Hero Saves Beauty

The team 7 trio entered the forest along with the other genin. The atmosphere took a 180-degree turn as the trio ran further and further into the woods. The surroundings were dark, and the soil was damp. Not much light escaped from the gigantic trees.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Nauto shouted as he made a hand sign.

Dozens of shadow clones appeared around him and ran after him. Everyone looked toward the main Naruto for further instructions.

"Spread out and find the locations of other teams. ── If you find a team, undo the jutsu and let me know their location. Clear?"

"Yes"

After giving a nod, every clone spread out in different directions.

"I really envy that ability," Sakura said, looking at the departing clones.

"True, it's pretty convenient," Naruto said as he looked around, searching for a team. "Let's just hope we are lucky enough to find a heaven scroll soon."

"It would be best if we kept away from powerful teams, especially the sand shinobi you mentioned before," Sasuke replied.

"Yeah, we'll get a chance to face them later anyway. There is no use in wasting any effort in the second stage." Naruto agreed with his words.

***

After an hour or so ── one of Naruto's clones sent him information on the location of Karin. She was alone and unaware of the giant bear that was lurking near her.

Seeing that it was finally time for him to meet the only other Uzumaki, Naruto spoke to Sasuke and Sakura.

"Guys, I detected something a bit away from here. I'm going to check it out. ── I'll leave a shadow clone here just in case you want to let me know something."

The duo nodded, reasoning it would be best as Naruto was faster than the two of them.

He also returned the nod and left in the direction of Karin, leaving two shadow clones behind; the second one being used to observe them from afar, to report him if anything out of order happened.

Naruto knew that Orochimaru would definitely come for Sasuke and had no plans to prevent that. However, while that happened, he didn't want to be near it since if Orochimaru recognized him as a threat this early on, it would be troublesome for him.

He had to make things go according to the main timeline, at least until Tsunade became Hokage. After that, Naruto planned to make changes accordingly.

──────𖥔⋅⋅──❀──⋅⋅𖥔──────

[[[ A few minutes earlier ]]]

A red-haired girl wearing the symbol of Kusagakure, or, in other words, 'village hidden in the grass', could be seen talking to two boys with the same symbol on their forehead protectors. The boys looked injured.

However, after they bit the redhead's hand, their wounds started closing up at a visible rate. Indeed, this was none other than Karin Uzumaki.

"The honour of the village rests with us." One boy said to the other. "We should definitely get it done this time."

Hearing this, the other boy nodded. He then glanced at Karin, who touched his shoulder.

"What should I do?"

The boy gave an angry look at her.

"You'll only be in the way if you come along. Just stay here without bothering us."

Saying this, they left her alone in the dangerous woods without caring a bit about her. It seemed like they considered her more like an outsider than their fellow villager.

Karin could only lower her head upon hearing those hateful words. 'What did I do to them? I saved so many of their people... Is this how they still treat me?'

She didn't have much time to think about it as a ferocious bear charged at her. Karin froze in fear. In a panic, she tried to run away from the bear. But she came crashing down to the ground due to a simple misstep.

'Is this how I gonna die?' She thought as she looked at the bear, who was ready to stomp her. Karin closed her eyes, bracing for the pain. Yet the pain she expected never came. Opening her eyes, she saw a blurry blonde-haired boy landing several punches on the bear. It didn't take even a few seconds; the bear stopped moving.

'Where are my glasses?' She searched all over the ground but had no luck finding them.

Naruto walked up to her and picked up her glasses.

"I believe this is yours."

"Ah, Yes… Thank you."

Karin put on her glasses to see Naruto standing before her. She was utterly surprised when she activated her sensory ability. His chakra was powerful and more potent than anything she had ever seen. It was like an ant looking at the vast sky.

"Beautiful." She muttered unknowingly.

"Am I? Thanks, I guess."

Coming back to the realization of what she said, Karin couldn't help but look away from Naruto's face.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki; what's your name?"

"Uzumaki?" Karin's eyes were wide open. She never expected to meet another clan member here. "Are you an Uzumaki too?"

"Yup, I guess my mother was one."

"Was? ── I'm sorry for your loss," Karin said as she remembered her mother's face. She couldn't help but tear up.

"A beautiful girl like you shouldn't cry," Naruto said, wiping her tears.

"Who did that to you?" Naruto pointed at the bite marks on her hand.

"No! it's nothing." Karin hid her hand behind her back.

Looking closely, Naruto could see bite marks all over the body. He couldn't imagine how much pain she had gone through since childhood.

"Why do you stay in that village since they clearly abuse you?" Naruto spoke suddenly, making Karin startled.

"I- I have nowhere to go," Karin said with a defeated smile.

"Would you be willing to come to Konoha if the chance is given?"

"Is that possible?" Karin had hopeful eyes.

"I can't say for sure, but I'll try, although it would take some time... I don't think it would be impossible. ── That's the least I can do for a fellow Uzumaki." Naruto continued. "You know what... I'll let you in on a secret."

Saying that, Naruto took his kunai out and made a small cut on his wrist. Blood started dripping from it.

"Drink"

Not waiting for Karin to respond, he pressed his wrist onto her lips.

Karin's bite marks started healing at an alarming rate. It should be noted that Naruto's blood is incomparably superior to hers. So, it didn't take much time for her injuries to heal.

Feeling the changes in her body, Karin was speechless. However, she felt much closer to him as they had the same abilities. She opened her mouth to ask a question, but she was interrupted by Naruto.

"Cool, right? ── Although I hope you won't tell anyone about my abilities."He paused while recalling something. "Ah, right... You still haven't said your name."

"Karin, Karin Uzumaki."

"Well, that's a beautiful name."

Her face turned red as a tomato, and she became flustered. This was the first time someone talked to her without any bad intentions or malice after her mother's death.

Hearing such a compliment and the gentle way Naruto treated her made Karin more emotional than an average person would be. She couldn't help but cry.

Naruto was perplexed to see Karin crying.

'Did I say something wrong?'

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come up with an answer. 'Fu*k it'

Thinking that, Naruto embraced her and patted her head.

"Don't cry. Have I said something wrong?"

"N-No... No"

Karin shook her head as she was in Naruto's embrace. But she didn't make any movement to resist because it had been so long since she felt the warmth of another person. A person who could understand her. Someone who knew how she felt. Karin felt at peace, being enveloped in his aura.

Only after a few minutes did Karin reluctantly let him go.

"Sorry," she said embarrassedly, realizing what she had done.

"No problem, anythi ──"

Naruto stopped his words and looked in a particular direction. He got the memory of his shadow clone being devoured by a giant snake.

'So it's finally begun, huh?'

"Is there anything wrong?" Karin asked, looking at Naruto's serious face.

"Yeah, I have something to take care of ── So, I've got to go now. Take this stone, and be sure to keep it close to you."

Naruto reached into his pockets and gave Karin what seemed to be a polished stone. It had well-hidden seals for communication and tracking, including a protective seal against lethal damage.

"Okay." Karin agreed and nodded thoughtfully, taking the stone like it was some treasure. "Will I see you again?"

"You will, I promise."

Saying that, Naruto left, leaving Karin behind. She didn't take her eyes off Naruto until he disappeared from her sight.

After taking a deep breath, she also went her way. But she didn't know that Naruto had left a few shadow clones for her protection. He couldn't take any risks as he couldn't be sure she would be safe due to his interference in the timeline.

=================================================================

[[[ Patr eon - patr eon.com/Zorvog ]]]

[[[ Discord - https://discord.gg/mHVqTPHq47 ]]]

{Check out the author's notes!!}

{Also, do donate some power stones if you have any.}