Karin wasn't sure how long she had been unconscious.
When she finally woke up, it was completely dark outside. However, the forest at night wasn't cold, as a warm sensation continuously flowed from nearby.
Turning her head, she saw a campfire burning next to her, with sizzling meat roasting above it.
"You're awake?"
A gentle voice reached her ears as a hand skillfully flipped the meat on the fire.
Following the movement of the hand, her eyes landed on the handsome face she had seen repeatedly in her dreams before she fainted. This told her that this wasn't a dream after all.
Recalling how she had fainted, Karin's face turned red again, though luckily, the glow of the fire masked it.
Hastily, she got up and bowed toward Yagyu. "Thank you for saving—"
Before she could finish speaking, her vision darkened again, and she wobbled, almost falling into the fire.
Yagyu quickly grabbed her small hand, pulling her into his arms.
Holding the girl, whose frame was similar to Sakura's, Yagyu had no inappropriate thoughts. He gently placed her down by the fire and advised, "Your body is too weak right now. Don't get overly emotional. You can thank me when you're feeling better."
With that, Yagyu handed her a skewer of roasted meat. "Here, eat something."
"...Thank you," Karin whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito, much like Hinata's.
Her head was still buzzing.
He smells so good... even better than the food, Karin thought to herself as she ate.
Yagyu, unaware of her thoughts, would've been at a loss if he knew.
So, the 'infatuated girl' trait really is true! he mused internally.
Yagyu also picked up a skewer and began to eat, cutting straight to the point. "I gave you some basic treatment earlier. What's the story behind those bite marks on your arm?"
"T-This…"
Karin's mind went blank. Rather than explaining her ability, her first thought was whether the bite marks would disgust Yagyu, the person who had saved her. She worried that her hero might look at her with disdain.
Seeing that Karin was struggling to speak, Yagyu continued, "I checked the bite marks. They vary in size and shape, so it's clear they weren't all made by the same person."
"And while your body is healthy, your chakra levels are unusually low—far below what they should be for someone of your constitution."
"Does your ability involve giving your chakra to others?"
Hearing that there was no disgust in Yagyu's voice, Karin let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Yes, that's my ability," she nodded, not hiding anything. "But I don't just provide chakra. My ability heals injuries."
"Ever since I was little, I noticed my body was different. No matter the injury, as long as someone bites me, they recover quickly."
"But the cost is that the more severe the injury, the more chakra I have to use. If my chakra isn't replenished, it drains my life force. That's… how my mother died."
As she finished speaking, her eyes dimmed with sadness.
Not wanting her to dwell on painful memories, Yagyu gently patted her shoulder and shifted the conversation. "We haven't even introduced ourselves yet. My name is Yagyu. What's yours?"
Perhaps it was the care in Yagyu's voice, but Karin, who had long since steeled her heart, suddenly felt tears well up in her eyes. She choked up as she replied, "I... I'm Karin."
Just like many other talented orphans in the ninja world, after her mother's death, Karin had never felt cared for or valued by anyone. She had only ever been treated as a replacement for her mother, used as a medical tool.
But now, she felt the warmth that only her mother had ever given her—coming from someone from an enemy village, no less.
In this moment, Karin broke down emotionally.
Seeing her tears, Yagyu knew it was time to make his move.
He patted her trembling shoulder again and softly asked, "Karin, do you have a family name?"
"N-No…"
"Do you know what your ability is called?"
Karin, her face now streaked with tears, shook her head. "N-No idea…"
"You said earlier that your mother had the same ability, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then I think I know what your ability is, and also your ancestral surname."
Seeing Karin's puzzled look, Yagyu smiled and explained, "If I'm not mistaken, you're a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, and your ability is called 'Physical Healing.'"
"The Uzumaki clan? Physical Healing?"
Karin's confusion deepened.
The Grass Village was a small, minor village with little historical knowledge. There was no way they would have any records about the long-extinct Uzumaki clan.
If they had known about the Uzumaki clan, both she and her mother would have been treated differently.
In fact, they wouldn't have even sent her to the Chunin Exams in Konoha.
Clearly, Karin knew nothing about the ancient, powerful clan that had perished long ago.
Yagyu continued, "The Uzumaki clan were distant relatives of the Senju clan, which is why Konoha has complete records about them. From what I know, the Uzumaki clan lived on an island and built a village called Uzushiogakure. They were close allies of Konoha."
"But because the Uzumaki clan was so skilled with sealing techniques, many nations feared them. Several decades ago, they joined forces to attack Uzushiogakure."
"Konoha arrived too late to save the village, but we managed to rescue one person—she went on to marry the Fourth Hokage."
Karin was stunned, processing this revelation.
Yagyu continued, "The Uzumaki clan's defining traits include red hair and massive chakra reserves, as well as several unique abilities, one of which is physical healing—just like yours."
"If I'm right, Karin, your mother, or perhaps your grandparents, were survivors of the Uzumaki clan."
Karin was completely dazed, struggling to comprehend that her background and abilities had such a significant origin.
Then Yagyu asked, "Karin, would you like to join Konoha?"
"Huh?!"
Karin's eyes widened, her face lighting up with excitement. "C-Can I?"
Karin wasn't necessarily drawn to Konoha itself. Her history and abilities were just stories to her. After all, that was all ancient history, and she felt no connection to it.
But the idea of joining Konoha—of being in the same village as Yagyu—made her heart race with anticipation.
However, doubts crept in, and she hesitated. "I'm a ninja from the Grass Village. Would Konoha really accept someone like me?"
"They definitely would."
Yagyu nodded confidently. "Your red hair and your abilities are proof of your lineage. I'll ask my sensei to recommend you to the Hokage. I'm sure the Hokage will agree to let you join."
"I want to join Konoha!"
Without hesitation, Karin nodded eagerly.
She knew this was her one chance to change her fate and get closer to Yagyu. After living in darkness ever since her mother's death, she couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip away.
"Great. Once the Chunin Exams are over, I'll ask my sensei to make the recommendation to the Hokage."
Yagyu stood up and extended his hand to her with a smile. "Welcome to Konoha, Karin."
Under the glow of the campfire, Yagyu seemed to shine in Karin's eyes, making her gaze turn dreamy once again.
In that moment, she even felt a surge of gratitude toward the Grass Village—a village she had long despised.
If it hadn't been for them forcing her to take part in the Chunin Exams, she might never have met Yagyu in her entire life.
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