After hearing the truth, Violet withdrew into herself.
Naruto bent down, pulled out the Black Receivers pinning Violet's hands, and tossed them aside. He took out gauze and medicine to dress her wounds.
Violet was stunned. "You're... not going to kill me?"
Naruto said gently, "I don't kill innocent people. Since this was all a misunderstanding, your motive for trying to kill me was a misunderstanding too. And you said you deeply love this land and Amegakure, didn't you?"
"That proves you acted for the village you serve. What's more, you weren't afraid of authority or power, and you followed your own heart. That's even more admirable."
After dressing Violet's wounds, Naruto tied off the bandages and stood up. "Whether you stay or leave is your choice. I'll fully respect your wishes... Think it over carefully, and tell me your answer once you've decided."
With that, Naruto and Konan left the room together under Violet's conflicted gaze.
The door closed, and the rain outside the window kept falling.
Violet leaned into the corner, hugged her legs, and buried her head in her knees.
Memories that had grown hazy over the years surfaced again, gradually becoming clear.
Amid the ruins of her home.
She held her baby sister in her arms. Before her stood the young man who had saved them!
The man she would regard as her benefactor for many years to come!
At the time, she had been so frightened that she hadn't dared look him in the eye!
But the man had stroked her tangled hair with his slender hand and said gently, "Don't be afraid. When you grow up, you'll have the strength to protect your village. Until then, you have to stay alive..."
His inexplicably reassuring tone had made Violet look up despite herself.
A warm,