"Karin."
Naruto gently wiped a stray grain of rice from Karin's lip with his thumb.
"How did you know my name?" Karin thought.
Naruto's simple gesture made her blush again. True—he'd never asked or introduced himself since they met. Tilting his head slightly, Naruto placed a finger on his lips and teased, "Because I can read minds." He smiled mischievously. "Even if you don't speak, I can tell exactly what you're thinking."
"That's amazing," Karin whispered, her admiration sincere.
"Just kidding." Naruto ruffled her hair affectionately.
Though by age she might even be Naruto's cousin, their physical differences made him appear more like a protective older brother.
Suddenly, a harsh voice broke the moment: "Get out!"
A newcomer villager, unaware of Naruto's earlier massacre, tried to protest—but before he could fully speak, a red death beam shot through him, piercing his body like a bolt out of nowhere.
"Monster…" another stammered. The sudden, ruthless attack terrified the villagers—screaming, they scattered in fear.
But Naruto wasn't done. Flash—Flash—Flash—three more red beams flashed through the fleeing crowd, taking out those at the front in deadly strikes.
"Who said you can run?" Naruto's voice was soft but thunderous to the terrified villagers. They froze—not daring to even breathe, knowing another beam could hit them at any second.
You came here by your own choice—and leaving won't be so easy.
Just then, the crowd's panic rippled as someone whispered, "The Elder has arrived."
They thought the Elder might defuse the situation—but with cursed timing, another red death beam cut him off before he could react. The echo of his death came as a chilling reminder.
"Shhh, quiet," Naruto hushed. He put a finger to his lips, saying softly, "Remember what I said—be quiet."
"When did you say that?" some wondered.
"Oh, I hadn't—until now." Naruto tapped his head in a mock epiphany.
Terrified, the villagers trembled—blaming themselves for coming to gawk. All thanks to that ominous stranger.
A commanding presence strode forward: a fierce elder, eyes glinting with danger, a jagged scar running from forehead to chin. Behind him were forty or fifty armed shinobi—Kusagakure security in full force.
The elder frowned, his gaze sweeping across the bodies of fallen villagers—but then landed on Naruto and Karin.
"Hmph!" The elder's tone was sharp. His eyes now focused on Karin, cold and calculating, brimming with intent to kill. Feeling his presence, Karin instinctively grasped Naruto's cloak.
Naruto raised his hand—and in an instant, the elder's murderous chakra dissipated.
This elder's chakra presence rivaled even Wuwei's from Hozuki Castle. The strongest in Kusagakure, Naruto noted.
"Impressive," the elder acknowledged, nodding slightly. "No wonder you dared cause chaos here."
He paused. "They say you killed Yuichi and the others," someone nearby whispered.
Naruto cut him off. Then, pointing his glowing finger—
"Stop!" the elder commanded—but it was too late. A red beam flashed, striking the villager before he could finish his plea. Another silent death.
Naruto sighed softly: "Wind's too strong, missed your words."
That strange casualness unnerved the elder. Not a jutsu… something else entirely. His one-eyed gaze sharpened when Naruto spoke.
"To people like me, is killing peasants entertaining?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me if it's fun?"
A wry smile under his mask: "Of course—it is."
He turned to Karin and spoke gently: "Karin, you see—sometimes violence solves problems. When your fist is strong enough, people... respect you."
In this world, power protects you.
Far from Dragon Ball's innocence, Naruto had seen far more brutality—and entertained the thought of destroying a planet on occasion.
The elder stood silent, fury and fear fighting across his expression.
"Hmph!" He narrowed his eye. "You took from us—'property'—killed our villagers. Do you even value Kusagakure?"
Naruto's eyes flickered. "Property? You mean her? She's my clan—maybe the only family I have left."
His words struck Karin deeply: family. This was new language for her—something her mother never mentioned. Tears welled in her eyes.
Seeing this, the elder softened—so grateful he wasn't facing a forsaken patriot but still holding back desire to capture Naruto's chakra. A survivor from the powerful Uzumaki clan.
He weighed his words carefully: If we could capture him…
"Attack!" he barked. Hundreds of Kusagakure shinobi rushed forward, forming a triangle to trap Naruto and Karin. Escape routes vanished under their weapons.
"Surrender." The elder assumed victory. Numbers matter.
But Naruto chuckled. Flash— a red laser swept before the elder's eyes, slicing between them.
"I—are you surrounded by us?" the elder asked.
Naruto waved a finger in front of him and smirked: "No... you've been surrounded by me."