Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 102: The Uzumaki Clan

Tonari silently observed the girl's arm, covered in bite marks—some fresh, others scarred. Her expression, a mix of fear and determination, tugged at his emotions.

Though he wasn't usually sentimental, the harshness of the scene before him made his chest tighten.

The ninja world was cruel. Half a year into this life, Tonari thought he had prepared himself for its brutality. Yet, faced with the raw reality of the girl's suffering, he realized he wasn't as ready as he believed.

He studied her carefully. The red hair, the faint traces of chakra… It confirmed what he had suspected—she was an Uzumaki, like his friend Kushina.

But this girl wasn't just any Uzumaki. She was the mother of Karin, a key member of Sasuke's future Taka squad. Her lineage and abilities made her story all the more significant.

Her resilience reminded him of Karin's own declaration in the future: "You'll never know how much the one who avoids your gaze actually cares for you."

The weight of her legacy only deepened his sense of responsibility.

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Standing up, Tonari brushed the grass from his pants and approached the girl. Her immediate reaction was to shrink back, clutching her arm defensively. Her fear was palpable.

He stopped a short distance away and sighed. "A ninja without a homeland… It truly is a sad existence."

He wasn't sure what else to say. The words came to him, words he had once heard Orochimaru speak to Karin.

Her eyes flinched at the pity in his gaze. She had seen this look many times before but never once found a hand willing to help.

The silence stretched, awkward and heavy.

"You know," Tonari said, forcing a lighter tone, "your hair… it's beautiful."

She froze, visibly startled. For as long as she could remember, people only approached her for her abilities, not for compliments or kindness.

"My friend has the same hair color as you. Her name is Kushina Uzumaki," he added, gently prodding the conversation forward.

"Same hair color?" she echoed, her voice weak but tinged with curiosity. Her words carried a soft, almost melodic quality that begged to be cherished.

Encouraged, Tonari smiled. "Yes. Uzumaki Kushina. You're an Uzumaki too, aren't you? One of the clan's survivors?"

At the mention of the Uzumaki Clan, her demeanor shifted drastically. She began shaking her head violently, fear flooding her features.

"No, I'm not! I'm not Uzumaki! I have nothing to do with them!" she blurted, her voice rising in panic.

Tonari frowned, hesitated for a moment, then reached out.

Slap.

His hand gently rested on her head.

Her wide, fearful eyes met his, and his expression turned resolute. "It's okay. The Uzumaki Clan is the past. If it scares you, you can leave that name behind. Survival matters more than a name."

He smiled reassuringly. "Look at me—I don't even have a family name. And I'm doing just fine."

Straightening his posture, he added, "My name is Tonari. What's yours?"

The girl's tense shoulders slowly relaxed. "I… My name is Reika."

"Reika, huh? That's a lovely name," Tonari said warmly.

A faint blush crept onto her pale cheeks. For a moment, tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined not to cry.

Tonari noticed her effort and admired her strength. Compared to Kushina, Reika's hardships seemed even harsher. And yet, she endured.

Finally, she raised her arm again, her sleeve pulled back to reveal the scars. "Do you… want it?" she asked hesitantly, offering what she thought was her only value.

Tonari's heart clenched. Without a word, he took her arm gently in his hands.

Reika flinched, squeezing her eyes shut. She waited for the familiar pain of teeth biting into her skin.

Instead, warmth spread through her arm.

Opening her eyes, she saw Tonari's palm glowing faintly with green healing chakra. The pain and scars on her arm began to fade.

The sight left her stunned. The warmth from his hand seeped into her chest, melting the walls she had built around her heart.

Tears broke free, streaming down her cheeks. She trembled, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensation of kindness.

Tonari didn't rush her, silently finishing the treatment. When he was done, he gently rolled down her sleeve.

"There," he said softly. "No more scars."

Reika looked at him, her voice trembling. "Why…?"

Tonari stood. "Because no one should have to live like this."

He met her gaze seriously. "Come with me. I'll take you to a place where no one can hurt you anymore."

Reika froze, her lips parting in disbelief. The blush on her cheeks deepened.

"You… want me to come with you?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Tonari nodded. "I won't lie—I have my reasons. Your abilities are special, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in them. But the choice is yours. I won't force you."

Reika's head spun. This boy, a stranger, was offering her something she had never dared to dream of—a way out.

Finally, she nodded, her voice firm. "Okay."

Tonari blinked. "You're sure?"

Reika looked him in the eye. "I've been used my whole life. It doesn't matter who does it. At least with you… it feels different."

Her words carried a quiet determination that left Tonari momentarily speechless.

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(Chapter End)

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