Konoha's Barrier Division, at the very beginning, it was nothing more than a small barrier team made up of just over a dozen people.
However, as Konoha continued to expand outward and its scale grew larger and larger, the barrier team developed alongside it, almost like a shadow following its form.
Especially after Kushina was successfully revived, and with the introduction of the powerful barrier techniques from Miroku, the barrier team seemed to grow wings and take flight, advancing at an astonishing speed. Now, it was already far ahead of the entire ninja world.
In just a few short years, that once small barrier team had transformed magnificently into a massive Barrier Division with more than two hundred members.
And within the organization, the division of labor was extremely refined.
It was further subdivided into specialized units such as the Defense Unit, Communication Unit, and Sealing Unit.
Each unit carried its own unique and crucial responsibilities.
"Alright, I'm heading out first!"
After hurriedly greeting everyone, Karin rushed toward the door like a gust of wind.
It had to be said that skills like sealing techniques and barrier techniques weren't something that could be mastered through effort alone, they required extremely high talent.
But Karin not only possessed astonishing natural talent, she was also incredibly hardworking.
On top of that, she was in such an excellent learning environment, with masters like Kushina and Miroku personally teaching and guiding her without holding anything back, allowing her skills to improve by leaps and bounds.
Now, Karin's attainments in sealing and barrier techniques had far surpassed most of her peers.
Even those senior members who had spent more than a decade studying in the barrier team would often have to turn to Karin for help when faced with difficult problems.
Just as Karin stepped out of the doorway, Rengoku happened to be walking toward her.
"Shishou…", Seeing that familiar figure, Karin's face instantly lit up with a bright smile.
In the next moment, she leapt forward and threw herself into Rengoku's arms.
Ever since her body had begun to mature, she hadn't made such an intimate gesture in a long time.
Faced with this sudden, enthusiastic embrace, Rengoku smiled and gently wrapped his arms around her, steadying her in his hold.
After all, as time had passed, the relationship between the two had already changed, so there was no need to be overly cautious anymore.
Rengoku didn't rush to let go of the hand around Karin's waist. He softly asked, "Karin, have you eaten?"
Hearing this, Karin's bright eyes rolled slightly.
In truth, she had already eaten while at the Barrier Division.
But at that moment, hearing her master ask, she suddenly felt like having a meal alone with him.
Rengoku knew his disciple's temperament very well. Just from the way her eyes shifted, he could already tell she was about to lie her way through it.
So he raised his right hand and lightly tapped her pert backside, then slowly set her down, smiling as he said, "Alright, stop dawdling. Let's head out and take a walk. I haven't been back in a while, I wonder if there's any new food on the streets."
At that light tap and release, Karin's face instantly flushed red.
Even though she was usually quite open and cheerful, such an intimate action still made her feel shy.
But at the same time, Rengoku's natural and familiar gesture sparked a hint of curiosity in her heart.
With a faint blush still on her face, she hugged his arm tightly, "Shishou, Sister Kaori told me you've never been in a relationship before."
Rengoku smiled slightly, raising his left hand to gently ruffle her soft hair as he replied, "Mm… you're the first, and the last."
Having lived through long years across two lifetimes, words like this came naturally to Rengoku.
When Karin heard this, her bright eyes instantly grew moist.
Clinging to his arm, she said in a soft, coaxing tone, "Shishou, then… can you carry me now?"
Rengoku couldn't help but smile indulgently at this and replied softly, "You've grown this big already, and you still want to be carried like a child?"
Even though he said that, there was no hint of blame in his tone.
"I want to…"
Karin completely ignored his teasing. Instead, she clung to his arm even tighter, swaying it back and forth as she acted spoiled, just like when she was younger.
Seeing how adorable she was, Rengoku smiled.
He slowly crouched down, then reached under the bend of her knees. With a slight lift, he easily picked her up and gently placed her on his shoulders.
At the same time, his other hand rested steadily against her thigh near his shoulder.
The touch was soft and smooth, making Rengoku sigh inwardly, 'As expected, girls are better with a bit of softness, much more comfortable to hold.'
Once lifted onto his shoulders, Karin burst into cheerful laughter, her face filled with happiness and satisfaction.
In that moment, it felt as if she had returned to the time when she had just entered the ninja academy, when she loved sitting on her master's shoulders as he carried her home.
Now, experiencing that familiar feeling again, how could she not be overjoyed?
Hearing Karin's bell-like laughter, Rengoku's mood couldn't help but lift along with it.
Memories of the time they had spent together played through his mind like scenes from a film.
For a moment, a warm and sweet atmosphere filled the space between master and disciple.
After a while, Karin suddenly asked, "Shishou, should I keep working in the Barrier Division? Honestly, I really want to be with you every day."
Her face was full of excitement as she spoke. After all, having grown up by her master's side, being able to stay with him at all times was her greatest wish.
Rengoku gently shook his head and said slowly, "You should stay in the Barrier Division and keep working there."
His gaze rested softly on Karin as he added earnestly, "No matter what happens, you must never lose your sense of self."
"Otherwise, you'll gradually lose the unique charm that belongs only to you."
"Our road ahead is still long. There's no need to rush into being together every single day."
Karin blinked her clear, watery eyes. Even though she didn't fully understand everything he said, she still nodded obediently, "I understand, Shishou. I'll listen to you."
As soon as she finished speaking, she sniffed lightly, then excitedly pointed ahead and shouted, "Shishou, I can smell fried rice cakes from up ahead!"
Rengoku followed the direction she pointed, smiled faintly, and replied with fondness, "Alright then, let's try some fried rice cakes."
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.