The intensive care unit on the top floor of the Sunagakure Hospital is much quieter than the downstairs area. It is usually used to house seriously injured people or those who need absolute rest.
At this moment, outside the best-lit ward at the end of the corridor, stood two composed Anbu Ninja, a rare sight indeed.
Inside the ward, sunlight streamed through the polished crystal window, casting warm dappled patterns. Uzumaki Kei leaned against the bed, her face still pale, but compared to the numbness and despair she felt in Kusagakure, her expression now held a complex mix of vitality and unease.
Her wounds were properly treated, and she was dressed in a clean, soft hospital gown. Karin fell asleep on the bed beside her, her little face buried in the pillow, breathing evenly—a peaceful sleep she hadn't had in a long time.
The door was gently pushed open, and Granny Chiyo and Ebizo walked in one after the other, followed by the attending medical Jonin.
Uzumaki Kei subconsciously tensed up, pulling her daughter closer to her, her eyes filled with habitual wariness.
"Don't be nervous," Chiyo waved her hand, her tone much gentler than usual, "I just came to check on how you're recovering." She walked to the bedside, naturally reaching out to place Uzumaki Kei's pulse, her cloudy eyes slightly narrowed as she felt for a moment.
"Yes, the external injury is not a problem; the main issue is long-term depletion, leading to a deficiency of both qi and blood. It requires gradual recuperation."
Chiyo withdrew her hand, then took out a small porcelain bottle from her cloth bag and placed it on the bedside table. "These are pills that I, this old woman, have prepared myself to replenish qi and blood. Take one pill a day with warm water."
Uzumaki Kei looked at the bottle of medicine, then at Chiyo's expressionless face, which revealed genuine concern. Her lips moved, and she whispered, "Thank you, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?" Chiyo snorted. " The Uzumaki Clan has fallen to the point of being bullied by those bastards from Kusagakure. It's really... sigh."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the sigh and indignation in her tone were obvious.
Ebizo smiled gently and instructed the medical Jonin, "Pay special attention to your diet. Follow my prescribed dietary therapy. If you need any medicinal herbs, just come to me."
"Yes, Ebizo," the medical Jonin replied respectfully.
At that moment, the ward door was pushed open again, and the person who entered this time made the atmosphere in the room freeze instantly.
The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, entered with two personal advisors. He was still wearing his Kazekage robes, his face cold and stern. His gaze swept across the ward, finally landing on Uzumaki Kei.
Uzumaki Kei felt an invisible pressure, subconsciously lowered her gaze, and gripped the corner of the blanket tightly with her hands.
Chiyo and Ebizo turned around and nodded slightly. " Kazekage."
Rasa nodded in response, his gaze lingering for a moment on Karin's sleeping face before turning to the medical Jonin: "How is she?"
"Reporting to Lord Kazekage, Ms. Uzumaki Kei's health is mainly due to long-term wear and tear, and she needs rest. The little girl was somewhat traumatized, but she has a good constitution and is recovering quickly."
Rasa hummed in agreement, his gaze returning to Uzumaki Kei, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:
"Ms. Uzumaki Kei, Sunagakure welcomes you. The village will take care of your safety and well-being here. Focus on recovering and don't worry about anything else."
His words were very official and lacked warmth, but the word "responsible" eased the anxiety that had been weighing on Uzumaki Kei's mind a little.
At least, the people here didn't bare their fangs like those in Kusagakure.
Chiyo spoke up at the opportune moment, her tone carrying a hint of reminder, yet also an undeniable air of authority. " Rasa, I don't need to elaborate on the significance of the Uzumaki Clan, do I? Their talent for Sealing Jutsu will be a tremendous asset to our village in the face of a potential future crisis. Treating them well is essential, both for the public good and for private reasons."
Rasa's eyes flickered slightly. He certainly understood what Chiyo was referring to as a certain crisis— Shukaku, and the potential problem of the Tailed Beast in the future.
He looked at Uzumaki Kei and said slowly, " Sunagakure respects everyone who is capable and willing to contribute to the village. We can discuss this further once you have recovered."
He didn't rule out any possibility, but he gave a clear signal: Sunagakure needed the Uzumaki Clan's power, but only if they were "willing to contribute."
This is a political trade-off that expresses both importance and sets boundaries.
Uzumaki Kei wasn't stupid; she understood.
She raised her head, mustered her courage to look at Rasa, and said in a soft but clear voice, " Lord Kazekage, my daughter and I just want a place where we can live peacefully. If our abilities can truly help, we are willing to do our best."
This was the first time she had made a clear statement. Having experienced the pain of national subjugation, displacement, and enslavement, she longed for true peace more than anyone else.
If Sunagakure can provide this peace, she doesn't mind giving her own strength.
Rasa nodded. "Very good. We can discuss the specifics after you recover." With that, he left the ward with his advisor without lingering any longer.
After he left, the pressure in the room immediately eased considerably.
Chiyo looked at Uzumaki Kei and sighed, a rare occurrence for her. "Girl, don't think too much. Focus on getting better and taking good care of the baby. We'll worry about the future later. In Sunagakure, as long as you follow the rules, no one will bully you for no reason."
Ebizo added gently, "If you need anything or feel uncomfortable anywhere, you can always send someone to us."
After saying this, the two elders also left.
The ward returned to silence. The warm sunlight shone on them, and outside the window came the unique sound of the wind from Sunagakure, carrying the scent of sand and dust yet strangely reassuring.
Uzumaki Kei looked down at her daughter's peaceful profile as she slept, then touched the bottle of pills on the bedside table that still held the warmth of Chiyo's hand. Her eyes welled up slightly.
This place really seems different.
Perhaps, she and Karin can truly find the shadow of that "home" they no longer dared to hope for here.
All of this changed because of the boy who discovered their existence and risked his life to bring them out of hell, along with those ninjas.
Thinking of Shira, a complex sense of gratitude welled up in Uzumaki Kei's heart.
She secretly resolved that once she felt better, she would personally go and thank Shira and the others.