After leaving the noodle shop, Karin walked down the street, feeling gloomy.
She wasn't particularly keen on completing the mission Kusagakure had given her. Before, she hadn't known Naruto and had thought of him only as a mission target.
But after Shinji accepted her, she gradually fit into the circle of her classmates and slowly learned about Naruto's background.
When she learned that the boy, like her, had Uzumaki blood and had endured a miserable childhood, she thought of herself and couldn't help feeling sympathy for him.
So now that Kusagakure was trying to target Naruto again, she felt genuine disgust.
Besides, after their last operation, Konoha had tightened security around Naruto. ANBU were watching him from time to time, making it impossible to get close.
"I can't hurt Naruto again!"
After making up her mind, she felt a little better.
Back at her apartment, Karin closed the door and flopped onto her bed.
"You can't afford to let your guard down like that!"
A voice suddenly sounded in the room.
Karin jumped in fright, springing off the bed as if she'd been shocked. She stared toward the source of the voice.
When she saw Shinji dressed in Akatsuki's uniform, she let out a breath of relief and hurriedly bowed. "Sir!"
Shinji stepped out of the shadows and casually asked, "What happened?"
Karin immediately explained in detail how Kusagakure had secretly contacted her, ordered her to investigate why the Akatsuki Organization had kidnapped Sasuke, and told her to restart the 'Tailed Beast Plan' and gather information on Naruto.
"Hmph!"
Shinji gave a soft snort.
Kusagakure certainly knew how to make itself the center of the story. If he weren't too busy to deal with them right now, he'd have liked to teach those delusional schemers there a lesson.
Karin hurriedly