-------------------------------------------------POV Karin----------------------------------------------
I walked briskly, arms crossed, eyes locked on the ground.
Am I really going to do this…?
Even thinking back on it, I can't believe I said yes.
Or maybe… I just didn't say no.
But apparently, for her, that was the same thing.
I was really surprised when she introduced herself as an Uzumaki.
I didn't believe her at first. I even tried to sense her chakra.
I didn't think there were any survivors left.
What I felt… wasn't chakra.
It was something far darker.
I thought I was going to die. No—worse. I felt death in that energy.
I've never been in such a situation, but I just knew.
Without knowing why… I just knew.
And yet… as toxic as that energy was, there was no hostility in it.
Most shinobi never notice when I scan them.
But she noticed right away. And she didn't appreciate it.
I got a "punishment"... from a girl way younger than me.
My backside still hurts. I swear she enjoyed it.
After that, she explained her circumstances.
Even though she left many parts in shadow.
She knew a lot about the Uzumaki. Some of her stories matched the ones my mother used to tell me.
And more than that—she completely understood how my abilities worked.
She spoke to me about Konoha, her brother, and the role he played there.
But she went silent when I asked why she wasn't living there anymore.
She planned to get me out of this village. Said she'd protect me.
But if I preferred, she could guide me to Konoha—supposedly an ally of the Uzumaki—or even take me to a relative of mine.
I didn't know who that relative was, but I clearly caught the sarcasm when she spoke about Konoha.
Still… she truly believed I'd be safer there.
When I tried to suggest alternatives, she kept making excuses.
Each time, steering the conversation back toward Konoha.
For some reason, I had the distinct feeling I was being used as bait.
But she left me no escape.
She asked me to gather my things and handed me sealing scrolls.
When I asked when and how we'd leave, she said:
"An employee doesn't leave their job without handing in their resignation first."
That's when I really started to doubt my choice.
But when I tried to bring it up, she just pouted and said:
"You don't have to. You could always just go back home. Resume your little routine."
That maniac wanted me to go face my superiors and submit an official request to leave.
Like they'd ever approve that.
But I was the one being helped here. And I could tell… she wasn't going to abandon me.
That said, she wasn't giving me much of a choice, either.
She asked for the names of those who treated me the least badly.
Then she had me describe those who were the worst.
She made sure I wasn't mistaken.
When I asked what she planned to do with those names, she replied:
"euuhh, family planing ?"
Her words didn't chill me. It was the tone that did.
Before I could ask more she simply vanished.
Now, as I stand in front of the dispensary, I realize my hands are slightly trembling.
At noon… I'll put the plan into action.
Honestly, the worst that could happen is that I go back to the same life.
Maybe with a bit less freedom.
But then again…
It's not like I had much to begin with.
I made my way to the treatment room, hoping this would be my last morning here.
But to my surprise—not a single patient.
Completely unusual.
Did she do something?
I stepped into the hallway… and saw no one.
The silence was almost suffocating.
I returned to the head doctor's office. The room was empty too.
The door was unlocked. The papers neatly stacked. Everything looked normal, but—
A shiver ran down my spine.
I swallowed hard, remembering the list Narume had me write the night before.
The ones who'd treated me well.
And the others.
I didn't want to believe she had done anything.
I told myself she was bluffing. Just putting on a show.
But when I saw a lone figure slumped against a wall, arm in a sling, eyes wide with the same confusion I felt…
I got my answer.
— Something happened this morning? I asked cautiously.
— You don't know? he replied.
— There was an attack last night. On the residential sector. You know, where the higher-ups live.
Most of the squads were summoned at dawn… but Unit C? They haven't come back.
And Unit D? Same. Radio silence.
I frowned.
Even though I'd only spent one evening with her, I think I had a sense of what kind of person Narume was.
The kind who does exactly what she wants as long as she thinks she can handle the consequences.
She'd said I had to "resign".
I hadn't told anyone yet.
But judging by the silence… she had already started the process for me.
I hope she's okay.
I don't want to lose the one person who might be the only family I have left.
Noticing my somber expression, the shinobi narrowed his eyes at me:
— You sure you don't know anything?
I shook my head.
— No. Nothing. By the way… if there was an attack… shouldn't there be wounded?
He shrugged, clearly too tired to care, and held up his arm.
— Then why hasn't anyone come to see me?
His face tensed.
— I probably shouldn't even be talking to you. They told us to avoid contact with you for a few days.
You shouldn't be out, honestly. Looks like this might concern you.
— I see… thanks for the heads-up, I said with a polite bow.
He walked off.
And once again, I was alone in the nearly empty street. I looked up at the sky.
I hadn't taken her seriously.
But now… I had no idea who—or what—I'd really spoken to last night.
When I returned to the dispensary, a note was waiting for me.
"Go home."
There was also a sizable pouch of money.
I had never been given that much before.
I took everything and started heading home.
As I approached the house…
A gentle scent of food drifted to my nose.
I picked up the pace.
She owes me some explanations.