The sea breeze hit hard, carrying that salty, fishy sting, whipping across jagged rocks and tossing the girl's messy hair.
She stood a little ways off, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, eyes downcast but always zeroing in on the figure perched on the highest rock, silently staring into the foggy distance.
These past few days, with the whole ninja world hunting them like dogs, the thought of bailing had crossed her mind more than once.
In this world, trust and warmth were rarer than diamonds and more fragile than glass.
She'd been a stray in the ninja world for years, a skittish bird, jumping at every shadow, always on edge when anyone got too close.
But every time she thought about running, about diving into the unknown—maybe just as dangerous—that boy named Uchiha Makoto flashed in her mind, clear as day.
Every move he made, every action on this journey, was like a tough-ass vine wrapping around her ankles, rooting her to the spot.
She thought of the ninjas who treated lives like trash, the nobles who saw people like her as bugs to squash or humiliate. Their cold, ugly faces flickered in her head.
And then there was Makoto. He was different.
He was a stone-cold killer, ruthless as hell, facing enemies like unmelting ice, fearless even against nobles dripping with power and influence.
But to her? Not once had he looked down on her, mocked her, or thrown her some pitying handout. No creepy, greedy stares.
What he gave her was something she'd never dared dream of in her brutal, wandering life: respect and protection.
Plus, ninja training and real, tangible warmth.
The new, sturdy, perfectly fitted clothes on her body blocked the biting sea wind. The lingering warmth and flavor of hot meals in her stomach chased away years of hunger and weakness.
This "real" stuff, in a ninja world that turned survival of the fittest into a sick art form, was worth more than gold. It was heavier than her life, which she'd long since stopped valuing.
He never spouted sappy, flowery words. Sometimes his tone was harsh, barking orders like there was no room for debate.
But every single thing he did built an invisible, unbreakable wall around her, keeping the world's dangers and malice at bay.
That kid named Haku followed Makoto with such raw devotion, his eyes clear and unshakable, like he'd found his life's purpose, his home. It was total, all-in loyalty.
And now, looking at Makoto's quiet figure on that rock—his frame a bit slight but somehow carrying the weight of every storm and threat ahead—she thought she saw something in his lowered profile. A hint of… disappointment?
Was it because of her hesitation, her cowardice?
The thought made her bite her lip so hard she tasted blood.
The last flickers of panic and doubt in her eyes melted like ice in a bonfire, replaced by a do-or-die resolve.
The road ahead was a minefield, enemies everywhere. Their little "organization" didn't even have enough people to call it a proper ninja squad. It was small, pathetic.
The whole ninja world's hatred could crush them in a heartbeat if they slipped up.
But this—this was the only spark of warmth she'd found in all her years of drifting. The one thing she'd give everything for, even burn herself to ash without a second thought.
She sucked in a deep breath of that cold, briny air, like she was shoving all her fear and doubt into her lungs, crushing them, and breathing them out.
Then she moved.
Her feet hit the icy, wet rocks, stepping toward that lone figure on the reef.
Her steps were light, barely making a sound on the uneven stone, but each one was firm, like she was stomping out her past hesitations.
Holding her breath, she reached out with trembling arms. From behind, she wrapped them around his solid waist—gently, but with every ounce of strength she had.
Her cheek pressed against the cool fabric of his back. Through the thin layer, she could feel the hard lines of his muscles and the growing warmth of his body.
Her arms shook with nerves and emotion but held on tight, like letting go would mean losing the most important thing in her life.
"I… I have a name."
Her voice was soft, almost lost in the sea breeze, but it carried a steely, unshakable resolve, like a blood oath she'd never break.
"My name is Guren."
She felt his muscles tense for a split second, a brief stiffness, like he was pissed she'd kept it from him.
Instead of pulling away, she hugged him tighter, scared he'd push her off. Her voice trembled but rang clear through the wind.
"I'm weak right now… so weak I can't even help you much. But I'll fight like hell to get stronger! I'll put my life on the line to get there fast!"
She repeated it, hammering the words like she was carving them into her soul.
"Haku's your weapon, clearing the path ahead…"
"Then I'll be your shield, blocking every hit aimed at you!"
"Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over my cold, dead body first."
Makoto felt the warmth and trembling against his back, the soft touch mixing with her ironclad vow. He went quiet for a moment, then slowly turned around.
Guren had to loosen her grip, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.
Years of malnutrition had left her face thin, her chin sharp, but her features were still strikingly delicate.
Her brows arched like distant mountains, her nose finely carved, her lips—red from nervous biting—were pressed tight, radiating a heart-stopping mix of stubbornness and fragility.
Her eyes, locked on his, were free of all their earlier confusion and fear. They burned bright, like a fire blazed deep in her pupils, the glow of someone who'd finally found a reason to live and would burn everything for it.
Makoto looked down at her. The faint disappointment in his expression melted like snow in spring, his lips curving into a soft, genuine smile.
He reached out—not to push her away, but with a natural, almost protective motion. He pulled her thin shoulders close, wrapping her in a full, tight embrace.
This wasn't just her clinging to him anymore. This was him responding, accepting her.
Their bodies pressed closer, the sea breeze tangling their hair together. His clean, crisp scent mixed with her faint, floral-like fragrance, creating a subtle, warm intimacy in the cold, salty mist.
Guren's face flushed red, the heat spreading to her ears and pale neck. Her heart pounded like a drumline, slamming against her ribs.
But she didn't pull away. Instead, she instinctively leaned deeper into his warm, steady embrace, like it was the safest, most comforting place in the world.
Nearby, Haku watched quietly, his eyes shimmering with pure, warm joy. A gentle smile tugged at his lips.
To him, Makoto's happiness and acceptance were the brightest, warmest light in his world—the only one that mattered. He stepped aside, giving them space, and turned his gaze to the shimmering sea, his heart full of hope for what lay ahead.
Makoto already knew who she was.
The first time he'd seen her on that remote island, her rare pale blue hair and unique eyes had sparked a vague sense of familiarity.
But compared to the fierce, polished elite kunoichi from the original storyline, this girl was young, worn down by years of wandering, her features not yet fully developed. That's why he hadn't recognized her right away.
After traveling together and watching her closely, her occasional flashes of talent and chakra nature confirmed it: Guren, the wielder of the Crystal Release bloodline limit.
That bloodline had insane potential. In the original timeline, even Orochimaru, with his razor-sharp eye for talent, had picked her as a potential vessel for his reincarnation.
Being on Orochimaru's shortlist spoke volumes about her bloodline and potential. Her ceiling was sky-high, no question.
What was even rarer was the fierce, almost fanatical loyalty buried in her bones.
In the original story, when Orochimaru passed her over as a vessel, she didn't feel relieved. Instead, she harbored deep resentment and bitterness toward Sasuke Uchiha.
Like Haku, her talent, mindset, and loyalty were top-tier—rare finds you couldn't just stumble across.
If he started training her now, her floor was at least elite Jōnin level—think Kakashi Hatake, Konoha's legendary Copy Ninja, who'd struggled against Guren's Crystal Release in a head-on fight, only winning with teamwork.
With a little "cheat code" help and some serious training, her potential could easily break into Kage-level territory.
Plus, compared to Haku, her feminine instincts made her more attuned to details. She could handle his day-to-day needs, a versatile, all-around asset who could "get shit done" in every sense.
This trip to the Land of Waves, though short, had been a goldmine, way beyond Makoto's expectations. Not only had he raked in a ton of cash…
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