Red hair was actually quite rare. At present, Kazuyama Gekkō knew of only a handful of people in the entire ninja world who had it.
Well… maybe not so few—there were people like Chōza Akimichi and Sasori of the Red Sand. Still, the most representative were without question the former Uzumaki Clan. Their strength was well known, and they had once helped Konoha stabilize the situation.
The one he was looking for now was a true-blooded Uzumaki.
Although the clan had been wiped out, many survivors had scattered across the world, and this woman in Kusagakure was among the most gifted.
Tagitsuhime had already cast her genjutsu. Images flickered through her snake-like eyes before her expression shifted to one of curiosity and surprise. Clearly, she had seen something in the clinic owner's mind that shocked her.
"Kazuyama, how did you even find someone like this?"
"Does such a physique really exist?"
"Red hair… a member of the Uzumaki Clan? And she can heal others using her own body?"
"Heavens… in my long life, this is the first time I've seen such a thing."
She released her genjutsu, still stunned. This ability was far too strange.
And that wasn't even the main point—the method of healing required releasing chakra directly through her own body? How could such a physique even exist?
"That's exactly why I want her," Kazuyama said. "And as an Uzumaki, her physique is just one part of it. Don't forget their signature ability—the Mind's Eye of Kagura."
"Combine that with their immense chakra reserves, and Uzumaki elites are among the strongest sensory ninja."
"If they also master sealing techniques, they're perfect warriors."
"A talent like hers would only be wasted in Kusagakure."
"So? Where is she?"
Kazuyama crossed his arms, eyes glinting. Judging by the situation, this woman was likely Karin's mother.
A pitiful woman, really. To support her family and raise Karin, she had used her healing abilities to tend to Kusagakure's injured shinobi, trading her services for the right to live there.
Kazuyama wasn't one to stand by and watch others suffer. The Uzumaki's abilities were too precious to leave unused.
"She's in the northern part of the village, among the ninja quarters," Tagitsuhime said. "But there are guards around her home. Clearly, Kusagakure knows about her powers and has her under quiet control."
"What? So we're just going to snatch her?"
Tagitsuhime licked her lips, clearly eager. She hadn't gotten her fill in that last fight against the Rinnegan. There might not be any strong opponents here, but cutting loose a bit wouldn't hurt.
Sensing her rising battle spirit, Kazuyama rapped her on the head. Snake princess or not, a wandering mind deserved a knock.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"I'm not your disciple, why are you hitting me?" she snapped, clearly displeased.
"Stop thinking about fighting all the time. We're here to take someone, not cause a scene."
"Come on, let's sneak over and take a look."
Kazuyama turned to leave. Tagitsuhime scowled, but what could she do? She had chosen her successor—now she had to deal with him.
"Hey, I haven't grabbed my snake berries yet."
Kazuyama halted mid-step, turned back into the clinic, and swiftly gathered up every snake berry before heading out again.
The moment he stepped outside, his form shimmered and vanished—Ryūchi Cave's Sage Art: Invisibility.
...
To the north lay Kusagakure's ninja housing district, rows of closely packed homes. The village was small, and fitting so many people into it was no easy task.
Kazuyama floated above the rooftops, perfectly suited to the Ryūchi Cave techniques. Invisibility and flight—abilities that felt made for him.
"Tagitsuhime, her chakra is unusual. Sense her out. I don't want to stand here forever."
She nodded, closing her eyes to extend her Sage chakra senses.
"Not just one—there's a big one and a small one," she reported. "About three hundred meters ahead."
With the location fixed, Kazuyama flickered forward.
Hovering above the target, he stared down at the house below as though he had x-ray vision.
"This the place? Anyone else nearby?"
"Yes. Four directions, all occupied. Judging by their chakra, they're Chūnin."
Kazuyama nodded. As expected, Kusagakure had been watching her closely.
The door was shut. Getting inside wouldn't be a problem—what else was the Transformation Technique for?
...
Inside, Kazuyama blinked at the simplicity of the room. Just a plain, ordinary home.
A red-haired woman stood cooking, with a tiny baby nearby. That must be Karin.
As for Karin's father? No need to wonder—he was surely gone. For a family from a destroyed clan to escape to Kusagakure at all was already a miracle.
"Tagitsuhime, keep watch outside."
"Alright, tsk tsk… going to talk your way in again? You really are a sly one."
"Quiet."
Dropping his invisibility, Kazuyama appeared in the room.
The woman froze, shoulders tensing before she spun around. Her reaction didn't surprise him. An Uzumaki would naturally be this cautious.
"Don't be alarmed, I mean no harm."
"Who are you? Why are you in my house?!"
Her voice was sharp. A strange man suddenly appearing in her home—of course she'd react this way.
"I said, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm not from Kusagakure. If I belong to any village, it's Takigakure."
He pulled a Takigakure forehead protector from his robe.
It didn't ease her guard. If anything, she grew more tense, ready to run and call for help.
Kazuyama acted before she could.
Before her wide, fearful eyes, a crackling sound filled the air as transparent crystal walls rose around them, sealing the entire room.
By the time she processed what happened, there was nowhere left to run.
"Forget about escaping. Let's have a talk."