Chapter 122: Are the Grass Ninja Really This Careless?

"How come you're crying?"

An unfamiliar voice spoke again. Uzumaki Karin responded in a dull, hoarse tone, her voice still choked with sobs.

"My mother died. I'm crying for her."

"How did your mother die?"

"She was killed by their bite a week ago."

No further questions came. Uzumaki Karin wiped away her tears and lifted her head. Where was the trace of anyone ever being here?

Was it just a dream...?

In the room, Karin suddenly sat upright, throwing off her thin blanket and looking at her own feet, somewhat dejectedly.

They were outside the village. To prevent her from escaping, even while sleeping, her shackles wouldn't be removed.

She didn't know what these people wanted with her, but it seemed like some kind of mission.

In the same room, the kunoichi on the other bed suddenly opened her eyes, casting a cold glance toward her.

Karin shivered and quickly lay back down, pretending to be asleep.

After a while, she heard what might have been the sound of shifting under the sheets.

A crisp "ding" rang out, sounding like something light and metallic had fallen onto the floor.

Pulling the blanket over most of her face, Karin cautiously turned over and opened one eye.

In a corner beneath the kunoichi's bed, something small caught the dim light.

Using the faint illumination of the night, Karin saw it clearly.

It was the key to the shackles! A flicker of hope rose in her chest.

The kunoichi shifted under the sheets again.

Startled, Karin immediately shut her eyes tight.

"It really is her," Hiroki murmured in his room.

The next morning.

After some discussion, the three male ninja left, leaving only the female ninja behind to watch over Uzumaki Karin.

She glanced at Karin, a spark dancing in her eyes.

This was the legendary Uzumaki bloodline coveted by every ninja village. No matter which great ninja village she was brought to, her future would surely shine brightly. Plus, she also possessed a special physical constitution.

"Aniki Hiroki, when should we begin our move?" Kimimaro asked after finishing breakfast.

"So tell me, how do you think we should proceed?" Hiroki countered.

Caught off guard, Kimimaro hesitated. "Just seize her directly?"

"That could work, but we might scare her off."

To someone who grew up in harsh conditions, being forcefully taken away would feel like moving from one hell to another — making her naturally wary of any sudden moves.

Frankly speaking, he didn't want someone cowardly, nor did he want a thoughtless infatuated girl.

Although she wouldn't be useful until several years later, right now she definitely couldn't rival others like Yugao.

Still, he hoped that his so-called "companions" would show just a bit more initiative, so he could take it easy for once.

Kimimaro looked puzzled.

"Go find out the exact location of Hozuki Castle." Without further explanation, Hiroki summoned a White Zetsu and gave instructions.

That same night, inside the room, Uzumaki Karin once again opened her bright eyes.

Rolling sideways slightly, she secretly glanced once more at the spot where she'd discovered the key yesterday.

Her eyes sparkled even more brightly.

Wait, the key wasn't taken or even noticed?

A mix of doubt and delight surged inside Uzumaki Karin, sending her heart racing.

After calming herself slightly, she held her breath, carefully sat up, wrapped the chains of the shackles with her spare clothes to muffle any noise, then cautiously climbed off the bed.

She crawled slowly toward the bottom of the Kunoichi's bed to retrieve the key. It was less than half a meter—something that should've taken just two seconds—but Uzumaki Karin had to crawl in total silence, taking over four minutes just to reach it.

On the bed, the Kunoichi lying there with her eyes closed revealed a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

Two soft *clicks* echoed as both locks on the shackle came undone.

But those small sounds made Uzumaki Karin nearly jump out of her skin.

Had anyone heard?

She froze, holding her breath, listening intently until the steady breathing of the Kunoichi reached her ears.

Instantly, the tension in Uzumaki Karin's chest eased again.

Next came crawling out from under the bed, opening the door, and closing it behind her—each step costing her significant effort and time. Everything had to be done as silently as possible.

Escaping the inn, Uzumaki Karin felt a burst of joy swelling within, yet she drifted around like a soul with no place to go.

Watching her leave through the window, Hiroki muttered in confusion, "Are Grass Ninja really this careless?"

Thinking for a moment, he followed after her.

Uzumaki Karin wandered without purpose before eventually stopping by a lakeside.

She sat down on the grassy shore, rolled up her pant legs, and dipped her feet into the cool water, playfully splashing around.

Suddenly, sadness washed over her.

"What should I do… Mom? Please tell me..."

Tears slid down her cheeks one after another, falling into the lake and forming ripples across its surface.

"Well, since you've already escaped, why not just go somewhere else?"

Hiroki stepped forward beneath the moonlight.

So handsome!

More handsome than anyone she'd ever seen.

Startled for a moment, Uzumaki Karin quickly regained her wariness, stiffening her body as she asked, "Who are you?"

"This is my territory, so technically, I should be the one asking who *you* are," Hiroki replied casually, spreading his hands.

"There's no sign here. What makes you say it's yours?" Uzumaki Karin shot back defiantly.

Though terrified deep inside, she acted like a porcupine bristling its quills.

"This lake is called Xinyue Lake (Heart Moon Lake); I even named it myself. If you don't believe me, take a closer look at its shape." Hiroki raised his eyebrows, using both hands to gesture the outline of a heart.

Uzumaki Karin stared at the lake's center for quite some time, realizing it did indeed resemble a heart shape.

Could he actually be telling the truth?

Walking back toward the shore, she pulled down her pant legs, slipped on her old shoes, lowered her head gloomily, and immediately turned around.

"Then I'll just leave."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Hiroki hurriedly stopped her.

"You're just a kid. Why aren't you home already at this hour? And wandering around such a remote place alone? That's dangerous. Where do you live?"

His pretended ignorance stirred sorrow deep inside Uzumaki Karin, nearly bringing tears to her eyes again.

Her voice fell low and heavy. 

"I don't have a home anymore."

That's why Uzumaki Karin hadn't paid close attention to what he'd said when he first showed up—otherwise, she would've seen right through his fake kindness sooner.

Hiroki Hyuga sighed lightly. "Then how do you explain these marks on your body? They look like human bite marks. Does someone often bite you?"

Though he was a total stranger she had just met, faced with such a question filled with curiosity and sympathy, Uzumaki Karin suddenly felt extremely embarrassed.

Why?

Why did someone have to witness such a humiliating sight?

Her pride and sense of shame transformed entirely into grievance. After a brief silence, she murmured softly, "I'll wear longer clothes to cover them up."

Hiroki continued gently, "That must really hurt, doesn't it? Has it been bleeding?"

That's exactly how she felt in this moment. Many times, one doesn't feel sad at all until someone offers comfort—and then the tears become impossible to hold back.

Uzumaki Karin had gradually begun to accept things as they were, yet hearing such gentle concern now made her heart ache painfully. Her nose quickly became stuffy, and large tears began rolling down her cheeks as she started sobbing uncontrollably.

After a while, she wiped her face on her sleeve and, her voice still shaky, said firmly, "I'm fine. Really."

"Mm," Hiroki nodded, deciding not to call out her act. He changed the topic and asked, "My name is Hiroki Hyuga. What's yours?"

[An old friend who's known me for ten years recommended an awesome audiobook app — Yeguo Reader! Perfect for listening while driving or before bed. You can download it here: yeguoyuedu.]

"My name is Uzumaki Karin. Thank you, kind sir." After shedding a good cry, Uzumaki Karin calmed herself down.

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