"I am Uzumaki Kana, thank you for saving my life!"
After listening to Karin's description, her mother knelt down in front of Itsuki and kowtowed.
After standing up, she said seriously, "Thank you for saving us, mother and daughter. From now on, Kana's life belongs to you. No matter what you want me to do, I will do my best!"
Itsuki had given her a second life, and she was determined to repay him this way.
Even if Itsuki came to Kusagakure for her abilities, just like others had, she felt it was still better—like jumping from one fire pit into another.
At least this one allowed her to spend more time with her daughter. That alone was worth it.
Karin looked at her mother's actions, hesitated for a moment, and then wanted to kneel down as well.
However, she was quickly stopped by Itsuki, who also pulled Kana back up.
"I didn't save you for any kind of reward, nor does it have anything to do with your abilities," Itsuki said firmly, preventing Kana from kneeling again. "Don't worry, from now on, you are free."
"I just couldn't stand Kusagakure's cruelty and felt sympathy for your situation, so I rescued you. As for your future, that's yours to decide."
Kana and her daughter were both of the Uzumaki clan.
With their exceptional sensory abilities, they could easily tell that Itsuki's words were sincere.
If it were someone else, they might have been overjoyed and immediately started dreaming of a free life.
But Uzumaki Kana didn't feel relief—she felt unease.
Itsuki thought she was worried about pursuers, so he spoke gently to comfort her, "Don't worry about Kusagakure. They're already busy dealing with their own mess, and I won't give them the chance to capture you again."
Kana sighed. "I already heard from Karin that you destroyed most of Kusagakure. Now they're at war with a neighboring country. In such circumstances, they're doomed to fail. So no, I don't fear Kusagakure anymore."
"However, Lord Itsuki, you must already know of our abilities. Even if we are innocent, simply possessing them makes us guilty. We have no power to protect ourselves. Even if you don't demand repayment, I shamelessly beg you to protect us."
"At the very least, please take my daughter Karin under your wing. She's still young and hasn't had a proper environment for her training. If you give her time, I know she'll become a great help to you one day!"
Poor parents in this world!
Kana's words moved Itsuki.
Given Karin and her mother's situation, if no one protected them, it would be difficult for them to live in peace even if they left Kusagakure.
A beautiful mother and daughter, with little combat ability but rare special bloodlines—freedom without protection would only leave them vulnerable.
"Alright then," Itsuki said after a pause. "Come with me to the Land of Fire first. I'll find you a place to settle down, and then we'll discuss the rest."
He had never intended to abandon Karin and her mother anyway.
Karin's talent would definitely be useful in the future, and she was also a member of the [Fabrication System] chat group.
Itsuki's ability to fabricate the future mainly revolved around group members.
In other words, he could strengthen them and grant them more abilities by rewriting their fates.
But before that, he needed to ensure their loyalty.
"Thank you, Lord Itsuki!" Kana said with joy, pulling Karin down to kowtow again.
"Enough, enough, stop kneeling so much—I don't like it," Itsuki waved his hand.
Removing his mask, he added, "My name is Itsuki. Just call me that from now on."
He briefly introduced himself. Since they would be together from now on, it only made sense.
Judging by Kana's attitude, she already saw herself as his subordinate.
Itsuki didn't particularly want that, but he also wasn't going to act overly pretentious.
Still, Karin and Kana couldn't be brought directly to Konoha yet. Even ignoring Kusagakure, the Uzumaki bloodline was too sensitive.
So Itsuki created a Wood Release clone to remain behind while he himself led the mother and daughter toward the Land of Fire.
His main objective in Kusagakure had been achieved, but he hadn't forgotten about his ongoing mission.
Whether Kusagakure still had the resources to participate in Konoha's joint Chunin Exams wasn't something Itsuki needed to worry about.
Soon, his Wood Release clone returned to Kusagakure.
The Kusagakure leader had fainted from rage, and the entire village was on the brink of collapse.
Fortunately, he was revived by the noisy chaos around him, and after forcing down his frustration, he began to organize the villagers to launch rescue efforts.
Once their leader reappeared, the situation stabilized. Departments resumed their duties, and order was restored amid the ruins.
Meanwhile, Itsuki picked a random, unlucky Kusagakure shinobi to impersonate and slipped back into the village.
"Hey, you over there, come here!"
As soon as Itsuki emerged from a deserted street in disguise, he was stopped by a Grass ninja.
When he turned around, he saw it was the Big Sword Grass ninja.
The man's face was swollen like a pig's head, covered in bruises and scars—all courtesy of Itsuki's Wood Release clone earlier.
This ninja held a high position in Kusagakure, likely equivalent to Kakashi's status during Tsunade's tenure in Konoha.
To avoid suspicion, Itsuki appeared in front of him immediately.
But to his surprise, several figures walked out from behind the Big Sword ninja's residence—it was Might Guy's Team 3.
The Big Sword Grass ninja pointed at Guy and his team, saying to Itsuki, "These are guests from Konoha, but our village is in a special state right now and cannot host them. Escort them out for me."
He gave Itsuki a subtle look, but with his swollen pig-like face, Itsuki couldn't make out the expression.
Still, Itsuki guessed the meaning—he wanted to ensure that Guy and his team truly left Kusagakure.
After all, Kusagakure wasn't in any condition to pick a fight with them. And the man Itsuki was impersonating didn't have the ability to oppose them anyway.
With no other choice, Itsuki accepted the task and led Guy's team toward the village gates.
"My apologies for the poor hospitality. I hope you can understand," Itsuki said while guiding them. "Once our village stabilizes, should you visit again, we will host you properly."
"Hahaha! It's fine, it's fine—we understand!" Guy said with his usual wide, dazzling grin.
Seeing him like this, anyone unaware of his strength might never guess what a formidable ninja he really was.
"But there's something I'm curious about—if you'll forgive me for asking," Guy added, still smiling.
Itsuki glanced at him calmly. "You are honored guests of Kusagakure. If you have questions, ask. As long as it doesn't involve secrets, I'll tell you what I know."
"That's good…" Guy began carefully. "There were so many casualties just now. At first, I thought it was done by the enemy shinobi from the neighboring country you're at war with."
"But if it was them, they wouldn't let such an opportunity slip away. They'd send a large force to pursue you relentlessly. So I can't help but wonder… whoever caused this chaos—they weren't from an enemy country, were they? Just how much hatred is involved here?"