While Hinata delivered the finishing blow, Izanami crouched quietly beside Karin, remaining silent. Then he rolled up his sleeve, extended his forearm, and smiled kindly.
"Bite me," he said. "That way, your teeth marks on my hand will vanish."
Tears still streaked down Karin's cheeks, but upon hearing his words, her eyes widened in disbelief—and something like joy flickered in them. Her trembling voice barely managed, "Could it be… that you also…?"
"Yes." Izanami nodded, speaking what he knew was a comforting lie. "Although our hair colors differ, I could tell you come from the same clan by your aura."
"That's… that's too good." Karin bit her lower lip and bowed her head, her shoulders trembling as she choked back her sobs. Tears blurred her glasses, dripping onto the ground.
She was no longer an orphan. She had clan members.
In that moment she desperately wanted to cry out loud, but fearing rejection from her newfound kin, she wept softly instead. Izanami watched the scene with a gentle smile, saying nothing.
Hinata stood quietly beside them. Meanwhile, Shino Aburame, not wanting to interrupt their reunion, moved to the two fallen figures, searching for missing scrolls. Inwardly, he speculated.
Red hair, extraordinary healing power, a hidden clan behind it all… The clues felt familiar—something his father had once mentioned.
Suddenly, Shino hesitated as a realization formed. He resumed his search, adjusting his sunglasses as he walked.
He began to understand why Izanami possessed such immense Chakra—it must be stemming from an Uzumaki bloodline.
Records showed the Senju and Uzumaki clans were distantly related. Before Konoha's founding, the Uzumaki still lived on the Ninja Continent, within the Land of Fire. But after Konoha emerged, the Uzumaki left the continent and founded Uzushiogakure on a nearby island. With unbreakable alliance to Konoha, their ties remained firm.
It now seemed likely Izanami's ancestors either hailed directly from the Uzumaki or intermarried into them during the Warring States era. Over generations these traits dulled and vanished—only to resurface in Izanami as an atavism.
The more Shino pondered, the more this theory made sense. That must be why Izanami wanted to recruit Karin—his "Mind's Eye of the Kagura" must stem from a unique Uzumaki ability!
After Karin wept for several minutes, she gradually regained composure. Hinata leaned forward and pressed a handkerchief into her hands.
"Th… thank you," Karin whispered, softly dabbing away tears.
Once Karin finished wiping, Izanami offered his forearm again. "Bite me. I'll help heal your injuries."
"N–no, it's okay. I'll recover after resting," Karin replied, shaking her head. In front of a clan member, she was even more anxious than around her two old companions.
Like Naruto, Haku, and Kimimaro before her, those orphaned and broken by tragedy longed for the acceptance and love of family. That recognition had become their guiding light—once they glimpsed it, darkness became intolerable.
Karin bit her lip, afraid that biting Izanami might offend him. Sensing her hesitation, Izanami's smile widened.
"Go on, bite harder. My Chakra is strong—I don't mind. Hurry, or you could collapse." His tone carried a firm urgency.
Karin blinked, took a deep breath, and placed her teeth on his forearm. Gently at first, then, encouraged by Izanami's gentle smile and Hinata's supportive presence, she bit harder.
Instantly, she gasped. Her body, exhausted and starving, felt as if she'd gulped down the coldest, most refreshing water in a desert. Her skin regained a natural warmth, her pale face flushed with life, and even her blurry vision cleared.
It wasn't just healing—it was revitalization. Though Karin had inherited her mother's healing ability and had used Chakra before, she'd never experienced anything like this. Where she might expend nearly all her Chakra—or even risk her life—to treat serious wounds, Izanami's Chakra was a torrent: a minor draw on his reserves could completely restore a gravely injured person.
What kind of extraordinary Chakra was this?
Unaware of Karin's astonished thoughts, Izanami smiled inwardly. This was the result of noble Ōtsutsuki lineage combined with the healing power of Uzumaki.
When the healing finished, Izanami stood and extended his hand to Karin. "Clan member," he asked gently, "will you follow me from now on?"
"C‑can I?" Karin's voice trembled with excitement.
"Of course." Izanami smiled warmly. "But if you come with me, you'll have to give up being a ninja. I don't know if Konoha will accept that later."
"I will. I will," Karin nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining. Becoming a ninja didn't matter—what mattered was belonging. With her mother gone, she'd lost her home. Now, she had a family again.
"Excellent." Izanami summoned a Shadow Clone with a swift hand sign, then helped Karin to her feet. "He'll take you somewhere safe. Once I finish the exam, I'll come find you."
"Mm‑hmm…" Karin gazed at him trustingly, no longer doubting his sincerity.
After spending a few more quiet days together, and as Karin's trust in him deepened, even if Izanami asked her to keep watch over his money.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Ben479