's sincere gaze, Karin's eyes welled up uncontrollably.
A person's goodness isn't in their words or promises, but their actions.
Grass Village's cruelty was clear to Karin.
She'd even foreseen her fate—dying young, like her mother, from an overtaxed body.
If Grass Village was hell, these days were heaven.
After Izayoi's shadow clone took her from Konoha, he brought her to Cherry Blossom Street, giving her a grand villa and the keys to a vault with billions in funds, hers to spend freely.
Learning she didn't know how to manage money, the clone bought ingredients and herbs, hiring chefs to cook medicinal meals to restore her health.
He took her to tailors, ordering piles of beautiful clothes—some with fabrics she couldn't have afforded in a lifetime of missions.
Even the jewelry in the safe was hers to choose.
Once her health stabilized, the clone taught her Konoha's superior ninja basics, tree-climbing, and water-walking.
He lent her Raiga Kurosuki's Thunder Blade, guiding her in Lightning Release nature transformation.
Once she mastered it, he'd teach her to boost speed with Lightning Release chakra.
Such meticulous care, all for a single trip to Sunagakure to buy materials.
No one tailed her, no fear she'd flee with the fortune.
This trust and kindness often left Karin crying in secret—tears of gratitude.
She was utterly devoted to Izayoi, like Haku or Kimimaro. Helping him was worth her life.
He was her sky, her god, her everything.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Karin flashed a toothy grin. "Izayoi-kun, I want to be a ninja."
If I become an all-rounder, I can help you more!
Izayoi didn't know her thoughts.
Hearing her choice, he grinned back. "Alright, I'll make you one of the greatest kunoichi."
As they shared a smile, Hanabi piped up, asserting her presence.
"Onii-chan, what about me?"
Looking at his adorable sister-in-law, Izayoi pinched her cheek. "Hanabi will definitely be one of the greatest kunoichi too."
"Hehe… I'm holding you to that! I'll tell Nee-san you said I'm better!" Hanabi stuck out her tongue, giggling.
Izayoi huffed, smug. "Onii-chan said 'in the future.' Right now, your sister's the best."
"Aw, no fair!"
Mimicking Hanabi's antics from days ago, Izayoi clutched his chest, feigning hurt. "Hanabi's trying to trick Onii-chan? You've wounded my fragile heart. It'll take ten—no, a hundred massages to fix it."
"I'm sorry, Onii-chan…"
Hanabi flung herself into his arms, nuzzling his chest, then looked up, pouting cutely. "I'll do it, so forgive me, okay?"
"Just teasing. Come on, let's see the cherry blossoms!"
Charmed again by his sister-in-law, Izayoi tweaked her nose, rubbing her collagen-rich cheeks.
Lifting her by the armpits, he swung her onto his shoulders, slipping into mount mode, and led Hanabi and Karin to view the cherry blossoms.
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