Road to Redemption - CH - 39 (Patreon)

Izuna moved swiftly through the dense forest, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of pursuit. Behind him, Karin clung tightly to her mother’s hand, her small face tense with exhaustion. Jugo, though calm for now, kept glancing back nervously, sensing the hostility of their pursuers. They had been on the run for days, and Izuna knew the shinobi of Taki would not relent easily.

The forest echoed with the faint sounds of pursuit: the rustle of leaves, distant shouts, and the occasional burst of chakra as their trackers tried to close the gap. Izuna sighed, glancing at Sas, his shadow clone who had taken charge of creating diversions. Sas nodded, forming the necessary seals.

“Go,” Izuna ordered. “Lead them in the opposite direction. We’ll take the southern route.”

Several clones darted off, their chakra signatures mimicking Izuna’s to confuse the enemy. Within moments, the sounds of pursuit began to fade, but Izuna knew it wouldn’t be long before the shinobi realized the deception.

“Are we safe now?” Karin’s mother asked, her voice hoarse from the strain of their journey.

“Not yet,” Izuna replied, keeping his tone calm. “But we’re close. Once we cross into the Fire Country, we’ll have more options to lose them for good.”

Karin tugged on his sleeve. “Izuna-san, why are they chasing us so hard? What do they want?”

“They don’t want to lose control,” Izuna explained, glancing down at her. “You and your mother are valuable to them because of your abilities. They’re afraid of what might happen if you’re free.”

Karin’s mother tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand, her expression hardening. “They’ve taken enough from us already. We won’t go back.”

Izuna gave her a reassuring nod. “And you won’t. I promise.”

As they moved deeper into the forest, the terrain grew more rugged, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Izuna could feel the chakra of their pursuers closing in again. Despite the clones’ best efforts, the shinobi of Taki were skilled trackers.

“We’ll have to pick up the pace,” Izuna said, glancing at Jugo. “Can you carry Karin for a while?”

Jugo nodded without hesitation. “I’ll help.”

Karin climbed onto Jugo’s back, and they resumed their journey at a quicker pace. Izuna led the way, his senses on high alert, scanning for any signs of ambush.

They reached a narrow ravine, its rocky walls offering some cover. Izuna stopped, forming a quick series of hand seals. With a low rumble, the earth shifted, creating a false trail leading deeper into the ravine.

“That should buy us more time,” he said, turning back to the group. “Let’s move.”

Hours later, as dawn began to break, they finally crossed the border into the Fire Country. The dense forest gave way to rolling hills and the faint outline of a distant village. Izuna felt a surge of relief, though he knew they couldn’t let their guard down just yet.

“We’ll rest here for a bit,” he said, leading them to a hidden grove. “The shinobi of Taki won’t follow us too far into the Fire Country, but we still need to stay cautious.”

Karin’s mother sank to the ground, her exhaustion evident. “Thank you, Izuna-san. I don’t know how we would have made it without you.”

Izuna knelt beside her, his expression serious. “You’ve been strong, both of you. But we’re not out of danger yet. Once we reach a safe place, I’ll make sure you’re protected.”

Karin looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and gratitude. “Will we ever be safe?”

Izuna placed a hand on her shoulder. “Yes. But we have to be smart about it. For now, rest. We’ll need our strength for the next leg of the journey.”

As the others settled down to rest, Izuna stood watch, his mind racing. The journey had been grueling, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake—not with so much at stake.

He thought of Naruto, safe back in Konoha, surrounded by friends and allies. For a moment, he felt a pang of envy. But he quickly pushed it aside. His mission was clear: to dismantle the threats that loomed over their world, one step at a time.

Jugo approached him quietly, his young face solemn. “Izuna… thank you for helping us.”

Izuna gave him a small smile. “We’re in this together, Jugo. And we’ll get through it.”

As the group settled in their temporary camp, Izuna called Jugo over. The boy, despite the strain of their journey, was calm for the moment, his bright eyes filled with curiosity. Izuna reached into his pouch, pulling out a small, intricately designed bracelet. It had a metallic sheen, resembling a watch, but with faint, glowing seals etched along its surface.

“Jugo,” Izuna began, his tone warm but serious. “I made this for someone like you—with same curse. I want you to have it.”

Jugo’s eyes widened as he looked at the bracelet. “What is it?”

Izuna smiled slightly. “It’s a tool that will help you control the energy inside you—the nature chakra that sometimes overwhelms you. This bracelet will absorb any excess natural chakra when you start to lose control. It won’t just store it, though. It will refine it, turning chaotic energy into pure, stable chakra.”

Jugo hesitated. “What happens to the chakra after it’s refined?”

Izuna held up the bracelet, showing Jugo a small compartment. “Once the chakra is fully refined, it gets stored here. When it’s filled, I’ll replace it with a special chakra paper scroll that holds the energy. Over time, we’ll collect these scrolls, and they’ll be incredibly valuable.”

Jugo tilted his head. “How?”

Izuna chuckled softly. “Those scrolls contain Sage Chakra—pure natural energy that can be used to enhance your strength, speed, and perception. In battle, it can turn the tide in your favor. For someone like me, who doesn’t have unlimited chakra, it’s a game-changer. I used to rely on those scrolls to gain Sage Mode and fight for hours on end.”

Jugo’s eyes lit up with a mix of awe and hope. “You trust me with this?”

“I do,” Izuna said firmly, fastening the bracelet around Jugo’s wrist. “This will help you control your abilities, but it’s also a symbol of trust. You’re not alone, Jugo. We’ll face whatever challenges come together.”

The moment the bracelet clicked into place, Jugo felt a subtle hum of energy against his skin. The seals glowed faintly, and he could sense the bracelet syncing with his natural chakra flow. For the first time, he felt a sense of calm—not the usual overwhelming surge that led to his transformations.

Izuna crouched in front of him, his expression gentle. “Whenever you feel yourself losing control, focus on the bracelet. Let it do its work. Over time, you’ll learn to master the flow of energy within you.”

Jugo nodded, his confidence growing. “Thank you, Izuna. I’ll do my best.”

As they traveled deeper into the Fire Country, Hitomi's unease grew more evident with each passing day. She clutched the edges of her cloak tightly, her eyes constantly darting around as if expecting Taki's shinobi to appear at any moment. Izuna noticed her growing anxiety and decided it was time for a conversation.

One evening, as the group rested near a quiet riverbank, Izuna approached Hitomi. She sat on a log, her hands trembling slightly as she stared into the crackling fire.

"Hitomi," Izuna said softly, taking a seat beside her. "I can see you're worried. But I need you to tell me everything. Are you officially a shinobi of Taki?"

Hitomi shook her head slowly. "No, I never took the oath. I was just...useful to them. They kept me around because of my healing abilities and my unique chakra. But they never officially registered me as one of their own."

Izuna nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "That's good news. It means they can't label you as a missing-nin or place you in the Bingo Book. You’re a civilian, and as such, they have no legal claim over you. The Fire Country won’t extradite you back to Taki."

Hitomi seemed to relax slightly, but a new concern quickly surfaced. "But how do we explain my presence in the Fire Country? They’ll ask questions at the border."

Izuna leaned back, his voice calm and measured. "There’s a way to make your passage into the Fire Country easier, but it’s unconventional. If you were married to a Fire Country citizen, your entry would be automatic and unquestioned. As your husband, I could ensure your safety and Karin's."

Hitomi's eyes widened, and she instinctively pulled her cloak tighter around her. "Married? But—"

Izuna raised a hand to calm her. "It would be a marriage in name only, Hitomi. No strings attached. It’s purely for convenience. I have no intentions of imposing on your life. Besides, look at me." He gestured to his missing arm and his covered eyes. "I’m a cripple, half-blind, and not exactly a candidate for romance. This is just a practical solution."

Hitomi hesitated, her mind racing. She glanced over at Karin, who was laughing and playing with Jugo near the river. The thought of keeping her daughter safe outweighed her personal discomfort.

"If it’s the only way to protect Karin and ensure our safety," she said finally, her voice quiet but resolute, "then I’ll do it."

Izuna gave her a reassuring nod. "I’ll make the arrangements as soon as we reach the next town. Once we cross into the Fire Country, you’ll be free to live your life as you see fit."

The next day, Izuna used his contacts to forge the necessary paperwork. They reached a small border town, where a discreet official, loyal to Konoha’s internal network, helped formalize the marriage quickly. It was a simple ceremony, witnessed only by Karin and Jugo. No grand vows or celebrations, just a signature and a seal on a piece of parchment.

"Congratulations," the official said with a knowing smile as he handed them their papers. "You’re now officially Fire Country residents."

Hitomi held the document tightly, her expression a mix of relief and lingering unease. Izuna, sensing her discomfort, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "This is just the beginning of a new life for you and Karin. No one can touch you now."

When Izuna and his group finally arrived in Konoha, the first thing Izuna did was inform Naruto of their safe return. He knew Naruto would be overjoyed to see him, but he also anticipated the boy's reaction to the recent developments. As expected, when Naruto heard about Izuna's marriage, his face contorted with a mixture of shock, hurt, and confusion.

"You got married?!" Naruto blurted out, his voice tinged with disbelief and disappointment. "And you didn’t even invite me?!"

Izuna sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Naruto, it wasn’t a real wedding. It was just a formality to ensure Hitomi and Karin’s safety. We didn’t even have a ceremony, let alone a celebration."

Naruto crossed his arms, his expression still sour. "Yeah, but now you’ve got more people to look after. What if you stop caring about me because you're too busy with them?"

Izuna crouched down to Naruto's level, placing a hand on his shoulder. His voice was firm but gentle. "Naruto, listen to me. You’re like a little brother to me—no, more than that. You’re family. That’s not going to change, no matter how many people come into my life. My bond with you is unshakable."

Naruto looked down, his lips pressing into a thin line. "But...you’ve got Karin and her mom now. What if you don’t have time for me anymore?"

Izuna gave him a reassuring smile. "That will never happen. Besides, you might actually like this news. Hitomi and Karin are Uzumaki, just like you."

Naruto's eyes widened, his previous frustrations momentarily forgotten. "Uzumaki? You mean...they’re my clan?"

Izuna nodded. "It’s very likely that they’re your blood relatives. The Uzumaki clan was scattered after the fall of Uzushiogakure, but Hitomi and Karin are survivors. You’re not as alone as you thought."

Naruto’s face lit up with a mixture of surprise and joy. "For real? I have actual family?!" He paused, his eyes sparkling. "That’s...that’s awesome!"

Izuna chuckled. "I thought you’d like that. You’ve always wanted to know more about where you come from, and now you’ve got a connection. Karin’s your cousin, and Hitomi could be like an aunt to you."

Naruto’s mood lifted instantly. He bounced on his heels, his earlier disappointment completely washed away. "I can’t believe it! I have family! This is the best news ever!"

Izuna stood up, ruffling Naruto’s hair. "See? Nothing’s changed between us. If anything, our family just got a little bigger."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Thanks, Izuna. You’re the best."

As they walked together toward the Uchiha compound, Naruto’s excitement was palpable. He couldn’t wait to meet Karin and Hitomi properly, to learn more about his clan, and to finally feel the warmth of having a family.

For Izuna, the sight of Naruto’s joy was a reminder of why he fought so hard to protect those he cared about. No matter how complicated things became, he would always ensure Naruto knew he was loved and valued.