Chapter 31: Finding Uzumaki survivors

After finishing the deal with Kakuzu and Sasori, Naruto took a well-earned rest, waiting patiently for the results.

Near Kusagakure.

Meanwhile, Kakuzu and Sasori made their way toward Kusagakure, their pace steady and purposeful. According to the rumors and intel they had gathered, this was the nearest place where a Uzumaki survivor could be found.

As they walked, Sasori broke the silence. "Kakuzu, what do we do if we find the Uzumaki survivor? Do we return them as per the deal, or…?" His voice carried a hint of something unreadable, perhaps curiosity or something darker.

Kakuzu didn't even glance at him, his tone sharp and firm. "Don't try anything with them. Twenty million Ryo per person—we won't get that kind of payment from any other mission."

His eyes briefly flickered toward Sasori, a silent warning. "Messing with this job isn't worth it."

Sasori chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You and your money."

Kakuzu scoffed. "And you with your art. Ultimately, we both have things we don't want to lose."

With that, the two continued toward Kusagakure, the weight of their mission looming over them.

"Maybe you can try your art with others—those aren't worth it," Kakuzu muttered, his tone dismissive. 

Sasori merely nodded. "Fine." 

By the next morning, they arrived at Kusagakure. 

With their sheer power and experience, the shinobi were effortless infiltrators of the village. If they wanted, they could have reduced the entire place to rubble within minutes. Kusagakure was nothing more than a small, insignificant village compared to the great shinobi nations. 

Moving undetected through the streets, they began their search, their presence an unseen storm waiting to strike.

Soon, screams and cries echoed throughout Kusagakure, a testament to the silent storm that had passed through. By the time it was over, the two Uzumaki survivors were secured—one barely clinging to life.

Sasori, with his eerie precision, sealed them within his puppets for safe transport. Without another glance at the chaos they left behind, the two Akatsuki members retreated into the shadows, their mission complete.

The Next Morning

Naruto sat patiently, waiting. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the wooden table, his expression unreadable.

When Kakuzu and Sasori finally arrived, Naruto's sharp gaze met theirs. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Oh? I didn't realize Akatsuki was this efficient. That was fast," he said, his voice carrying both amusement and curiosity.

Kakuzu scoffed, crossing his arms. "Time is money, kid. The sooner the job is done, the sooner we get paid." 

Sasori remained silent, but there was a faint smirk on his lips. "Efficiency is key." 

Naruto chuckled. "Fair enough. Now, tell me, how did it go?" 

Kakuzu tossed a small scroll onto the table. "The mission was successful. Two survivors, as requested. One is in critical condition. If you want them to live, you'd better have a healer ready." 

Naruto caught the scroll and nodded. "Tsunami, Shizuka, that's your cue." 

[ A/N: Both are the other names for Tsunade and Shizune to conceal their identities ]

Tsunade stepped forward, already pulling her gloves on. "Where are they?" 

Sasori activated the seal on the scroll, and with a puff of smoke, two bodies appeared on the floor. One was an unconscious red-haired woman, her body covered in wounds and bruises. The other was a young girl—Karin—clutching her mother's hand, trembling but awake. 

Naruto's fists clenched at the sight of their condition, but he forced himself to remain calm. He kneeled beside Karin, his voice gentle. "You're safe now." 

Tears welled up in her red eyes as she looked at him, still in shock. "Who… who are you?" 

Naruto smiled softly. "Someone who cares about his clan." 

Tsunade and Shizune were already at work, checking the woman's vitals. "She's alive, but barely," Tsunade muttered. "She needs immediate treatment." 

Naruto turned back to Kakuzu and Sasori, his expression now serious. "You did your job well. Here's your payment." He handed Kakuzu a scroll with Ryo. 

Kakuzu opened it, counting the money with practiced ease. "A pleasure doing business." 

Sasori nodded before both turned to leave. 

"Before you go," Naruto said, his tone firm but composed, "remember—whenever you find another Uzumaki survivor, bring them here, and you'll get your pay. But don't kill anyone important to them. Got it?" 

Kakuzu scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. As long as the money keeps flowing." 

Sasori merely nodded, uninterested in the conversation. Without another word, the two turned and left, disappearing into the morning mist.

Naruto watched them go before looking back at Karin and her mother. "Now… let's bring them back to life properly."

As the door shut behind them, Naruto exhaled, his expression turning serious. He turned back to Tsunade and Shizune, who were already working on Karin's mother. 

"How is she?" he asked, his voice quieter now. 

Tsunade wiped the sweat off her brow. "She's stable for now, but she needs rest and constant treatment." 

Karin clutched her mother's hand tightly, her small frame trembling. Naruto kneeled beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "She's going to be okay," he said firmly. 

Karin looked up at him, tears still fresh in her eyes. "Thank you…" her voice was barely a whisper. 

Naruto gave her a soft smile. "We're family. That's what we do." 

Tsunade glanced at Naruto, a rare look of admiration in her eyes. "You really are something, kid." 

He grinned, but his eyes burned with determination. "This is just the beginning."

"Now that we've secured two of my clan members, we can finally head back to the village with them," Naruto said, excitement evident in his voice. 

"Yes, finally back to the village," Tsunade said, stretching her arms as if shaking off the weight of their travels. 

Shizune turned to the red-haired girl beside her. "Kid, what's your name?" she asked gently. 

Karin, startled by the sudden attention, hesitated for a moment. She glanced between the three figures watching her, their expressions filled with curiosity and warmth. 

"A-Ah," she stammered before finding her voice. "My name is Karin Uzumaki… and this is my mom, Kana Uzumaki," she said, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. 

Naruto's grin widened. "Karin, Kana… welcome back to the Uzumaki family. My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and these two are Tsunade Senju and Shizune," he introduced warmly. 

Karin looked up at them, her red eyes filled with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. 

"Go take some rest. When your mom wakes up, we'll take you both home," Naruto said gently, patting her head. 

Karin stiffened at first, unfamiliar with such warmth, but as Naruto's hand ruffled her hair in a comforting gesture, she found herself nodding shyly. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe.