Chapter 32: Kana and Karin Uzumaki

Karin slept soundly after having breakfast, exhaustion finally catching up to her. 

Tsunade sighed as she examined Kana's unconscious form. "I don't know what happened to her, but… her body is covered in bite marks, and her vitality has been severely drained," she said, concern evident in her voice. 

Naruto's eyes darkened. "Yeah, I noticed that too… But can she be treated?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with worry. 

Tsunade nodded. "Yes, but fully healing her will take time. That level of damage isn't something that can be fixed overnight. However, she should regain consciousness in two or three days." 

"That's great!" Naruto shouted, his relief evident. Finally, he was bringing his clan back together—one step at a time.

Shizune sighed in relief. "At least we got to them in time. If we had been any later..."

Tsunade placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We were fast enough. Now, it's just a matter of giving them the care they need."

Naruto clenched his fists. "No one should have to suffer like that... especially not my family." His voice carried a rare seriousness, his usual playful demeanor momentarily replaced with determination.

Tsunade and Shizune exchanged a glance, seeing the weight of responsibility Naruto was placing on himself.

"You did well, Naruto," Tsunade said, ruffling his hair. "Now, let's focus on getting them home safely."

"But I can guess what would have happened… she was drained of chakra and vitality because of those bite marks," Shizune said, her voice laced with disgust. 

Tsunade nodded grimly. 

Naruto's fists clenched as his eyes darkened. "Those bastards from Kusagakure used her as a chakra battery to sustain their own pathetic lives," he growled, anger radiating from him. 

He took a deep breath—huff…—exhaling slowly to calm himself. 

"We don't need to think about them anymore," he said, a small smile creeping onto his face. 

Shizune frowned. "Why not? They treated her so cruelly." 

His smirk deepened. "You both will understand when we return to Konoha." 

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at him before sighing. "Suspense … fine, we'll wait."

Two days later.

Kana, who had been carefully treated by Tsunade, slowly opened her eyes.

The unfamiliar surroundings made her heart race with confusion.

Then, a sudden realization struck her—

"KARIN!!!"

She screamed, panic surging through her as she tried to sit up. But before she could, two firm yet gentle hands caught her, steadying her.

Her eyes darted upward, meeting the warm gaze of a young man with striking red hair—just like hers, just like Karin's.

"Don't worry about Karin," Naruto said softly, his voice filled with a warmth and reassurance she hadn't felt in years.

"Karin… she's safe?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Naruto nodded with a reassuring smile. "Yes, she's just resting. You both are safe now."

Tears welled in Kana's eyes as relief washed over her. Her body, weak and exhausted, trembled as she tried to process the reality before her.

"Who… are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto's grip on her hands tightened slightly, offering comfort. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. And from now on, you're not alone anymore."

"You've been rescued from Kusagakure. You're free now," Naruto said gently, supporting her as she sat up.

Tears welled up in Kana's eyes, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over her. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. For the first time in years, she felt the weight of her suffering begin to lift.

Tsunade, ever the medic, leaned forward. "Kana, what exactly happened to you? Those bite marks… were they using you for something?" Her tone was firm but filled with concern.

Before Kana could respond, Naruto frowned. "Tsunade, let her rest. She's just woken up; she doesn't need to relive that pain right now."

Turning back to Kana, his expression softened. "Don't worry about her," he reassured with a small smile. "You've been in critical condition for the past two days. She's the one who treated you."

Kana looked at Tsunade with gratitude, her lips parting slightly before she simply nodded. Right now, she just wanted to breathe in this new reality—one where she and her daughter were finally safe.

Kana looked at Tsunade, then back at Naruto, her eyes softening with gratitude. "Thank you… all of you."

Naruto smiled warmly. "No need to thank us. You're family."

Kana's lips trembled slightly at the word family. It had been so long since she had felt the warmth of those words.

Tsunade sighed but nodded. "Alright, rest for now. When you feel ready, we'll talk."

Kana relaxed, letting herself sink back into the bed. For the first time in years, she felt safe. As she closed her eyes, Naruto gently pulled the blanket over her.

"We'll be here when you wake up," he whispered.

Both Naruto and Tsunade quietly left the room, giving Kana the space to rest. As she lay back down, thoughts swirled in her mind—worries about the future hopes for her daughter and the strange yet comforting presence of Naruto. Slowly, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into sleep. 

In another room, Karin also slept peacefully. Though shy at first, the warmth and kindness she had received in the past few days slowly broke down her walls. She had begun to speak more, to laugh, and—most importantly—to smile like a child should.

Slowly, a few hours passed. 

Karin sat beside Naruto, laughing and smiling with him, her previous shyness replaced with warmth and joy. 

In the kitchen, Shizune busied herself preparing dinner, while Tsunade remained by Kana's bedside, keeping a watchful eye for any sign of her waking. 

Then, a soft stir. A faint movement. Tsunade's keen eyes caught it immediately. 

"Naruto, she's awake," Tsunade called. 

At her words, all three rushed into the room. 

Kana's tired eyes softened as they landed on Karin, who was standing beside Naruto, smiling—something she hadn't seen in so long. 

Forgetting everything else, Karin dashed forward, tears welling in her eyes. 

"Mom!" she cried, her voice breaking as she threw herself into her mother's arms. 

Kana weakly lifted her arms, pulling Karin into a gentle embrace. Her fingers trembled as they ran through her daughter's hair as if trying to confirm this was real and not just another cruel dream.

"My sweet girl," Kana whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You're safe now..."

Karin sobbed into her mother's chest, her small hands gripping onto Kana as if afraid she'd disappear again.

Naruto, standing beside them, watched the scene with a soft expression. His heart clenched seeing their reunion—so much pain, so much loss, but at least now, they had each other again.

"You saved us," she whispered, her voice trembling. She lifted her tired gaze to Naruto, searching his face for some way to express the depth of her gratitude. "And I… I don't have anything to give you."

Naruto blinked, then scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

"Well, I couldn't leave my family behind, could I?" he said, his voice light, yet filled with warmth.

Kana's eyes glistened with unshed tears, overwhelmed by the warmth in Naruto's words. She clutched Karin closer, as if reassuring herself that this was real—that they were truly safe. 

Karin wiped her tears and looked up at Naruto with admiration. "Naruto-niisan…" she murmured. 

Naruto crouched beside them, his grin softening into something more sincere.

"Kana-san, you don't have to give me anything. Just live happily with Karin from now on. That's more than enough." 

Kana's lips trembled before a small, genuine smile formed. "You really are like a ray of hope…" 

Tsunade folded her arms, watching the scene with an amused yet fond expression. "That's Naruto for you. Always acting first and thinking later, but somehow, it works out." 

Shizune chuckled. "And somehow, he wins people's hearts along the way." 

Naruto pouted playfully. "Oi, I do think, you know!" 

The room filled with light laughter, the once heavy air now lifted by the warmth of a new beginning.