As Uchiha Shin was about to gather his belongings and prepare for his journey to Hoshigakure, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze stretched far beyond his immediate surroundings, reaching across vast distances until his vision settled on Sunagakure. Through the Sage Seal he had placed on Karura, he could see everything as if he were standing there himself.
At that moment, Chiyo was leading the current Fourth Kazekage to the high-rise building where Karura was confined.
Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, had inherited the Magnet Release: Gold Dust technique from his predecessor. As the war raged on, he used this power to secure the stability of Sunagakure, earning the Daimyo's support and solidifying his rule. Though the village had suffered greatly in past conflicts, it was now in a state of recovery, far from its former glory but leagues better than the shattered ruins it had once been.
Inside the prison cell, Karura, who had spent years growing within these walls, had matured into a stunning young woman. She carried herself with an air of grace despite her circumstances. Uchiha Shin frequently visited her in secret, keeping her company, which helped her maintain a strong mindset despite her captivity.
When she saw Chiyo and the Kazekage enter, she simply offered them a small nod, her demeanor calm but detached.
"Elder Chiyo. Kazekage-sama. What brings you here?" she asked, her tone laced with cold politeness.
The only reason she remained in Sunagakure was the last shred of loyalty she felt toward her homeland. But as a Jinchūriki, she had lived in isolation, treated as a weapon rather than a person. Only Uchiha Shin had ever acknowledged her humanity, the only one to whom she had ever truly spoken her heart.
Unbeknownst to Chiyo, Karura had already resolved to leave the village one day.
Chiyo's expression remained unreadable as she got straight to the point. "Karura, we need you to marry the Kazekage and become his wife. You will be freed from this cell and live peacefully in the village."
Rasa, standing beside her, said nothing. His cold eyes remained fixed on Karura, evaluating her with a gaze that felt more like an appraisal than an acknowledgment of her as a person.
Hearing Chiyo's words, Karura chuckled softly. "A peaceful life? I've been locked away in here for years without losing my mind. I requested to leave these walls years ago—why didn't you agree then?"
Her voice carried an edge of bitterness. She had longed to serve her village, to prove herself, but their treatment of her had been nothing but cold and calculated.
Chiyo sighed as if speaking to a stubborn child. "We are agreeing now, aren't we? You must understand, Karura, Shukaku is unpredictable. We could not risk setting you loose when we had no means to control him. But the Fourth Kazekage has the power to keep him in check. By staying at his side, you ensure the safety of the entire village."
Rasa finally spoke, his voice filled with detached authority. "Elder Chiyo is right. As a Jinchūriki, you are one of Sunagakure's greatest assets. It is only natural that you be protected by me, your Kazekage."
The sheer arrogance in his tone made Karura's stomach turn. He spoke as if he were offering her some grand honor rather than forcing her into a cage of a different kind. If not for her status as a Jinchūriki, she knew he wouldn't even spare her a glance.
A chilling silence filled the room before Karura finally exhaled sharply. "You're just like the rest of them… I'm sick of this."
Both Chiyo and Rasa frowned at her reaction. There was no sympathy in their eyes—only irritation. To them, she was merely an unruly tool. Rasa opened his mouth, prepared to reprimand her, but Chiyo stopped him with a glance. The two exchanged brief eye contact before stepping out of the room to speak in private.
As soon as they left, Karura leaned against the cold stone walls, her expression dark with unspoken emotion. She lifted a slender hand, pale fingers brushing the empty air in front of her.
A ripple formed in the space before her.
In the next instant, Uchiha Shin stepped through the disturbance, appearing as if he had walked out of thin air. His dark eyes gleamed with intrigue as he took in her expression. "Karura, how did you know I was here?"
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Shin had silently warped into her cell. Coupled with his perfected Transparent Escape Jutsu, even seasoned shinobi like Chiyo and Rasa hadn't detected his presence.
Karura's mood instantly lifted at the sight of him, her lips curving into a playful smile. "Even you don't know? Then maybe you should try and guess, Shin."
He had made a habit of appearing out of nowhere just to startle her, amused by the way she'd react like a flustered kitten. But this time, the tables had turned.
Shin raised a brow, feigning offense. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, his grip firm yet warm. "Oh? You dare challenge me now, Karura? You've picked up bad habits."
Karura laughed softly, her voice like silk. "Hehehe~ Weren't you the one who kept scaring me, Shin-sama? I just wanted to return the favor."
Her delicate body pressed against his chest, and for a moment, the tension in her heart melted away. His hands, warm and steady, rested at her back, fingers grazing her smooth skin. The proximity sent a gentle warmth through her body.
A faint pink hue dusted her neck, but she made no effort to move away. Instead, she allowed herself to relax in his embrace, cherishing the rare comfort.
"If you really want to know how I knew," she murmured, her voice softer now, "I can only tell you that I just… felt it."
Her fingers traced idle patterns against his chest as she spoke. "Every time I'm sad, every time I feel alone… you always appear, over and over again. Even if I can't see you, I just know you're there."
Shin listened in silence, his arms tightening slightly around her. He had seen many women in his lifetime, but none had ever looked at him the way Karura did.
Her eyes, filled with quiet trust and unwavering faith, gazed up at him with a warmth that made something deep within him stir.
For Karura, Uchiha Shin wasn't just a shinobi, nor was he just a visitor in her life.
He was the one constant in her world of uncertainty—the only one who had ever made her feel like she wasn't alone.
And in this moment, she had no intention of letting go.
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Bonus Chapter - 100 Power Stones