Chapter Fifty-Seven: Time to Leave

After Higashino Yu finished speaking, he strode forward. Perhaps it was because of what he had just said, or maybe it was the effect of his earlier display, but the ANBU members blocking his path instinctively stepped aside to let him pass. The others made no sudden moves either, simply watching as Higashino Yu led Karin and her mother toward the Hokage's office.

Not long after they left, the ANBU standing in the street snapped out of their daze and quickly vanished. Soon, the ordinary townsfolk began to move again, and with the flow of the crowd, rumors about the incident that had just occurred spread like wildfire. The news that two surviving members of the Uzumaki clan had come to seek refuge circulated rapidly throughout Konoha, and as the villagers learned the details, many began to observe the unfolding events with great interest.

Those who had once benefited from the Uzumaki or had ties with members of the clan paid especially close attention. By now, Higashino Yu had already brought Karin and her mother to the foot of the Hokage Tower. Their arrival had been anticipated—news of their coming had spread much faster than their actual steps, and several people were already waiting for them.

No sooner had they reached the entrance than an ANBU in a mask leapt out. “The Hokage is waiting upstairs for you. Please follow me.” The ANBU guide had white hair—Higashino Yu suspected it might be Kakashi.

Quickly, with the ANBU leading the way, all three arrived at the Hokage’s office. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk. Standing beside him were Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura.

The entire Konoha leadership had assembled—it was clear that Higashino Yu’s arrival had caused quite a stir.

“Hokage-sama, I’ve brought them,” the ANBU said respectfully.

“Very well, you may go,” the Third responded, rising to his feet.

Once the ANBU had withdrawn, the Third began to speak. “I’ve heard all about your situation. You must have suffered a lot over the years.” His opening was that of a seasoned politician.

Higashino Yu was immune to such rhetoric, but Karin’s mother was visibly moved. Though she said nothing, emotion was written all over her face.

“No matter what hardships you’ve endured before, you’ll be safe here in Konoha. Rest assured, as survivors of our former allies, we will certainly accept you.”

He then turned his gaze to Karin, who stood behind Higashino Yu. “How old is this little one? She must be about school age. Once you’ve settled in, she can attend the ninja academy.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama!” Karin’s mother exclaimed gratefully.

She felt as if she were dreaming. Was this truly Konoha? Not only did they not reject them, they trusted them openly and even offered Karin the chance to become a ninja.

“There’s no need to thank me. What happened to the Land of Whirlpools…” The Third grew silent for a moment, as if recalling something painful. “The fault lies with us in Konoha. During that time, I couldn’t even face Lady Mito. Now that you two have come all this way to seek refuge, let us consider this our way of making amends.”

Karin’s mother said nothing, but gratitude brimmed in her eyes.

Danzo and the others remained silent, standing to the side. Everything the Third had said had been agreed upon in advance by the entire council. They had already reviewed all the information regarding Karin and her mother, which explained their show of trust.

As for why Konoha had such detailed information about Karin and her mother—it had come along with the intelligence gathered on Higashino Yu.

Having addressed the matter of Karin and her mother, the Third turned his attention to Higashino Yu.

“You must be the legendary bounty hunter said to have ended the war between the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfall singlehandedly?”

Higashino Yu wondered when he had become a legend himself. “Yes,” he answered calmly.

“And what brings you to Konoha?”

“I’m simply fulfilling their commission. Nothing more.”

After a pause, he added, “Once they’re settled, I’ll be leaving.”

The Third nodded and said no more. With that, the matter was more or less concluded. The Third arranged lodgings for Karin and her mother, and had someone escort them there.

…

After Higashino Yu and the others left, Danzo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “Are you sure you don’t want her placed under my Root? After all, she’s from the Land of Grass. Whether or not she can be trusted is still uncertain.”

“We can observe and monitor them over time to determine trust. The tragedy of the Land of Whirlpools was Konoha’s fault. I couldn’t even face Lady Mito back then. Now that these two survivors have come to us, let them live in the sunlight.”

Danzo said nothing more, realizing that the Third’s stance on this matter was unshakable.

Koharu then shifted the topic to Higashino Yu. “Are the tales from the intelligence reports about that man actually true? I just tried sensing him, and I didn’t detect any chakra at all.”

“Earlier, Bug reported that he felt as if he were facing death itself—he trembled uncontrollably and even fell from the rooftop. So, even if that man’s strength isn’t quite as exaggerated as the reports claim, he’s certainly formidable.”

“Does someone like that really have no other motives for coming to Konoha?”

“Whatever the case, we’ll keep him under surveillance. No hasty moves.”

“That’s all we can do for now.”

“Danzo, keep your Root in check. I don’t want any complications arising from this.”

Danzo snorted, but that was as much as an agreement.

Higashino Yu had no idea what was being discussed in the Hokage’s office. At that moment, he and Karin and her mother were following an ANBU to a small house.

It was called a small house, but in truth it was fairly spacious—two stories, covering about a hundred square meters. The location wasn’t particularly prime, but it wasn’t isolated either; not on Konoha’s busiest street, but not far from it. Most importantly, the house was being offered to Karin and her mother free of charge.

Inside, a layer of dust covered the floor, a clear sign that it had stood uninhabited for years.

“It’s so dirty!” Karin exclaimed, “But it’s so big!”

“It is,” her mother replied.

“Mom, will we live here from now on?”

A moment of silence, then her mother nodded firmly. “Yes.”

“Wonderful! This place feels so nice!”

Seeing the joy on her daughter’s face, Karin’s mother couldn’t suppress a smile of her own. On the road, worries had weighed heavily on her mind, but now, though not entirely gone, much of her anxiety had been replaced by hope.

“Lord Luffy, thank you,” she said to Higashino Yu with heartfelt gratitude.

“Brother Luffy, thank you!” Karin echoed.

Higashino Yu responded coolly, “No need to thank me. It was just a commission—one thousand ryo, as agreed.”

As he spoke, he glanced at his skill panel—another new skill had appeared.

[Sealing Technique lv1: 0/100]

The Sealing Technique wasn’t of much immediate use to him, but it was better than nothing.

Karin’s mother rummaged through her belongings and produced a thousand ryo. “Sir, here is your payment.”

Higashino Yu accepted it. Just then, a small hand offered him a piece of candy.

“Brother, I haven’t given you my payment yet.”

He took the candy as well, slipping both it and the ryo into his pocket. After a moment’s thought, he took the candy out again, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.

“It’s sweet.”

With that, he changed the subject. “Let’s clean up the house. It’s getting late.”

Karin looked around. “It really is dirty. It’ll take forever to clean!”

“It’s all right, I’ll take care of it. Karin, you go play,” her mother said.

“No, I want to help!”

Seeing the two of them, Higashino Yu drew his sword. Though the house was dirty, three strokes would suffice for him.

With the first, he summoned wind to gather all the dust. With the second, water flowed to wash every surface. With the third, wind again, this time to dry everything instantly.

In three strokes, what had been a filthy house was now spotless.

Karin and her mother stared in astonishment. Was it really that easy? Could ninjutsu be used like that?

“Brother, you’re amazing!” Karin exclaimed.

Higashino Yu considered, then said, “Once you enter the ninja academy and study hard, you’ll be able to do this too.”

“Really?”

“Of course,” he lied without hesitation.

“Then I’ll definitely study hard!”

Turning to Karin’s mother, he asked, “Do you have any plans? It shouldn’t be hard to find a job in Konoha—many places are hiring.”

“Yes, I noticed several places looking for help as we came through town. I plan to try my luck in a couple of days.”

“That’s good.” After a pause, Higashino Yu continued, “Don’t feel you have to be too accommodating. That won’t protect your daughter. If you ever run into trouble, you can commission me again.”

He pulled out the candy wrapper he’d just received. “If you need to find me, tear this wrapper—I’ll sense it.”

The Sealing Technique he’d just acquired finally saw use; he sealed a trace of his spiritual energy into the wrapper. Even at level one, it would help keep the signal alive for some time.

“Thank you, sir.” Karin’s mother accepted the wrapper reverently.

“No need to thank me…” After a brief silence, Higashino Yu decided it was time to go.

“I’ll be leaving now,” he said simply.

“You’re leaving already?” Karin’s mother was clearly caught off guard.

“The commission is complete.”

“Can’t you stay a little longer, Brother?” Karin looked reluctant to see him go.

“It’s time for me to leave,” he replied, unmoved.