A small figure sped through the shadows of the Hidden Grass Village. Her speed was quite fast, yet one wouldn't feel even a hint of wind when passing her.
Not far behind her followed three figures, one large and two small. Compared to the former, these two's skills were far inferior, making quite a bit of noise as they moved.
Another small figure advanced with similarly high skill, constantly preventing potential sneak attacks from the rear.
Using Kagura Minds Eye, Amane led Karin and her mother, deliberately avoiding the surveillance of the Grass Ninja, just as she had done back at the Hidden Mist base when using Shadow Clones to secretly train.
Although Karin and her mother were ordinary people without any training, fortunately, the perception system of the Hidden Grass Village was indeed poor enough, and Kagura Minds Eye was truly powerful. Even if they encountered an unavoidable checkpoint, Amane's raw strength was enough to silence the people ahead.
There was a checkpoint not far ahead. After Amane signaled for the mother and daughter to stay put, she quietly crept up.
Fine needles pierced the vital points on the neck, instantly causing fatal damage. Better yet, internal bleeding would immediately block the throat, making it impossible to emit even the slightest sound.
After the needles were removed, only a small red dot remained on the neck. Unless the neck was dissected, it would be difficult to discover the true cause of death.
Except for the Byakugan .
"The Hidden Grass Village is on good terms with Konoha. If a major disturbance occurs here, they might spend money to hire Konoha Ninja. It's not too late; are you sure you don't want to take a gamble?"
The one Amane just dealt with was the last checkpoint. From here on, unless they courted death by making a huge scene, this would be an example of a perfect extraction unnoticed by anyone.
But this also meant that once they left this place, they would no longer have a choice.
She really hadn't expected these two to choose the first option.
Had she not explained clearly enough? Choosing the first one meant being treated as experimental subjects. Even after they made their decision, Amane had explained the specifics in more detail, saying it wouldn't be a very good choice.
But even so, their minds didn't change.
When asked for the reason behind their choice, Momohime's answer left Amane speechless and even made her agree.
"Normally, no country or Village is willing to accept refugees who are not from their own country or Village."
Momohime spoke this matter-of-fact truth with sadness and helplessness—a truth that those who haven't experienced the destruction of their home and country find difficult to truly understand.
This also made Amane understand the logic behind Momohime's choice. It also made her realize that she had unconsciously placed an original work filter over Konoha.
That's right. Aside from benevolence and righteousness, what reason would Konoha have to take in two ordinary civilians who hadn't even been given the Uzumaki name? They would even have to worry about the possibility of them being spies.
And don't forget how Kushina was treated when she first arrived at Konoha Village as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the original work.
At that time, having your brain searched inside out would be considered lucky. At least it would prove Konoha truly intended to take them in and was just performing a dangerous screening.
But what if they were rejected?
And even if they were accepted, would they be used as backups for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Would they be forced to bear children?
If that happened, Karin and her mother would truly be screwed over by Amane.
Although choosing Amane meant becoming so-called experimental materials, Amane was also a member of the Uzumaki Clan, and she looked to be living much better than they were.
"I won't gamble. Compared to the past promises of a great nation, Miss Amane's frankness and kind nature are more worthy of my trust."
Momohime was somewhat confident in this. Amane's various actions after meeting them would be too clumsy and crude if they were meant to win people's hearts.
"I'm a bit different to that person... and as for being kind, I don't quite agree either."
She just felt there were certain lines that couldn't be crossed; one wrong step and she felt she would lose herself.
But since Momohime still chose this path, Amane had no choice. Moreover, stripping away the original work filter, Momohime's thinking couldn't be called wrong.
Now that the decision was made, Amane continued to lead the mother and daughter through the rest of the way to a pre-arranged hiding place.
Then Amane began to form Hand Seals and slapped the ground, trapping Karin and her mother inside a triangular translucent Barrier.
"This is a precaution. After all, both of us here are clones. One is a Shadow Clone, and the other is a Wood Clone."
Next, what she had to do was dispel herself to notify the Main Body, and then the other side would take the clones transformed into Karin and her mother, deliberately leak their whereabouts, and leave.
In the process, she ideally wanted to face off against the Grass Shadow to better cover Yakushi Kabuto's work.
"Um, Miss Amane, please be careful."
Although it didn't seem to be her place to worry, Momohime could only offer these words of concern.
Though she didn't know what the future held, at least for now, Amane was the benefactor who saved her, ensuring she didn't have to go to the front lines to be used as 'pills' and could continue living with Karin.
"Oh."
With a response, Amane's Shadow Clone vanished with a poof. The other Wood Clone remained to guard the place.
On the other side, inside Karin and her mother's original residence, Amane immediately felt it and began to move.
"Tsk tsk tsk, it seems I can only see if I can protect them for a while."
A life of wandering had made Momohime understand that one must offer corresponding value to receive help from strangers or organizations.
This was a correct way of thinking, which was why Amane couldn't persuade her, and couldn't even persuade herself.
In that case, this was the only way.
"Are you ready? Karin, Momohime."
"No problem, Amane. Aunt Momohime and I will definitely follow the arrangements along the way."
"I... I will too. We will definitely escape and head towards a beautiful new life."
The Main Body and the Shadow Clone smiled at each other, each instantly stepping into their roles.
Amane couldn't help but feel that if the Ninja World was at peace in ten years, she could debut as an actress.
But for now, that thought was just a dream. Moreover, with her as an external factor, it was truly uncertain whether the outcome of the future Fourth Great Ninja War would remain the same as before.
Amane closed her eyes, intending to use Kagura Minds Eye to observe the situation first.
In the dark space, she instantly perceived everyone in the entire Hidden Grass Village who possessed Chakra.
The Chakra belonging to the Grass Shadow was still in that building without movement. Outside the building, Kabuto's Chakra was very weak; it seemed he was hiding and waiting for Amane to create an opportunity.
Other than that, there were no abnormalities. This was some time after Amane had finished off those few Grass Ninja.
[Since the perception system is so bad, I'll just have to play along. Let's move.]
After making up her mind, Amane crept out alone first.
Target: the two guards not far below.
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