Arrangement

The silhouette of Iwagakure appeared in their field of vision.

Countless stone houses were built against the mountains, layered one atop another as if they had grown directly out of the rock face.

The Tsuchikage Building in the center of the village was particularly conspicuous, its emblem at the peak reflecting the sunlight.

"We've arrived," Shifeng said, his voice carrying a hint of relief.

Uzumaki Chinatsu looked at the village ahead, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Anticipation, anxiety, and a trace of disbelief-tinged joy.

Uzumaki Karin slid down from Jingxin's back, her large eyes staring unblinkingly at Iwagakure: "Is that... our new home?"

"Yes," Jingxin nodded, "Iwagakure."

Chinatsu glanced at Jingxin, a flicker of doubt crossing the depths of her eyes.

The Sharingan—shouldn't that belong to Konoha?

However, she asked nothing.

The other party had rescued them, and his reasoning held up.

They were already in such a miserable state; how much worse could it possibly get?

Shifeng walked in the lead, while Yeying and Jingxin followed with Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin behind them.

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

They traversed the outskirts of the village, heading toward the Tsuchikage Building.

Villagers and ninja along the way cast curious gazes their way.

Two red-haired strangers returning with an Anbu squad was not a common sight.

When they arrived before the Tsuchikage Building, Ōnoki was already waiting there.

The old Tsuchikage floated in the air, arms crossed, his face wearing an expression that was stern yet gentle.

"Mission accomplished," Shifeng stepped forward to report. "Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin have been brought back safely."

Ōnoki nodded, his gaze shifting to Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin: "Welcome to Iwagakure. From today on, you are citizens of this village."

"The village will arrange housing for you and provide for your daily needs."

"As for your abilities... we will conduct reasonable utilization and research, provided you are willing."

"Are you willing?"

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

"No need to thank me," Ōnoki waved his hand. "If you want to thank someone, thank Blood Gold; he was the first to learn of your situation."

Uzumaki Chinatsu looked at Jingxin, her eyes full of gratitude.

Uzumaki Karin also looked at Jingxin, tilting her head to gaze at the Fox Mask: "Thank you... thank you, big brother."

Jingxin nodded gently: "Live well."

Ōnoki watched this scene, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes: "Alright, go get settled first. Akatsuchi will take you to your quarters."

Akatsuchi walked in from outside the door; the burly jonin offered a gentle smile to Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin: "Follow me, your quarters are already prepared."

Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin followed Akatsuchi away.

Uzumaki Karin walked a few steps, then turned back to look at Jingxin one more time.

Jingxin waved at her.

After watching Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin depart with Akatsuchi, Jingxin removed the Fox Mask, breathing in the familiar, dry air.

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

"I have already read the mission report," Ōnoki sat back in his chair. "Well done. Not only did you complete the mission and save the Uzumaki survivors, but the probability of Kusagakure tracking you down is also low."

"This is what we should do," Shifeng said.

"As for Kusagakure, I will handle them," Ōnoki continued. "Even if they notice, they wouldn't dare demand the return of these people openly. At most, they might pull some petty tricks in the shadows, but Iwagakure does not fear such things."

"Regarding their placement, I have already made arrangements."

"Blood Gold, they will be in the empty house to the left of your stone house."

"They need someone familiar to help them adapt to the new environment, and you are the most suitable person to look after them."

Jingxin nodded: "Understood."

Ōnoki granted them leave: "You've worked hard. Go back and get some good rest for a few days."

The three of them bowed and withdrew.

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

He wanted to check on the condition of Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin.

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

When Jingxin walked in, he happened to see Karin sitting on a bench in the hallway, her two small feet dangling in the air and swinging back and forth.

Seeing Jingxin, she immediately jumped off the chair and ran over.

"Brother Kintsuchi!"

"Are you done with the check-up?"

"Mom is still inside." Karin pointed to the treatment room next to them. "The doctor said Mom needs to rest for a few days, but she will get better very soon."

Her expression was very serious, as if she were reciting the doctor's words verbatim.

Jingxin felt relieved. "That's good. You have to be a good girl these next few days, too, and don't make your mom worry."

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

"Really."

Just then, a familiar voice came from the doorway:

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

Jingxin turned his head and saw Kurotsuchi walking quickly into the Medical Corps.

Kurotsuchi's gaze swept between Jingxin and Karin, finally landing on their joined hands, and she raised an eyebrow.

"Is this the little girl you saved?" Kurotsuchi walked up to Jingxin and looked at Karin with a smile. "Hello there, little sister. What is your name?"

Karin hid behind Jingxin, feeling a bit timid, and answered in a small voice, "Karin..."

"Karin, what a nice name." Kurotsuchi straightened up and looked at Jingxin, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful, ambiguous arc. "Little Brother Kintsuchi, you've performed a great service this time and even gained a little sister; you wouldn't be the type to abandon the old for the new, would you?"

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

Jingxin took a step back to put some distance between them. "Stop messing around. Karin and her mother have just been through a lot and need to be taken care of."

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

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

Kurotsuchi ruffled Karin's hair, and the latter instinctively hid further behind Jingxin. "Thank you, Sister Kurotsuchi."

"It seems little sister Karin prefers her brother, huh~" Kurotsuchi looked at Karin; her tone sounded normal, but there was a lingering hint of sourness to it.

Just then, the door to the treatment room opened.

Chinatsu walked out, her complexion much better than before, and the bandages on her body had been replaced with new ones.

Seeing Jingxin, a smile appeared on her face. "Lord Kintsuchi... ah... and who is this?"

"I am Kurotsuchi." Kurotsuchi introduced herself proactively. "Welcome to Iwagakure."

"Th... thank you." Chinatsu responded somewhat reservedly.

Jingxin asked, "Are you done with the check-up? If everything is fine, let's head back together; it's on the way."

Chinatsu nodded. "Yes, the check-up is finished."

"I'll come along too," Kurotsuchi said. "I might as well go see how your Stone House is coming along."

The four of them left the Medical Corps and walked toward Jingxin's Stone House.

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

And certain subtle feelings were quietly beginning to sprout.