As Karin told them about her past, Jiraiya listened intently, while Kakashi and Itachi gathered around too.
They were all very interested in Karin's background. Konoha hadn't had an Uzumaki Descendant in years. The last Uzumaki ninja had been the Fourth Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Kushina.
Karin's story was simple.
After Uzushio Village fell, Karin's mother, an Uzumaki Descendant, began wandering the Ninja World. She later became pregnant by accident and, after a difficult journey, arrived at Kusagakure. The village's High Officials discovered her and made her a "professional" Medical Ninja.
During that time, Karin's mother died from exhausting too much of her life force, and Karin took her place.
After hearing Karin's story, Youhu furrowed his brow, his expression unusually grim.
Kakashi and Itachi looked grave too. They hadn't expected Youhu to be telling the truth: the Grass Ninja really had treated Karin and her mother like oversized blood bags.
Even Karin's mother had died young because her life force had been overused.
No wonder Kusagakure's mission fees were always lower than those of the Five Great Ninja Villages. Karin and her mother's presence had spared them the expense of hefty medical fees.
From that perspective, Youhu kidnapping Karin had actually been a good thing.
It was no wonder Karin hadn't reacted strongly despite being abducted by Youhu. However bad life after her abduction might be, it had to be better than staying in Kusagakure.
Kakashi walked over to Youhu and said, his heart a tangle of conflicting emotions, "Youhu, are you really planning to use Karin as a medical tool? Isn't that a little wrong?"
"What else can we do? Does Karin have any use besides being a Medical Ninja?"
Youhu gave a slight nod, as if it were only natural.
Karin, afraid of being abandoned, hurried over and