The real Shinobi World...
While the daimyos of the Five Great Nations and the leaders of their ninja villages were busy with political maneuvering and power struggles, no one paid attention to the weak struggling to survive in those forgotten little ninja villages.
Among the candidates in this Chunin Ninja Exams, one red-haired girl on Kusagakure's team stood out in particular: Karin.
She wore glasses and had her long red hair tied in a ponytail. She looked ordinary enough, but her arms and legs were covered in countless bite marks. Those scars had not come from battle, but from her "companions"—the ninja of Kusagakure.
Karin's mother had been a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan from the Land of Whirlpools, possessing powerful Chakra and a special healing ability. After the Land of Whirlpools fell, however, the Uzumaki Clan scattered into exile, and her mother was eventually taken in by Kusagakure.
She had thought she had found shelter, but Kusagakure cared only for her ability: her blood and Chakra could quickly heal other people's injuries. So she was used as a "blood bag." Whenever a ninja was injured, they would bite into her skin and draw on her Chakra to heal themselves.
This cruel exploitation continued day after day, year after year. Karin's mother was bitten by countless people, her body gradually growing weaker, until she finally died a miserable death from Chakra exhaustion.
As she lay dying, she gripped Karin's hand tightly, her eyes full of despair and worry—because she knew her daughter would follow the same path.
Karin's childhood was spent under that shadow. She had been used as a "tool" since she was little, the bite marks on her body growing ever more numerous. Some wounds had never truly healed. The ninja of Kusagakure did not care about her pain; they cared only about her value as a "medical kit" they could use without limit.
Kusagakure had sent Karin to this Chunin Ninja Exams not because she was qualified to become a Chunin, but because she had to accompany the team as "logistical support." If a ninja on the team was injured, she would be pushed forward and left to let them bite into her skin.
Karin, however, was not without thoughts of her own. She had always been looking for a chance to escape. She did not want to die miserably like her mother after being drained of every last drop of Chakra. But where could she run?
She vaguely remembered her mother mentioning Konoha. There were members of the Uzumaki Clan there too, including a red-haired kunoichi (Kushina).
But her mother had been unusually hostile toward Konoha, even harboring a certain resentment. Karin did not know exactly why, but she could sense her mother's distrust of the village. As a result, even though she knew Konoha might be the only place that could shelter her, she did not dare approach it rashly.
If I can't even trust Konoha... where else can I go? Karin clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.
Just then, her gaze happened to sweep over a corner of the exam venue. A blond boy stood there, laughing and talking loudly with his companions. She did not know him, but for some reason, she felt that this person... might change her fate.
After the preliminaries ended, the ninja of Kusagakure let their guard down as they prepared to return to their village. Karin finally got her chance.
That night, while her two Grass Ninja "companions" were fast asleep, she quietly got up, her heart pounding like a drum. She knew that if she was caught and brought back, torture more painful than death awaited her. Kusagakure would never tolerate a "blood bag" running away on her own.
But Karin could not bear it any longer.
She thought of that blond boy, Naruto Uzumaki. In the scenes shown on the Heavenly Screen, he had been bright and brave, never backing down no matter how powerful an enemy he faced. More importantly, he was a member of the Uzumaki Clan, one of her own blood.
If there's anyone in this world who can help me... it has to be him.
Karin gritted her teeth and quietly left the camp under cover of darkness. She did not dare take the main road and could only travel through the forest, terrified that Kusagakure's ninja would discover her. Her Chakra-sensing ability was exceptionally strong, allowing her to steer well clear of patrolling ninja, but even so, every rustle of the wind or grass made her tremble with fear.
A day later, Karin finally slipped into the outskirts of Konoha. She did not dare enter the village rashly, so she hid at the edge of the forest and watched what was happening in the village.
"Naruto..."
She recalled how Naruto had looked during the exam: orange clothes, blue eyes, always shouting with boundless energy. She did not know where he lived or how to find him, but she had no other choice.
Finally, on the evening two days later, she saw that familiar figure.
Naruto had just finished training with his companions and was walking along, loudly complaining that he was hungry. Karin's heart gave a violent leap, nearly jumping into her throat. She instinctively wanted to go up to him, but hesitated.
Will he really help me? What if... he's just like the people from Kusagakure and only wants my ability?
But the next second, she remembered how Naruto had protected his companions on the Heavenly Screen.
No, he's different!
Karin took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to step out from behind a tree.
"Please... please wait!"
Naruto froze and turned toward the voice. A red-haired girl stood not far away, her eyes behind her glasses filled with nervousness and anticipation.
"You are...?"
Karin gripped the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling slightly.
"I... my name is Karin. I'm a ninja from Kusagakure... no, I escaped." She paused, then gathered her courage and looked up. "I... I'd like to ask for your help."
Naruto blinked, still trying to process her words, while Sakura and Sasuke were already looking at Karin warily.
"From Kusagakure? Why did you come looking for Naruto?" Sakura asked with a frown.
Karin bit her lip and said quietly, "Because... we're from the same clan."
"The same clan?" Naruto's eyes widened.
"The Uzumaki Clan... I'm one too," Karin said softly. "And... I saw you on the Heavenly Screen. I know you're someone I can trust."
Naruto stared for a few seconds, then broke into a radiant smile.
"So that's it! Then you're a member of my clan!" He strode forward and patted Karin on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll definitely help you!"
Karin's eyes instantly filled with tears.
She had finally... found hope.
Just as Naruto was thumping his chest and assuring Karin that he would help her, a lazy yet steady voice came from the treetops.
"Yo, looks lively down there."
Everyone looked up to see the silver-haired Jonin Kakashi Hatake standing on a branch, though no one knew when he had arrived. He held his ever-present copy of Icha Icha Paradise, but his exposed eye held a rare seriousness. His gaze settled on Karin's red hair and lingered for a moment, as though he could see a familiar figure through her: Kushina Uzumaki, his teacher's wife and Naruto's mother.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted excitedly. "Look, I found someone from my clan!"
Kakashi leaped lightly down from the tree and closed his book, his gaze gentle but scrutinizing.
"Yeah, I heard." He looked at Karin, his voice calm but leaving no room for refusal. "Could you tell me about your situation in detail?"
Karin was a little nervous, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes without her realizing it. But under Kakashi's steady gaze, she quietly recounted what had happened to her: how Kusagakure had used her mother as a "blood bag" until her life was spent, how Karin herself had been used as a tool since childhood, the bite marks on her body, and how she had risked escaping to find Naruto...
"That's going too far!" Naruto slammed a fist into the nearby tree trunk, flames of anger burning in his eyes. "How could those people treat a companion like that?!"
Sakura clenched her fists too, saying through gritted teeth, "They're even crueler than the Sound Ninja!"
Sasuke said nothing, but his gaze turned cold as well.
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "It certainly isn't something that can be brushed aside easily." He looked at Karin, his tone softening a little. "But Kusagakure is an allied ninja village, after all. Taking in one of their ninja without authorization could cause a diplomatic problem."
"Then are we supposed to let her go back and be tortured by those people?!" Naruto shouted heatedly.
Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's head and ruffled his blond hair. "Calm down, Naruto. This isn't something a few Genin like you can decide." He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Come on, let's take her to see Lord Third first. The Hokage can decide whether to take her in."
The Hokage's office
After hearing Karin's account, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply. He took a pull on his pipe and slowly exhaled the smoke, his gaze resting on Karin's red hair for a moment.
"A descendant of the Uzumaki Clan..." he murmured, seemingly recalling something from the past.
"Gramps Hokage!" Naruto could not help stepping forward. "Karin really can't go back to Kusagakure! Those people don't even treat her like a human being!"
The Third pondered for a moment, then looked at Kakashi. "What's your opinion?"
Kakashi had his hands in his pockets, his tone calm but firm. "From a humanitarian standpoint, we can't send her back. Besides, the Uzumaki Clan has deep ties to Konoha."
The Third nodded and turned to Karin. "Child, are you willing to stay in Konoha?"
Karin's eyes reddened slightly, and she nodded hard. "I am! As long as I'm not treated like a tool anymore... I'm willing to do anything!"
The Third gave her a kindly smile. "Good. Then from today onward, you're a member of Konoha."
Naruto cheered and threw his arms around Karin. "That's great! We'll be companions from now on!"
Karin's tears finally fell.
This time, she had finally found a true home.
Outside Konoha...
When the two ninja from Kusagakure woke, they found that Karin had long since vanished, leaving behind only a few disordered traces.
"That damned 'blood bag'... she actually dared to run?!" one of them roared, furiously kicking over the campfire and sending sparks flying.
"This is all your fault for sleeping like a log!" the other snarled, glaring at him. "If the village finds out we lost her, we're both finished!"
The two cursed each other, but they also knew they had to find Karin as quickly as possible. Otherwise, they would not only lose a precious "healing tool," but would very likely face severe punishment for neglecting their duty.
During their search, they stumbled by accident upon the entrance to a hidden cave. Faint runes were carved into its rocky walls, plainly not a natural formation.
"What... what the hell is this place?" one of them asked with a frown.
"Who cares? That girl might be hiding in here!" The other drew a Kunai and went in first.
But as soon as they ventured deep into the cave, they sensed something was wrong. A chilling aura filled the air, and countless pairs of eyes seemed to be watching them from the darkness all around.
"Who's there?!" one of them shouted sharply, his voice echoing through the empty cave.
The next second, several dark figures darted out of the shadows at astonishing speed.
"Sound Ninja?!" The Kusagakure ninja's pupils contracted, and he immediately took a fighting stance.
But it was already too late.
The Sound Ninja's assault was fierce and deadly. Within seconds, both Grass Ninja had their throats cut and collapsed in pools of blood before they could even scream.
The Sound Ninja gave the corpses a cold glance, and one of them said quietly, "What a nuisance."
Just then, a hoarse voice came from deep inside the cave. "What happened?"
A Sound Ninja replied respectfully, "Lord Danzo, just two Kusagakure ninja who wandered in by mistake. They've been dealt with."
Shimura Danzō slowly emerged from the shadows, his single eye sweeping coldly over the bodies on the ground.
"How did people from Kusagakure find this place?" His voice was low, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"We don't know, but they seemed to be pursuing a red-haired girl who had escaped."
A strange glint flashed in Danzo's eye. "A red-haired girl... a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?"
He fell silent for a moment, then gave his orders. "Tighten security immediately. This base must not be exposed. Also, send someone to find out where that red-haired girl is."
The Sound Ninja bowed their heads in acknowledgment and quickly vanished into the darkness.
Danzo remained where he was, his single eye narrowing slightly.
"The power of the Uzumaki Clan... must not be wasted."
Morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing documents, the wisps of smoke rising from his pipe drifting slowly through the light. Suddenly, the office door opened, and Shimura Danzō walked in leaning on his cane, his expression dark.
"Hiruzen." Danzo's voice was low and cold. "I hear you took in a Kusagakure ninja without authorization?"
The Third Hokage looked up at his old friend and political rival, his gaze calm. "Word travels fast. Yes, that's true."
Danzo snorted coldly. "Kusagakure may be a ninja village from a small country, but it is still one of our allies. You took in a ninja who defected from them without consulting them. Are you trying to provoke a diplomatic dispute?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pen and slowly exhaled a mouthful of smoke. "That child isn't a missing-nin. She's a victim whom Kusagakure abused as a 'blood bag.' Konoha has a responsibility to shelter her."
"Sentimental foolishness!" Danzo struck the floor sharply with his cane. "You intend to expose Konoha to unnecessary risks for a little girl from another village?"
"This isn't about risk, but moral duty," the Third said firmly. "Besides, she's a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, which has deep ties to Konoha."
At the words "Uzumaki Clan," a sharp glint flashed in Danzo's single eye.
"In that case, all the more reason to leave her to me." Danzo stepped forward, lowering his voice, though it remained full of pressure. "Root can make suitable arrangements for her, avoiding diplomatic problems while ensuring her safety."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened abruptly. He knew Danzo all too well. Those so-called "suitable arrangements" were nothing more than an attempt to keep Karin under his control and make use of her Uzumaki bloodline and special ability.
"There's no need." The Third Hokage stood and lightly tapped his pipe against the desk. "I've already decided to let her stay in Konoha, under the temporary care of Kakashi's Team 7."
Danzo's face darkened completely. "Hiruzen, you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment!"
"No, I'm carrying out my duty as Hokage." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked Danzo straight in the eye, his voice steady and authoritative. "I am the Hokage. There's no room for discussion on this matter."
The air instantly froze. The two men stared at each other, their years of conflicting ideals clashing head-on at that moment.
At last, Danzo gave a cold laugh. "I hope you don't regret today's decision."
With that, he turned and left, the tapping of his cane against the floor echoing down the corridor like a series of restrained warnings.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the closed door and took a deep pull on his pipe.
Danzo left the Hokage's office with a dark expression, his cane striking the marble floor heavily with dull thuds. He had just rounded a corner in the corridor when he came face-to-face with Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were walking together.
Jiraiya was grinning as he talked to Tsunade about something. When he looked up and saw Danzo's stormy face, he froze. "Oh, Lord Danzo, who upset you so early in the morning?"
Danzo shot him a cold glance and gave a contemptuous snort. Without even slowing down, he walked straight past the two of them, leaving only a chill in his wake.
Jiraiya scratched his head, looking utterly baffled. "What's gotten into him? Or did he punish the people in Root by making them run on their hands again?"
Tsunade folded her arms and watched Danzo's retreating back, the corners of her mouth curling into a mocking smile. "Hmph, what else could it be? He must have run into a wall with the old man again."
Jiraiya blinked. "The old man went head-to-head with him again?"
"Who knows?" Tsunade impatiently tossed her long blond hair. "Anyway, every time those two finish talking, Danzo looks like someone owes him eight million ryo."
She started toward the Hokage's office, her tone disdainful. "Come on, let's go see the old man. He goes on every day about having me take over. If this keeps up, I might as well take Shizune and leave Konoha, so I don't have to be bothered by this crap every day."
Jiraiya laughed and followed her. "Don't do that. If you run off, the old man will definitely try to force the Hokage Position on me, and I don't want to sit in an office reviewing documents all day."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him. "You think I do?"
When the two pushed open the door to the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was standing by the window, smoking his pipe. He turned at the sound, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Oh? You two actually came together. That's rare."
Tsunade went straight to the sofa, sat down, and crossed her legs. "Cut it out. What did Danzo come to see you about? His face looked like he'd been stabbed in the ass with a Kunai."
The Third Hokage shook his head with a wry smile. "The same old problem. We simply don't see eye to eye."
Jiraiya leaned in, draping an arm over Tsunade's shoulders. "Old man, what did you do to set him off this time? Was it because of that little red-haired girl?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi blew a smoke ring and nodded slightly. "Danzo wanted me to hand her over. I refused."
Tsunade scoffed. "I knew it. That guy's obsession with Kekkei Genkai and special abilities practically rivals Orochimaru's."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "That said, since the girl's from the Uzumaki Clan, it's good for her to stay in Konoha. Naruto must be over the moon."
"I've already arranged for her to spend time with Team 7." The Third looked at Tsunade, suddenly changing the subject. "By the way, Tsunade, about the Hokage Position..."
"Stop right there!" Tsunade immediately raised a hand to stop him, her face full of disdain. "I didn't come here to listen to that today. Shizune is still waiting for me at the hospital, so I'm leaving."
With that, she got up to leave.
Jiraiya hurriedly stopped her. "Don't rush off! You finally came back to the village, so at least have a drink with me, won't you?"
Tsunade glared at him. "Drink, my ass! You still haven't paid me back the money you lost gambling last time!"
Watching the two leave the office bickering, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled helplessly, but his gaze gradually grew somber. He looked at the bright sunshine outside the window and murmured to himself:
"Konoha's future... who should I entrust it to...?"