Chapter 194: Race Against Time
Strong.
Very strong.
Super strong.
That was Grass Ninja A's only evaluation of the Uchiha jōnin.
He estimated that if this Uchiha wanted to, he could kill him instantly.
Grass Ninja A couldn't help feeling a little smug — he'd warned that fool to keep his mouth shut, but he wouldn't listen. Now he'd been beaten, and it served him right. At least he wasn't killed.
If these Konoha shinobi killed someone in their village, nothing would probably happen to them anyway.
They'd all heard the rumors spreading throughout the ninja world recently:
Ever since Konoha's leadership changed, word had it they invaded the Land of Lightning and wiped out the Hidden Cloud Village.
The news hadn't been confirmed, but such rumors didn't come from nowhere — there had to be some truth to them.
Even if they hadn't completely destroyed Kumogakure, they'd definitely fought with it. And the fact that ten Konoha jōnin had time to come here just to pick up a mother and daughter spoke volumes — Konoha must be winning.
Otherwise, why send such a powerful squad for something so trivial?
The mother and daughter might be Uzumaki by blood, but they were useless — unable to perform even basic sealing techniques. The woman was just a low-ranked chūnin.
"Apologies," Uchiha Yashiro said coolly, wiping his hand as if flicking off dust. "It seems there was a mosquito on your face. I helped you swat it dead."
Then he turned to the little girl's emotionless face and smiled slightly.
"It's alright. Go on — tell us who hurt your mother. Don't be afraid. We're your mother's friends. We'll make sure she gets justice."
Though young, Karin was clever. From the uncle's words — and from how the Grass Ninja's attitude toward her had suddenly changed — she quickly realized that she and her mother might have a chance to be saved.
She had no way back after speaking up, so she clung tightly to the Uchiha's leg.
"Uncle," she said firmly, "my mother has a special body. If someone bites her, they can heal their chakra and injuries. These people used her as a living medical tool. Look at her body — it's covered in their bite marks."
Yashiro looked down — and sure enough, he saw the woman's arms, neck, and even her face mottled with bite marks.
When Karin lifted her mother's clothing, the skin underneath was the same — covered in scars.
His expression didn't change. Sympathy was cheap.
But this woman was someone the Clan Head wanted found. In her condition, though, he wasn't sure she'd survive.
Yashiro's gaze darkened. This was Grass territory; he couldn't afford to act recklessly.
She wasn't related to him — even if she died, it didn't concern him. But since she was wanted by the Clan Head, he'd remember this. For now, priority was to take her back to Konoha.
With Lady Tsunade in the village, she might still have a chance.
As for his earlier talk about "justice," that was just irritation — he'd assumed these Grass Ninja knew she was being retrieved yet still left her in this state. Now it was clear the wounds were old and new alike; she'd been suffering like this for a long time.
"Alright," Yashiro said, voice low but steady. "I understand. Uncle will help you seek justice."
The air around them seemed to freeze — the killing intent was suffocating.
Sweat trickled down Grass Ninja A's forehead. He really didn't want a fight; if it came to that, he'd be the first to die.
He silently prayed, Please, don't start anything. Grandpa bless me. Grandpa bless me!
Thankfully, the Uchiha seemed to hear his silent plea and shifted tone.
"However, your mother's condition looks severe. Justice can wait — saving her can't. Don't you agree?"
Karin's tears finally spilled. "But that doctor said my mother's beyond saving… she only has four days left!"
Yashiro glanced toward the so-called medic by the door — just a chūnin — and snorted in disdain.
"What kind of doctor is that? Amateur. Uncle knows someone far more skilled — the Medical Saint herself. She'll definitely find a way. Enough talk. We leave now."
The Grass medic bristled at being called unskilled, but with Konoha's jōnin right there, he could only swallow his anger.
When he heard Tsunade's name, though, his indignation vanished — replaced by awe. She was every medic's idol.
Yashiro gave a brief signal, and one of his comrades stepped forward to carry the unconscious woman.
He crouched slightly and said to the little girl, "Come, Uncle will carry you. Let's go."
Karin hesitated only for a moment before hope flared in her heart.
More than anything, she wanted her mother to live. Justice could wait — life couldn't.
She climbed onto Yashiro's back without hesitation.
Seeing her so obedient, Yashiro nodded, then turned away without another glance at the Grass Ninja glaring after him.
The Konoha team followed silently.
As they disappeared down the road, the Grass Elder's face grew dark.
"Hmph. These damned Konoha shinobi — arrogant and lawless! Do they think they can come and go as they please?"
No one dared to answer aloud, though everyone thought the same thing: Isn't that exactly what they just did?
Meanwhile, Grass Ninja A exhaled in relief. "Finally gone… those monsters were terrifying."
He glanced at his injured comrade.
"Hey, Medic! He might still make it!"
Grass Ninja B, who had been pretending to be dead, immediately croaked, "Quick! I think I can still be saved!"
The Elder walked to the door, confirmed the Konoha team had truly left, and finally let his authority return.
He slammed the table, his voice low and heavy.
"Hmph. Disrespectful bastards."
The others just kept their heads down. No one dared say a word.
---
Back in Konoha Village, the streets bustled with noise and light.
Two figures stood on the wide water tanks overlooking the road — Hoshigaki Kisame and Deidara.
Strictly speaking, Deidara hadn't officially joined Konoha yet — he was merely keeping his word to assist Uchiha Itachi.
Still, Itachi couldn't help worrying that Deidara might blow something up again.
After all, the man had a record.
---
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics