The outline of Iwagakure appeared in the distance.
Countless stone houses were built against the mountainside, layered one upon another, as if they had grown directly out of the cliffs themselves.
The Tsuchikage building at the center of the village stood out the most, the Iwagakure symbol at its peak reflecting sunlight.
"We're here." Nobutoshi said, a trace of relief in his voice.
Chinatsu looked at the village ahead, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.
Anticipation, unease, and a faint joy she could hardly believe was real.
Karin slid down from Kyoshin's back, staring unblinkingly at Iwagakure with wide eyes. "So this is… our new home?"
"Yeah." Kyoshin nodded. "Iwagakure."
Chinatsu glanced at Kyoshin, confusion flickering in her eyes.
'The Sharingan… wasn't that supposed to belong to Konoha?'
Still, she asked nothing.
After all, they had saved them, and what they said made sense.
Things were already this bad. How much worse could it possibly get?
Nobutoshi walked at the front while Kumiko and Kyoshin followed with Chinatsu and Karin.
The guards at the village entrance recognized Nobutoshi and Kumiko immediately and let them through without question.
They passed through the outer district and headed toward the Tsuchikage building.
Along the way, villagers and shinobi alike cast curious looks at them.
Two unfamiliar red-haired females returning alongside an Anbu squad was not a common sight.
By the time they arrived in front of the Tsuchikage building, Onoki was already waiting there.
The elderly Tsuchikage floated in the air with his arms crossed, his expression stern yet gentle.
"Mission accomplished." Nobutoshi stepped forward to report. "Uzumaki Chinatsu and Uzumaki Karin have been safely brought back."
Onoki nodded and turned his gaze toward Chinatsu and Karin. "Welcome to Iwagakure. From today onward, you are villagers of Iwagakure."
"The village will arrange housing for you and provide everything necessary for your daily lives."
"As for your abilities… we will only conduct reasonable use and research under the condition of your consent."
"Are you willing?"
Chinatsu bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Tsuchikage... for taking us in."
"No need to thank me." Onoki waved a hand dismissively. "If you want to thank someone, thank Kintsuchi. He was the first to learn of your situation."
Chinatsu looked at Kyoshin, her eyes full of gratitude.
Karin looked up at Kyoshin as well, gazing at the fox mask. "Thank you… thank you, big brother."
Kyoshin gave a slight nod. "Live well."
Watching the scene, a trace of satisfaction passed through Onoki's eyes. "Alright, go get settled first. Akatsuchi will take you to your residence."
Akatsuchi walked in from outside. The large-built jonin gave Chinatsu and Karin a warm smile. "Come with me. Your place is already prepared."
Chinatsu and Karin followed Akatsuchi out.
After taking a few steps, Karin turned back to look at Kyoshin again.
Kyoshin waved at her.
After watching the two leave with Akatsuchi, Kyoshin removed his fox mask and breathed in the familiar dry air.
Only Onoki, Nobutoshi, Kumiko, and him remained in the office.
"I've already read the mission report." Onoki sat back down in his chair.
"You did very well. Not only did you successfully rescue the Uzumaki survivors, the odds of Kusagakure tracing it back to us are also very low."
"That's what we're supposed to do." Nobutoshi said.
"I'll handle the Grass village side." Onoki continued.
"Even if they suspect something, they won't dare openly demand their return. At most, they'll pull a few tricks behind the scenes, but Iwagakure doesn't fear that."
"As for settling them in, I've already made arrangements."
"Kintsuchi, the empty stone house to the left of yours will be theirs."
"They need someone familiar to help them adjust to the new environment. You're the most suitable person to look after them."
Kyoshin nodded. "Understood."
Onoki gave them leave. "You've all worked hard. Go back and rest for a few days."
The three withdrew.
Nobutoshi and Kumiko left, while Kyoshin headed toward the medical division.
He wanted to check on Chinatsu and Karin.
The medical division was located on the eastern side of the village, a three-story stone building.
When Kyoshin walked in, he happened to see Karin sitting on a bench in the hallway, her little legs dangling and swinging in the air.
The moment she saw Kyoshin, she immediately jumped off the bench and ran over.
"Big Brother Kintsuchi!"
"Finished with the examination?"
"Mom's still inside." Karin pointed toward the treatment room beside her. "The doctor said Mom needs a few days of rest and recovery, but she'll get better very soon."
Her expression was extremely serious, as though she were faithfully repeating the doctor's exact words.
Kyoshin felt relieved as well. "That's good. You need to behave these next few days too. Don't make your mother worry."
"Mhm!" Karin nodded hard, then grabbed Kyoshin's hand. "Big Brother Kintsuchi, can we really stay in Iwagakure from now on?"
"Really."
At that moment, a familiar voice sounded from the doorway.
"Kintsuchi! You're finally back!"
Kyoshin turned his head and saw Kurotsuchi walking quickly into the medical division.
Her gaze swept between Kyoshin and Karin before finally landing on their joined hands. One eyebrow lifted slightly.
"So this is the little girl you rescued?" Kurotsuchi walked over and smiled at Karin. "Hello there, little sister. What's your name?"
Karin timidly hid behind Kyoshin and answered softly, "Karin…"
"Karin, huh? Nice name." Kurotsuchi straightened up and looked at Kyoshin, the corners of her lips curving into a half-smile.
"Kintsuchi, you made a huge contribution this time and even gained a little sister. You're not going to start liking the new one more than the old one, are you?"
Her breath brushed lightly against his ear, carrying a faint fragrance.
Kyoshin stepped back, widening the distance between them. "Quit messing around. Karin and her mother just went through a lot. They need someone to take care of them."
"Alright, alright, I know." Kurotsuchi waved her hand, then gave Karin a friendly smile. "Karin, I'm Kurotsuchi, a friend of Big Brother Kintsuchi."
"If there's anything you don't understand in Iwagakure from now on, or if anyone bullies you, you can come find me."
Kurotsuchi rubbed Karin's head. Karin instinctively shrank farther behind Kyoshin. "Thank you, Big Sister Kurotsuchi."
"Looks like little sister Karin likes her big brother more~" Kurotsuchi looked at Karin.
Her tone sounded perfectly normal, yet somehow there seemed to be a faint sourness hidden underneath.
At that moment, the treatment room door opened.
Chinatsu walked out. Her complexion looked much better than before, and the bandages on her body had been replaced with fresh ones.
When she saw Kyoshin, a smile appeared on her face. "Lord Kintsuchi… Ah… and this is?"
"I'm Kurotsuchi." Kurotsuchi introduced herself first. "Welcome to Iwagakure."
"Th… thank you." Chinatsu replied somewhat stiffly.
Kyoshin asked, "Finished with the examination? If everything's fine, let's head back together. We're going the same way anyway."
Chinatsu nodded. "Alright. The examination is done."
"I'll come too." Kurotsuchi said. "Perfect timing. I wanted to see how well your stone house has been cleaned up."
The four left the medical division and headed toward Kyoshin's stone house.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the streets of Iwagakure.
And somewhere along the way, certain subtle feelings quietly began to take root.