Chapter 75: A Grand Gift, Little Sister-in-law, and Karin

Chapter 75: A Grand Gift, Little Sister-in-law, and Karin

“Izayoi-kun, you’re back!”

As Izayoi arrived outside the villa with Hanabi Hyuga, a girl’s voice rang out before they could even step inside.

In a flash, Karin materialized before them. Her crimson eyes—matching her fiery red hair—locked onto Izayoi, then lit up with joy.

“This time, it’s my real body.”

Izayoi nodded, smiling. “Thanks for your hard work, Karin.”

“No trouble at all!” Karin shook her head fervently, her face glowing with gratitude. “Compared to my life in Grass Village, this place is paradise. I only helped you buy materials for Sunagakure, yet you gave me this luxurious house and generous payment. I feel unworthy of this kindness.”

“Don’t say that. You’ve been invaluable.”

As Hanabi pouted nearby, Izayoi reached out and affectionately ruffled Karin’s hair—now silky and lustrous, a far cry from its previously brittle state. “Few people in this world earn my trust. You’re one of them. I’m almost grateful Grass Village was short-sighted. If they hadn’t been so foolish, I wouldn’t have found my clan during the Chūnin Exams.”

“Haha… I’m just glad I met you, Izayoi-kun!” Karin leaned into his touch, her smile radiant with devotion. “I’ll never let you down!”

Watching Karin practically radiate loyalty, Hanabi’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

So this woman is Oniisan’s clan member.

That means he’s not cheating.

Of course—if he were, he wouldn’t have brought me here.

Her initial hostility toward Karin melted away instantly.

After chatting briefly at the door, Izayoi led Hanabi inside, introducing the two girls along the way. Learning that Hanabi was Hinata Hyuga’s younger sister—the one who’d protected her in the Forest of Death—Karin’s affection for the girl surged, treating her like a younger sibling.

“Hanabi, you and Karin can explore the villa or go out if you’re bored,” Izayoi said, patting Hanabi’s head. “Oniisan has work to finish. I’ll join you later.”

“Okay, okay!” The precocious girl nodded eagerly. “Oniisan’s work is more important. Karin-nee will keep me company.”

“I’ll leave her to you, Karin,” Izayoi added with a smile.

“Leave it to me, Izayoi-kun!” Karin vowed solemnly.

With that, Izayoi departed, arriving at a locked door. Beyond it lay a staircase descending into a vast, crowded basement. Rows of figures stood in formation—nearly a hundred in total, with more sealed in large scrolls on a nearby table.

All wore black cloaks embroidered with crimson clouds. Most were faceless puppets wrapped in bandages, their eyes vacant. Others were corpses reanimated as human puppets, supplemented by missing-nin hunted by Shadow Clone.

Activating his Rinnegan, Izayoi moved among them, channeling chakra into their cores like charging batteries. “Whether the system has hidden mechanics—or how hard these ‘upgrades’ will be—depends on you lot!”

“But this grand gift will surely delight Akatsuki and Lord Danzō.”

Once every puppet was recharged, Izayoi returned upstairs, taking Karin and Hanabi to stroll along Cherry Blossom Street.

“How’s your recovery?” he asked Karin.

“Better than ever! I’ve got so much energy now,” Karin beamed. “Thanks to your healing and Shadow Clone’s herbal meals.”

“What about your future plans? The materials are secured for now. Will you stay here managing things, or keep training as a ninja? Either way, I’ll teach you jutsu to grow stronger.”

“I’ll do whatever you want,” Karin said firmly.

“I like hearing that,” Izayoi chuckled, ruffling her hair. “But I want to know your true wishes. You’re not just my subordinate—you’re family. Whatever you choose, I’ll support it.”

His sincerity made Karin’s eyes well up.

In Grass Village, they’d shown her only cruelty. She’d expected to die young, like her mother—withered and broken. But here, Shadow Clone had whisked her to this paradise, handing her a villa, a vault of gold, and even hiring chefs to restore her health. He’d gifted her designer clothes, priceless jewels, and taught her ninja techniques far beyond Grass Village’s teachings. Even Kurosuki Raiga’s Thunder Sword became her training tool.

All for a simple errand.

All without a shred of suspicion.

This boundless care and trust moved her to tears. Izayoi was her world—her god.

Wiping her eyes, she grinned. “I want to become a ninja.”

To help you even more…

Izayoi smiled. “Then I’ll make you one of the strongest kunoichi.”

Their moment broke as Hanabi tugged Izayoi’s sleeve.

“What about me, Oniisan?”

Pinching her cheek playfully, Izayoi teased, “You’ll be the strongest too—someday.”

“Hmph! I’ll tell Oneechan you said I’m better!” Hanabi stuck out her tongue.

“Right now, your sister’s still stronger,” Izayoi smirked.

“Ew! Not fair!”

Mimicking her earlier antics, he clutched his chest dramatically. “Hanabi wants to betray Oniisan? My heart’s broken! You’ll need… a hundred massages to fix this!”

“I’m sorry, Oniisan!” Hanabi flung herself at him, nuzzling his chest before flashing puppy eyes. “Forgive me, please?”

“Gotcha,” Izayoi chuckled, flicking her nose. “Let’s go see the cherry blossoms.”

Lifting her onto his shoulders with practiced ease, he led them outside, the trio bathed in spring’s gentle glow.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end