Settling In

Iwagakure came into view.

Countless stone houses clung to the mountainside, stacked one above another as if they had grown straight out of the rock.

The Tsuchikage Building stood out in the center of the village, its Iwagakure emblem gleaming in the sunlight.

"We're here," Shifeng said, his voice carrying a hint of relief.

Chinatsu looked at the village ahead, her expression complicated.

She felt anticipation, unease, and a faint, almost unbelievable joy.

Karin slid down from Jingxin's back and stared wide-eyed at Iwagakure. "Is that... our new home?"

"Mm." Jingxin nodded. "Iwagakure."

Chinatsu glanced at Jingxin, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

Wasn't the Sharingan supposed to belong to Konoha?

Still, she didn't ask.

They had rescued her and Karin, and what they said made sense.

After everything she'd been through, how much worse could things get?

Shifeng led the way, with Yeying and Jingxin escorting Chinatsu while Karin followed behind.

The guards at the village entrance recognized Shifeng and Yeying and let them through immediately.

They passed through the outskirts and headed toward the Tsuchikage Building.

Villagers and shinobi along the way cast curious glances at them.

It wasn't every day that two unfamiliar red-haired women returned with an Anbu squad.

By the time they reached the Tsuchikage Building, Ōnoki was already waiting there.

The old Tsuchikage hovered in the air with his arms crossed, his expression stern but kind.

"Mission complete," Shifeng reported as he stepped forward. "Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin have been brought back safely."

Ōnoki nodded, then turned his gaze to Chinatsu and Karin. "Welcome to Iwagakure. From today on, you're both villagers of Iwagakure."

"The village will find you a place to stay and provide you with what you need."

"As for your abilities... we'll make reasonable use of them and study them, but only if you're willing."

"Are you willing?"

Chinatsu bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Tsuchikage, for taking us in."

"You don't need to thank me." Ōnoki waved a hand. "If you want to thank someone, thank Blood Gold. He was the first to learn about your situation."

Chinatsu looked at Jingxin, her eyes full of gratitude.

Karin looked up at Jingxin, too, staring at his Fox Mask. "Thank you... Thank you, big brother."

Jingxin nodded gently. "Live well."

Watching them, Ōnoki's eyes flickered with relief. "All right, go get settled. Akatsuchi will take you to your new home."

Akatsuchi came in from outside. The burly jōnin smiled warmly at Chinatsu and Karin. "Come with me. Your place is ready."

Chinatsu and Karin followed Akatsuchi out.

After taking a few steps, Karin glanced back at Jingxin.

Jingxin waved to her.

After watching Chinatsu and Karin leave with Akatsuchi, Jingxin removed his Fox Mask and breathed in the familiar, dry air.

Only Ōnoki, Shifeng, Yeying, and Jingxin remained in the office.

"I've read the mission report," Ōnoki said, settling back into his chair. "Well done. You rescued the Uzumaki survivors, and there's little chance Kusagakure will track them down."

"It was our duty," Shifeng replied.

"I'll deal with Kusagakure," Ōnoki continued. "Even if they catch on, they won't dare demand the women openly. At most, they'll try something behind the scenes, but Iwagakure has nothing to fear from that."

"I've already arranged for them to be settled in."

"Blood Gold, there's an empty house beside your stone house. It's on the left."

"They'll need someone familiar to help them adjust to their new surroundings. You're the best person to look after them."

Jingxin nodded. "Understood."

Ōnoki gave them all some time off. "You've worked hard. Go home and get some rest for a few days."

The three of them took their leave.

Shifeng and Yeying left, while Jingxin headed to the Medical Corps.

He wanted to check on Chinatsu and Karin.

The Medical Corps was in a three-story stone building on the east side of the village.

When Jingxin walked in, he spotted Karin sitting on a bench in the hallway, her little feet swinging in the air.

As soon as she saw Jingxin, she hopped off the bench and ran over.

"Brother Kintsuchi!"

"Are they done checking you over?"

"Mom's still inside." Karin pointed to the treatment room beside them. "The doctor said Mom needs to rest for a few days, but she'll get better soon."

She spoke with great seriousness, as if repeating the doctor's exact words.

Jingxin felt reassured. "That's good. You need to be a good girl these next few days, too, and not worry your mom."

"Mm!" Karin nodded vigorously, then took Jingxin's hand. "Brother Kintsuchi, can we really live in Iwagakure from now on?"

"Really."

Just then, a familiar voice called from the entrance.

"Little brother Kintsuchi! You're finally back!"

Jingxin turned around and saw Kurotsuchi hurry into the Medical Corps.

Kurotsuchi's gaze moved between Jingxin and Karin before settling on their clasped hands. She arched an eyebrow.

"So this is the little girl you rescued?" Kurotsuchi walked up to Jingxin and smiled at Karin. "Hello, little one. What's your name?"

Karin nervously hid behind Jingxin and answered in a small voice, "Karin..."

"Karin. What a lovely name." Kurotsuchi straightened up and looked at Jingxin, the corner of her mouth curling into a teasing smile. "Little brother Kintsuchi, you've done a great deed this time, and you've even gained a little sister. You're not going to forget the old for the new, are you?"

Her breath brushed against his ear, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.

Jingxin stepped back to put some distance between them. "Cut it out. Karin and her mother have been through a lot. They need looking after."

"I know, I know." Kurotsuchi waved her hand, then gave Karin a friendly smile. "Karin, I'm Kurotsuchi. I'm a friend of your big brother Kintsuchi."

"If there's anything you don't understand in Iwagakure, or if anyone gives you trouble, you can come to me."

Kurotsuchi ruffled Karin's hair. Karin instinctively moved behind Jingxin. "Thank you, big sister Kurotsuchi."

"Looks like little Karin likes her big brother more~" Kurotsuchi said as she watched Karin. Her tone sounded perfectly normal, but there was a hint of jealousy in it.

Just then, the treatment room door opened.

Chinatsu stepped out. She looked much better than before, and the bandages around her body had been replaced with fresh ones.

When she saw Jingxin, she smiled. "Lord Kintsuchi... Oh... And who is this?"

"I'm Kurotsuchi," she said, introducing herself. "Welcome to Iwagakure."

"Th-thank you," Chinatsu replied, a little awkwardly.

Jingxin asked, "Are they done checking you over? If everything's all right, we can head back together. It's on the way."

Chinatsu nodded. "All done."

"I'll come along, too," Kurotsuchi said. "I might as well see how you've settled into your stone house."

The four of them left the Medical Corps and headed toward Jingxin's stone house.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the streets of Iwagakure.

And certain subtle feelings were quietly beginning to take root.