Red hair is actually not that common. At present, throughout the entire shinobi world, the number of people Gekko Chizan knows who possess red hair can be counted on one hand.
Oh, no—actually, maybe there are quite a few, such as Akimichi Chōza and Sasori of the Red Sand.
But the most representative of all is still the former Uzumaki clan. After all, this clan's strength was plain for all to see, and they even helped stabilize the situation in Konoha.
The one he was looking for now was a genuine member of the Uzumaki clan.
Although the Uzumaki clan had already been annihilated, many of its members had scattered and survived elsewhere. The one in the Grass Hidden Village could be considered an outstanding member among them.
Tagitsuhime's Genjutsu had already been cast. In her snake-like pupils, scene after scene flashed by. Soon, a trace of curiosity and surprise appeared on her face—clearly, she had seen something shocking in the eyes of the clinic owner.
"Chizan, how exactly did you discover such a talent?"
"This kind of physique… does it really exist?"
"Red hair, a member of the Uzumaki clan? She can actually use her own body to heal others?"
"My goodness. In my long life, this is the first time I've ever seen something like this."
Tagitsuhime withdrew the Genjutsu. She was genuinely astonished now—this ability was far too bizarre.
And this wasn't even the key point. The key point was that the healing method actually required releasing chakra through one's own body.
How could such a physique exist?
"This is exactly why I want her. And as a member of the Uzumaki clan, this physique is only one aspect. Don't forget the Uzumaki clan's signature ability—the Kagura Mind's Eye."
"Monstrous chakra combined with the sensory ninjutsu Kagura Mind's Eye makes the Uzumaki clan's elites extraordinarily powerful sensor-type shinobi."
"If they also master sealing techniques, the Uzumaki clan becomes the perfect warriors."
"Leaving someone like that in the Grass Hidden Village would only bury their talent."
"So, where is she?"
Gekko Chizan crossed his arms, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Judging by the situation, the Uzumaki clan member he had found was most likely Karin's mother.
A pitiful woman. In order to support her family and raise Karin, she used her own healing ability to help Grass Hidden Village shinobi treat their injuries, exchanging that for a chance to survive.
Sigh. He, Gekko Chizan, simply couldn't stand seeing others suffer. Such a special ability of the Uzumaki clan—if it wasn't properly utilized, wouldn't that be letting it go to waste?
"North of the village. That entire area is full of shinobi residences. Her home is among them."
"However, there are people guarding the surroundings. Obviously, the Grass Hidden Village knows about her ability and has secretly placed her under control."
"What? Are we just going to snatch her?"
Tagitsuhime stuck out her tongue and licked her lips. She would be more than happy to take action.
Last time, fighting against the Rinnegan, she hadn't gotten her fill yet.
Even though there didn't seem to be any strong opponents here, going a little crazy wouldn't be impossible.
Feeling the surging battle intent in Tagitsuhime's eyes, Gekko Chizan couldn't help but reach out and knock her on the head.
Snake Princess or not, anyone who let their thoughts run wild deserved a knock.
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
"I'm not your disciple—why are you hitting me?!"
Tagitsuhime immediately widened her eyes, her face full of indignation.
"Stop thinking about fighting and killing all the time. Our goal is to take someone, not to cause trouble."
"Let's go. We'll sneak over and take a look."
After saying that, Gekko Chizan turned and walked outside. Tagitsuhime looked extremely displeased, but what could she do? She had chosen this successor herself—she could only endure it.
"Hey, I haven't taken my snakeberries yet."
The former immediately pulled back the leg he was about to step out with, retreated into the clinic, and swiftly gathered up all the snakeberries before heading outside again.
The moment he stepped out of the clinic, his entire body became illusory.
Ryūchi Cave senjutsu—stealth activated.
...
North of the Grass Hidden Village—this was the residential area for shinobi. Rows upon rows of houses stood densely packed together.
There was no helping it. The Grass Hidden Village wasn't large to begin with, yet it still had to accommodate so many people.
Gekko Chizan floated in midair just like that. The senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave felt as if it had been tailor-made for him.
Invisibility. Floating. These abilities felt incredibly natural in his hands.
"Tagitsuhime, her chakra is very special. Sense it."
"I don't want to keep waiting here."
Tagitsuhime nodded, then began using senjutsu chakra to sense the surroundings.
Very quickly, she located the target.
"Not just one person. From the chakra signatures, one adult and one child."
"Keep going forward about three hundred meters."
With a clear coordinate, Gekko Chizan dashed forward in a flash.
Arriving above the target location, his gaze locked tightly onto the room below, as if he possessed x-ray vision.
"This is it? Is anyone else nearby?"
"Yes. There are people in all four directions. Judging by the chakra reactions, probably chūnin."
Gekko Chizan nodded. Clearly, the Grass Hidden Village had been monitoring her all along.
The door was closed. How was he supposed to get in?
Such a trivial matter—how could it possibly stop him? What did the Transformation Jutsu exist for?
...
Upon entering the room, a trace of astonishment flashed across Gekko Chizan's face. This was far too crude.
It was an utterly ordinary room—ordinary to the extreme.
A red-haired woman was cooking, and there was also a small baby inside the room. This must be Karin.
As for Karin's father? No need to think about it—he was probably already gone. After all, with the Uzumaki clan destroyed, the fact that this family had managed to escape to the Grass Hidden Village was already no easy feat.
"Tagitsuhime, help me keep watch on the surroundings."
"Alright. Tsk tsk, are you going to start sweet-talking her again? I've noticed—you're really bad at heart, kid."
"Get lost."
After saying that, Gekko Chizan dispelled his invisibility and appeared directly inside the room.
The red-haired woman who was still cooking trembled violently and spun around. Seeing her reaction, Gekko Chizan wasn't surprised at all. After all, she was a member of the Uzumaki clan—having this level of vigilance was perfectly normal.
"Don't be nervous. I don't mean any harm."
"Who are you?! Why did you appear here?!"
Her reaction was a bit extreme, but that was understandable. A man suddenly appearing in one's home—yeah, it would be hard not to overreact.
"Uh, I don't have any ill intentions. I'm not from the Grass Hidden Village either. If I had to say where I'm from—I'm from the Takigakure."
As he spoke, Gekko Chizan took out a forehead protector of Takigakure from his chest.
However, this didn't ease her vigilance at all. Instead, she grew even more tense.
It felt as if she might rush out and call for help at any moment. To prevent that from happening—
Gekko Chizan made his move.
Under the woman's terrified gaze, cracking sounds echoed around them as transparent crystals sealed off the surroundings.
Before she could even react, her room was completely encased in crystal.
Now, even if she wanted to run, there was nowhere to go.
"Don't think about escaping. How about we have a chat?"