Uchiha Arata's senses were as sharp as ever. Even though Uzuki Yugao's murmured words were as soft as a dream, he caught them all the same.
He turned his head, his tone warm and calm as he said, "You're awake? Not going to sleep a little longer?"
Yugao froze the moment his eyes met hers. She had no idea whether he had heard what she'd just whispered to herself.
In a flustered panic, she sprang upright, her cheeks burning crimson as she stammered, "A.....Arata-kun, I–I've already rested enough!"
The moment those words left her lips, she wanted to vanish into the ground itself.
Arata smiled faintly, about to say something. when his expression shifted.
His brows furrowed as his attention turned toward the mother and daughter from the Uzumaki clan.
At that moment, Karin stirred from her slumber. After an entire night of rest, her complexion had improved.
Though she still appeared fragile, her face now held a faint flush of color.....proof that she was recovering.
Seeing Arata's focus move away, Yugao exhaled quietly in relief. Her heart was still pounding from embarrassment.
To be caught daydreaming about someone by the very person in question.....she wanted nothing more than to sprint all the way back to her home in Konoha, slam the door shut, and never come out again.
Karin's mother stretched, letting out a soft yawn of contentment.
Back in the Grass Village, she had lived every day in fear...dragged out in the dead of night to have her chakra drained by the wounded. Rest had been a luxury she hadn't known for far too long.
Now, after one night of peaceful sleep, her mind and body finally felt light again.
The people of Grass had truly exhausted their own lifeblood.
Otherwise, with the vitality of the Uzumaki lineage, no ordinary person could have drained them to death.
Karin's mother, still a young woman in her twenties, possessed remarkable resilience.
Just one uninterrupted night's rest had already brought visible strength back to her body.
When she opened her eyes and saw Karin sleeping soundly beside her, a deep, motherly calm settled in her heart.
As for Arata using genjutsu to make her sleep last night....she didn't resent him. In her weakened state, she'd only been a burden.
Whether he had done it or not made little difference.
She'd long since grown used to enduring such things back in Grass.
As long as her daughter had a chance at a better life, nothing else mattered.
After a moment of quiet thought, she carefully lifted the sleeping Karin into her arms and approached Arata.
Arata noticed her coming and, out of courtesy, stepped forward to greet her.
Kakashi followed suit, walking alongside him.
Before the woman even spoke, she bowed deeply to them both and said softly, "
Thank you, shinobi of Konoha, for rescuing my daughter and me from Grass.
If not for you, we would have died there sooner or later."
Ever since that day when Arata had subdued him with a single glance, Kakashi had willingly taken him as his superior.
After all, Arata was destined to become an ANBU captain...there was no shame in following such a man.
So, when the woman expressed her gratitude, Kakashi wisely remained silent, leaving the response to Arata.
Arata gently helped her up and said with a mild smile, "As long as you and your daughter are safe, that's all that matters. You don't need to thank us.
Rescuing you from the Grass Village was part of our mission.
Now that you're free, we'll see you both safely to Konoha.
"For now, focus on recovering. Karin is still young .....she'll need you by her side as she grows.
Don't worry, the village won't force you into anything. You can simply live in peace."
At his words, tears welled in her eyes. Only those who had truly suffered understood how precious a quiet, ordinary life could be.
Since Arata's team had successfully rescued the two, there was no need to hurry back.
Traveling too fast with civilians would only tire them out anyway.
Besides, after a night of movement, they had already reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass.
Even if the Grass ninja wanted to give chase, they wouldn't dare cross into Fire territory.
Thus, the group took their time on the return journey, walking and resting as they pleased. During those days, the bond between Arata and Yugao deepened rapidly.
Their interactions were modest....after all, others were nearby .
but the silent glances, the quiet smiles, and the unspoken care between them told a story of its own.
At one point, Arata casually asked about Moonlight Hayate.
Yugao explained that they had trained under the same mentor, both specializing in Konoha-style swordsmanship..The Dance of the Crescent Moon.
Their skills had earned them a place in the ANBU together.
However, they were nothing more than senior and junior disciples.
Yugao had just joined the ANBU not long ago, and before anything could blossom between her and Hayate, Arata had stepped in.
Learning this, Arata couldn't help feeling secretly pleased.
Since Yugao wasn't attached to anyone, that made things all the better.
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