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Chapter Text

It was a bright and peaceful day in the Hidden Leaf Village. The sun cast a warm glow over Konoha as life slowly returned to normal. It had been a week since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War—an event that had shaken the entire shinobi world to its core.

The village was still healing, still rebuilding from the destruction caused by Pain’s assault. But amidst the debris and repairs, a sense of calm and hope had settled, all thanks to one person.

Uzumaki Naruto.

The girl who once carried the burden of being the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki had become a beacon of hope. She had fought on the front lines, stood tall against Madara and Kaguya, and ultimately brought peace. Her bravery and heart united not only the shinobi nations, but also saved countless lives. She was now hailed as the Hero of the Fourth Ninja War—recognized as the strongest kunoichi of her time, surpassing even the legendary Sannin. Sakura Haruno, her comrade and rival, was second only to her.

Yes, it was peaceful—everywhere except in the Hokage Tower.

Inside the meeting room, tension boiled. The air was thick with unspoken outrage and barely contained fury.

“What are you saying?!” Tsunade’s voice echoed through the chamber, her fist slamming against the wooden table, cracking it down the middle with sheer force. Splinters flew, but the village elders and council members remained unmoved.

One of the elders stepped forward, his face emotionless. “We have come to an agreement,” he began, calm and calculated. “A full-blooded Uzumaki has been confirmed alive—raised under Orochimaru, but intact. Karin Uzumaki. Male. If we pair him with Uzumaki Naruto, the clan can be revived.”

Tsunade’s golden eyes burned with fury. “Naruto saved this village! She bled for you! For us! And now you treat her like some kind of breeding tool?!”

“She is the last of her bloodline. Her value goes beyond just strength or loyalty,” another council member chimed in. “This is about preserving the Uzumaki heritage. A strategic necessity.”

“I won’t allow it,” Tsunade snapped, standing tall, her voice trembling with rage. “Naruto is not some pawn to be passed around for political convenience.”

The elder’s tone turned cold. “No matter how much you protest, Tsunade-hime, this decision is final. Unless Naruto agrees to this union with Karin Uzumaki, Or else she will be deemed to be worthy enough to take the title of Hokage.”

The room went silent.

Outside, the village bathed in golden sunlight.

Inside, the storm had only just begun.

“Tsunade-sama,” Shizune called out softly, placing a hand on the Fifth Hokage’s arm in a desperate attempt to calm her. The tension in the room was thick, and Tsunade was on the brink of unleashing her fury. Shizune could see it—feel it.

The veins on Tsunade’s temple pulsed as she clenched her jaw. After a long, tense silence, she took a breath and spoke coldly, her eyes narrowed at the council.

“Fine. Then let’s hear the opinion of Uzumaki Naruto.”

The elders exchanged glances, but said nothing. Tsunade waved her hand sharply, a silent command.

One of the Anbu in the room—a trusted shinobi wearing a fox-shaped mask—bowed immediately and disappeared in a flicker of movement.

Tsunade sank slowly into her chair, pressing two fingers against her temple. The headache pounding behind her eyes worsened with every breath she took. This was supposed to be over. Peace was supposed to mean freedom. She had planned to step down, hand the title of Hokage to Kakashi, and finally drink sake in peace—not deal with this disgusting attempt at controlling Naruto's future.

Moments later, the doors opened again.

Naruto stepped into the room, her blonde hair tied into pigtails messily behind her head, still in casual training clothes. She looked confused, blinking at the serious atmosphere, sensing the weight of the situation despite the silence.

“Eh? Tsunade-baachan? What’s going on?” she asked, scratching her head. “Why’s everyone looking so grim?”

Her cerulean blue eyes swept across the room. It was mostly empty, save for Tsunade, Shizune, the stony-faced elders, and a few masked Anbu standing at attention along the walls. The air was tense—unusually so.

Tsunade looked at her for a long moment. There was sadness in her eyes. Anger. And guilt.

“Sit down, Naruto,” she said at last, her voice firm but tired.

Naruto obeyed without question, though her brows furrowed. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. This isn’t about what you did—it’s about what they want to do to you.”

That made Naruto tense. She straightened up in her seat, eyes narrowing.

One of the elders stepped forward, undeterred by Tsunade’s fierce glare. His voice was calm, almost too calm for the gravity of what he was about to say.

“Uzumaki Naruto. You are the last female of the Uzumaki bloodline. After the war, we discovered a surviving male—Karin Uzumaki, raised under Orochimaru’s watch. He is healthy, powerful, and of pure Uzumaki lineage. If the Uzumaki clan is to be restored, it must begin with the two of you.”

Naruto’s breath hitched, her eyes widening. “What…?”

She took a step back, her pigtails swaying slightly with the movement as if mirroring her inner turmoil.

“Marry him?” she repeated in disbelief.

Her mind was already flashing back—to that moment during the chaos of Sasuke’s fight with Danzo. She remembered Karin then: the boy with fiery red hair and sharp, calculating eyes, doubled over and bleeding from a wound Sasuke had given him—used and discarded without a second thought. She had only seen him for a few seconds, but even then, there had been something… familiar.

They shared the same surname. Back then, it meant nothing. Now, it meant everything.

Another elder spoke, tone even colder. “Your mother, Uzumaki Kushina, was not just a kunoichi from the Land of Whirlpools. She was the granddaughter of the Uzumaki Clan Head—heir to the main bloodline. That makes you the last living descendant of the Uzumaki royal lineage. An S-rank secret… now declassified due to necessity.”

The room fell silent.

Tsunade stiffened. “You kept that hidden—even from me?!” The 5th Hokage were shock, she knew Naruto and her would be related but this closely related?!

But the elder continued, ignoring Tsunade’s growing fury. His voice remained cold and deliberate, as if revealing clan secrets was as casual as reading a mission scroll.

“Mito Uzumaki, wife of the First Hokage, was the daughter of the Uzumaki Clan Head. Her father had two children—Mito-sama, and her younger brother, Yuki-sama, the direct heir to the Uzumaki seat. Yuki fathered Kushina. Through that bloodline, you, Naruto, are not just any Uzumaki—you are the rightful heiress of the main branch of the clan.”

Naruto stood frozen in place.

The words echoed in her mind, each syllable heavier than the last.

Heiress…?

She barely had time to come to terms with her heritage—barely understood who her parents were, what they meant to the village, and now… she was supposed to carry the entire weight of a nearly extinct clan?

She looked down at her gloved hands—hands that had fought gods, held dying comrades, and protected countless lives with her chakra and heart. But in this moment, they were trembling.

Her gaze flicked to Tsunade, her eyes silently begging for clarity, for something—anything—to ground her. But the Hokage’s expression was unreadable, her mouth a thin line as she stared down at the floor, lost in deep thought.

“The only way to restore the Uzumaki clan and pass down its abilities,” the elder declared, “is for you to marry a member of the sub-branch—Karin Uzumaki. If you refuse, your aspirations of becoming Hokage will be… terminated.”

His tone was final, like the slamming of a gate behind her.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Naruto stood still, her pigtails gently swaying as if caught in an unseen breeze. Her fists hung at her sides, clenched tight, but her eyes—those brilliant, determined blue eyes—were distant.

Tsunade’s heart clenched.

She watched Naruto closely, silently begging her to refuse. She wanted Naruto to scream, to rebel, to declare she didn’t need a title forced under conditions soaked in politics and control. Tsunade knew the cost of power—what it took and what it took away. And she hated that Naruto was being cornered like this, after everything she had done.

But Naruto said nothing.

She stood there, unmoving, lost in thought—memories flickering through her mind like dying embers: her mother’s smile, Jiraiya’s belief in her, the way Kakashi had gently praised her leadership after the war, Sasuke’s long stare before walking away, and the weight of every villager who now smiled at her without fear.

Hokage.

She had wanted that title her whole life. Not for power. Not for prestige.

But because it meant acknowledgment.

It meant no one would ever ignore her again.

And now they wanted to strip that dream away… unless she paid a price.

Finally, she spoke.

“I will do it.”

The words were soft—barely above a whisper. But the room heard them.

Shizune inhaled sharply. Tsunade froze.

The elders seemed pleased, though none smiled. Their victory was measured and cold.

But Naruto wasn’t finished.

“I’ll marry Karin,” she said, louder now, voice firm. “But not because you threatened me. Not because I’m afraid of losing the title.”

Her eyes locked onto the elder who spoke—glacial, burning with an intensity that shook even the most seasoned of them.

“I’ll do it because I choose to. Because I know what it means to carry a legacy. And if anyone’s going to shape what it means to be an Uzumaki again—it’ll be me.”

Tsunade’s breath hitched. The pride she felt was fierce—and heartbreaking.

“You’ll get your marriage,” Naruto continued. “But don’t think for a second that I’m yours to control.”

Then she turned toward the door, her cloak swaying behind her.

“I want to meet him. Karin.”

And with that, she walked out—shoulders straight, head high, her heart screaming behind her calm eyes.

A future she never asked for was being forced into her hands.

But if Naruto had to carry it—

She’d carry it her way.

Meanwhile, deep within one of Orochimaru’s subterranean laboratories—a cold, sterile place cluttered with vials, scrolls, and ancient equipment—the remnants of Team Taka were currently stationed under constant surveillance.

The room was quiet, save for the distant hum of machinery and the occasional flicker of candlelight along the stone walls.

A sudden shift in chakra made Orochimaru glance toward the entrance.

Footsteps echoed, firm and controlled.

Yamato—once known as Tenzo—stepped into the lab, flanked by a masked ANBU operative. The air shifted as the two approached, cloaked in silent authority.

“Ara… Tenzo,” Orochimaru drawled with a knowing smile, his golden eyes briefly flickering toward the scroll in the ANBU’s hand. “What brings you to my humble workspace? Don’t tell me you’ve finally come to ask for tips on immortality.”

Yamato’s expression was as rigid as ever, unimpressed and clearly in no mood for games.

“I’m here to see Uzumaki Karin.”

His tone was clipped, barely concealing the irritation in his voice. This mission was not his preference, but it was necessary.

Orochimaru raised a brow, the corners of his mouth twitching. “How formal. You usually don’t visit unless something’s on fire.”

Moments later, everyone was seated in the small but sterile conference room adjacent to the lab.

Orochimaru and Karin sat on one side of a long metal table. Karin’s red hair was tied back loosely, his eyes sharp behind his square glasses, a mix of suspicion and wariness written across his face. On the opposite side sat Yamato and the ANBU, while Suigetsu and Jūgo remained standing near the back wall, alert but silent.

Yamato placed the sealed scroll onto the table.

“This scroll is for Uzumaki Karin only,” the ANBU beside him said.

Karin narrowed his eyes. “From the Council?” he asked warily. “What could they possibly want with me?”

“The Council has a message,” Yamato said. “A personal one.”

Orochimaru chuckled darkly, folding his hands. “How curious. I wasn’t aware any of my subjects warranted such prestigious attention. I do hope it’s not an invitation to a dinner party.”

Karin ignored him, his focus locked on the scroll. He looked between the ANBU and Yamato, his brow furrowing. There was tension in the air—more than usual. Something about this was different.

Slowly, Karin reached for the scroll. He bit his thumb, drawing a thin bead of blood, and smeared it across the seal.

With a soft puff of chakra smoke, the binding released.

The room held its breath as Karin unrolled the scroll, eyes scanning the parchment.

His expression stiffened as he read the bold, simple message inside:

Uzumaki Karin,

You are one of the last male heirs of the Uzumaki bloodline. With your lineage confirmed, you are presented with two paths.

1. Accept a political marriage to Uzumaki Naruto, heiress of the main Uzumaki line. This union will ensure the revival of the clan and solidify your place within the Hidden Leaf.

2. Refuse, and remain under observation. Your future—and any claims of heritage—will be left to the Council’s discretion.

You have until the next full moon to respond.

Choose wisely.

“What?!” Suigetsu practically shouted, his voice echoing off the lab walls as he leaned over Karin’s shoulder to read the scroll.

Jugo raised an eyebrow. “You can read?”

Suigetsu shot him a dramatic glare. “Of course I can read, you overgrown teddy bear.”

Orochimaru’s lips twitched into a slow, serpentine smile, clearly enjoying the scene. “Looks like things just got very interesting,” he murmured, steepling his fingers.

Karin didn’t react to their banter. He was still staring at the scroll, his thumb absently brushing the edge of the parchment.

“Uzumaki Naruto…” he murmured, almost to himself. “The last living royal heir of the Uzumaki…”

The title alone was weighty enough, but it wasn’t what truly occupied his thoughts.

He remembered her vividly from that chaotic mission—after Sasuke’s fight with Danzo. Naruto had arrived like a storm, loud, stubborn, unwavering in her mission to drag Uchiha Sasuke back from the darkness.

At the time, Karin had been certain she was in love with Sasuke.

But even then, he could see it.

Naruto and Sasuke were complete opposites.

Sasuke was cold, silent, and isolated. Like a winter night—beautiful, but desolate. There was something inhuman about the way he distanced himself, even when people stood inches from him.

Naruto, though…

Naruto was warm.

Her chakra radiated like the sun. It wasn’t just strong—it was alive. It reached out, embraced, welcomed. She had the kind of presence that made you feel seen, even when you weren’t speaking.

And somehow, even back then, he’d noticed her.

The way she smiled despite everything. The way she never gave up. The way her very existence felt like the village she fought for—strong, bright, and full of hope.

Karin found his fingers loosening on the scroll, his eyes softening behind his glasses.

He had almost imagined, once or twice, what it would’ve been like…

If he hadn’t been with Orochimaru.
If he had grown up in Konoha like her.
If they had met under normal circumstances—not across battlefields and broken allegiances.
Would they have been friends?

The thought clung to his mind more stubbornly than he liked.

Yamato’s voice cut through his thoughts. “You’ll have time to consider. But not forever. Your answer is expected by the next full moon.”

Karin slowly rolled the scroll back up.

He looked toward the ANBU, his expression unreadable now.

“I want to speak to her,” he said plainly. “If I’m supposed to marry someone I barely know… I at least deserve a conversation.”

Yamato nodded once. “I’ll deliver your request.”

As the ANBU stood and prepared to leave, Orochimaru chuckled.

“My, my… who would’ve thought love letters would be exchanged under my roof? How nostalgic.”

Karin ignored him.

His thoughts weren’t about Orochimaru anymore.

They were about a girl with sky-blue eyes and a laugh like sunlight—who now stood at the center of a choice that would shape both their futures.

Karin was left alone, the lab unusually quiet after the ANBU and Yamato had departed.

The scroll still sat in front of him on the metal table—sealed once more, but its weight lingered in the air like smoke. His fingers hovered just above it, but he didn’t touch it again.

Instead, he stared past it.

“Uzumaki…” he muttered under his breath, the name rolling off his tongue like a mantra—foreign, yet familiar. A name that felt both like a curse and a blessing.

The Uzumaki bloodline. Powerful, revered, and feared.

Their chakra was monstrous in volume and resilience. Their lives unnaturally long. Their fates often cruel.

He had grown up in the shadow of that legacy—used, manipulated, dissected by Orochimaru for the very blood that ran through his veins. And now the world remembered they existed, now that the war had ended. Now that the dust had settled.

But Naruto…

His thoughts drifted back to her once more.

She was the brightest contradiction he’d ever met.

That chakra—so warm, like basking in sunlight. It had stunned him, even through the haze of battle. It had wrapped around people, pulled them up when they had nothing left. He remembered the war, how the stories of her had spread like wildfire—how she gave her chakra to the Allied Forces without hesitation.

She shared it.
All of it.

But beneath that warmth… was something ancient. Something terrifying.

Karin had felt it during the war. He hadn’t been close, but he was a sensor. And when Naruto unleashed her full power, he felt something that nearly made his knees buckle.

The Nine Tails.
Kurama.

It wasn’t just chakra. It was like staring into the abyss—massive, violent, wild. A beast that could topple nations and rip the skies apart.

Yet she walked with it beside her.

Not chained.

Not dominated.

But befriended.

Naruto had done what no jinchūriki before her had managed. She had accepted the beast inside her and allowed it to accept her back. Their chakras didn’t clash—they merged. She had turned the very thing that cursed her life into her strength.

And that… That was what Karin couldn’t stop thinking about.

Not her power. Not her status.

But her heart.

She had every reason to hate the world. Every reason to give in, like so many others had.

But she didn’t.

She smiled. She fought. She carried people, even those who didn’t deserve it.

The girl with the monster inside her… chose to be kind.

Karin exhaled, slumping back in the chair as he finally dragged his gaze from the scroll.

“…And now they want me to marry her.”

He didn’t know what to feel.

Not yet.

But deep down, he wasn’t just afraid of the decision.

He was afraid of what might happen if he started to care.

Marrying her would be a man's dream come true.

Naruto was kind and undeniably beautiful—with those striking blue eyes that seemed to see straight through you, and long golden hair that framed her face like sunlight. But it wasn’t just her looks that made her stand out. She was strong—the strongest kunoichi alive. The Hero of the Fourth Great Ninja War. The last royal heir to the Uzumaki clan.

Karin let out a slow, tired sigh and leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting up to the ceiling of Orochimaru’s lab. It was cold, sterile—nothing like the warmth he had felt in her chakra.

He was unsure.

Not just about the marriage proposal—but about all of it. The expectations. The future. The burden of a clan neither of them had asked to carry.

The idea of “restoring the Uzumaki clan” had never crossed his mind. Not once. He had grown up in Orochimaru’s shadow, a test subject rather than a son of any proud lineage. He had never thought about heirs, or legacy, or passing down powerful traits like their legendary vitality, massive chakra reserves, or the sacred Adamantine Sealing Chains. He barely understood what it meant to belong to a clan, much less to restore one.

And yet, the world clearly hadn’t forgotten.

The Uzumaki were feared for a reason.

A clan so powerful they had once built their own nation: Uzushiogakure. The Village Hidden by Whirling Tides. A hidden village that had flourished through their mastery of sealing jutsu, their near-immortality in battle, and their strange, almost divine chakra.

Powerful enough that the Five Great Nations—enemies who could barely trust one another—banded together during the Third Shinobi War just to erase them.

And still, the Uzumaki held them off.
One clan. One village. Against all five.

Until they were betrayed, cornered, and wiped out.

Their fall wasn’t due to weakness—it was because they were too strong.

Karin’s jaw clenched slightly at the thought.

He was an orphan of that destruction. So was Naruto. Survivors of a bloodline others had tried to erase from history. And now, the very village that benefited from their strength wanted to revive the clan—for its power, its prestige, its usefulness.

Not its people.

And Naruto… would be the face of that revival.

The pressure on her must’ve been unimaginable.

Karin closed his eyes, that familiar swirl of conflict rising in his chest. He didn’t know what kind of decision he was supposed to make—not yet.

But he knew one thing.

If he was going to be part of rebuilding the Uzumaki clan…
Then it couldn’t be for power.
It couldn’t be because the council demanded it.

It would have to be for Naruto.

For her choice.
And his.

Not for legacy.
But for something real.

The next day arrived faster than either of them expected. Both sides had come to an agreement: Uzumaki Naruto and Uzumaki Karin would meet face-to-face.

Now, Karin walked the familiar yet foreign streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, flanked by an ANBU escort.

The atmosphere here was lively—children running through the streets, vendors calling out their wares, shinobi moving with purpose under the morning sun. It was calm, peaceful. The kind of peace that Karin had never known growing up under Orochimaru’s thumb.

But even with the village’s warmth, it didn’t compare to her.
Not to Uzumaki Naruto.

Karin remembered her chakra like it was still brushing against his skin—radiant, alive, inviting. It wasn’t just powerful, it was comforting.

He swallowed hard as they made their way up the stone steps toward the Hokage Tower. He couldn’t stop the flickers of anxiety in his chest. He didn’t know what to say to her. He didn’t even know how she felt about this meeting.

They passed shinobi in the corridor—some Karin recognized from the war. He could feel their eyes on him. Most didn’t say a word, but he caught the occasional whisper, the furrowed brow.

"That’s one of Orochimaru’s experiments."
"Isn’t that guy from Sasuke’s rogue team?"
"Why does he look so familiar…?"

Karin lowered his gaze, his glasses slipping slightly down his nose. He pushed them up with a quick tap, exhaling through his nose as they arrived outside the Hokage’s office.

The ANBU didn’t say anything—just gave a subtle nod and disappeared into the hallway like a shadow.

Karin was alone now.

He frowned and glanced at the door. His fingers twitched slightly at his side before he forced himself to raise a hand.

Knock. Knock.

A voice answered from inside.

“Come in.”

He stepped in, eyes scanning the room immediately—and was surprised.

Only Tsunade and Shizune were present.

No Naruto.

The blonde Sannin sat behind her desk, arms crossed under her ample chest, her brown eyes sharp as ever. Shizune stood at her side, clipboard in hand, giving him a polite nod of greeting.

Karin’s expression tensed, shoulders stiffening.

"...She’s not here?"

“No,” Tsunade said, eyeing him carefully. “Naruto’s not late. I asked her to come after we spoke.”

Karin blinked, confused. “Spoke?”

“You and Naruto have never had a real conversation,” Shizune interjected gently. “This is more than a political arrangement. We wanted to make sure you understood what was at stake—emotionally, not just strategically.”

Karin looked down, his voice softening.

“I never wanted to restore a clan. I never thought about any of this. I didn’t even know what it meant to be an Uzumaki until the war.”

Tsunade leaned forward slightly. “Then what do you want, Karin?”

That question hung in the air like smoke.

And Karin… didn’t have an answer. Not yet.

He glanced at the window, watching the light pour in from outside, the soft hum of the village echoing beyond the glass.

“…I don’t know.”

Tsunade gave a small nod, as if that was exactly what she expected to hear.

“Then maybe it’s time you talk to the one person who might help you figure that out.”

Before Karin could respond, there was a knock at the door behind him.

A heartbeat passed.

Then the door opened—warm sunlight spilling in.

And there she was.

Uzumaki Naruto.

Dressed casually in her trademark black and orange jacket, blonde hair tied neatly into her signature twin pigtails, her blue eyes sharp, assessing—and yet, undeniably warm.

Her gaze landed on Karin.

And she smiled—just a little. Not out of politeness.

But recognition.

“Yo.”

Karin stood stiffly in place. “Hello…” he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding everyone’s eyes. His glasses slipped slightly again, but he didn’t bother to adjust them.

He felt small under the weight of her gaze. Not because she was judging him—she wasn’t—but because she was real. More real than he remembered from their brief encounters during the war.

“I would like for the two of you to get to know each other better before the wedding arrives,” Tsunade said, her tone brisk but not unkind. Her sharp eyes flicked from Naruto to Karin.

“What?” Karin blinked, turning to her in disbelief. “I haven’t even given you my answer about this whole thing.”

Tsunade let out a breath through her nose, her arms crossing. “You know the Council. The moment they saw an opportunity to rebuild a powerful clan, they moved faster than I could stop them. It’s already in motion.”

“There’s no choice, then.” Karin’s voice was quiet but laced with frustration. “My fate is sealed. So is hers.”

He glanced sideways at Naruto, the only other person in the room who understood what it meant to be used by their own village—even loved, yet still used. Her chakra was steady, but he could feel it: sadness. Buried deep. A weight she carried in silence.

And yet she stood tall.

Tsunade studied them both for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she finally stood.

“I’ll leave you two to it. It’s not easy talking with an audience.” She gestured toward the door. “Take a walk. The village’s changed a lot since the war—might be good for both of you.”

Naruto gave a small, understanding nod.

Karin hesitated, then finally stepped toward the door with her. As it clicked shut behind them, silence stretched for a beat.

They stood in the hallway, alone.

Naruto didn’t say anything right away. Instead, she looked at him with a curious tilt of her head, her eyes scanning his face like she was trying to remember who he was beyond the name and bloodline.

“You got taller,” she said suddenly, lips quirking into a light smirk.

Karin blinked, startled. “…You remember me?”

“Of course.” She chuckled, turning to walk. “You were the one Sasuke almost killed back when he went completely off the rails. I stopped him… kinda.”

Karin fell into step beside her, lips twitching into something close to a smile.

“You were louder than I expected,” he muttered.

“I usually am,” she replied with a shrug. “Gotta be, when the world keeps trying to shut you up.”

There was a moment of silence before Karin asked quietly, “Do you… hate this?”

Naruto didn’t answer right away. She looked up at the sky, its bright blue stretching endlessly over the Leaf Village.

“…I don’t know yet,” she admitted. “But I’m not going to let anyone force me into something I don’t believe in. Not even the Council.”

Karin looked at her, surprised. “But you said yes.”

“I said I’d do it,” she clarified. “Doesn’t mean I’ve stopped thinking for myself.”

Karin let that sink in.

Maybe this wouldn't be a prison.

Maybe… it could be something else.

Naruto led him to the top of the Hokage Monument.

The wind was softer up here, brushing against their skin as the sun dipped low on the horizon. They sat side by side on the carved stone face of the Third Hokage, overlooking the Hidden Leaf Village. From this height, they could see almost everything—the homes, the newly rebuilt rooftops, and even the distant ruins left behind from Pain’s devastating attack. The scars were still there, visible reminders of the past.

But it was quiet. Peaceful.

Still, the silence between them felt heavy.

Naruto, for once, didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t used to this kind of silence. She always filled the air with noise—jokes, questions, laughs. But now? Now she just stared at the sky, legs swinging slightly over the edge, her expression unreadable.

Karin kept his distance. Not physically far, but emotionally closed off, guarded. It wasn’t tension exactly—but something unspoken sat between them.

Finally, he spoke.

His voice was low, quiet, and careful.

“If you're uncomfortable with all of this... I’ll keep my distance. Even after we're married.” He didn’t look at her, his eyes fixed on the horizon. “I don’t care if you fall in love with someone else. This marriage—it’s political. It’s just to restore a clan.”

Naruto glanced at him from the side, her expression unreadable.

“We both know there’s no real feelings between us,” Karin added. “Not right now, at least.”

Naruto sighed, then smiled faintly—bittersweet and tired. Her gaze drifted to the birds soaring above the village, free and weightless.

“But we don’t know,” she said quietly. “Maybe the more time we spend together, the more we’ll learn about each other. Maybe… one of us will fall in love.”

Karin blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in her voice.

“I’m not saying it’ll be a fairytale,” she added. “I just… I’m not giving up on the idea that something good can still come out of this.”

Karin looked down at his hands, then at her.

“I’m sorry,” Naruto whispered, voice almost lost to the wind. “That you got dragged into all this.”

Karin shook his head slowly. “It’s nothing. Honestly… I didn’t even know you were the last living heir.”

Naruto let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah. Neither did I. Funny how the world likes to surprise you after you nearly die in a war.”

Karin looked at her again—really looked. The way the light touched her face. The way her chakra felt: warm, powerful, but... burdened.

“I’ll try,” he said finally. “To understand you. If we’re doing this… I want to at least be honest about it.”

Naruto turned toward him, her expression softening.

“Same here,” she said, offering her hand.

Karin hesitated only a moment before taking it.

The breeze picked up, ruffling their hair. And for the first time since the decision was forced upon them, there was no pressure, no politics, no bloodline—just two people sitting on stone, trying to understand the path their lives had taken.

Together.

Finally, Karin could feel it.

Her chakra—it had changed.

Gone was the heavy sadness that lingered like a shadow in her core. What remained was warm, radiant… alive. The kind of light that could melt away even the darkest thoughts. He looked up at her, eyes catching the curve of her genuine smile and the brightness behind her ocean-blue gaze.

It wasn’t forced anymore.

It was real.

“Let’s go!” Naruto suddenly stood, brushing off her orange shorts with both hands. Her excitement was almost contagious. “I’ll show you around.”

Before he could react, she reached for him—grabbing his hand boldly.

Karin blinked, startled by the contact.

“Baa-chan said we should get to know each other, right? So I’m taking the lead.” Naruto grinned, her pigtails bouncing behind her as she looked at him.

She giggled when he didn’t respond immediately, just stood there looking mildly dumbfounded.

That sound—light, easy—it settled something inside him.

For the first time in years, Karin felt something he’d forgotten during his time under Orochimaru’s control. Something he wasn’t sure he deserved.

The feeling of home.

He let himself be pulled.

They wandered through the village—Naruto guiding him like it was the most natural thing in the world. From the Hokage Monument to the ramen stand at Ichiraku’s, from the training fields to the rebuilt market district, she greeted everyone with the same energy she gave him: unfiltered, honest, and utterly Naruto.

And at every turn, they were stopped.

“Lady Naruto!”

“Uzumaki-sama, please accept this!”

“Thank you for protecting us!”

Foreigners from the Sand, Mist, even Cloud villages. Civilians, shopkeepers, elders, and children. Every single one had something for her—a gift, a letter, a prayer, a bouquet of wildflowers. One little girl gave Naruto a handmade bracelet, which she immediately tied around her wrist with a proud smile.

Karin ended up carrying most of the gifts—bags, scrolls, little boxes of sweets—his arms nearly overflowing with Naruto's popularity made manifest.

“Do they do this every time you leave the house?” he muttered, adjusting a particularly awkward bundle of dumplings wrapped in silk ribbons.

“Ah, yeah…” Naruto rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. “My house is basically a gift warehouse at this point. Some people even leave stuff outside my door without knocking.”

He shot her a sideways glance, half amused and half in disbelief. “You really are loved here.”

She didn’t respond right away.

Instead, she kept walking, her steps slowing, eyes softening as they looked ahead. Her grip on his hand remained—firm but gentle.

“I worked hard for it,” she said after a pause, her voice quieter now. “I used to be hated… shunned. People wouldn’t even look at me, wouldn’t talk to me. Just for being born.” She exhaled, but it wasn’t bitter—just honest. “But I kept going. I promised myself I’d become someone this village could be proud of.”

Karin turned to look at her, really look at her. In that moment, he understood more than her words—he saw the weight her smile used to carry, how much strength it had taken to become someone who could smile at all.

But now—now she was healing.

And without realizing it, a small, rare smile tugged at his lips too.

“Big sis!! Nee-chan!!”

A familiar voice suddenly rang out, cracking the moment like a thrown stone across still water.

Naruto’s head turned just in time to see Konohamaru bolting toward her from across the road, arms pumping, eyes wide.

He skidded to a stop in front of her, panting.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going out?! Now you have to carry all that stuff again!” He waved his hands in the air in dramatic frustration, like a sibling scolding his older sister for sneaking out without him.

Then, finally, Konohamaru noticed Karin—specifically, Karin carrying half of the gifts.

His brow furrowed.

“…Who’s he?”

Naruto blinked, startled at the sudden interrogation, before laughing softly. “This is Karin. He’s… um, my cousin. Kind of but not really!”

Karin nodded politely, adjusting the weight in his arms. “Uzumaki Karin. Nice to meet you.”

Konohamaru’s frown deepened with suspicion. “Never heard of you.”

“Well, I was raised… elsewhere,” Karin replied vaguely, giving Naruto a side glance.

"Hmm," Konohamaru narrowed his eyes, then stepped forward, grabbing the stack of gifts from Karin’s arms with surprising ease for someone his size.

“Well, thanks for helping, boss,” he said with a cheeky grin. “You can leave now.”

Karin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden dismissal. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if he’d just been politely excused—or shoved out of Naruto’s life like a protective younger brother would do.

Still, his arms were finally free. The numbing weight had left a tingling sensation in his fingers, and he rolled his shoulders with a quiet sigh of relief.

His gaze drifted upward, catching the sky. The sun was already beginning to dip low on the horizon, spilling gold and amber light across the village. The rooftops of Konoha shimmered in the glow, the shadows long and soft.

“I guess… I should get going,” Karin said, adjusting his glasses with a small push.

He looked at Naruto.

“Nice to meet you, Naruto.”

It wasn’t a forced farewell. His voice was calm, almost warm, carrying something unspoken.

Naruto’s eyes softened. She nodded. “Yeah… You too.”

Just then, an Anbu dropped from a nearby rooftop, silent as the dusk wind. With a nod to both of them, the masked figure stepped beside Karin, clearly there to escort him back to the temporary quarters.

Karin gave one last glance at Naruto—watching her stand beside Konohamaru, wind brushing through her golden pigtails like sunlight caught in motion.

There was a peace in her now. Faint, but growing.

He didn’t say anything more.

Just turned and walked away, the Anbu silently trailing behind him.

And for the first time in a long while…

Karin realized he wanted to come back.

Not because of duty.

But because of her.

Every day became a rhythm—almost a ritual.

Karin woke early, as he always had, but now for a reason that didn't involve training or surveillance. Each morning, he was escorted to Konoha by Anbu, and each time, she was already there—waiting with that same bright grin, her pigtails bouncing in the breeze, as if she'd been counting down the minutes.

At first, it felt strange. Mechanical. Awkward.

But somehow, without him noticing when it started, the days with Naruto began to feel... right.

She laughed easily. Asked questions no one ever had. Not just about his jutsu or his allegiance, but about what he liked. What he wanted. What scared him.

And he found himself talking more than he ever thought he would.

About the labs.

About Orochimaru.

And one day, as they sat under the shade of a sakura tree near the old training field, he told her something he hadn’t even told Suigetsu or Jūgo.

“You know,” he said, staring up through the branches, “most people think I was lucky to survive with Orochimaru. That I was chosen for my chakra, that I should be grateful.”

Naruto tilted her head, listening quietly, not interrupting.

“But I wasn’t lucky. I was useful. There's a difference.”

He rolled up his sleeve, exposing faint bite marks—scars long since healed.

“My chakra… If someone bites into my skin, it transfers into them. It heals wounds, restores stamina—makes people stronger. It’s like a drug.” His voice tightened. “Addictive, even. Some shinobi used to fake injuries just to get a fix.”

Naruto’s expression shifted. Not pity—never that. But understanding. Real, raw understanding.

“That’s horrible,” she said softly. “Being treated like a tool.”

He glanced at her, surprised. “You’re not going to ask me if it was painful?”

“No,” she said, her gaze unwavering. “I already know it was.”

There was silence between them again—but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

It was something shared. Something unspoken.

Naruto shifted closer, resting her arms behind her head as she leaned back in the grass.

“You know,” she said after a beat, “you’re more than that now. More than just a chakra battery or someone’s experiment.”

He blinked at her.

“You’re Karin. And you’re kind of cool… when you’re not brooding all the time,” she added with a smirk.

Karin chuckled—genuinely. “Tch. You say that now, but wait until you meet Suigetsu again.”

“Please,” Naruto scoffed, “I’ve dealt with Sasuke. I can handle anyone.”

And in that moment, Karin realized something.

He was falling.

Not for the clan.

Not for the duty.

But for her.

“Ne… Karin,” Naruto said, turning her head to look at him, her bright blue eyes filled with curiosity. “I’ve been kinda curious about Uzushiogakure lately.”

Karin blinked, surprised by the question—but not displeased. He met her gaze, lips curling slightly.

“Well… my mother was lucky enough to escape before everything went to hell. But according to the history books, Uzushiogakure wasn’t just a village. The Uzumaki weren’t just a clan—we were the nation.”

Naruto tilted her head, listening with genuine interest.

“Feared for our sealing jutsu, revered for our life force and chakra reserves. They say the other nations grew so afraid of our potential… they banded together just to wipe us out.”

His voice had an edge of bitterness to it. But then he glanced at her—and softened.

“I guess fear always follows power,” he added with a shrug.

Naruto let the words sink in for a moment before asking, “Have you ever been there?”

“To Uzushiogakure?” Karin shook his head. “No… Not really. I never had a reason to. I mean, what would be left now? Rubble? Echoes?”

He paused, then added more quietly, “It never crossed my mind to want to go.”

Naruto nodded in agreement. “Me neither,” she said, giggling softly as she leaned back against the grass. Her eyes closed, lashes brushing against her cheeks as a breeze carried through the field.

Karin turned to look at her—and had to quickly look away again.

‘Cute…’ he thought, a small blush coloring his cheeks. He was grateful, once again, that Naruto could be as dense as she was radiant.

But something stirred in him then—a pull he hadn’t expected.

Maybe one day… they should go.

Not for the clan. Not for duty or legacy.

But for themselves.

To stand among the ruins of what once was—and maybe, together, start to rebuild something new.

Something real.

“Do you want to go there?” Karin asked, his voice softer than usual, a rare gentleness in his tone.

Naruto opened her eyes, turning her head toward him. The sunset caught the gold in her hair and the reflection in her eyes.

“I do,” she said quietly. “Ever since I found out I’m the last heir… I’ve been curious. I want to see where we came from. Even if it’s just ruins.”

Before Karin could respond, a sudden voice cut through the moment.

“So it was true?”

Both of them turned to see Kakashi standing nearby with his hands in his pockets, and beside him, Sakura—who looked somewhere between shocked and offended.

“Are you really getting married?!” Sakura marched over to Naruto, grabbing her by the shoulders and giving her a light shake.

Naruto blinked. “W-What?”

“I mean—Tsunade-sama announced it! Publicly! Just like that! I thought it was just to stop all the marriage proposals flooding in from every country, but—” Sakura turned to glare at Karin. “Who even are you?!”

“Sakura…” Kakashi said in his usual calm tone, though his eye watched the scene with a hint of concern.

Karin adjusted his glasses, deadpan. “Uzumaki Karin. Apparently part of the ‘revival of the Uzumaki clan’ plan.”

“Oh, come on!” Sakura groaned. “Naruto, you’re just going along with this?!”

Naruto gently pulled her hands off. “It’s… complicated.”

Sakura looked hurt. “But I thought… you always talked about finding love on your own terms.”

“I still want that,” Naruto admitted. “But the council… they made it impossible to say no without consequences. If I refused, they’d block me from becoming Hokage.”

Sakura fell silent at that, her expression shifting. She glanced at Kakashi, who sighed quietly, and then back at Naruto.

Karin stood slowly, brushing himself off. “I told her—this marriage doesn’t have to be real. If she falls in love with someone else, I won’t stand in her way. I just… want her to keep her future.”

Sakura narrowed her eyes at him, but then turned to Naruto, searching her face. “Is this what you want?”

Naruto smiled—sad, but firm. “It’s not what I dreamed of. But it’s what I’m choosing.”

Sakura finally relented, hugging her tightly. “Then I’ll support you. But you better make sure she stays happy,” she added over Naruto’s shoulder, glaring at Karin.

“I will,” Karin said simply.

Kakashi smiled under his mask, eyes crinkling. “Looks like you’ve grown up, Naruto.”

“Still working on it, Kakashi-sensei,” she replied with a small laugh.

The sky above darkened to dusk, and Karin looked once more at Naruto—this time with something quietly blooming in his chest.

Maybe, just maybe… this wouldn’t be a burden.

Maybe it could become something more.

Naruto’s arranged marriage spread faster than wildfire. In a matter of days, it reached the corners of every major village.

Speculation bloomed across the nations.

Who was the mysterious groom?
What kind of man could possibly stand beside the Hero of the Fourth Shinobi War?
Was he a powerful shinobi? A hidden royal? A political pawn?

Some believed it was a move of diplomacy. Others romanticized it—claiming the man must have captured her heart in battle.

Meanwhile, the man in question—Karin—was just trying not to trip over his own feet.

He walked the streets of Konoha, escorted by ANBU, eyes forward, ignoring the dozens of curious gazes that trailed behind him. Whispers drifted from both sides.

“Is that him?”

“He looks… normal.”

“Red hair. He must be an Uzumaki.”

Karin did his best not to scowl. He wasn’t special. Not strong. Not even particularly liked. He was a chakra sensor and a medic tool in his past life—certainly not someone meant to carry national interest on his back.

By the time he reached the Hokage Tower, the weight of everyone's expectations made his skin itch.

Inside the office, he was greeted by an unexpected lineup: Shikamaru Nara stood by the window, arms folded. Hatake Kakashi leaned casually near the wall, eye scanning a book. Shizune offered him a small, polite smile. And at the center of it all, Tsunade sat behind her desk, hands steepled under her chin.

“Ah, you’ve arrived,” Tsunade said, straightening slightly.

Karin gave a respectful nod, unsure whether to sit or stand.

“Hokage-sama,” Shikamaru spoke up, his gaze landing on Karin with mild scrutiny. “This is the one?”

“Yes,” Tsunade replied calmly. “Don’t worry, Shikamaru. He’s harmless.”

Karin raised an eyebrow at that description but said nothing.

Tsunade cleared her throat, gathering their full attention.

“I called you here today for more than Naruto’s arrangement,” she began. “It’s time I chose a successor for the Hokage seat.”

A heavy silence settled over the room. Shikamaru stiffened. Kakashi’s visible eye narrowed slightly. Only Karin remained unfazed—mostly because he had no idea why he was even present for this.

Tsunade’s gaze settled on Kakashi.

“It will be you, Kakashi.”

The Copy Ninja didn’t react at first. Then he sighed, closing his book with a quiet snap.

“I thought you might say that,” he murmured.

Shikamaru exhaled slowly. “Makes sense. He's the most capable… and he already has the respect of the other villages.”

“And Naruto trusts him,” Tsunade added. “Which matters now more than ever.”

Karin glanced between them, still processing everything. Kakashi, the next Hokage… Naruto’s mentor… her stability.

He felt more and more like a background player in a world far larger than he’d ever imagined.

“But… what about me?” Karin asked suddenly, the words slipping out before he could second-guess them. “Why am I here for this?”

Tsunade turned her gaze to him. For a moment, her stern demeanor softened.

“Because this concerns you too,” she said. “Naruto came barging into my office earlier today, insisting on something.”

She leaned back with a tired sigh, rubbing her temples as if the memory still echoed in her ears.

“She’s been fussing about going to Uzushiogakure,” Tsunade explained. “It’s been on her mind ever since your conversations about the clan.”

Karin blinked, stunned. He hadn’t realized how deeply that topic had affected her.

“She’s serious about it?” he asked, his voice quieter.

“Very,” Tsunade replied. “And I’ve decided to approve the journey.”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. Shikamaru muttered something about the logistics. But Karin’s thoughts were elsewhere—back to Naruto’s curious expression, the way her eyes lit up when she asked about the ruins of her people.

“I want you to accompany her,” Tsunade continued, her voice steady. “I trust you, Karin.”

He looked up, surprised.

“Not because I think she needs protection—Naruto can handle herself just fine—but because this will be a crucial time for both of you. That land belongs to your blood. The journey will test your patience, your bond, and your understanding of one another.”

Karin swallowed. The weight of the task was heavier than any ANBU glare or village-wide whisper.

“You’ll leave in three days,” Tsunade added, her tone shifting back to command. “Prepare well. That part of the world hasn’t seen much peace since the war. The terrain is rough, and the ruins are untouched.”

“I… understand,” Karin said, standing straighter now.

As the meeting adjourned, and the others began to file out, Karin lingered for a moment longer, glancing at the Hokage.

“Thank you… for trusting me.”

Tsunade gave him a nod. “Make it count.”

Outside the Hokage Tower, Karin paused, taking a deep breath as the breeze stirred his red hair.

In three days, he’d be walking the land of his ancestors… with the girl who unknowingly already carried his heart.

And this time, he wouldn’t be just a background player.

He would be part of something that mattered.

Chapter Text

Ever since the whole arranged marriage announcement, Karin had been relocated to a new apartment within Konoha. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, walking back and forth between the village and Orochimaru’s hideout had been exhausting. So he accepted the move—reluctantly.

What he hadn’t expected, though, was how quickly Naruto made herself at home in his space. She visited almost every day, sometimes bringing food, sometimes just talking his ears off about missions or ramen or her dreams.

He was heading home now, casually making his way through one of the livelier Konoha districts, when he saw her.

Naruto.

She was with a group—her friends, he assumed. Among them he recognized a few familiar faces: the Yamanaka girl, the Hyūga heiress, the loud Inuzuka, and even that Nara guy—Shikamaru—from the Hokage's office earlier.

Karin slowed his steps, half-hoping to blend into the background. But it was too late.

They saw him.

The Konoha Twelve stared at him with mixed expressions—curiosity, caution, some obvious distrust. Understandable. To them, he was a former enemy. Orochimaru’s subordinate. A stranger.

But then, Naruto looked over.

Her face lit up.

Like the sun breaking through clouds, she beamed as if she was genuinely happy to see him. Without hesitation, she jogged over to him and took his hand casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“We’re going to the BBQ place,” she said brightly, looking up at him. “Wanna come?”

Karin blinked. He was still caught off guard every time she touched him without hesitation, as if he wasn’t some outsider. Her hand was warm.

“Uh… I guess,” he muttered, trying not to sound too startled. “If that’s okay.”

“Ah! Naruto!” Ino gasped from the group, clearly shocked. “You invited him?”

Sakura nudged her sharply with an elbow. “Let it go, Ino.”

Shikamaru let out a long sigh. “What a drag. I was hoping for a peaceful dinner.”

“It’s Naruto’s fiancé?” Kiba tilted his head, arms crossed, while Akamaru barked from behind him—either in greeting or mild confusion.

“If Naruto-chan trusts him,” Hinata said with a soft smile, “then so do I.”

“I think I’m the only single one here,” Tenten muttered as she glanced at the sky, her tone light but tinged with sadness. Her fingers brushed her sleeve absentmindedly, almost like a habit. “Neji would’ve made fun of me for it.”

The group quieted for a moment at the mention of Neji. The Konoha 12… weren’t twelve anymore. Not really. The absence still echoed, even years later.

Rock Lee broke the silence with his usual exuberance, flashing a thumbs-up. “What a youthful face you have, Karin-chan!”

Karin’s face twitched at the suffix. “Don’t call me that.”

“To be honest,” Sai said, ever the tactless observer, “from behind I thought you were a girl because of your long hair.”

“My hair’s not that long,” Karin muttered under his breath, pushing his glasses up. But compared to the others, yeah… maybe it was.

Naruto laughed, elbowing him gently. “It’s okay. I thought the same when I first met you too.”

“...You weren’t supposed to admit that,” he said flatly, though there was no real bite in his tone.

The group chuckled, the tension breaking as they began to move toward the BBQ restaurant again—this time with Karin quietly walking alongside them. Still not quite one of them… but not a stranger anymore either.

And as Naruto glanced back at him, smiling like it was the most natural thing in the world, Karin thought:

Maybe being here isn’t so bad.

They settled around the long table at the BBQ place, the smell of grilled meat and charcoal already in the air. Plates were quickly passed around, drinks poured, and Naruto found herself squeezed between Sakura and Karin—with Ino sitting directly across from them, eyes sharp with curiosity.

“So,” Ino started, leaning forward with a smirk, her elbows on the table and chin resting on her hand. “Naruto is the heir of the Uzumaki Clan, and you're an Uzumaki too?” Her voice was light, but the interest was real.

Sakura nodded beside her, equally intrigued. She and Ino had always considered Naruto their sister, even if not by blood—and now here she was, sitting beside a man who shared her name, her heritage.

Karin nodded, his posture a little stiff under the attention. “Yeah… distant branch. My mother got out before everything collapsed.”

Ino’s brow furrowed slightly. “So you’re technically clan relatives?”

“You could say that,” Karin replied, reaching for a cup of water. “But distant enough that this whole marriage thing is… fine. I guess.”

Sakura raised an eyebrow. “You guess?”

Naruto laughed awkwardly. “It’s… complicated. We’re not in love or anything.”

“Yet,” Ino added slyly, nudging Sakura.

“Oi!” Naruto blushed slightly. “It’s not like that!”

But the smile on her lips wasn’t as resistant as it once was. Karin, for his part, kept his gaze down, though there was a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth—almost a smile.

“You don’t have to be in love to start something strong,” Hinata said softly from across the table, her voice sincere. “Sometimes you grow into it.”

Naruto glanced at Karin, who finally looked up and met her eyes. Neither of them said anything, but the moment hung between them like a question neither wanted to answer just yet.

Kiba broke the silence with a grin. “Well, if Karin’s sticking around, he better get used to how we do things.”

“Loudly and with lots of food?” Karin deadpanned.

“Exactly,” Choji added, raising his chopsticks.

The table burst into laughter, and just like that, the tension dissolved. Naruto leaned back in her seat, and without thinking, her hand brushed lightly against Karin’s under the table.

He didn’t pull away.