[Inside the Warehouse]
Kaiza's hands were tied to a pole, and Gato's men were beating him over and over.
"I heard you planned to use these hands to protect this town?"
Even though he was covered in wounds, Kaiza still glared fiercely at Gato, refusing to answer.
Feeling his dignity challenged, Gato clicked his tongue with a cruel expression.
"You're quite bold. Then let's try something."
He signaled left and right. One of his men kicked Kaiza to the ground.
Two burly men stepped forward carrying two massive hammers.
Their expressions were wicked as they stared at Kaiza.
Kaiza watched the hammers rise, despair filling his eyes.
Whoosh!
A sharp sound cut through the air, and two figures flashed inside.
Pa! Pa!
Hinata wasn't even as tall as the men's chests, but when her small fists struck their bodies, their entire frames jolted.
Blood spurted from their mouths, and they collapsed backward in an instant.
"Who's there?"
Gato stared in panic at the two approaching figures, one big and one small.
A bright Konoha symbol hung around Hinata's neck.
"Konoha ninja!"
Gato panicked, 'How could Konoha ninja appear in this remote and poor land?'
Karin cut the rope on Kaiza's hands and helped him up, "We're here to save you."
Kaiza was badly injured, but he still worried for Karin and Hinata. They looked like children.
"Be careful… they… there are many of them."
Karin lifted Kaiza and leaped out of the encirclement, "Hinata, if you're scared, just say so."
Hinata's expression was firm as she faced the rushing thugs. She heard Karin but didn't respond.
She took the Gentle Fist stance and dashed forward.
After the upheaval in the Hyuga clan, Hinata's mindset had been steadily changing.
The more she learned about the clan, the less she could bring herself to hate the branch family.
But as one of the last two members of the main family, she had to be strong.
And these were just big, strong ordinary people.
Hinata's Gentle Fist flashed again and again, knocking down thug after thug. Each one hit fell to the ground groaning.
Gato panicked, "All of you, get her! What are you staring at? She's just a little girl!"
He and a few leaders began retreating toward the exit.
Karin stood on a high point, watching Gato. She didn't rush to deal with him.
Rengoku had said Gato would be dealt with afterwards. This time was clearly meant to let him escape and gather his men.
Gato glanced up at Karin standing above. His eyes moved greedily over her mature curves.
An ugly smile twisted his face.
Such a beautiful woman was rare.
"Hmph! Just wait for me!"
He decided he would hire more men with heavy money and come back.
Karin's sensory perception was sharp. She felt Gato's gaze the moment he looked at her.
She froze for a moment, then realized what was happening.
A furious look spread across her face. She reached into her pouch.
In one motion she flung a kunai.
A samurai beside Gato drew his blade to block.
Clang!
The sword was knocked aside by the impact.
"Ah!", Gato screamed. The kunai had been knocked off target but still pierced his shoulder clean through.
Clutching his injury, he rolled and crawled his way out.
Karin spat toward him in disgust. If she didn't have to maintain Rengoku's plan, she would have killed that disgusting man right now.
Most of these men were local thugs. Many were already on the ground thanks to Hinata.
Now that Gato had run, the rest scrambled to flee as well.
Hinata didn't pursue. She jumped to Karin's side.
"Karin, what's wrong?"
Hinata didn't notice the anger in Karin's face and asked in confusion.
Karin shook her head, "Nothing. Let's go back. Master will get impatient."
Hinata at eleven was still completely flat-chested. Karin naturally would not tell her the reason.
———
Karin brought Kaiza and Hinata back to Dazna's home.
"Master, we're back!"
As Karin greeted Rengoku, she let go of Kaiza.
Kaiza staggered and fell heavily to the floor, coughing up blood.
Seeing how badly injured he was, Inari burst into tears.
"Dad! Are you okay? Don't die! Please don't die!"
Tsunami was shaken with grief, wiping her tears nonstop.
In a place with scarce medical supplies, such injuries could easily worsen.
Rengoku shot Karin a glare, then moved forward and examined Kaiza. He had been beaten severely, with significant internal bleeding.
The fall just now nearly broke what little strength he had left.
If another doctor treated him, his chance of survival would be low. Even if he survived, he would suffer long-term damage.
Karin awkwardly scratched her cheek, "Sorry, my hand slipped."
Rengoku patted Karin's head, "Don't be so reckless next time."
Rengoku did like Kaiza as a person.
He took a bowl, poured a bit of the Water of Life, and diluted it.
"Drink this."
Kaiza was half conscious and in unbearable pain. Hearing Rengoku's voice, he dazedly drank the mixture.
A warm stream spread through his stomach.
Rengoku placed his hand over Kaiza's chest and used Mystical Palm Technique to heal the worst injuries.
The pain faded rapidly.
With both the healing jutsu and the Water of Life, Kaiza quickly pulled back from danger.
"Don't worry, Kaiza is fine," Rengoku reassured casually.
He didn't continue using the jutsu. Ordinary people couldn't withstand too much.
"He's out of danger now. He just needs to rest."
"Thank you, thank you!", Tsunami cried with joy as she kept thanking him.
Inari clung tightly to Kaiza, refusing to let go.
"These are medicines for external wounds. Apply them on him," Hinata said, handing Tsunami medicine from her pouch.
"Gaara, carry him to the room."
"Yes."
From Gaara's gourd, a blanket of sand rose, lifted Kaiza gently, and carried him steadily into the inner room.
"Thank you, Lord Rengoku. Let's eat first."
Dazna saw everything. He knew the medicine Rengoku gave must be precious.
If Rengoku hadn't been here, Kaiza would have died.
Rengoku waved his hand, "It's fine. Kaiza has a heroic spirit, but one person's strength is limited. Don't let him be reckless. He won't always be this lucky."
Dazna nodded deeply. Tsunami went to apply medicine to Kaiza, while Dazna served the meal himself.
"You're right, Lord Rengoku. I'll talk to him."
"We'll stay here until Gato is dealt with."
"Eat," Rengoku called, and everyone sat down.
This was an island nation, so most dishes were fish. Tsunami's cooking was good; everyone enjoyed the meal.
"Tomorrow I'll show you what the conditions in small countries are like."
The kids still had little worldly experience. Rengoku wanted to teach them.
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