"I understand." Sasuke nodded.
He had always known, in fact. He just didn't understand Itachi's approach, especially since Shinji had just told him that Itachi had taken this mission himself.
For some reason, Sasuke thought of Neji. If it were him, he probably wouldn't be so conflicted.
However, after returning to the village, Neji usually only came over at night. After all, he had been doing some D-rank missions recently, and even if there were occasional C-rank ones, he would return the next day. Becoming a ninja seemed to have made him drift far away from them.
"Stinky Sasuke, let's work hard." Naruto stood up and spoke to Sasuke very seriously.
The recent days of communication with his father in the mental space had allowed Naruto to understand some things.
Now, he wanted to get stronger as quickly as possible. As for growth, when the time came, he would naturally understand.
"Mm." Sasuke nodded.
Although it was awkward, at this moment, it seemed that only this loser understood his thoughts the most.
—
"Alright, then I'll trouble Inoichi-senpai."
At Konoha Hospital, Shinji thanked Inoichi.
Inoichi waved his hand and looked back at the ward. "That child should have woken up already. It's just that she seems to feel safer in her sleep. She hasn't woken up since the investigation concluded."
"There's nothing I can do. I could only explain to Hokage-sama and bring her here first. The rest is up to you."
"Not at all." Shinji nodded, asked Inoichi a few more questions, then turned and walked into the ward.
Looking at the figure lying on the hospital bed, Shinji slowly stepped forward.
Indeed, just as Inoichi said, it seemed she felt safer in her sleep. At this moment, her brows were relaxed, and Shinji couldn't help but sigh at the sight.
"Although dreams are beautiful, one cannot remain asleep forever."
Shinji reached out and touched Karin's forehead with his index finger, and the Chakra around him began to surge.
Karin was very powerful. Relying on the slight Yin Chakra left by Shinji, her own Chakra merged with it, allowing her to remain immersed in that dream.
Pop—
Like a bursting bubble, Karin on the hospital bed frowned. Then, in the next instant, a pair of red eyes appeared before Shinji.
Without the expected shouts, Karin just stared fixedly at Shinji standing before her.
After a long time, Karin, who had been watching Shinji, spoke, "What do you need me to do?"
Shinji didn't respond. He just pulled over a nearby stool, sat down, and smiled gently.
"Hello, my name is Aratani Shinji."
It was a very ordinary greeting, but it made Karin pause, then she shyly got up and responded.
"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Karin."
The Uzumaki clan's physique was truly formidable. Even after not eating for several days, Karin's condition was very normal.
Shinji saw that Karin had returned to silence after her self-introduction, so he spoke first, "This is Konoha, it's very safe. Here, no one will force you to do anything you don't want to do."
"Konoha…" Karin hugged her knees, shrinking her small body even tighter.
Shinji said, "Konoha is different from Kusagakure. Here, no one will force you to do anything you don't want to do."
"You can choose to live here as an ordinary person. Konoha will provide corresponding subsidies, so you don't need to worry about living."
This was what Shinji had discussed with Hiruzen. Everything about this little girl needed to be decided by her herself.
Even if she wanted to become an ordinary villager.
Hiruzen nodded and agreed to this. After all, if it came down to it, the things preserved by the Uzumaki clan were of greater help to Konoha, and raising such a small girl was not a difficult matter. Moreover, his disciple had already spoken.
"Can I follow you?" Karin looked up at Shinji.
Compared to the so-called Konoha or any other village, she inexplicably wanted to stay by the side of the person who appeared before her and brought her here.
"Of course."
Shinji's gaze was very gentle, and he said softly, "You are a person of flesh and blood, with thoughts. Whatever decision you make yourself, it's fine."
"I have several disciples, one of whom is named Uzumaki Naruto. Perhaps you two can have a good chat in the future."
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Karin looked at Shinji in a daze.
This was the first time she had heard of someone with the same surname as herself, other than her mother.
Shinji chuckled at this and began telling Karin about Naruto. He also mentioned Sasuke and the others. For a while, only Shinji's voice filled the ward, along with Karin, who listened silently.
"They are all very good, and they are all different."
"Naruto and Sasuke are good at fighting, Shikamaru is good at analysis, Ino likes to grow flowers, and Choji likes food…"
"Everyone has their own things, but they train together and accompany each other when someone is sad."
"I think maybe, in the future, they can become your new companions."
"True companions who can trust each other, instead of being… treated like tools."
Karin's breathing hitched, and tears instantly flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.
Seeing this, Shinji couldn't help but sigh in relief. It was good that she could cry, at least this was a normal human reaction.
"From now on, you can slowly learn to trust, learn to recognize other aspects of yourself besides your abilities."
"Learn to build… a relationship with others that isn't so painful, and perhaps you can find the person who will accompany you for life."
Upon hearing this, Karin, who had been crying, instantly blushed.
Children in the Ninja World were precocious, even Karin at this moment had such a reaction.
Shinji looked at Karin before him and asked, "Now, do you want to stay alone for a while longer, or do you want me to take you for a walk?"
A gentle breeze blew in from the window, lightly caressing Karin's cheek. She didn't respond immediately, just lowered her head, looking at the bite marks on her arms.
After a long time—
"I want to meet the people you just mentioned."
Shinji understood and smiled gently. "You can, but now, someone needs to get you a change of clothes."
After confirming with Karin again, Shinji then walked out of the ward.
Soon, a very gentle-looking nurse walked straight in.
After a while, she came out with Karin, who had now changed into ordinary clothes, but behind her was the Uzumaki clan crest.
Shinji thanked the nurse at the side, then looked at Karin.
"Let's go, they're probably still training now." Shinji straightened up and invited Karin.