Chapter 5: Uzumaki Clan Member? Follow Me From Now On!
While Oborotsuki and Konan successfully recruited Sasori into Akatsuki, on the other side—
Pain's Deva Path and Kakuzu had located their own target.
"Heh heh…"
A tall man with long black hair let out a raspy, cold chuckle.
An extremely wicked, charming smile curled across his face.
This was none other than Orochimaru—one of the Legendary Sannin—who had only recently defected from Konoha.
Orochimaru turned, gazing at the two uninvited guests who called themselves Akatsuki, and gave an utterly sinister laugh.
"You want to invite me to join?"
"Akatsuki… sounds rather intriguing…"
Though his words were playful, the cold, venomous gleam in his snake-like eyes betrayed his true thoughts.
The moment he finished speaking, Orochimaru struck like lightning—his neck stretching grotesquely into a serpent form, lunging straight at Pain's Deva Path.
But the next second, he deeply regretted his recklessness.
"Shinra Tensei!"
Pain's Deva Path uttered the words coldly, unleashing his signature technique without hesitation.
Caught off guard, an overwhelming repulsive force slammed into Orochimaru's face. His head deformed instantly, and his entire body was hurled backward uncontrollably.
BOOM—
He crashed through at least seventeen or eighteen trees before finally staggering up from the splintered wood and rubble.
Eyes wide with shock, he stared at the approaching Deva Path and the tall, silent figure beside him who hadn't yet acted.
"What kind of power is that…?"
"Those eyes…"
"Heh… I see. The legendary Rinnegan. Truly formidable!"
Realizing he couldn't oppose this opponent, Orochimaru quickly backed down.
"Fine. I'll join you."
He withdrew his killing intent and obediently accepted the invitation.
"Konan and the others should be finishing up soon. Return to headquarters."
Deva Path turned and walked away.
Orochimaru sneered, arms crossed, shot a glance at the silent Kakuzu, and followed.
…
Meanwhile, Oborotsuki, Konan, and the newly recruited Sasori's retreat from the Land of Wind was far from smooth.
Sasori had not only assassinated the Third Kazekage in secret but also kidnapped several village ninjas to turn into human puppets.
Sunagakure had been hunting him relentlessly.
This time, the pursuit included elite ANBU—and even the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, personally joined the chase.
To avoid exposing Akatsuki's base prematurely, the group avoided direct confrontation.
After reaching the border, they slipped into the neighboring Land of Rivers, planning to take a detour back to the Land of Rain.
"Konan-senpai, you and Sasori go ahead. I'll erase our tracks so they can't follow!"
Oborotsuki suggested.
Agreeing that protecting their headquarters was priority, Konan nodded.
"Be careful."
She said with genuine concern.
"No problem!"
Oborotsuki waved casually, then vanished in a flash.
After wiping their trail, he prepared to catch up—when faint sounds of fighting drifted from the forest ahead.
"Hm?"
"Did Konan and Sasori run into trouble?"
Curious, he stealthily approached to observe.
It wasn't them.
A group of samurai was hunting down a lone woman.
Oborotsuki's gaze locked onto her instantly.
She had vivid, fiery red hair.
Despite being covered in blood, her combat prowess was astonishing.
Unfortunately, one woman couldn't hold against twenty elite samurai skilled in chakra-enhanced swordsmanship.
She was soon overwhelmed, teetering on the brink of death.
At the critical moment, Oborotsuki intervened.
No words—just action.
He leaped in and struck the samurai with ruthless efficiency. Caught off guard, they fell quickly.
"You okay?"
Turning around, he realized the red-haired woman was visibly pregnant, her belly prominently swollen.
She watched him warily while her chakra surged. Her wounds visibly closed at a rapid pace.
…
Oborotsuki's heart stirred.
Red hair, rapid chakra-based regeneration… These were classic Uzumaki clan traits.
If memory served, the Land of Whirlpools had been destroyed long ago. The Uzumaki clan was nearly wiped out, survivors scattered.
A pregnant young woman, alone and hunted… Was this an opportunity?
His mind wandered.
"Thank you for saving me."
She remained cautious, clearly unnerved by his intense stare.
"I'm Oborotsuki. Why were they chasing you?"
He asked, refocusing.
Moments later, he had the full story.
Her name was Uzumaki Mayumi. She was indeed an Uzumaki survivor. The samurai wanted to capture her for her clan's bloodline and sealing techniques.
She once had a husband—killed during their escape. His body was taken, whereabouts unknown.
Not surprising. The Uzumaki were infamous for their immense chakra reserves and powerful fūinjutsu. Many coveted their power, which had contributed to their clan's near annihilation.
What truly shocked Oborotsuki was the name she had already chosen for the child in her womb—Karin!
Uzumaki were born with vast chakra and many were natural sensors. Sensing the baby's gender and naming her early was normal.
So… is this the Karin?
Oborotsuki's eyes gleamed. He stared at Mayumi for a long moment—long enough to make her scalp tingle and look away shyly—before speaking.
"Setting that aside… what are your plans now?"
His gaze drifted meaningfully to her belly.
Alone, pregnant, hunted, no home…
Mayumi froze, unsure how to respond.
"I… don't know. One step at a time, I guess."
She shook her head.
"How about you follow me?"
Mayumi was stunning—around 170 cm tall, mid-twenties, figure perfect even while pregnant. In a world full of beauties, she stood out.
"Huh?"
She looked up in surprise, thinking she misheard.
Oborotsuki ignored her reaction.
"I'll find you a safe place to stay. From now on, follow me."
"I'll take care of both of you."
He said it plainly, eyes once again on her swollen belly.
If she agreed… system rewards incoming?
Anticipation burned in his chest.
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