Naruto slept at his own place at night, and there were never other adults around.
This was the only set she had.
She had no idea that the man she was reassuring herself about could already see everything clearly… though he said nothing.
When Arata entered, Xinglin lowered her head further.
Her face burned, heat spreading across her cheeks. Despite her attempts at self-comfort, embarrassment and an unfamiliar sense of tension welled up inside her.
Meanwhile, Karin glanced curiously between her mother and Arata. She didn't understand what was happening… only that something felt odd.
Her mother wouldn't lift her head, and Arata stood frozen by the door.
When Karin looked at him, Arata snapped out of it.
He coughed lightly and asked,
"Sister Xinglin, are you ready?"
Still looking down, Xinglin answered softly,
"Yes… Arata.
Please check Karin first.
I'll feel more at ease once she's done."
Arata's gaze briefly flicked downward before he immediately averted his eyes.
*At that size… still not at ease?* he thought fleetingly, then nodded.
"Alright. I'll start with Karin."
Just as he had done with Naruto, Arata had Karin lie down on the bed.
He then extended his hand and activated the Mystical Palm Technique.
As a cornerstone of medical ninjutsu, this technique could rapidly stimulate cellular regeneration while also allowing the user to carefully sense and examine the target's physical condition.
Thanks to the significant growth of Arata's spiritual strength, his control over such fine-tuned techniques had become exceptionally smooth.
The green glow of the Mystical Palm on his hand was restrained and gentle, resembling clear water flowing along with his movements.
The Mystical Palm Technique was an A-rank jutsu. It required not only a large amount of chakra but also intense focus and precision.
This was precisely why full examinations at ninja hospitals were so expensive—they consumed immense mental and physical effort.
By the time Arata finished examining Karin, she had fallen asleep.
The sensation was akin to a full-body massage, and children were especially prone to drifting off.
After finishing, Arata finally straightened his back and let out a breath of relief. He had been bent over for quite some time.
Just as he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, Xinglin....who had been waiting quietly....stepped forward and did it for him with a tissue.
Arata didn't dare move.
He was much taller than Xinglin, and as she wiped his forehead, his gaze naturally dipped… only to fall into a deep curve below.
The sleepwear's loose collar revealed more than intended, and from that angle, the view was unmistakably clear.
Arata glanced twice, then quickly looked away.
With his sharp vision, he had even noticed a small mole...but lingering would have made Xinglin aware. He immediately shifted his gaze elsewhere.
After wiping his sweat, Xinglin said nothing. She gently lifted the sleeping Karin and carried her into the guest room where Naruto was sleeping.
Karin had already fallen into a deep, steady sleep, her small chest rising and falling softly beneath the blanket.
Naruto, exhausted from the day, was out just as quickly, sprawled messily across the bed.
Xinglin quietly closed the sliding door behind them.
To be safe, she activated a simple sound-dampening seal....nothing advanced, just enough to ensure that no noise from the main bedroom could ever reach them.
Only then did she turn back.
The house grew still.
When she saw Arata again, a faint blush surfaced once more.
"Are you tired, Arata? Do you need to rest for a bit?"
Arata shook his head with a small smile.
"I'm fine, Xingling Onee-san. I'm not too tired. Let's begin. I can rest after checking you."
Her face reddened again at his words.
Xinglin walked over, lay down on the bed just as Karin had, and closed her eyes.
However, the slight tremble of her eyelashes betrayed her nervousness.
Uchiha Arata looked at Xinglin lying before him in her sleepwear.
The fabric was thin, its transparency just a little too high, and his heartbeat involuntarily sped up. His mouth felt dry.
The temptation of the moment was undeniable.
Originally, Arata had only intended to examine Uzumaki Xinglin and her daughter and quietly copy the Uzumaki bloodline during the process.
He had not expected to be faced with an even greater test of self-control.
He took a deep breath, forcibly calming his racing heart.
His gaze sharpened, growing serious. Since he had said he would examine her properly, he would do so without compromise.
Focusing his attention, Arata activated the Mystical Palm Technique.
A glow like clear, emerald-green water gathered around his right hand.
He gently placed it on Xinglin's body and began the examination, slow and meticulous.
Head. Face. Facial features. Neck. Shoulders. Arms. Chest. Internal organs. Thighs.
Time passed minute by minute. In the blink of an eye, an entire hour slipped by.