After the Third Raikage finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
He recalled that in the past, their village had resorted to all sorts of deceit and trickery just to acquire a single bloodline limit ninja. For this, they had sacrificed the lives of many elite ninja. Yet, after all that effort, they had gained nothing.
Now, after presenting their request to the Sand Village, the other party immediately agreed. This was the benefit of strength. Without the powerful might of Uchiha Yuzuru, things could never have proceeded so smoothly.
First, they acquired the Uchiha clan, then the Chinoike clan. And now, they had obtained another bloodline limit ninja from the Sand Village. The Third Raikage had a premonition that in the future, their Cloud Village would never lack bloodline limits again.
"Third Raikage, where is that ninja now? I'd like to go see them."
A smile touched Yuzuru's face. An image of a ninja with a smooth, beautiful back involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
It must be Pakura, right?
After all, the Sand Village couldn't possibly send over Rasa.
"I arranged for that ninja to stay with your Uchiha clan. She should be with Kushina Uzumaki now."
"Okay, I understand."
Yuzuru turned and left the Raikage's Office.
Arriving at the Uchiha clan compound, Yuzuru returned to his courtyard. In the courtyard, Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha were washing vegetables. Seeing Yuzuru return, smiles appeared on both their faces.
"Yuzuru, you're finally back!"
Kushina immediately pounced into Yuzuru's arms, nuzzling against him with her head down.
Yuzuru chuckled, rubbing Kushina's head, "Alright, are you a little cat?"
Hearing this, Kushina instantly put both hands under her chin, her large eyes looking up at Yuzuru. "Meow~" She even stuck out her little tongue after meowing.
Her adorable appearance made Yuzuru involuntarily swallow. Uh oh, that's the feeling of falling for her.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Yuzuru's reaction, Kushina raised her chin proudly and darted to the side.
"Hehehe..."
"Big pervert!"
Yuzuru smiled wryly at the playful Kushina, but secretly complained in his heart.
Intentionally trying to provoke me, huh? Just you wait! You'll get what's coming to you someday!
Mikoto Uchiha then walked up. She wasn't as bold as Kushina, but she hugged Yuzuru's arm and gently leaned her head on his shoulder. Feeling the warmth on his arm, Yuzuru took a deep breath.
Good grief, is this how you test your leaders?!
Yuzuru remained composed and spoke to Kushina, "The Third Raikage told me the bloodline limit ninja sent by the Sand Village is with you, right?"
Kushina nodded. "She's staying in our courtyard, but she hasn't left the room once since she came."
"I'll go take a look then."
Seeing that Yuzuru had something to attend to, Kushina and Mikoto obediently let go.
"Yuzuru, go ahead. Mikoto and I will cook dinner for you."
The two left the courtyard with the freshly washed vegetables, and Yuzuru walked toward the room Kushina had indicated. He knocked on the door, but received no response. Yuzuru simply pushed the door open and entered.
Sitting inside the room was a young woman with shoulder-length, sandy-yellow hair. She was gentle and beautiful, appearing quite lovely.
But... this isn't Pakura, is it?
Yuzuru was slightly confused.
"Wh-who are you?"
The girl was startled by Yuzuru, quickly stood up, and retreated into a corner.
Yuzuru said plainly, "My name is Uchiha Yuzuru. Are you the bloodline limit ninja sent by the Sand Village?"
Hearing Yuzuru's words, the girl became even more nervous. She had already heard that it was Uchiha Yuzuru who had killed all the ninja from their Sand Village on the battlefield.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Yuzuru frown, the girl immediately said, "M-my name is Karura. Pl-please take care of me."
Hearing the girl's answer, Yuzuru froze on the spot.
Huh? Karura? Isn't this Gaara's mother?!
Why did those guys from the Sand Village send her here?
Seeing Yuzuru silent, Karura anxiously spoke, "I really do have a bloodline limit; I can control sand."
"See..." Karura said, slowly raising her arm. The next second, a pile of sand floated out of the giant gourd in the corner of the room.
Before coming here, she had been specifically warned by the Third Kazekage and Granny Chiyo to cooperate fully with the Cloud Village and absolutely not give them any excuse to attack the Sand Village. Therefore, Karura dared not show any negligence toward Uchiha Yuzuru.
Looking at the familiar gourd and sand, Yuzuru confirmed Karura's identity. In the original story, Rasa did seem to mention that Gaara's ability to control sand came not from Shukaku but from Karura.
Recovering his thoughts, he smiled gently at Karura, "I understand your ability. Please sit down."
Although somewhat unexpected, Karura's bloodline limit seemed quite useful too. As for Pakura, there would always be an opportunity later.
Seeing the gentle smile on Yuzuru's face, Karura slowly sat down opposite him. "Yuzuru-sama, did you come to see me suddenly because you have an assignment?"
Yuzuru thought for a moment and replied, "Karura, you know you've been abandoned by your village, right?"
Hearing this, Karura bit her lip and lowered her head. As collateral, she had been traded to the Cloud Village. Although she didn't resent the village, the fact that she had been abandoned couldn't be denied.
Seeing Karura's expression, Yuzuru continued, "Since you have come to the Cloud Village, you will be serving the Cloud Village from now on, understand?"
Karura nodded.
Seeing her agreement, Yuzuru spoke again, "Kushina and Mikoto happen to be missing a teammate. You will be going on missions with them from now on."
Karura looked up in surprise, asking in confusion, "Do you really trust me?"
She had been here for a few days, and Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha had both spoken with her. So Karura already knew that these two were destined to be Yuzuru's future wives. Yet now, Yuzuru was asking her, an outsider, to be teammates with his wives... Wasn't he worried that she might have ulterior motives?
Hearing Karura's question, Yuzuru gave a hearty laugh. "I trust you won't do anything foolish. After all..."
"If anything happens to Kushina or Mikoto, I will make the entire Sand Village pay the price."
"Believe it or not, I have the power to do such a thing."
Looking at the Mangekyō Sharingan pattern that had appeared in Yuzuru's eyes at some point, Karura couldn't help but swallow.
"Pl-please rest assured. I… I'll protect them with my life!"