Two days later, in the Land of Fire, in a small town closest to Konoha—
Itsuki settled Karin and her mother, Kana, into a rented courtyard. He stocked it with enough supplies to last them for a while.
"For now, you'll stay here," Itsuki said. He handed Kana the remaining tens of thousands of ryō. "I wanted to buy this place outright, but I didn't have enough. Just wait a little. When the time is right, I'll take you both to Konoha."
"This is already more than enough!" Kana's eyes softened.
For her, freedom itself was the greatest gift. Comfort was secondary.
Karin clutched at Itsuki's sleeve reluctantly. "Do you have to leave now?"
In just two days, his kind and approachable nature had broken through their walls.
To Karin and her mother, Itsuki already felt like family—the closest person they had.
"If everything goes smoothly, I'll come back soon," Itsuki said, ruffling Karin's red hair.
This girl with such a miserable past was still silly and bright in her own way. He couldn't help but see her as a younger sister.
Even so, he struggled with the decision. Bringing Karin and Kana to Konoha immediately might be dangerous.
The Uzumaki name and their unique bodies would draw attention.
Hiruzen Sarutobi might play the part of a kind leader, but Itsuki knew Danzo Shimura was always lurking in the shadows.
If Karin entered Konoha too soon, she could fall straight into Danzo's claws—and Itsuki couldn't protect her every second of every day.
The [Fabrication System] gave him tools to forge the future, but even that required planning and time.
"Lord Itsuki, we owe you everything," Kana said solemnly. "To leave Kusagakure and live normally—that alone fulfills my life's wish."
She bowed slightly. "Of course, I'd love to serve at your side, but even if I can't be useful in battle, I'd be glad just to handle your daily life. But please—don't risk yourself for our sake."
Itsuki sighed. He'd corrected her several times, but Kana stubbornly kept addressing him as Lord.
"Don't worry about me. I have privileges in Konoha, though as a newcomer, my voice doesn't carry much weight yet. That's why I can't settle you inside the village."
He waved off her formality, then added: "While I'm away, keep your identities hidden. Wear the hats I bought when you go out. Few know the Uzumaki had red hair, but some do, and it would be bad luck to cross paths with one. And Kana—when you have time, teach Karin your clan's secret arts. She'll need them soon."
"Yes," Kana said immediately, like a loyal subordinate.
"Alright, no more long faces." Itsuki patted Karin's head again. "We'll meet soon."
Then he slipped away quickly before her reluctance could pull him back.
At the same time, Team Guy arrived in the same town.
They had left Kusagakure a little later than Itsuki, but the road to Konoha was short. Guy was eager to return in one stretch.
Tenten, however, wanted to stop by the market since Karin was nearby. She suggested the others return first, but Guy's way of thinking was… unique.
He wanted to get back quickly, yet he refused to leave Tenten alone. So he stayed, constantly urging her to hurry.
Tenten felt trapped. Having a teacher like Guy, and a teammate like Lee—two identical bundles of "youth"—was exhausting.
Life is not easy. I sigh every day, she thought.
Finally, inspiration struck when she spotted an iced drink shop.
"Sensei, Lee—why don't I buy you both something cold? You can rest inside while I run my errands. When I'm done, I'll come meet you."
"No way!" Lee objected instantly. "We're a team! We stick together through thick and thin. How can we rest while you're working? At the very least, I can help carry your things!"
"Lee is right!" Guy boomed, slamming his hand onto Tenten's shoulder so hard she staggered.
His teeth flashed with a blinding grin as he gave a thumbs-up. "Youth cannot slack! If you need help, ask your teacher without hesitation!"
Tenten's face twitched. If you two just sat quietly in that drink shop, that would help me the most.
But when these two dug in their heels, nothing could move them.
With no other choice, she turned pleading eyes to Neji—the only normal one on the team.
Neji looked puzzled. Why was she so desperate to ditch them?
But being sharp, he quickly pieced it together. She must be buying women's products. No wonder she doesn't want us tagging along.
It was indeed awkward for the guys to follow her in that case.
"Alright, Guy-sensei, Lee," Neji said, grabbing both by the arms and steering them toward the shop. "Since Tenten insists, she must have her reasons. It's great to want to help, but being too enthusiastic can cause trouble. We're close to Konoha, there's no danger. Let's just relax here for a bit."
He shot Tenten a small, reassuring glance.
"Nani?! Neji says we're troubling Tenten?!" Lee gasped. "Impossible! I was helping!"
"Oh no!" Guy clutched his head, wailing. "Neji, how could you say something so cold? Caring for comrades must burn with passion! Passion, passion, and more passion—that is true youth!"
"Has Neji's youth already faded?!" Lee howled. "Unacceptable! This isn't the Neji I know!"
Guy's eyes widened in horror. "Of course! That explains it! The real Neji must've been replaced somewhere along the way! And I didn't notice at all! This Neji is an imposter! Luring us away from Tenten—classic trick! Lure the tiger from the mountain!"
"As expected of Guy-sensei!" Lee's eyes blazed with fire. "You saw through it instantly! Very well, fake Neji—where is the real one?! Konoha Whirlwind!"
"Konoha Gale!" Guy roared, joining in.
The drink shop erupted into chaos—tables toppling, cups spilling, punctuated by Neji's furious shouts:
"I am Neji! Byakugan! Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms! Rotation!"
Outside the shop, Tenten massaged her temples. Reliable on missions, hopeless at downtime. Even Neji's no exception once Guy and Lee start dragging him in.
"Forget it," she muttered, hurrying off. "Time to go see Karin."