The Hokage Building.
The so-called test was nearing its end.
Hiruzen Sarutobi braced his hands against the desk, studying the exam paper and the report on her understanding of the Will of Fire that Karin had tremblingly handed over.
The grave look on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face slowly eased, but he did not smile.
Her understanding of the Will of Fire was indeed rather poor. She had failed to grasp it.
Her answers to the exam questions were decent, though. With her special constitution taken into account, admitting her to the village would be no problem.
Beside him, Kakashi Hatake was also studying her answers and seemed quite satisfied.
She certainly lived up to Lord Jiraiya's endorsement.
With her sensory abilities, her skill at analyzing intelligence, her special constitution, and her fondness for Sasuke, there was absolutely no problem with her joining their village.
Karin, however, knew none of this and remained anxious.
Without anyone close to her whom she could talk to, she grew very quiet, keeping her head lowered and occasionally pushing up her glasses to ease her awkwardness.
Whenever she glanced up, all she saw was Hiruzen Sarutobi sighing, which made her heart tighten.
"Good."
At Hiruzen Sarutobi's sudden words, Karin shuddered.
She looked up as he set down the papers, took his pipe away from his mouth with his other hand, and addressed her.
"Although your understanding of the Will of Fire is lacking, your knowledge and intelligence analysis do have their merits. Considering you studied in a small village in the Land of Grass, reaching this level is quite commendable. Welcome to Konoha."
"I hope you will devote yourself to serving Konoha rather than dividing your loyalties. Otherwise, you will die a very miserable death."
First a reward, then a threat-the balance was just right. As