On a wide road between two rows of trees, a white-haired boy walked in front, followed by a red-haired mother and daughter keeping a certain distance.
This continued for a while, and Karin's mother couldn't help but ask, "Th-that..."
Tōshirō stopped, turned around, and smiled. "What's wrong? Am I scary? You've been acting like you're hiding from me."
"N-no..."
Tōshirō's terrifying strength was still vivid in her memory, leaving a deep impression on Karin's mother.
"Don't be afraid. I'm a gentle and easygoing person."
You don't look like a gentle and easygoing person at all... Karin's mother gathered her courage and asked, "Where are you taking us?"
"Konoha."
Karin's mother was stunned. "Konoha?"
"The Uzumaki clan has always maintained a good relationship with Konoha. As a Konoha ninja, it's normal for me to take you there to settle down, isn't it?"
Hearing that he was taking them to Konoha, Karin's mother lowered her head and fell silent.
Seeing this, Tōshirō asked, "Speaking of which, there's a question I've always been curious about. As a member of the Uzumaki clan, can you shed some light on it?"
"Yes, go ahead and ask," Karin's mother said, looking up.
"The Land of Whirlpools was an ally of Konoha, wasn't it? When you were being besieged by other countries, didn't you ask Konoha for help?"
"And even after you became vagrants, you'd rather sell your bodies than go to Konoha. Logically, given the relationship between us, Konoha should have reached out to help you."
Given its geographical location and relationship with Konoha, the Land of Whirlpools shouldn't have been wiped out so directly.
In the original story, Tōshirō believes that Kishimoto came up with it on a whim without thinking too much about it.
But here, it must be logical.
Naturally, it can only lean toward a darker direction.
Mentioning this, Karin's mother recalled a sad memory and said mournfully, "How could we not have sent out a distress signal to Konoha?"
"Did they not receive it?"
"I wish that were the case. At least then we could still hold onto hope and wouldn't have fallen to this state."
Tōshirō frowned. "Hope?"
Karin's mother glanced at Tōshirō, hesitating whether to speak. After all, he was a Konoha ninja, and this matter was not good to mention.
Tōshirō realized she was holding something back. "Please, you must tell me. A long time ago, an Uzumaki clan member showed me great kindness, and now is the time for me to repay her."
Karin's mother was startled and asked, "Who was that person?"
"Uzumaki Mito..." Tōshirō said, adding, "The wife of the First Hokage," fearing she wouldn't understand.
"It was Mito-sama..."
Karin's mother was surprised, then suddenly felt a chill. "Wait, how old are you?"
Mito was from the same era as the First Hokage. The youngest person who had contact with her would be her age.
However, Tōshirō's face didn't look like he had any contact with Mito.
"Age?"
Tōshirō calculated his actual age in his mind. "I'm probably around 40 or 50."
Looking at Tōshirō's face, which looked no older than 12 or 13, Karin's mother was dumbfounded, as if he was teasing her.
Karin's mouth was wide enough to fit a large egg as she said in disbelief, "You're lying! You look so young."
Tōshirō replied in a completely un-self-aware tone, "Well, I tend to look young."
Karin's mother's mouth twitched, and she went along with Tōshirō's words. "It must be nice to look so young for your age."
Tōshirō joked, "You also look very young."
Given her living conditions and the fact that she had a child, Karin's mother still looked very young, aside from her tired expression.
"Uh..."
Although it sounded like nonsense, on second thought, it seemed quite reasonable.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain how Tōshirō could have such terrifying strength while looking so young.
Perhaps due to this more relaxed conversation, and hearing that Mito had shown him great kindness, Karin's mother's fear of Tōshirō gradually faded.
"In short, you don't have to worry," Tōshirō said with a smile. "I won't harm you for any reason."
"Thank you..."
Tōshirō said in a deep voice, "Tell me what happened in detail."
Karin's mother began to recount her personal experience. "At that time, Konoha did receive the message and did send people to rescue us, but..."
Here, Karin's mother gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Konoha only rescued one person..."
One person?
Tōshirō was stunned, not understanding Konoha's actions. Since they had already received the message, why did they only rescue one person?
Karin's mother glanced at Tōshirō and continued, "You probably know that person, too. Her name is Uzumaki Kushina, and she is the wife of your Fourth Hokage."
Tōshirō realized, "So it was her..."
He recalled a scene in the original story where an Anbu member led Kushina to the village. So that was when it happened.
Connecting it to the time of the Second Great Ninja War in the original story, the timing was astonishingly consistent, and some things suddenly made sense.
"At that time, Konoha wasn't really trying to rescue us. They just needed a suitable jinchuriki."
Karin's mother sneered. "The so-called friendly agreement, and even putting our clan emblem on their ninja uniforms, seems so ironic now."
Tōshirō analyzed, "So your Uzumaki clan would rather be vagrants or even die than seek help from Konoha?"
Karin's mother nodded. "Yes."
Tōshirō closed his eyes for a moment. "I roughly understand the situation now."
"Can I... trust you?"
Karin's mother looked into Tōshirō's eyes and asked.
Tōshirō said softly, "I am an Uchiha..."
Karin looked surprised. "You're an Uchiha?"
Tōshirō sighed. "Being guarded against because of great power isn't unique to your clan."
Tōshirō's short sentence was packed with meaning.
Thinking of her own Uzumaki clan, Karin's mother felt a sense of empathy and asked, "Are things not going well for your clan in the village?"
Tōshirō shook his head, then asked a question in return. "Our Uchiha clan and the Senju clan are two of Konoha's founders."
"Why do you think an Uchiha has never become Hokage? In terms of power, our Uchiha clan is not inferior to anyone."
Karin's mother lowered her head, her gaze dropping as she seemed to understand.
The Uzumaki clan was feared by other countries because of their naturally powerful abilities, which is what led to their demise.
Similarly, the Uchiha, with one of the most powerful kekkei genkai of the ninja clans, would naturally be guarded against.
Karin's mother felt empathy for Tōshirō, and Tōshirō felt the same for her.
If he hadn't returned in time, the Uchiha clan would have met the same fate as the Uzumaki clan.
Tōshirō felt sympathy for the mother and daughter. "You and Karin can come and live with us in the Uchiha clan. I promise that as long as I am here, I won't let anyone harm a single hair on your heads."
"Thank you..."
Karin's mother was moved to tears.
With nothing to repay him, she could only express her heartfelt gratitude over and over again.
After so many years of suffering, it seemed it was finally coming to an end.
Tōshirō looked at little Karin. "Where's her father?"
At this, Karin's mother's expression turned sad and she looked down.
Tōshirō instantly realized he had brought up a sensitive topic and apologized.
Karin's mother shook her head and gave a sad smile. "Don't worry about it. Like most people, he was tragically killed in the war."
Tōshirō sighed. "How pitiful. She lost her father at such a young age."
Karin's mother stroked Karin's head. "This is actually one of the better situations..."
During their time as vagrants, she had seen far too many orphans who had lost both parents to the war.
At least her daughter still had her to rely on, which was a blessing in a tragic situation.
"Mom..."
Karin hugged her mother tightly, afraid of losing her.
Tōshirō was moved and said, "The world is too dangerous. Sometimes, a child needs two fathers."
Karin's mother didn't think too much of it and agreed, "Yes..."
Tōshirō continued, "If you don't mind, would you like me to be Karin's godfather?"
The mother and daughter were both startled. "Huh?"
Tōshirō said reasonably, "You see, Karin lost her father, didn't she?"
"Huh? Is Tōshirō-niisan going to marry Mom?" Karin asked in surprise, then muttered to herself, "I wanted to grow up and be Tōshirō-niisan's wife, but since it's Mom, I'll let you have him."
Karin's mother's face turned red, and she was speechless.
What was going on in her daughter's head?
Tōshirō: ...
"Children say the darndest things, please don't take it seriously."
Karin's mother gave him an apologetic look, and at the same time, she secretly sized up Tōshirō.
If you looked closely, you would find that Tōshirō was quite handsome.
If she were ten years younger, she would probably have a good impression of Tōshirō.
Uh, wait a minute...
His age seems to be a lot older than mine.
Tōshirō shrugged. "It's fine."
"That's not right. We are just vagrants..."
Karin's mother naturally knew what a godfather was. She would be more than happy if a ninja with Tōshirō's strength could become Karin's godfather.
Even if she were to pass away, she could rest assured that her daughter would be taken care of.
However, they were just vagrants and knew their place. They couldn't afford to be so presumptuous.
Tōshirō interrupted her. "It's okay. I actually really like children."
"But..."
"I lost both my parents at a young age, so I guess I can empathize. I can't stand to see orphans in distress."
Tōshirō sighed. "Just think of it as helping me and fulfilling a small personal wish of mine."
Karin's mother was very moved, not expecting Tōshirō to have such a tragic past. "In that case, my humble daughter is honored by your kindness."
With that, she said to Karin, "Karin, from now on, Tōshirō-sama is your godfather. You should call him 'Godfather.'"
Karin felt strange about suddenly having a father.
She actually wanted to grow up and be his wife, not his daughter.
After all, Tōshirō looked really young, he was handsome, and he was very strong.
As a result, she didn't have any hang-ups about their age difference.
But now, with Tōshirō becoming her father, all of that was gone.
"God...Godfather..."
Karin tried to say it, sounding quite reluctant.
Hearing "Godfather," Tōshirō showed a benevolent, uncle-like smile.
He reached out and stroked Karin's head, saying, "Good girl..."
((End of Chapter)
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