A few days later, inside a guesthouse room.
"General Mifune really doesn't waste any time! In just a few days, he managed to find so many cultivation techniques for me!" Aizen said, looking at the massive pile of scrolls beside him.
Truthfully, Mifune's cooperation wasn't unexpected.
For one thing, these cultivation techniques were basic and low-value to begin with.
And secondly, collecting them supported Aizen's claim that he was developing new techniques. Otherwise, why would one person need so many cultivation methods?
Of course, in the end, strength speaks for itself.
An ordinary person shouting about peace would rarely be taken seriously. But when the First Hokage spoke those same words, they were treated as gospel.
Mifune probably still had some expectations regarding Aizen's claimed development of a more efficient way to utilize bodily energy.
As Aizen mused on this, Karen Kagura's voice came from outside the door.
"Lord Aizen!"
"Please come in."
Pushing the door open, Karen Kagura entered carrying a tray of food. "Lord Aizen, I've brought your lunch!"
"Thank you," Aizen smiled slightly, then turned toward the door. "Our guests outside, won't you come in?"
"Sorry, sorry!"
With those words, two men and one woman stepped inside.
Seeing this, Karen Kagura quickly placed the food on the table and stood protectively in front of Aizen. "Who are you? Don't blame me if you don't like what happens when you come closer!"
Although she had potential, harnessing her inner strength would take time. After only a few days of training, she obviously couldn't master any cultivation techniques yet.
Her confidence came entirely from her ability to "release spirits"—and not just one, but four at once!
"Don't worry, we're not bad people," Yahiko grinned, pushing Nagato forward beside him. "See? This guy has the same hair as you. He's also from the Uzumaki clan!"
Hearing them directly mention the Uzumaki clan caused Karen Kagura's heart to soften slightly. After all, she'd been taught by the Four Ancestors for some time now and understood some of the Uzumaki clan's characteristics.
Still, she didn't back down. "Trying to get on my good side won't help either. I won't let you near Lord Aizen unless you clearly state your purpose!"
Yahiko helplessly waved at Aizen from a distance. "Senior, are you the one who saved us from Hanzo last time?"
Aizen let out a soft chuckle. "That was me."
"Wait, you admitted it?!"
The three visitors were stunned. They had expected the usual dramatic back-and-forth—denial, counter-evidence, more denial, and finally reluctant admission—but none of that happened.
"Since you found me anyway, what's the point of me denying it?" Aizen smiled gently. "Besides, I haven't done anything I need to hide, have I?"
"Haha, no wonder you're our senior!" Yahiko grinned widely. His senior's straightforwardness was exactly to his taste.
Hearing their conversation, Karen Kagura's gaze softened considerably as she looked at them. "Were you saved by Lord Aizen too?"
"Of course..." Yahiko laughed, then suddenly froze. "Also? Miss, were you also saved by Senior?"
After glancing at Aizen and seeing he didn't stop her, Karen Kagura rolled up her sleeve and calmly said, "Because of the Uzumaki clan's incredible vitality, I was once treated as a medical beast. It was only when Lord Aizen appeared that he took me away from the abyss."
Looking at the bite marks covering her arm, the three instinctively shifted their gaze to other areas. Even though covered by clothing, other bite marks could be faintly seen.
Konan bit her lower lip, "Those people were too despicable!"
Nagato's eyes turned icy cold, "A bunch of trash!"
He was much luckier than her—at least he still had his teacher and his most trusted friend by his side!
Karen Kagura slightly shook her head, "I've already been very fortunate to meet Lord Aizen!"
"Not a wife and daughter after all!" Misjudging, Yahiko sighed in disappointment, "I thought Senior saved us because his wife and daughter were both from the Uzumaki bloodline!"
"Husband... wife? How could you say such things!" Karen Kagura's eyes blurred and steam seemed to rise from her head as she nearly transformed into a steaming girl.
"Actually, the reason I saved you and Karen Kagura does have something to do with the Uzumaki clan," Aizen sighed.
"Eh!" Yahiko exclaimed, "Could it be Senior is also from the Uzumaki clan? Maybe just a genetic mutation made your hair color different?"
At his words, everyone turned curious eyes toward Aizen.
"I just saw the Uzumaki's plight and couldn't help but feel sympathy for myself," Aizen said, carefully letting a flash of loneliness flicker through his eyes.
Could it be that Lord/Senior's clan also met a tragic end... everyone silently guessed, but didn't ask further.
Seeing the suddenly heavy atmosphere, Yahiko clapped his hands together to change the topic, saying, "Sister, since you're from Nagato's clan, why don't you become part of our cause too?"
Karen Kagura raised a brow. These folks seemed nice and all, but joining an organization after just one meeting felt way too rushed.
Seeing Karen Kagura hesitate, Yahiko explained, "Our organization was established to achieve ultimate peace. It's an idealistic, responsible, energetic and vibrant organization!"
Karen Kagura paused briefly, "My path lies only in the footsteps of Lord Aizen."
"Even better!" Yahiko suddenly lit up and turned his excited gaze toward Aizen, "Senior, how about you join us too!"
Aizen smiled, "You want to invite me to join without even knowing my identity, background or personality?"
"Those details aren't important!" Yahiko looked at him with shining eyes, "As long as we share the same dream, that's enough. I believe Senior is also a peace-seeking dreamer!"
"This world rarely sees someone as pure as you anymore!" Aizen remarked.
"Then Senior, you agree?" Yahiko asked excitedly.
"Perhaps you could at least allow me some time to think it over," Aizen replied with a faint smile.
"Haha, guess I pushed too hard!" Yahiko chuckled, "But Senior, don't even think about sneaking away!"
Aizen smiled wryly, "Why would I run away?"
"That's for the best then!"
With a loud laugh, Yahiko, looking like a villain out of an old tale, stood with his hands on his hips and led Nagato away.
"What a weirdo!" Karen Kagura commented beside them.
Once the group had left, Aizen released the restriction on the Mask.
Moments later, a few excited spirits burst forth from the Mask.
"Never thought there were still clansmen alive!"
"That's great news!"
"Why didn't you let us come out earlier, Aizen-sama?"
"Did Aizen-sama think they weren't good people? That's why you wouldn't let them meet our ancestors?" Karen Kagura snapped into alert.
While Nagato was a fellow clansman of hers, compared to Aizen's kindness, that connection meant nothing at all.
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