Today was the second day after the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams ended, and everyone who needed rest had recovered.
Of course, Luo Mang wasn't the only one with things going on.
Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki hadn't been idle either.
They had gotten up early to go sparring, but their two-man group now had a third member: Karin.
As they walked down the road, Kakashi Hatake suddenly stopped them.
Naruto Uzumaki gave him a curious look.
"What's up, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi glanced toward Karin beside them and said, "Lord Hokage wants to meet Karin."
"Huh? Has Lord Hokage decided to let Karin stay?"
At Naruto Uzumaki's words, the other two suddenly grew anxious. Both Sasuke Uchiha and Karin were worried she would be rejected.
Seeing their nervous expressions, Kakashi Hatake didn't keep them in suspense. He nodded and said,
"Yes, more or less. Your master, Lord Jiraiya, put in a word for her too. This is just a meeting, so you don't need to be too nervous."
"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, thank you!"
Karin's eyes widened at his words, and the corners of her mouth rose involuntarily. She had really escaped. She had really escaped a life of having her blood sucked!
"Heh, I think it'll work out, but that's only my assumption. Don't get too confident. Be careful. Let's head over first."
Kakashi Hatake put away Icha Icha Paradise and patiently explained things to Karin.
That threw a little cold water on Karin's excitement, even though he thought she would be accepted.
But what if something unexpected happened? That possibility couldn't be ruled out, so he still had to make things clear to prevent any unnecessary trouble.
And by unnecessary trouble, he meant Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
After saying that, Kakashi Hatake turned his gaze