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Kusagakure had previously established good diplomatic relations with Konoha. However, its internal politics were corrupt. The ninja of Kusagakure excelled at studying the ninjutsu of other nations, making it a village skilled in learning.
"Thank you. Excuse me, how much longer until we reach Kusagakure?" Shinji put away his identification papers. These were documents left from before; Shinji's predecessor used to travel to Kusagakure annually to purchase goods.
"Head in that direction; it's about a 4-hour walk."
"Okay, thank you."
...
Arriving in Kusagakure, Shinji observed his surroundings. Compared to Konoha, Kusagakure was only about one-third the size, and its overall construction resembled little more than a small village.
Kusagakure had been a major battleground during the Third Shinobi World War. Only after more than a year of recovery had it reached its current state, which was certainly difficult for them.
Potholes and craters in some areas still hadn't been completely filled, and the faces of most villagers showed a degree of confusion and numbness.
This was also a result of the corruption among the higher-ups in the Land of Grass, who exploited the common people.
Reaching the entrance of a small restaurant, Shinji decided to fill his stomach first.
He had come to this place for a reason.
Although he didn't know how long it would take to go back, he had decided to come anyway.
After all, he also planned to assemble his own team.
After ordering, Shinji ate alone. For the past few days on the road, he had mostly eaten rations from his system space, and the journey had become somewhat tedious.
Of course, Shinji paid the bill. Although this didn't quite align with his usual principles, this was another hidden village, and Shinji didn't want to cause trouble that might affect his later progress.
"It seems there are no results today." Shinji sat for two hours but didn't find the target he was looking for.
Looks like he would just have to rent a small room for the night.
Just as Shinji was about to get up and leave, a series of shouts suddenly erupted.
"Ah! It's that monster!"
"The red-haired monster!"
"Get out of Kusagakure!"
"Monster!"
...
Shinji frowned; this kind of verbal abuse displeased him.
He stood up and walked outside.
Outside the door, a red-haired girl was currently being surrounded and beaten by a group of young boys. Fists met flesh, and that wasn't all.
Scratches had already appeared on the red-haired girl's face, and fresh blood began to flow, but very quickly, the wounds healed one after another.
"She really is a monster!"
"Why haven't you gotten out yet!!!"
Seeing the red-haired girl's healing ability, the young boys became even more aggressive. This phenomenon, beyond their understanding, compelled them to beat her even more intensely.
Seeing this, Shinji immediately stepped forward, placing himself between the red-haired girl and the boys.
"Who are you!" Seeing someone appear, the young boys immediately flinched back slightly but still spoke menacingly.
"Didn't your parents ever tell you that hitting people is wrong?" Shinji looked at the young boys expressionlessly, his calm, impassive face instilling a trace of fear in them.
Soon, under Shinji's gaze, the young boys scattered like frightened birds and fled.
"Tha... Thank you..." The red-haired girl looked up at Shinji, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes, which was quickly replaced by deeper confusion.
"You're welcome, Karin." Shinji reached out and gently patted Karin's fiery red hair, his eyes slowly filling with sympathy.
"You know me?" Karin looked up, her eyes behind the red-rimmed glasses filled with disbelief as she stared at Shinji.
"I know you, or perhaps I don't. Karin Uzumaki." Shinji looked at Karin, who was only four years old this year, and withdrew his hand.
This was the girl who, in the future, would be devoted to Sasuke, so much so that many people believed Sarada was her daughter...
"How did you know I'm an Uzumaki... Then, what do you want with me?" Karin took a step back. Painful childhood experiences had taught her that strangers like this could pose the greatest threat.
Moreover, Shinji had directly pointed out her Uzumaki clan identity.
It was well-known that the Uzumaki clan had been wiped out, and even the Land of Whirlpools had been destroyed. The surviving members of the Uzumaki clan scattered outside the homeland did not have easy lives.
Karin Uzumaki had arrived in the Land of Grass with her mother after wandering around following the destruction of their homeland, becoming a resident of Kusagakure.
Karin's mother had healed Kusagakure ninja, only to be bitten to death by them later—this was Karin's greatest trauma.
Although she hadn't yet entered Kusagakure's Ninja Academy, some ninja had already discovered Karin's special ability, evident from the bite marks on her arms.
"It's nothing major. Do you... want to leave this village?" Shinji crouched down, looking at Karin with indifferent eyes.
"Leave?" Shinji's words struck a chord in Karin's heart. Leave Kusagakure, this place full of malice towards her?
But...
Where else could she go?
"Yes. Will you leave with me?" Shinji looked gently at the Karin before him.
Her experiences were unimaginable for many, different even from Naruto's.
Although Naruto faced scorn from all sides in Konoha, he at least had Hiruzen Sarutobi checking in on him occasionally, even if it was just superficial concern.
But Karin was different. An orphan from a young age, adrift until she reached Kusagakure, she suffered the same scorn as Naruto while also being used as a living healing tool by Kusagakure ninja, without a single friend by her side.
"Where to?" Karin asked timidly.
"To Konoha," Shinji stated succinctly. Seeing Karin's timid appearance, Shinji found it hard to reconcile this girl with the future Karin who would frequently put Suigetsu in his place.
"Konoha? The Village Hidden in the Leaves in the Land of Fire?" Karin clearly had some knowledge of the major hidden villages in the world.
"Yes, that's the one."
"Then why are you helping me?" The red eyes behind Karin's glasses were full of vigilance.
Having witnessed the evils of the world, it was difficult for her to trust someone who appeared so suddenly.
This person...
Could he also be after her because of her special abilities?
"Are you willing to form a contract with me?" Light surged in Shinji's hand, eventually solidifying into a glowing Star Rock.
"A contract?"
"Yes, a contract. Once signed, there will be a pact between us. Since we will share a bond through this 'Contract'—anything within its scope can be discussed with me."
The Star Rock in Shinji's hand shimmered, its light reflecting in Karin's eyes.
"What do I have to give in return?"
"In return? That would be... stay by my side. Because... I need you, Karin. Come with me." Shinji knew Karin couldn't resist words like these, just like her future self with Sasuke.
"You... need Karin?" Karin was clearly stunned. She hadn't expected Shinji to say such a thing. No one had ever needed her before.
Everyone had always treated her like a burden.
"Yes. So, come with me, Karin." Shinji extended his hand, holding it out in front of her.
Karin looked at Shinji's hand, then suddenly turned her head towards the central area of Kusagakure. Finally, as if having made a firm decision.
"I'll go with you."
Karin reached out and gently took Shinji's hand. At the same time, she lightly placed her other hand on the Star Rock.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still.
With flashes of light, the Star Rock transformed into a golden afterimage and entered Shinji's body.
Karin looked at Shinji curiously. His large, warm hand held her small one, a warmth she had never experienced before...
"Matters outside the 'Contract' can also be discussed with me. After all, having lived in this land for so long, I am knowledgeable about many things. Oh, that being said, there are things I hope you can do for me. After all, that is only fair, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Mm-hmm. Where do you live now? Let's go pack your things first." Shinji glanced at Karin's clothes; he would need to buy her a new set later.
"Over there." Karin pointed in a direction, and the two walked off together.
Soon, they arrived at the place where Karin lived. It wasn't in the civilian district, nor in the slums.
It was under a bridge arch. Karin nimbly climbed up, quickly retrieved something, leaving behind bedding and other items.
"What's this?" Shinji asked, somewhat curious.
"It's a photo of my parents." Karin showed the photograph in her hand to Shinji.
In the photo, a man and a woman, both red-haired ninja, smiled at the camera. The woman held a small red-haired baby in her arms.
"Is this you?" Shinji pointed at the baby.
"Yes." Karin put the photo away carefully, then looked nervously at Shinji.
"What's wrong?"
"I still don't know... your name," Karin said shyly, staring at Shinji. Upon closer look, beneath his short black hair, his indifferent face held a strange sort of attraction.
"Shinji."
"Okay, Lord Shinji." Karin flushed slightly, as if she had learned a precious secret.
"Let's go. We'll walk around first." Shinji gently squeezed Karin's small hand, and the two walked through the streets of Kusagakure like father and daughter.
Soon, Shinji led Karin to the front of a clothing store.
Looking at the dazzling array of clothes in the window, a trace of envy flashed in Karin's eyes.
"Let's go in and try some on." Shinji keenly noticed the envy in Karin's eyes and pulled her directly into the clothing store.
"Lord Shinji... are these for me?" Karin looked at Shinji in surprise, his earlier words still seeming to echo in her ears.
"Yes. Now that you're with me, how could I let you wear those?" Shinji led Karin straight to the children's section, where most of the clothes were suitable for her age.
Initially, the clothing store owner wanted to quickly drive out Karin, the infamous 'monster,' but upon seeing Shinji, he immediately suppressed the thought.
This man looked wealthy and influential.
It was best not to provoke such a person.
Soon, Shinji had selected several outfits for Karin. After paying, they left.
After paying, Shinji made a mental note; handling transactions wasn't quite his style.
Instead of heading back immediately, Shinji planned to walk towards the Land of Earth. He vaguely remembered there might be other things of interest in that direction.
For today, however, Shinji and Karin stayed at a hotel.
Hmm...
Two rooms.
Don't get any wrong ideas!!
Early the next morning, Shinji knocked on Karin's room door. After a simple breakfast downstairs, the two left.
They walked at a leisurely pace. The Land of Grass was small, and Kusagakure was even smaller.
Furthermore, Karin was not yet considered a resident of the Land of Grass, nor was she a student at the Ninja Academy. The Land of Grass raised no objections to her departure.
After all, they were probably glad to be rid of one less vagrant.
Gradually, gradually...
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> Check my: [email protected]/ShixT9 for extra 60 Chapters
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> Tier 2 = 2 Extra Chapters + Shoutout In Chapter Title
> Tier 3 = 4 Extra Chapters + Shoutout In Chapter Title
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