Chapter 14: Byakuya's Background

The invitation to join Akatsuki unfolded with surprising ease. The moment Byakuya extended his hand, Karen readily agreed. This swift acceptance left him bewildered.

Did he possess some unknown charisma, or had he accidentally stumbled upon the ultimate genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, without even realizing it?

A moment's reflection dispelled these notions. Karen likely had limited options. A refugee from the Land of Whirlpools, she'd finally found a village willing to grant her asylum, only to be whisked away by Byakuya and his companions.

Now, adrift in the harsh world of shinobi, joining this enigmatic organization seemed like the least perilous path.

At the very least, Akatsuki boasted other Uzumaki clan members, hinting at a possible acceptance of those sharing her bloodline.

Just as Byakuya contemplated Karen's motivations, a system notification blared to life in his mind:

[System Notification: A new Uzumaki ninja has joined the Akatsuki. Reward: Uzumaki Bloodline (Complete)]

The notification snatched Byakuya's attention. With a mumbled excuse, he retreated into the woods, seeking a secluded spot. There, he opened the system panel and with a focused click, accepted the reward.

[Name: Byakuya]

[Age: 12]

[Current Affiliated Organization: Akatsuki]

[Chakra Nature: Water, Wind, Yang]

[Ninjutsu: Transformation Technique, Basic Kunai Throwing Technique, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, Water Release: Wild Water Wave, Paper Release: Basic, Explosive Tag Creation Technique]

[Kekkei Genkai: (None)]

[Bloodline: Uzumaki Bloodline]

[Personal Evaluation: Jōnin level, can easily crush ordinary ninjas, but stands little chance against true powerhouses]

The system panel greeted Byakuya with a familiar layout, except for the bloodline section. The previous inscription, "Half," had vanished, replaced by the triumphant declaration: "Uzumaki Bloodline (Complete)." Now, Byakuya could finally claim his true heritage. He was an Uzumaki, his lineage granting him the potential to become a jinchūriki and serve his village with even greater power.

With a satisfied click, Byakuya closed the panel and turned his focus inward. The enhancements coursing through his veins were undeniable. His physical prowess had improved, his movements sharper and more explosive. But the most significant change manifested in his sensory abilities. Previously limited to a mere 300 meters, his perception now stretched a staggering kilometer. This range might fluctuate depending on the environment, but for now, it was more than sufficient. He knew his growth wouldn't stop here; the path to becoming a formidable ninja had just taken a monumental leap.

Following his sensory sweep, Byakuya assessed his chakra reserves. To his delight, they had roughly doubled, placing him in a league above even seasoned Jōnin. This was a game-changer.

A sudden thought struck him, and Byakuya reached for his forehead protector. The polished metal reflected his face, his familiar black hair framing his features. He was relieved.

It seemed the bloodline wouldn't alter his appearance – no unwanted changes like the First Hokage's face sprouting on his chest upon acquiring Wood Release (a horrifying prospect).

He wasn't certain Uchiha pervert seeking eternal power through stolen eyes; he was Byakuya, and he wouldn't trade his identity for anything.

Verifying his surroundings with his enhanced senses, Byakuya confirmed a safe perimeter for several kilometers. With his mission accomplished, he returned to the temporary camp, his mind set on starting a fire and preparing a well-deserved meal.

As he settled onto a rock, a persistent gaze caught his attention. Karen, ever since joining their camp, had been stealing glances at him, her eyes filled with a curious intensity.

A few inquiries later, Byakuya pieced together the events that transpired in his absence.

Nagato and Konan, in their conversation with Karen, had revealed his role as the mission's architect. They also shed light on Kusagakure's nefarious plan – to exploit her as a breeding tool.

The revelation of Kusagakure's true intentions sent a wave of complex emotions crashing over Karen. She had braced herself for sacrifices to secure her place in the village, but this was a violation she couldn't stomach.

Healing the ninjas, that she could understand. But becoming a vessel for procreation, birthing children destined to become mere tools like herself – that was an unbearable prospect.

In the face of this horrifying revelation, Karen's perception of Byakuya shifted dramatically. Gratitude bloomed within her.

He wasn't just a stranger, but a savior who had pulled her from the clutches of a living nightmare.

A newfound sense of kinship bloomed within Karen, a subtle connection forged by shared experiences. Over the following days, Nagato, Konan, and Karen spent their evenings weaving tales of their pasts. Learning of Nagato and Konan's orphan status created an immediate bond. They were all adrift in a world that had snatched away their families, leaving them with only each other for solace.

Byakuya, however, found amusement, barely suppressing a chuckle, as Nagato attempted to imitate him, declaring that Karen was too naive. This lighthearted moment was broken by Karen's hesitant question, her voice barely a whisper, " Byakuya-senpai, are you...alone too, like Konan-senpai and Nagato-senpai?"

The question struck a nerve, almost an accusation. While he couldn't deny it, Byakuya possessed no memories of his true origins.

The original owner's past remained shrouded in mystery, leaving him an orphan in a world not his own. This realization sparked an idea. He could craft a new identity, a believable backstory that resonated with his comrades.

With a somber expression, Byakuya offered a slow nod. "Yes, Karen. I lost my parents when I was very young. All I have are a few books hinting at their ninja past, but my memories of them are fragmented at best."

"Life after their disappearance was a harsh one. The other children ostracized me for being an orphan, and with no parents to care for me, healing from injuries became a lonely struggle."

"One day, bandits raided our village, and I was offered as a tribute to appease them. In their hideout, weakness was a death sentence. I learned to feign it, to blend in with the shadows."

"But within those shadows, I discovered the flow of chakra, the path of a ninja. On my first mission, I returned to that bandit hideout and exacted my revenge. Since then, I've been a lone wolf, wandering the Land of Rain until I joined Akatsuki."

His voice trailed off, a melancholic silence settling over the group. As Byakuya finished his fabricated narrative, Nagato and Konan inched closer, their expressions somber.

Compared to Byakuya's solitary struggle, their own past seemed idyllic. True, they had lost their parents, but they had each other. The years spent under Jiraiya's tutelage, though brief, were filled with warmth and guidance.

The darkness Byakuya had endured, far greater than they could have imagined, shed light on his underlying distrust of nomadic ninja. He wasn't just a warrior; he was a survivor, forever marked by the trials he had faced alone.

Karen, too, fell silent after Byakuya's tale. She'd thought her own life, stolen from the Land of Whirlpools and exploited in Kusagakure, was marred by hardship. Yet, Byakuya's experience painted a picture of utter isolation and betrayal. A pang of sympathy, unfamiliar but genuine, bloomed within her.

Despite the brutality he'd endured, Byakuya had clung to life, even offering her a lifeline out of Kusagakure.

This stark contrast between their experiences underscored a key difference: Byakuya, forged in the crucible of loneliness, had hardened, while Karen, sheltered in her own way, remained naive.

Observing the pensive faces around him – Karen's wide-eyed empathy, Nagato and Konan's somber reflection – Byakuya released a soft sigh.

"The past is a prologue, we cannot change it, but we can shape our future. Here, within the flames of Akatsuki, we have found a semblance of family, a purpose that transcends individual goals. Yet, let us not lose sight of the harsh realities that bind us. This world offers no solace for the naive. We must be prepared, for the path we tread is fraught with thorns."

(AN: MC is such a cunning prick.)