"Lord Gen, hello."
Two-year-old Karin Uzumaki blinked her large, ruby-like eyes. Her childish voice was soft, but she sounded surprisingly sensible.
"Hello, Karin," Uchiha Gen replied with a faint smile. His gaze shifted between mother and daughter. "I can see the two of you aren't doing well. Would you be interested in living in Konoha?"
Anna Uzumaki's eyes widened, filled with shock and delight. She almost didn't dare believe it. "Lord Gen, is that… truly possible?"
To her, Konoha was the safest and most prosperous place in the entire Shinobi world, the dream of countless wanderers. She had wanted to go there for years, but the roads were dangerous, crawling with bandits, mercenaries, and rogue shinobi. Even wealthy caravans had to hire ninjas as guards.
She, with no ninjutsu and no strength, had never dared risk her daughter's life on such a journey.
"Of course," Gen said gently. "Uzushiogakure may be gone, but Konoha has never abandoned its alliance with the Uzumaki clan. If you come with me, I'll ensure you reach Konoha safely."
His smile brightened. "Besides, the Fourth Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Kushina, is also of your clan. Though the Fourth has passed, Kushina-nee has more than enough power to protect you."
Anna's breath caught. Joy burst across her face as she bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Gen! Truly, thank you…" She trembled with relief. At last, her daughter might have a stable, safe future.
"Thank you, Lord Gen," little Karin echoed softly, imitating her mother's gratitude. Her sweet smile was like a tiny flame in the dark.
Gen's expression softened. "There is one condition," he said. "Right now, I'm tied down with the war against Iwa and Kusa. You'll only be able to return with me once this campaign ends."
"That's no problem at all. We can wait," Anna said quickly, eager not to trouble him. After a pause, she seemed to wrestle with herself before speaking up, voice trembling. "Lord Gen, I… I've awakened a special ability. If someone bites me, they can recover chakra and heal their wounds."
Gen feigned sudden realization, chuckling. "So that's why those Kusagakure ninja wouldn't sell you, no matter the price. I see now." He tilted his head. "You must have been an ordinary clanswoman once. Otherwise, with such an ability, you would never have fallen to this state."
Anna lowered her eyes. "Yes. I wasn't born with this gift. But… our branch is from the main line of the Uzumaki clan."
"That explains it," Gen mused. "Kushina-nee is also of the main line. No wonder you could awaken such an ability."
Anna's heart fluttered at the mention of her kin. She longed to meet Kushina one day. "Then… I can be useful, Lord Gen. I can help restore chakra, heal Konoha's wounded..."
Gen shook his head firmly. His voice turned serious. "When I used my Sharingan earlier, I saw it clearly. You don't have chakra of your own. Right now, your gift drains your life force instead. If you keep using it, you'll burn out your years and die young."
Anna's face paled.
"There's no need to throw away your life," Gen said, his tone softening. "Konoha's medical system is far more advanced. Once we return to camp, I'll teach you how to refine chakra, along with some basic medical ninjutsu. You can help in the frontline hospital to earn your keep, and gain experience. Later, when we return to Konoha, Kushina-nee and I can see to it that you're accepted as a trainee at Konoha Hospital. That way, you and Karin will always be able to stand on your own."
Anna's eyes shimmered. Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground, overwhelmed. "Lord Gen… you've thought of everything. I don't know how I could ever repay such kindness…"
The thought of giving herself to him flickered through her mind, but she quickly crushed it. They were worlds apart. Still, if he asked… she knew she wouldn't refuse.
Gen stepped forward in a flash, catching her arms and lifting her up before she could sink further. "Repayment? Don't say such things. I simply did what anyone in my position should. Come, stand."
Anna pressed her lips together, burying her gratitude deep inside her heart. One day, she swore, she would repay him.
Beside her, Karin gazed at Gen with shining eyes, as if he were a hero straight from a storybook. "Lord Gen, you're so handsome," she said innocently.
Gen laughed, a booming, unrestrained sound. Children's words always had a way of reaching the heart. "Hahaha! Karin-chan has good taste."
He waved his hand decisively. "Come. Let's head back to the Konoha camp."
"…Or perhaps should we eat something first?" Gen asked tentatively.
"There's no need to trouble Lord Gen. We're not hungry," she quickly added.
But at that very moment, both her stomach and Karin's growled loudly. Their cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
Gen grinned. "Looks like your bodies disagree. I didn't eat enough earlier myself. Let's fix that. Karin, what would you like?"
The little girl hesitated, sucking her finger. "Can we… have dango?" Her voice was timid, as if asking too much.
"Of course! Today, we'll eat as much dango as we want."
His eyes sparkled with mischief. "And afterward, we'll get you both some proper clothes."
Anna immediately waved her hands. "No, Lord Gen, there's no need. Our clothes can still be worn after washing—"
"You're not wanderers anymore," Gen interrupted gently but firmly. "You can't keep wearing the same tattered set. That's final."
He turned without giving her a chance to protest further. Anna sighed helplessly, but she understood. She already owed him more than she could ever repay... what was a little more?
The three of them returned to the same dango shop. This time, they sat inside. Gen ordered with abandon; five skewers of every flavor, plus juice. To Anna and Karin, who had eaten only two or three times in the past three days, it was an overwhelming display of generosity.
Fifteen minutes later, bellies warm and spirits lifted, they strolled to a clothing shop. Gen bought three full sets for each of them. Anna tried to argue again, but he didn't let her.
By the time they left town, Karin walked between them, tugging happily at her brand-new clothes, her face glowing with a smile. Anna carried the bags on one side, Gen walked on the other. For the first time in years, the mother and daughter looked like they belonged to a family.
Once they reached the open wilderness, Gen stopped and called softly, "Kyouki."
From his sleeve drifted a tiny white cloud, no larger than a fist. It rapidly swelled, expanding until it was wide enough for three people to stand comfortably.
Anna and Karin's eyes widened.
Gen stepped onto the cloud with practiced ease. "You can think of Kyouki as a special summon. Come on, try it."
Cautiously, Anna climbed aboard with her daughter. The cloud was soft, springy, like standing on cotton candy.
The moment they were settled, Kyouki surged upward, cutting across the sky in a streak of white.
Karin squealed in delight as the ground fell away beneath them, and Anna clutched her daughter close, eyes shining with both awe and relief.
For the first time in years, the future no longer felt like a nightmare, but a promise.