Naruto: Wood-Wood Fruit

"Whoo-hoo—"

Early morning.

The sun rose in the sky.

Golden rays of sunlight drove away the darkness, filling Konoha village with a renewed vitality.

"Another beautiful day."

At the Konoha gate.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, the gatekeepers, stretched and yawned.

But soon, their gazes sharpened.

Outside the village, two figures were approaching the gate, neither rushing nor dragging.

It was a young man and a young woman.

"Wait. are you. Ishikawa Kiyoshi?"

Izumo's eyes focused on the taller young man.

Kotetsu was stunned as well, instantly recognizing him.

After all, Kiyoshi had been taken under the wing of Tsunade, one of the Sannin. Since then, he'd become a celebrated figure in the village.

At just eight years old, Kiyoshi had already displayed remarkable talent at Konoha Hospital.

Two years ago, he had brought a red-haired woman to the village, who had also been checked over by Kotetsu and Izumo.

Apparently, she was a survivor from the Uzumaki clan.

It was said that Lady Tsunade had arranged for her to be taken in and settled in Konoha. Rumor had it that Tsunade had even taken her daughter as a disciple.

"It's been a while." Kiyoshi greeted them warmly.

He handed over his identification along with a letter of introduction from Tsunade.

Pointing to the girl beside him, who was a mix of nervousness and excitement about meeting her mother, Kiyoshi smiled and said, "This is my identification, and this is my teammate, Lady Tsunade's third student, Karin Uzumaki."

"Lady Tsunade's student."

Izumo and Kotetsu's expressions shifted as they took a closer look at Karin, who was indeed a bit tense.

Her striking red hair was unmistakably the mark of the Uzumaki clan.

They carefully examined Kiyoshi's id and the letter of introduction.

Once verified, they gave a friendly nod and allowed them entry. "Remember to stop by the Hokage's office later to get this young lady's official paperwork."

"So, this is Konoha?"

Following Kiyoshi, Karin's eyes roamed around with curiosity.

Her gaze took in the ordered layout and thriving buildings, the likes of which were far more impressive than the large cities she'd visited before. 

This was the famed Konoha, the leading Hidden Village among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

The calm, peaceful atmosphere of the village put her at ease.

By now, as the morning grew brighter, the streets had begun to fill with people, and vendors were setting up and calling out to passersby, bringing a lively energy to the town.

"Yep, this is Konoha. And it looks like your mother hasn't left for work yet, so let's go see her first. I'm sure you can hardly wait."

Kiyoshi nodded with a smile.

He closed his eyes, sensing the chakra of Keiko and confirming she was at home.

With practiced steps, he led Karin in the direction of the Ishikawa house.

Soon enough, they arrived.

At the entrance to the Ishikawa house.

Keiko was just about to leave for her shift at Konoha Hospital.

The moment she saw the two figures approaching, she froze.

"Karin?"

Even though it had been two years, Keiko recognized her daughter instantly.

The glasses, the red hair so much like her own, the familiar features—it was unmistakable.

"Mom."

Karin's emotions overwhelmed her as she took in her mother, looking much the same as two years ago but healthier and more vibrant.

Her whole body trembled.

Her eyes reddened instantly.

Unable to hold back, she rushed forward and threw herself into her mother's arms.

"Karin, is it really you."

Keiko held Karin close, her joy and excitement radiating.

She looked her daughter up and down with tear-filled eyes, smiling through her happy tears. 

"My little Karin has grown so much and become even more beautiful."

"Have you behaved while staying with Lady Tsunade?"

"Mm…Mm…."

Karin couldn't manage to reply.

She just hugged her mother tightly.

Burying her face in Keiko's chest, she wept with joy.

"And you're… Kiyoshi, right?" Though two years had passed, Keiko still recognized the young man.

"Keiko-san, long time no see."

Seeing Keiko's rosy cheeks and healthy appearance, Kiyoshi felt reassured that she hadn't suffered and that her living conditions were good. 

He smiled and said, "Since it's been two years, Karin has really missed you. So, Lady Tsunade gave her time off and asked me to bring her back to see you."

"Thank you so much, Kiyoshi."

Embracing her daughter, Keiko beamed with gratitude.

"Why don't you both enjoy this precious day together? I can stop by the hospital and request leave on your behalf." 

Noticing Karin's reluctance to let go of her mother, Kiyoshi suggested with a smile.

Being quite familiar with Konoha Hospital, he had more than earned his medical prodigy title.

The last time he had brought Keiko back, the hospital's director had even enlisted his help in treating some of the more severe patients and injuries.

But for Kiyoshi now, it would only take a simple Wood Clone to get it done.

"Thank you so much."

Keiko accepted, grateful for his thoughtfulness.

She wasn't one for needless formalities.

Seeing her daughter after two years, she had endless things she wanted to share.

"No trouble at all. Keiko-san, enjoy your time catching up with Karin."

With a simple gesture, Kiyoshi created a Wood Clone.

He sent it off to Konoha Hospital to arrange leave for Keiko.

Without disturbing the mother and daughter further, he turned and walked away. "It's a rare chance to be back—I should drop by and visit a few old friends."

"It's a shame that Kurenai-nee isn't here."

He tried sensing Kurenai's chakra but couldn't pick it up.

"Kiyoshi, did you not hear?"

Keiko called out, smiling. "Kurenai is a Jonin now. She left on a mission just yesterday."

"Oh? Kurenai-nee is Jonin?"

Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow, though he wasn't surprised.

With access to the Genjutsu scrolls and training notes left behind by his great-grandmother, Kurenai had made impressive strides over the last two years.

Her promotion to Jonin felt inevitable.

After all, her peers—Kakashi, Asuma, and Guy—had all become Jonin long ago.

In that light, her advancement was a little overdue.

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