[Fine!]
[The Great Fox rolled its eyes and fell silent.]
[And at this moment.]
[Kushina and Minato Namikaze had already arrived within the Forest of Death.]
[In fact, they had already arrived when Karin was crying her eyes out.]
[That conspicuous head of red hair.]
[And the sense of intimacy brought about by their bloodline.]
[Everything was self-evident.]
[Having experienced that level of genjutsu, Kushina managed to restrain herself and didn't fly into a rage on the spot.]
[Naruto naturally sensed the arrival of the two as well.]
[Thus, instead of rushing along with Karin, he held her small hand and strolled through the Forest of Death.]
[Minato Namikaze was naturally driven ahead by Kushina to lead the way.]
[Kushina followed silently behind.]
[Forcing down the urge to go down and acknowledge them.]
[On the way, Naruto kept comforting Karin.]
[And Karin finally let down her guard, recounting the events of these past years through tears.]
[Killing intent flashed through Naruto's eyes more than once.]
[But he restrained it perfectly.]
[If the Land of Whirlpools hadn't been destroyed.]
[How would those Kusa Ninja have dared to have such nerve?]
[Kushina's eyes turned red.]
[Especially when she heard about Karin's mother, Uzumaki Mina... this former childhood playmate's experiences over the years and her ultimate end.]
[Kushina almost went berserk several times, wanting to charge straight into Kusagakure.]
[But she was stopped by Minato Namikaze every time.]
[Minato Namikaze remained silent the whole way.]
[He knew that whether it was Kushina or Naruto, they were likely both aiming to wipe Kusagakure off the map.]
[To be honest, he still felt some reluctance in his heart.]
[However, looking at Kushina and Naruto, and finally letting his gaze fall on that poor young girl, he came to terms with it.]
[Living a second life, in this life, he would live for his family.]
[As for anything else... it wasn't important.]
[The hero Hokage was a thing of the past.]
[The feeling of losing family... Minato Namikaze didn't want to experience it again.]
[Wiping out Kusagakure directly—is it wrong?]
[He didn't know, and Minato Namikaze didn't want to know.]
[Regardless, if his wife and child... and the girl who was almost certainly his future daughter-in-law were willing, then it was right!]
[Moreover, Minato Namikaze was absolutely going to rush to do this himself, not letting Naruto touch it.]
[In Minato Namikaze's eyes, this was dirty and exhausting work that he should do... perhaps as a way to make up for his inner guilt toward Naruto, something a father should do...]
["Uzumaki Naruto..."]
[Karin murmured.]
[Then she looked down at the large hand holding her small hand.]
[Afterward, she stole a glance at that handsome profile.]
[Seeing that he seemed to notice, she quickly lowered her head again.]
[Her pretty face heated up... gradually, steam began to rise from the top of her head.]
[Naruto was startled.]
[Then, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.]
[He didn't expect that after Hinata, there would be another girl so shy that holding hands would turn her into a steam engine.]
["From today on, your name is Uzumaki Karin."]
["Mm~"]
[Karin naturally had no objection, only nodding softly like an obedient and well-behaved little girl.]
[After accepting the surname, Karin grew a bit bolder and leaned slightly closer to Naruto.]
[Then... a top-tier scent intake!]
[Even more water vapor rose from her head.]
[Naruto: "..."]
[Something seems a bit off...]
[Karin also seemed to have realized something, becoming so embarrassed she almost forgot how to walk.]
["Ahem... Karin, remember this."]
["We are among the few survivors of the Uzumaki Clan."]
["The Land of Whirlpools... I will rebuild it."]
["Speaking of which, since you and I are the same age, maybe our mothers even knew each other."]
["Mm..." Karin nodded softly.]
[Then she tried her best to restrain her somewhat abnormal behavior.]
[Seeing her so constrained, Naruto chuckled and said, "No one will restrict you anymore. From now on, you can do whatever you want."]
["Mm~"]
[Seeing her like this, Naruto felt it was about enough.]
[He took a deep breath and adjusted his emotions.]
[Next, he slowly rolled up Karin's sleeve.]
[When he saw several conspicuous bite marks on that slender, fair arm.]
[Naruto's pupils constricted slightly.]
[Rage was about to surge up.]
[Suddenly, he noticed these bite marks... seemed to all be from the same person.]
["It's... it's Mama..."]
["Mama didn't want to... but if I didn't let Mama bite... Mama probably wouldn't have lasted long ago."]
[Karin lowered her head in self-deprecation, tears welling in her eyes.]
[Heal Bite... was actually used like this by those animals?!]
[Phew—]
[Naruto's breathing became slightly hurried.]
[This feeling made him feel a bit suffocated.]
[And from Karin's words, it wasn't hard to tell.]
[Her mother had been sucked dry to death.]
[Those beasts of Kusagakure were even unwilling to let her replenish her condition... seemingly for fear that once in good condition, she would have the ability to escape.]
[Karin was still young... she was inevitably used as a bargaining chip to threaten her.]
[Taking a deep breath, Naruto raised his hand.]
["Karin, don't be afraid."]
["No one will bully you anymore."]
["Come, fist bump with me."]
[Naruto tried to keep his tone as gentle as possible.]
["Mm..."]
[Karin naturally did not refuse.]
[Tap—]
[The moment their fists bumped.]
[Karin's petite body stiffened.]
[Then she tilted her snowy-white neck back, looking at Naruto with a face full of disbelief.]
[Naruto gently rubbed her small head.]
["Don't worry."]
["You'll be able to recover soon."]
["I'm sorry... I always thought there might be no survivors left of the Uzumaki Clan."]
["So I didn't actively go looking... it's different now."]
[Karin's legs went soft.]
[Naruto was quick and immediately pulled her into his embrace.]
[Too weak to handle the sudden replenishment.]
[Karin's head was dizzy, and she didn't know what had happened yet.]
[Naruto sighed.]
[Feeling somewhat self-reproachful.]
[If it had been earlier... perhaps he could have saved Karin's mother.]
[Now that things had come to this, he could only try his best to make up for it.]
[Later, he would have his secret agents search for the survivors of the Uzumaki Clan from back then.]
[However, Karin was an Uzumaki after all, and one of those with extremely strong talent.]
[Her vitality was exceptionally powerful.]
[She recovered quickly.]
[Only, there was still a slightly sickly flush on her pretty face.]
[Seeing Naruto looking over, Karin immediately buried her small face in Naruto's chest.]
[She only felt her whole body was warm and very comfortable.]
[Not only was her body warm, but her heart was also warm.]
[Everything felt like a dream.]
["Naruto... Onii-chan~"]
[Alright.]
[Now it wasn't a matter of whether the future Karin was willing.]
[But whether Naruto slept soundly... he was going to be night-raided.]
["Mama~"]
["I... I know the reason for living... and I've found the meaning of living on."]
[In less than an hour.]
[Karin's entire being was almost becoming 'Naruto-shaped'.]