Chapter 103: Chapter 102: The Uzumaki Clan
Chapter 102: The Uzumaki Clan
Tonari silently observed the girl's arm, covered in bite marks—some fresh, others scarred. Her expression, a mix of fear and determination, tugged at his emotions.
Though he wasn't usually sentimental, the harshness of the scene before him made his chest tighten.
The ninja world was cruel. Half a year into this life, Tonari thought he had prepared himself for its brutality. Yet, faced with the raw reality of the girl's suffering, he realized he wasn't as ready as he believed.
He studied her carefully. The red hair, the faint traces of chakra… It confirmed what he had suspected—she was an Uzumaki, like his friend Kushina.
But this girl wasn't just any Uzumaki. She was the mother of Karin, a key member of Sasuke's future Taka squad. Her lineage and abilities made her story all the more significant.
Her resilience reminded him of Karin's own declaration in the future: "You'll never know how much the one who avoids your gaze actually cares for you."
The weight of her legacy only deepened his sense of responsibility.
---
Standing up, Tonari brushed the grass from his pants and approached the girl. Her immediate reaction was to shrink back, clutching her arm defensively. Her fear was palpable.
He stopped a short distance away and sighed. "A ninja without a homeland… It truly is a sad existence."
He wasn't sure what else to say. The words came to him, words he had once heard Orochimaru speak to Karin.
Her eyes flinched at the pity in his gaze. She had seen this look many times before but never once found a hand willing to help.
The silence stretched, awkward and heavy.
"You know," Tonari said, forcing a lighter tone, "your hair… it's beautiful."
She froze, visibly startled. For as long as she could remember, people only approached her for her abilities, not for compliments or kindness.
"My friend has the same hair color as you. Her name is Kushina Uzumaki," he added, gently prodding the conversation forward.
"Same hair color?" she echoed, her voice weak but tinged with curiosity. Her words carried a soft, almost melodic quality that begged to be cherished.
Encouraged, Tonari smiled. "Yes. Uzumaki Kushina. You're an Uzumaki too, aren't you? One of the clan's survivors?"
At the mention of the Uzumaki Clan, her demeanor shifted drastically. She began shaking her head violently, fear flooding her features.
"No, I'm not! I'm not Uzumaki! I have nothing to do with them!" she blurted, her voice rising in panic.
Tonari frowned, hesitated for a moment, then reached out.
Slap.
His hand gently rested on her head.
Her wide, fearful eyes met his, and his expression turned resolute. "It's okay. The Uzumaki Clan is the past. If it scares you, you can leave that name behind. Survival matters more than a name."
He smiled reassuringly. "Look at me—I don't even have a family name. And I'm doing just fine."
Straightening his posture, he added, "My name is Tonari. What's yours?"
The girl's tense shoulders slowly relaxed. "I… My name is Reika."
"Reika, huh? That's a lovely name," Tonari said warmly.
A faint blush crept onto her pale cheeks. For a moment, tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined not to cry.
Tonari noticed her effort and admired her strength. Compared to Kushina, Reika's hardships seemed even harsher. And yet, she endured.
Finally, she raised her arm again, her sleeve pulled back to reveal the scars. "Do you… want it?" she asked hesitantly, offering what she thought was her only value.
Tonari's heart clenched. Without a word, he took her arm gently in his hands.
Reika flinched, squeezing her eyes shut. She waited for the familiar pain of teeth biting into her skin.
Instead, warmth spread through her arm.
Opening her eyes, she saw Tonari's palm glowing faintly with green healing chakra. The pain and scars on her arm began to fade.
The sight left her stunned. The warmth from his hand seeped into her chest, melting the walls she had built around her heart.
Tears broke free, streaming down her cheeks. She trembled, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation of kindness.
Tonari didn't rush her, silently finishing the treatment. When he was done, he gently rolled down her sleeve.
"There," he said softly. "No more scars."
Reika looked at him, her voice trembling. "Why…?"
Tonari stood. "Because no one should have to live like this."
He met her gaze seriously. "Come with me. I'll take you to a place where no one can hurt you anymore."
Reika froze, her lips parting in disbelief. The blush on her cheeks deepened.
"You… want me to come with you?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
Tonari nodded. "I won't lie—I have my reasons. Your abilities are special, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in them. But the choice is yours. I won't force you."
Reika's head spun. This boy, a stranger, was offering her something she had never dared to dream of—a way out.
Finally, she nodded, her voice firm. "Okay."
Tonari blinked. "You're sure?"
Reika looked him in the eye. "I've been used my whole life. It doesn't matter who does it. At least with you… it feels different."
Her words carried a quiet determination that left Tonari momentarily speechless.
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(Chapter End)
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Chapter 104: Chapter 103: The Assistant and the Cat
Chapter 103: The Assistant and the Cat
"Huh?"
Tonari blinked, unsure if he'd misheard.
She agreed that quickly?
"I'll leave with you," Reika said firmly. "I only came to this village because Grass Hidden was willing to give me a place to stay—this tiny, crumbling hut. But in return, I had to provide chakra recovery services whenever they demanded."
Her sudden decisiveness made her words sharp and to the point.
Despite her frail appearance, Reika wasn't naive. To have survived the destruction of Uzushiogakure and navigated this harsh, predatory world alone, she had to rely on more than just tears. Crying here only invited more abuse. It was why she always tried to suppress her emotions.
Tonari nodded thoughtfully. "Have you really made up your mind? I can't promise you an easy life, at least not in the short term. But I can promise this: I won't let you suffer like this anymore."
He paused, his tone softening. "I'll teach you what it means to be a ninja. You already have a strong foundation, and with your Uzumaki bloodline, becoming a powerful ninja isn't out of reach if you put in the effort."
His honesty was met with Reika's unwavering stare. She had already decided.
"For people like me, survival is already a luxury," she replied, her tone steady but her expression tinged with bitterness.
Tonari sighed, understanding her perspective. In this world, many lived on the edge, where even staying alive was an extraordinary achievement.
---
Just as he was about to respond, a shift in the air caught his attention. The small, furry presence on his shoulder stirred. Nibi—the two-tailed cat—slowly stood, her usual laid-back demeanor replaced with something more serious.
"Something wrong?" Tonari asked, frowning.
Nibi didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leapt gracefully off his shoulder, her lithe body glowing faintly as she moved. Her normally playful aura was replaced with an ominous stillness. Reika, who had barely noticed the feline until now, widened her eyes in surprise.
"She's adorable…" Reika murmured, her voice carrying a rare hint of childlike delight.
But before she could approach, Nibi darted toward the cluster of huts. She disappeared into the shadows, only to return moments later. In her mouth, she carried a small, trembling kitten—its eyes not yet open and its fur matted with debris.
Nibi's aura had returned to normal, but her careful treatment of the kitten spoke volumes. Reika instinctively reached out and took the fragile creature from her.
The kitten was cold, its breaths shallow and weak.
Reika's eyes softened, and she gently stroked its tiny head. "It's just a baby…"
Nibi let out a faint growl, as if emphasizing the kitten's fragility.
Tonari observed the scene with a faint smile. "Well, it seems today is a turning point for more than one life. Not just yours, Reika—this little one's fate has also changed."
Reika held the kitten closer, her expression one of quiet resolve. "Let me take care of it. It's so helpless, just like I was."
The kitten squirmed weakly in her hands, its tiny nose twitching as it sought warmth and safety. It was a simple, instinctive gesture, but it solidified her decision.
Tonari nodded approvingly. "It's yours to care for. But it's in a delicate state, so you'll need to give it extra attention."
Reika's determined expression was answer enough.
Without hesitation, Tonari bit into his thumb, drawing blood. He placed a drop on the kitten's head and began weaving hand signs.
"Summoning Blood Contract!"
With a final gesture, the contract was sealed. Though the kitten was too young to understand, its breathing grew steadier, as if sensing the connection.
"There. It's officially my summon now," Tonari said with a grin. "That means I can summon it anytime, anywhere. But for now, you'll be its caretaker."
He paused, considering something. "Actually, why not build an entire summon clan? A sanctuary for cats… A cat haven?"
The idea seemed to amuse him.
---
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof!
A clone of Tonari appeared by his side. He turned to Reika, his expression more serious.
"This is my shadow clone. I've poured a lot of chakra into it, so it should last long enough to keep you safe for now. I can't take you to the Leaf Village—not yet. It would draw too much attention."
Reika nodded silently, understanding the precarious nature of her situation.
"For now, I'll find you a safe place to stay in one of the nearby towns. But first, we need to do something about your hair."
She blinked, confused.
"Your hair," he explained. "It's too distinctive. Bright red like that is bound to attract attention. We need to dye it."
As someone trained by Orochimaru, Tonari was well-versed in disguises and transformations. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a small kit containing basic dyes and tools.
Reika didn't protest. She had no attachment to her hair's color, and if this would make her safer, she was more than willing.
"Good thing I raided Orochimaru's lab before we left," Tonari muttered as he worked.
He deftly applied the dye, transforming her vibrant red hair into a more muted, inconspicuous brown. When he finished, she looked into the small mirror he handed her. Though her reflection was unfamiliar, the practicality of the change outweighed any sentimentality.
---
With Reika's appearance now less conspicuous, Tonari began formulating a plan to sneak her out of the Grass Village. The village's security wasn't particularly tight, so slipping away unnoticed shouldn't pose a problem.
As he finished his preparations, he glanced at the kitten now curled up in Reika's hands.
"Well," he said with a grin, "it looks like my cat sanctuary is finally starting to take shape. I've got Nibi, this little guy… And who knows? Maybe someday, I'll have a whole army of soft, fluffy summons."
Reika smiled faintly, her first genuine smile in a long time. For the first time in years, she felt a flicker of hope.
---
Author's Note:
A kitten and a new companion! The journey continues with more surprises ahead.
(Chapter End)
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