Two days later, in the Land of Fire, in the town closest to Konoha.
Mo Chen had settled Karin and Kana here, renting a house with a courtyard for them and buying enough household supplies.
"For now, you two can stay here."
Mo Chen handed Kana the few tens of thousands of ryo he had left and said, "I wanted to buy the house outright, but I didn't have enough money. Give it some time. I'll find a chance to bring you to Konoha."
"This place is already wonderful!" Kana said, deeply moved.
Being free was already all she had ever hoped for. The quality of their life came second.
Karin tugged reluctantly at Mo Chen. "Are you leaving already?"
Over the past two days, Mo Chen's easygoing nature had opened the hearts of Karin and her mother. Now he was the person they felt closest to in the world.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be back to get you soon." Mo Chen patted Karin's head.
He quite liked the girl, who had had a miserable upbringing and was a little lovestruck and adorably silly. He already thought of her as a younger sister.
Mo Chen was also torn over whether to bring Karin and her mother to Konoha as soon as possible. But with their Uzumaki Clan heritage and their unusual constitution, bringing them to Konoha might cause all sorts of trouble.
It was hard to say what the Third Hokage really thought, but on the surface, he was a good-natured old man.
He couldn't let that image crack. If it did, his reputation would be ruined.
But there was also the old schemer Shimura Danzō lurking in the shadows. If Karin went to Konoha, she might be walking straight into a trap, and Mo Chen couldn't watch over her twenty-four hours a day.
Still, he could solve all those problems by fabricating a future. He just needed time to think it through.
"Lord Mo Chen, thank you for going to all this trouble for us!"
Kana said earnestly, "Being able to leave Kusagakure and live a normal life is the greatest thing I could ever hope for."
"Though I'd love to stay by your side, I can't be of much help. At least I could take care of your daily needs and repay you a little for your great kindness."
"But please, don't do anything that would put you in a difficult position on our account."
A helpless look crossed Mo Chen's face. He had corrected Kana several times, but she still insisted on calling him "Lord."
"You don't need to worry about me. I have privileges in Konoha. I'm just still a newcomer, so I don't have much say yet. That's why I can't make arrangements for you."
Mo Chen waved a hand, then continued, "Aunt Kana, while I'm away, make sure to keep your identities hidden. If you go out, wear the hats I bought for you."
"Not many people know that the Uzumaki have red hair, but there are some. It wouldn't be good if you happened to run into one. Also, when you have time, have Karin learn the Uzumaki clan's secret techniques. She'll definitely need them before long."
"Yes!" Kana obeyed Mo Chen's instructions as if she were his subordinate.
"Alright, don't look so sad. We'll see each other again soon!" Mo Chen patted Karin's head once more, then quickly vanished.
By then, Might Guy's Team had also reached the town.
They had left Kusagakure a step behind Mo Chen. Since they were already close to Konoha, Guy had wanted to return in one go.
But Tenten had wanted to buy some things in town because Karin was there.
She had suggested that the others go on ahead, but Guy's thought process could sometimes be impossible for ordinary people to understand.
He was eager to get back to the village, yet didn't want to leave Tenten behind alone. So he stayed with her, all the while urging her on from behind.
Tenten was exasperated, but there was nothing she could do.
"I have to find a way to ditch them!"
With a teacher like this and Rock Lee, a teammate practically cut from the same mold, Tenten was exhausted.
Life was hard. Tenten sighed.
Soon, as they passed an icy drink shop, Tenten got an idea.
She said to Guy and the others, "We've been busy traveling these past few days. Let me treat you to drinks. Rest here for a while. I'll go shopping by myself and meet you back here when I'm done."
"How could we do that?" Rock Lee immediately objected. "We're a team! We stick together through life and death! How can we rest while you go off on your own? I'll go with you. At the very least, I can help carry your things!"
"Lee's right!" Guy slapped Tenten hard on the shoulder, nearly knocking her off balance.
As Tenten stood there with a dark expression, Guy gave her a thumbs-up, flashed a dazzling grin, and said, "We must never slack off in our youth! If there's anything you need your teacher's help with, just say the word. Don't be shy!"
Tenten's mouth twitched. The greatest help they could give her was to stay put in the drink shop.
But once these two stubborn mules dug in their heels, there was no talking them out of it.
With no other choice, Tenten turned to the only remotely sensible person on the team: Neji.
Neji was a little suspicious. He didn't understand why Tenten was so set on leaving them behind.
But Neji was one of the smartest members of the Konoha 12. He quickly convinced himself he understood and came up with a reasonable explanation.
What Tenten wanted to buy was something for women, right? That was why she found it hard to talk about.
It really wouldn't be convenient for the three of them to tag along.
"Alright, Teacher Guy, Lee!" Neji grabbed Guy with one hand and Lee with the other, forcibly dragging them toward the drink shop. "If Tenten says so, she must have her reasons."
"It's good to want to help your teammates, but too much enthusiasm can sometimes cause trouble for others. We're close to Konoha, so there's no danger. Let's just wait here!"
Then he gave Tenten a reassuring look.
"Nani! Neji, are you saying we're causing Tenten trouble?" Rock Lee cried out in disbelief. "How could that be? I only wanted to help!"
"OH, NO!" Guy clutched his head and wailed. "Neji, how could you say something so coldhearted? Concern for our teammates should be passionate! Only with passion, more passion, and even more passion can we do justice to our blossoming youth!"
"Could Neji's youth already have withered?" Rock Lee wailed along. "I won't allow it! No, you're not the Neji I know!"
Guy continued to shout, "So that's it! The Neji who's been with us all this time was replaced, and I didn't even notice! No wonder you wanted to draw us away from Tenten. It was all part of your diversionary plan!"
"As expected of Guy Sensei! You saw right through the fake Neji!" Flames blazed in Rock Lee's eyes as he roared, "Where's the real Neji? Tell me! Konoha Whirlwind!"
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!" Guy shouted along.
The drink shop descended into chaos, accompanied by Neji's furious shouts.
"I am Neji... Byakugan... Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms... Rotation..."
Outside, Tenten's mouth twitched furiously as she rubbed her forehead in exasperation.
When they were on missions, they were all very reliable teammates.
But as soon as they let their guard down, they were all a bunch of idiots. Even the usually serious Neji was no exception.
"Forget it. I'll leave them to it and go see Karin first!"
Having finally ditched the two Watermelon Helmets, Tenten didn't dare linger. She hurriedly dashed toward the location Karin had given her.
Before you continue