Chapter 27: Uzumaki Eri and Uzumaki Karin

Land of Grass, Kusagakure.

After more than a day's journey, Shishou, Mikoto, and two others finally reached their destination. Looking at the distant village, Shishou felt quite pleased.

Kusagakure had a good diplomatic relationship with Konoha and was very adept at learning ninjutsu from other villages.

Although it wasn't on par with the Five Great Shinobi Villages, it wasn't a place Shishou could easily invade, especially considering the terrifying Box of Ultimate Bliss housed within.

Fortunately, Shishou had no intention of storming in directly.

"Our target is a red-haired woman."

"We have two hours. I'll set off in half an hour."

"Whoever finds her first completes the mission."

"Those who fail will face punishment."

"If you raise suspicion in Kusagakure, the punishment will be doubled."

"Understood?"

Shishou issued the mission requirements to the three women behind him.

"Got it!"

The three women responded in unison and disappeared from sight.

Watching them vanish, Shishou chuckled. He wasn't overly concerned about whether they could complete the mission.

In fact, he hoped they wouldn't succeed. That way, he could play some games.

He hoped Karin's mother was still alive!

Thinking of Karin's tragic fate, Shishou sighed and set off after waiting for half an hour to search Kusagakure himself.

Due to their high chakra levels and unique ability to heal and restore chakra through bites, Karin and her mother, who had drifted to Kusagakure from the Land of Whirlpools, had always been treated as living batteries by the village.

In the original story, Karin's mother died in a war when Karin was still young, drained of chakra. Subsequently, Karin lived her mother's tragic life.

Even after encountering Orochimaru and Sasuke, she couldn't escape being treated as a tool.

Shishou didn't know where Karin and her mother were. However, after hypnotizing a Kusagakure ninja with his Sharingan, he found out.

Arriving at a dilapidated wooden hut in the village, Shishou heard shouting before he even got close.

"Hurry, let me take a bite."

"You guys hurry, I need another bite."

"Line up! Don't you know how to line up?"

Inside the hut, a pale woman with numb eyes sat on the ground, allowing five or six ninjas to bite her arm.

Her arm was covered in bite marks, looking extremely disgusting.

In a corner of the room, a six or seven-year-old girl trembled, hiding.

"You, let me take a bite."

Perhaps because he hadn't received treatment for a long time, a Kusagakure ninja eyed Karin hiding in the corner and approached her.

"No, don't touch her."

The woman, whose eyes had been numb, suddenly hugged the ninja and pleaded.

"Get off me!"

The ninja was about to kick the woman away, but he froze as a pair of crimson eyes appeared before him.

The next second, Karin and her mother vanished from the hut.

After bringing Karin and her mother outside, Shishou saw three figures rushing toward them. In an instant, Mikoto, Izumi, and Yugao appeared behind Shishou.

Looking at the Kusagakure ninjas who had just rushed out, Shishou suppressed his anger and issued a command.

"Kill them."

"Yes."

The three women detected the anger in Shishou's voice and didn't hesitate, charging at the Kusagakure ninjas.

Blades flashed, and blood splattered.

Although outnumbered, the Kusagakure ninjas were no match for the three women and were killed within minutes. Even a Genin who tried to escape was chased down and killed by Uzuki Yugao.

Seeing the bloody scene, Karin's mother turned pale and trembled, tightly hugging Karin.

With the disgusting trash dead, Shishou felt relieved. He then turned to Karin and her mother, who was protectively shielding Karin and looking at him fearfully.

Oh, she's quite pretty.

Well, the Uzumaki clan doesn't have many unattractive members. Even Nagato, who looked like a skeleton, turned into a handsome young man after replenishing his chakra.

Most importantly, the beautiful woman before him looked as delicate as a frightened rabbit, making one want to rush up and ravage her.

Though tragic beauty is the epitome of human allure, a beautiful yet tragic figure is quite appealing too.

"What's your name?"

"Give me your hand."

Shishou crouched before the woman and spoke calmly.

"U-Uzumaki Eri."

Despite her fear, the woman extended her hand to Shishou and stated her name. She was terrified that disobeying him would result in harm to her and her daughter.

"Are all these bite marks from them?"

Looking at the dense bite marks on Uzumaki Eri's arm, Shishou suppressed his disgust and placed his fingers on them.

"Yes."

Eri shivered, resisting the urge to pull her hand back, allowing Shishou to examine her arm.

Mikoto, Izumi, and Yugao joined Shishou, all stunned upon hearing Uzumaki Eri's name.

The Uzumaki clan's reputation in the ninja world rivaled that of the Senju and Uchiha clans. No wonder she caught Shishou's eye, compelling him to come personally.

Seeing the bite marks on Eri's arm made them shudder, with Uzuki Yugao covering her mouth and stepping aside.

"Someone's coming."

Mikoto looked toward the hut and alerted Shishou.

As a crucial medical asset in Kusagakure, Eri naturally drew attention. Moreover, the noise from the earlier fight had already attracted several people.

"I'll go first."

"You all find your own way out."

With that, Shishou vanished with Eri and Karin. He intended to use this opportunity to train the women.

"Izumi, Yugao."

"You two lead the way; I'll cover the rear."

"Yes."

...

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Shishou returned outside Kusagakure. He took out a candy and handed it to Karin.

"Here, this is tasty."

However, Karin just hid behind her mother, not daring to show her face. Even Eri kept her distance, not daring to look at him.

"Sigh."

"Don't blame me."

Shishou sighed, feeling a bit helpless with their reactions.

He then pressed Eri down, disarmed her, and placed his fingers on her bite marks.

"Don't move."

Seeing Eri struggling, Shishou spoke sternly.

Hearing this, Eri froze, tears streaming down her face, looking helpless and pitiful.

Then, a warm flow emanated from where he touched, bringing a blush to her pale face.