No One Gets to Touch His Wings

No One Gets to Touch His Wings

"Are those two nearby your companions? They ran as soon as they saw me."

"That's just how they are. My mother and I are outsiders, and Kusagakure doesn't trust people like us at all. When I came to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, I had already prepared myself to die."

"Did your Jonin Instructor come with you?"

"No. Kusagakure is only a small ninja village, and it has very few jonin. They only sent two teams to fulfill the neighboring country's invitation."

"In that case, let me make arrangements for you."

"Mhm... Ryusuke, I'll do whatever you say. I'll listen to you!"

In the forest at night, two figures walked along a woodland path as they chatted.

Just like Haku and Kimimaro, once Karin acknowledged someone, she would be their dog for the rest of her life.

Even if she could never become the mistress of the house, even if the person she liked hurt her time and again, Karin would never hate them or become obsessive. As long as the person she liked was happy, she would be satisfied, and she would remain unmarried for the rest of her life.

That was the difference between an ordinary simp and an ultimate simp!

And Ryusuke already had two such simps.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Ryusuke secretly activated the Red Eye's X-ray Vision and Telescopic Vision, then brought Karin to an entrance of the Death Forest. Forming hand seals, he created a Shadow Clone.

Then Ryusuke took an envelope filled with money from his person and handed it to Karin. "The Chunin Exams should last for a while. To keep your companions from discovering you, and since you can't obtain a Village Exit Permit right now, I suggest you leave Konoha first and stay somewhere in the Land of Fire for a while."

"After the Chunin Exams are over, I'll bring my Jonin Instructor to find you and take you back to Konoha."

"Use this money to rent a place and get yourself some good food."

Karin hurriedly shook her head and waved her hands. "Ryusuke-kun, you don't need to give me money. I can find somewhere to stay."

"Take it."

Ryusuke suddenly shed his previous gentleness and forcefully stuffed the envelope into Karin's hands. Then he smiled. "Your body is too weak right now. If you don't nurse yourself back to health, Lord Hokage won't believe that you're a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan."

"If you feel bad about it, consider this money a loan. Once you join Konoha and can earn money by taking missions, you can pay me back."

"...Okay!"

Karin once again felt the warmth that only her mother had ever given her. Her eyes reddened as she nodded vigorously.

"Let's go. While it's dark and no one's around, I'll have the Shadow Clone take you out of Konoha."

"Okay."

Just as Karin was about to leave with the Shadow Clone, she suddenly turned back and asked Ryusuke, "Ryusuke-kun, where should I wait for you?"

The corners of Ryusuke's lips curved up slightly as he softly named a place. "Tanzaku Street!"

After seeing Karin off, Ryusuke used the Body Flicker Technique to return and meet up with Aburame Shino and Hinata.

Ryusuke was very confident in Karin's safety.

It was late at night, and with the Red Eye Illusion ability that even the Byakugan could not see through, Karin could openly walk out through Konoha's gates.

Activating the Red Eye's Telescopic Vision, Ryusuke began searching for Team 8.

Once he followed his memories into a certain range, the Shadow Clone that had remained with Team 8, also keeping the Red Eye's Telescopic Vision active, immediately dissolved into a cloud of white smoke.

Neither Aburame Shino nor Hinata beside it was surprised.

When Ryusuke's Shadow Clone brought back the prey, it had already told them that it was only a Shadow Clone.

After Ryusuke's original body returned, Aburame Shino could not help asking, "Ryusuke, did you find them?"

"No, I wasn't looking for anyone just now."

Ryusuke shook his head and gave the excuse he had prepared long ago. "While hunting earlier, I met someone very interesting. I'll introduce you to her when I get the chance."

"Someone from another ninja village?"

"Mm. Her identity is a little special. After the exams end, I'll need to speak with Teacher Kurenai about it."

Ryusuke nodded, looking as though he did not wish to say more.

Aburame Shino did not ask further.

But both he and Hinata became somewhat curious about the person Ryusuke had mentioned.

Someone important enough for Ryusuke to take so seriously, spend so much time on, and even speak with Teacher Kurenai about had to be extremely special.

Thinking of this, the candidates they had noticed during the first exam flashed through Aburame Shino and Hinata's minds.

Looking at the two lost in thought, Ryusuke smiled. "Get some rest first. I'll keep watch."

"Okay."

In the blink of an eye, morning arrived the next day.

After taking water from the Storage Scroll and washing up simply, Team 8 continued searching for Team 7 and Team 10.

Suddenly, as if he had remembered something, Ryusuke's expression changed slightly.

He quickly formed hand seals and created several Shadow Clones.

This time, the Shadow Clones moved with incredible speed using the Body Flicker Technique. Three Red Eye surveillance zones, each covering a one-kilometer radius, searched the Death Forest for Team 7.

Even before finding them, Ryusuke already knew Team 7's current situation.

They must have encountered the Grass Ninja disguised as Orochimaru yesterday. Sasuke Uchiha's neck must have been branded with the Heavenly Cursed Seal.

And Naruto had also been hit by Orochimaru's Five Elements Seal, leaving him unconscious alongside Sasuke Uchiha.

The only conscious member of Team 7 now was Sakura.

That was why the Shadow Clones were so urgent.

Because Yakushi Kabuto had not had the chance to show off his acting skills during the first exam, Ryusuke had forgotten about a few minor characters.

Ryusuke had just suddenly remembered that after Orochimaru planted the Cursed Seal on Sasuke Uchiha, he not only reunited with Anko Mitarashi in the Death Forest, but before leaving, he also ordered the Sound Ninja Trio to kill Sasuke Uchiha. In truth, he wanted to awaken Sasuke Uchiha's Cursed Seal power and make Sasuke Uchiha addicted to the power he had bestowed.

But the Sound Ninja Trio had been too loyal and proactive. Before Sasuke Uchiha even woke up, they had already found Team 7.

With both main combatants unconscious, Sakura could only face the Sound Ninja Trio alone.

It was also in this battle in the original story that Sakura underwent her first transformation, cutting off her long hair and taking her first step toward becoming Sakura Bro.

Transformation was a good thing, but that was for the Sakura of the original story.

The current Sakura did not need any transformation.

Having grown up together with Ryusuke and the others, Sakura had long since transformed. She was now a very qualified support ninja, even an outstanding one.

If her chakra had not been insufficient when she was young, Ryusuke would have taught her Water Release ninjutsu long ago.

That was because Sakura's chakra natures, just like Ryusuke's before graduation, were Yin, Yang, Water, and Earth.

After graduation, Ryusuke had not taught Sakura any ninjutsu. Instead, he had her continue building a solid foundation in sensory and medical skills, leaving a deep impression on Kakashi Hatake so that after Team 7 temporarily disbanded, Kakashi Hatake could recommend her to Tsunade just as in the original story.

So the current Sakura did not have much combat strength either.

He had to find her before the Sound Ninja Trio beat her up.

No one got to hurt his wings!

Under the full-speed search of the three Shadow Clones, they quickly found Sakura's location.

However, the moment a Shadow Clone dispersed and its memories returned, a cold glint flashed through Ryusuke's eyes. He said to Hinata and Aburame Shino, "Sakura has run into a little trouble. I'm going ahead. Catch up as fast as you can."

After saying that, Ryusuke's figure vanished into thin air. An afterimage too fast for the naked eye swept rapidly across the treetops.

In the blink of an eye, Ryusuke disappeared from Aburame Shino and Hinata's sight.

Seeing this, Aburame Shino's pupils narrowed slightly behind his Sunglasses.

So this was Ryusuke's true speed?

He had actually hidden even his Body Flicker Technique so deeply!