Though shy and timid, she showed him more warmth than most people ever had.
That morning, Naruto woke up early once again.
After tidying himself, he happily made his way to Aunt Xinglin's home next door.
Even though she treated him well, Naruto refused to become lazy.
Every day, he insisted on waking early to help prepare breakfast.
Xingling often told him to sleep longer, but he never listened.
This happiness had come too late...
and he intended to cling to it with everything he had.
Just as the three of them finished breakfast, Arata finally arrived, carrying the withdrawal order from the Third Hokage.
He did not enter the house immediately. Instead, using his sharp perception, he located the ANBU operatives hidden nearby. Without a word, he handed them the signed order.
After confirming its authenticity, the ANBU saluted Arata and withdrew at once.
Arata scanned the area and noted that only Naruto and the other two lived on the top floor. He nodded slightly.
There was no need to find another location. With a simple barrier in place, no one would interfere with the replication.
With all concerns settled, Arata stepped forward and knocked politely on the door of Xingling's home.
Uchiha Arata swept his gaze across the surroundings and quickly confirmed that only Uzumaki Naruto and the mother-and-daughter pair lived on the top floor of the building.
He nodded slightly to himself. It seemed there was no need to look for another location...this place would suffice.
At that moment, Uzumaki Xiangling opened the door in response to the knock.
When she saw Arata standing outside, delight flashed across her face.
"Mr. Arata! What a surprise....what brings you here today? Please, come in!"
As she spoke, she turned her head and called toward the interior, "Karin, come quick and see who's here. It's Mr. Arata!"
While ushering Arata inside, Xiangling explained warmly, "Karin has been thinking about you these past few days.
If not for you, the two of us would have truly died in the Grass Village. She's been wanting to thank you ever since."
Xiangling didn't know that even the mission to bring her and her daughter to Konoha had been arranged by Arata through the Third Hokage.
Nor did she know that without Arata, she really would have died in the Grass Village....and that Karin would have become nothing more than a living medical tool afterward.
Of course, Arata had no intention of telling her any of this.
He had saved them with his own purpose in mind, and there was no need to seek credit for it.
As Arata stepped into the room, the small figure who had heard her mother's call came stumbling out of the bedroom.
When little Karin saw that Arata had truly arrived, her large eyes seemed to light up, her small face filled with unconcealed joy.
In her heart, Uchiha Arata was nothing less than a savior.
He had rescued her and her mother, pulled them out of the hell that was the Grass Village, and brought them to this village filled with kindness.
Because of that, Karin had genuinely missed him these past few days.
But she was already mature beyond her years and never cried or begged to see him.
She knew that someone as powerful as Mr. Arata must be very busy, and she didn't want to disturb his life.
Karin stumbled up to Arata and forcibly stopped herself from throwing her arms around him.
Her small face flushed red as she looked up at him with eyes full of happiness and said softly, "Good day, Mr. Arata. Welcome."
Seeing the adorable little girl before him, Arata's expression softened.
He crouched down, lifted a hand, and gently stroked her red hair.
"Good to see you too, little Karin."
Hearing his words, Karin's already red face grew even redder as she replied shyly, "Mm… I'm doing very well. Thank you, sir."
Seeing her reaction, Arata knew he shouldn't tease her any further.
He patted her head once more, stood up, and turned to Xianglin, who had been watching from the side.
"Have you been settling in well these past few days? If you run into any problems, let me know. I'll take care of them."
Xianglin answered immediately, "Yes, Mr. Arata. Please don't worry.
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