A Gentle Land, Leaving

The meeting lasted for over three hours. Through everyone's discussions, a specific agenda was laid out, and tasks were assigned accordingly.

As they were leaving, amidst the complex gazes of Mikoto and Izumi, Yamei refused Pakura's offer of personal care, hastily dragging Shisui away from the scene.

"Shisui, Pakura's personality... doesn't it feel a bit off?" Yamei couldn't help but ask with a strange expression as they walked.

She was too enthusiastic, especially the way she looked at him, filled with a tenderness as soft as water and eyes as alluring as silk! If he weren't so young, he felt like he would have been completely consumed.

"Yamei, don't underestimate a girl's emotions. Especially since you saved her life and are someone who created a miracle," Shisui teased.

"Tch, you're still single and have never been in love, yet you're lecturing me here," Yamei shot him a look.

"...!"

Shisui's smile froze instantly. He gave Yamei a resentful look. "You're really hurting my feelings!"

"Haha, don't be sad! Maybe you'll meet someone you like someday? And then they won't like you..."

"Yamei-kun, you'll have no friends if you keep this up," Shisui said, covering his face.

"Hahaha, alright, I'm not joking anymore... At least, have you heard anything about the people I asked you to keep an eye on?"

Seeing that the conversation was shifting to serious matters, Shisui immediately became solemn. He nodded and then shook his head.

"I have some leads on certain individuals, but not on others."

"The mother and daughter from the Uzumaki Clan in Kusagakure were also rescued two years ago, but..."

Shisui paused, sighing softly. "It's just a shame. By the time we found the mother and daughter, Karin's mother was already nearing the end of her life."

"I brought her to the Land of Waves, and she died six months later. Even Medical Ninjutsu couldn't save her."

Yamei nodded upon hearing this. He had already prepared himself for this outcome.

Karin's mother had been treated like a human water source by those in Kusagakure since she was young. It was remarkable that she lasted this long.

"What about Karin then?"

"Karin was well protected by her mother and hasn't been harmed."

"She's surviving in the Land of Waves now, attending compulsory education, and showing talent for ninjutsu, which she's currently studying."

There was no doubt about Karin's talent for ninjutsu, after all, she possessed the Uzumaki bloodline and the special ability known as the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, giving her extremely powerful sensory abilities.

"Next are Jugo and Yakushi Nonō, the ones you asked me to focus on."

"First, Yakushi Nonō... she was sent on a mission by Danzō somewhere, and we haven't had any news from her.

"Until a month ago, she appeared outside Iwagakure... but..."

"It seems she's dead." Hearing about Iwagakure, Yamei immediately understood. It seemed he couldn't prevent Nonō and Kabuto from fighting each other to the death. What a pity.

"What about Jugo?"

Shisui shook his head. "No news at all..."

"Has he not appeared yet?"

Yamei frowned slightly, then shook his head. Based on the timeline... perhaps Jugo had already been controlled by Orochimaru and was being researched for the Heaven and Earth Curse Mark...

"Never mind. If I get it, it's my fortune... if I lose it, it's fate."

"Take me to see Karin."

Shisui smiled. "That little girl has been constantly talking about wanting to meet her savior."

"You saved her, not me," Yamei shot him a look and followed Shisui to the front of a house.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door opened, and a girl with red hair looked at the visitors with confusion.

"Lord Shisui!"

Seeing Shisui, Karin immediately smiled. After greeting him, she looked at Yamei with curiosity.

"This is Hyakawa Yamei."

Karin blinked in surprise, then her eyes lit up. She quickly rushed forward and hugged Yamei's leg.

"Wuwuwu, Yamei-sama, I finally get to see you!! I've been looking forward to this day for two years!"

"Ahem..." Yamei quickly reached out, intending to help Karin up, but she held on tightly, unwilling to let go.

Yamei looked at Shisui with a helpless expression.

Shisui chuckled inwardly at the sight, but seeing Yamei's helpless look, he couldn't just watch anymore. "Alright, Karin, Yamei came to visit you. You can't just not invite him inside, can you?"

"Ah!?" Karin exclaimed in surprise. She quickly stood up and bowed to Yamei. "I'm sorry, Yamei-sama, I... I was so rude."

"It's... it's fine."

Yamei helplessly stroked her red hair.

Karin's small face immediately flushed slightly, and she closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

?(Uzumaki Karin.jpg)

"Let's go, I'll come sit at your place," Yamei said, taking Karin's hand and walking into the house.

Karin stiffened, staring blankly at her hand being held. Her face grew redder and redder, filled with both satisfaction and shyness.

"Lord Yamei… he's holding my hand… Oh no! I've fallen for him! I really like Lord Yamei!!"

Yamei, unaware of Karin's inner turmoil, found new material for his Sea of Derivations.

[Material Acquired: Uzumaki Bloodline Enhancement, Mind's Eye of the Kagura.]

"Analyze Mind's Eye of the Kagura, integrate into Secret Technique: Empathic Mark."

Feeling his life force and chakra levels increase once more, Yamei was pleased.

Once the Mind's Eye of the Kagura was integrated into the Empathic Mark, the mark's effects would also be enhanced.

Yamei and Shisui stayed with Karin for about an hour. Eventually, Yamei couldn't stand Karin's overwhelming enthusiasm any longer and made an excuse to leave.

Shisui kept chuckling the whole way, earning him a few angry glares from Yamei.

However, thinking about how it was Karin, Yamei supposed it was somewhat normal. A love-struck mind!

Next, Yamei spent another day in the Land of Waves. He gained some excellent Water Style ninjutsu and taijutsu from Zabuza, some Lightning Style ninjutsu from Raiga, and even Haku's Kekkei Genkai, Ice Style!

With that, Yamei's trip to the Land of Waves was incredibly fruitful!

That day, Yamei also enjoyed a comfortable life of being waited on hand and foot.

Pakura and Karin doted on him all day. In the afternoon, for reasons unknown to Yamei, Izumi and Mikoto also joined in, using the excuse of repaying his kindness.

Some fed him delicious food, some fed him fruit, some gave him massages, and others fanned him…

In such a gentle paradise, Yamei almost didn't want to leave.

In the end, Yamei left behind Empathy Marks on each of them, and also placed numerous Flying Thunder God Marks throughout the Land of Waves before departing.

As Yamei's figure instantly vanished, Pakura and the others looked on with reluctance.

Seeing this, Shisui said helplessly, "Everyone, please don't look so sad. Don't forget, Yamei has also assigned us missions!"

"Alright! For Yamei-kun! We'll strive hard!" Pakura clenched her fist.

"We'll study hard and become strong!" Karin's expression also became resolute.

Izumi and Mikoto exchanged glances… They might not have known Yamei for long, but he felt like a guiding light…

This light gave them a sense of security, but they weren't people who only took. They would contribute their own strength!