The previous excited expression on Tsunade's face had vanished. An air of concentration and a flash of pity and repulsion appeared in her eyes as she contemplated Uzumaki Yumi's body.
Although her skin had acquired a new glow and color after months without having her chakra and vitality taken, the marks were something that could not be erased, not even with Uzumaki regeneration.
Takeshi held nothing back on the way. He told her of Yumi's origin, as well as her ability and what Kusagakure did to her.
Despite knowing the story, seeing it with her own eyes shook the Sannin, both as a medical Ninja, a human being, and a woman.
But regardless of what she thought about it, she professionally examined Uzumaki Yumi. The conclusion was not good.
—How long do I have left, Lady Tsunade?— the redhead asked in a calm tone.
Tsunade remained silent, green chakra hissing in her palm as she stimulated skin recovery, successfully eliminating the bite marks.
After a long silence, she replied in an indifferent tone.
—A few years. Perhaps ten, perhaps a little more. At a minimum, within five years your health will begin to deteriorate, along with your body.
The Sannin looked into the Uzumaki's eyes, a flicker of sadness appearing fleetingly.
Regardless of the small margin of error, Yumi wouldn't live to see Karin become an adult.
The redhead nodded with a smile, looking at her now unmarked arms.
—Thank you, Lady Tsunade. Every second is valuable to me.
****************
—It's done, brat— Tsunade said in a neutral voice. Takeshi nodded, pointing to the bag of money on the table.
The blonde took it indifferently and left with Shizune without looking back or saying any other word or even counting the money.
Takeshi didn't ask unnecessary questions. From the change in attitude, it was clear that Yumi would not be able to recover and have a long life.
Although he didn't show it on his face, his chest sank slightly. Any other person was one thing, but he had lived with the woman for a brief, yet significant time.
Sure, a few months of traveling wouldn't be enough to establish a deep connection with a person, in most cases, but Takeshi was still human.
Having no reaction at all would have been questionable.
He walked to the room where Yumi was examined, finding the Uzumaki sitting on the bed, looking at the wall with a bitter smile.
—Thank you very much for your generosity, Master Takeshi— she said, turning in his direction.
Takeshi approached the side of the bed, extending his arms and embracing Yumi, stroking her red hair and burying his face in her chest.
After a few seconds, muffled sobs became audible and Yumi clung to him more tightly.
Regardless of mental strength or acceptance, knowing your lifespan was counted would overwhelm many. Even more so for Yumi, who had someone to live for, someone she wanted to see grow up.
Takeshi stayed by her side, silent, but reminding her that she was not alone. He remained until Yumi fell unconscious, exhausted and overwhelmed.
He gently settled her into bed, kissing her forehead and whispering a promise in his heart that he did not voice, fearing he might give the woman false hope.
—I will find a way, Yumi. You will accompany Karin throughout her journey, I promise you that.
Takeshi left the room, his ever-present smile no longer gracing his face.
His steps were silent as he crossed the hallway, passing by the room where Karin lay deeply asleep, a result of the exhausting journey and the night of partying she'd had.
The girl knew nothing of this. She wasn't told that they had been looking for Tsunade all this time or that they wanted to check on her mother's condition.
To Karin, this was nothing more than a vacation trip. It was Yumi's decision to keep it that way, and Takeshi would respect it.
What was the point of telling the almost 5-year-old girl that her mother's days were numbered?
Towards the end of the hallway, Takeshi gently pulled the sliding door open, entering his room where his mother, for once, was not waiting for him with a murky smile that no mother should direct at her son.
She looked at him with a serene face and a flicker of worry in her eyes.
The young man got into the sheets, his head resting in his hands and his gaze fixed on the ceiling, thinking, reflecting, planning.
Kimiko clung to his side, the intimate touch not as out of place as usual.
—It's not your responsibility— she suddenly whispered. Takeshi clenched his jaw but remained silent.
—You've done a lot for them, Takeshi. More than many would do in this cruel world— Kimiko raised herself slightly, looking intently at him. —I'm proud of you.
The young man softened his expression and gave the woman a slight smile.
—Thank you, Mom. But not all is lost yet.
Kimiko seemed to want to say something more, but he moved first, placing a finger on her lips.
—Do you trust me?— he asked, his usual smile adorning his face again.
The woman nodded in silence. She knew how intelligent and capable her son was. Not for nothing, the decisions were always made by him, while she simply followed and supported him.
The next morning, Yumi's attitude was less vivacious than before, more like when she was in Kusagakure.
Karin, who noticed this change, frowned and tried everything she could think of to improve her mother's mood.
It was during the uncomfortable breakfast that Takeshi made a decision and informed his group of their next moves.
—Well, our business in the Land of Fire has concluded. From now on, we will embark on a journey as far as possible from the Land of Grass and Kusagakure.
—First, we will go back through Sunagakure to pick up some money and from that point, we will continue moving until we cross to the other side of the continent. I haven't decided yet if our destination will be the Land of Sweets or the Land of Birds. Maybe further.
Yumi looked up, curious about what the young man was planning. Karin, for her part, focused on the so-called Land of Sweets, imagining a land of endless candy and sugar.
—What do you plan to do in such distant lands, Master?— the elder Uzumaki asked.
—To settle both of you in a safer place while I sort out some problems. I need time, and the process will be dangerous, so it's best for you to settle in a land far away from shinobi garbage for the time being— Takeshi explained.
—I don't want Big Brother to leave me!— Karin suddenly burst out with panic written on her face. Takeshi's words sounded like he was going to abandon them.
The young man smiled at the girl and continued speaking.
—I'm not going to leave you, Karin. But there will be dangers that your mom can't face. I need someone to take care of her, and I entrust this task to you. Can you do that?
—...
Karin thought about it carefully, her heart torn between wanting to stay by Takeshi's side and her love for her mother. She looked at Yumi, who had sacrificed so much for her well-being in Kusagakure.
Although she was still a child, Karin wasn't foolish. She was always aware that her mother protected her, and would have done so until the bitter end if necessary. How could she not want to protect her too?
For her part, Yumi remained silent. The woman didn't understand Takeshi's motivations, but she felt it was related to her health.
She was worried that the young man would get into trouble because of her, taking on a responsibility that wasn't his.
And despite that, she couldn't help a smile of gratitude escape her lips. Her heart pulsed with a brief flash of hope.
Hope that the mysterious young man who freed her from a much earlier death would manage to find a way to prolong her life even more.
Selfish? Perhaps, but the love for life and the fear of death are natural. Yumi didn't want to die; she didn't want to leave Karin behind.
She wanted to see her daughter grow up, become an adult, perhaps fall in love, start a family. She wanted to see every second of her life.
And deep down, she longed to find happiness herself.