Kapitel 68: Chapter 68: Protecting Karura

Hattori wasn't intentionally trying to provoke Rasa; he just subconsciously ignored him since they hadn't seen each other in two months.

Rasa seemed to understand this, so he didn't hold a grudge and even offered a word of thanks.

"Thank you for protecting Karura and Temari when the Iwagakure attacked earlier."

"Oh, don't mention it!"

Hearing Rasa's gratitude, Hattori waved it off nonchalantly.

"I don't know many people in Sunagakure. Karura and Temari are like family to me, so protecting them is only natural. Is dinner ready? I'm starving!"

With that, he walked straight into the house without waiting for Rasa to respond.

Seeing this, Rasa's expression softened, and a faint smile appeared. He looked at Hattori with a newfound gentleness.

"Maybe this brat isn't so bad after all. He's practically part of Sunagakure's upper ranks now and Chiyo's disciple. Maybe I should try to get along with him."

As he pondered ways to improve their relationship, Hattori suddenly lifted his daughter into his arms.

"Come on, Temari, call me daddy. Let's practice—da...ddy…"

Rasa: "(╬￣皿￣)"

Damn it, there's no way I can get along with this guy!

At that moment, Karura came out carrying a dish and saw Hattori holding Temari and trying to teach her to say "daddy." Glancing at Rasa, whose face had turned ashen, she couldn't help but show a helpless expression.

"Hattori, that's enough. Look at how angry you've made your brother-in-law!"

Before she finished, both Hattori and Rasa pointed at each other and shouted in unison:

"He's not my brother-in-law!"

"I'm not his brother-in-law!"

Karura: "..."

These two… hopeless!

Seeing them glare at each other like roosters, Karura had no choice but to put on a stern face.

"No fighting. Sit down and eat!"

"..."

It turns out people often respond better to firmness. With Karura's command, Hattori and Rasa both quieted down, glaring at each other while taking their seats.

The atmosphere at the table grew tense.

Noticing this, Karura's mouth twitched, and she coughed twice to ease the mood.

"Ahem... Hattori, I haven't seen you this past month. Have you been studying with Advisor Chiyo?"

"Yeah!"

Hattori finally broke eye contact with Rasa and turned to Karura.

"I've been learning puppet-making and taijutsu from my teacher. I've made significant progress, so now I plan to train independently."

"Ah, that's wonderful!"

Karura's face lit up with joy, and she quickly put some food into Hattori's bowl.

"You were already strong enough to defeat an Iwagakure jōnin. With more progress, you'll be even stronger. Stay here and continue to protect your sister!"

She then glanced at Rasa.

"Rasa, you agree, right?"

"..."

Rasa wanted to refuse, but seeing the hopeful look in Karura's eyes, he could only snort and turn his head.

"Hmph, do as you like."

"Hehe, thanks, Rasa!"

Karura gratefully acknowledged him and flashed Hattori a big smile.

"It's settled then. From now on, you'll live with us, Hattori!"

Seeing Karura's happy expression, Hattori swallowed his initial rejection and nodded reluctantly.

"Alright, if you say so, Karura. Don't worry, I'll protect you!"

"Mm, I believe in you!" Karura said, putting more food into his bowl.

Hattori's eyes softened at this gesture.

But when he looked back at Rasa, his expression turned cold again.

"Old Rasa, you already have a daughter and a son. To protect Karura, you need to make a sacrifice."

With that, he pulled a kunai from his ninja pouch and placed it in front of Rasa.

"Castrate yourself. It's just an inch or two; nothing you can't handle with a bit of grit."

Rasa: "(╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻"

Grit your teeth, my foot!

Do you want me to kill you?!

…

Before the meal was over, Rasa stormed out, flipping his chair and cursing under his breath. Meanwhile, Karura doubled over with laughter on the couch.

"Hahaha… Hattori, where did you learn that?! You're killing me… oh no, the baby's kicking! Hahaha…"

"Uh…"

Seeing Karura laugh until she was red in the face, Hattori's expression turned helpless.

"Karura, I'm serious. I'm trying to protect you. You really can't have more children."

"Mm-hmm, I know, hahaha…"

"..."

Realizing she wasn't taking him seriously, Hattori sighed again but said nothing more.

After all, how could he tell her, "The next child you have will become the Jinchuriki of Shukaku, and you'll die giving birth to him"?

It would sound absurd.

In the original story, it was only mentioned that Karura died after giving birth to Gaara, without clarifying if Shukaku was the cause. So Hattori couldn't be sure.

But that wouldn't stop him.

"If I can't solve the problem, I'll remove the person causing it."

With that thought, Hattori figured cutting off Rasa would be a perfect solution to this problem.

Unfortunately, Rasa seemed unwilling, and convincing him was unlikely.

"Looks like I'll have to use forceful measures. Too bad time isn't on my side."

Glancing back at Karura, who was lying on the couch laughing with her visibly pregnant belly, he calculated.

"Kankuro is probably about six months along now, so there's roughly three months until the due date. Adding the six-week postpartum safety period, I only have four and a half months to deal with Rasa, that scumbag!"

His brows furrowed.

"Rasa's strong. Beating him with my current abilities won't be easy, so I'll have to catch him off guard.

"The battlefield is ideal. If he gets injured, I could sedate him under the pretense of treatment, castrate him while he's unconscious, and pin the blame on enemy ninjas."

In just two minutes, Hattori had meticulously planned each step, even mentally giving himself a thumbs-up.

"Clear plan, flawless logic. Perfect!"

Meanwhile, as Rasa walked out the front door, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, and an inexplicable sense of dread washed over him.

(Chapter ends)