The solid wood chair rubbed against the floor due to sudden movements, making a harsh "squeaking" sound.
He stood upright, even looking a little stiff, with extremely complex emotions surging in his old but still sharp eyes.
Shock, disbelief, deep nostalgia, sudden sadness, and a hint of excitement and hope that even he himself was not aware of immediately.
His eyes moved back and forth between Naruto and Karin, and finally, they stayed on Karin's bright red hair for a long time, as if he wanted to confirm some incredible fact through this hair color.
He is indeed Uzumaki Clan's child, and he is very similar to Kushina when he first came to Konoha.
The air in the study seemed to have solidified.
Only the green smoke rising from the pipe on the desk was still slowly lingering.
Asuma stood by the door, seeing his father's violent reaction, he understood and sighed secretly.
Even my father, who was used to seeing big winds and waves, was so rude, which shows how much impact this scene had.
Naruto certainly knows what Third is shocked about.
He took a step forward, still holding Karin tightly, facing Third's shocked eyes, and broke the silence with a clear and solemn voice:
"Grandpa Third, she is Karin."
"I found it when Kusagakure joined Chunin Ninja Exams's team."
Knock on the blackboard! Take notes!
In practice, it is not recommended to use it. It depends on the occasion, operation, appearance and experience of the other party.
Say her name first and give her the most basic personal identity.
Then, the discovery location and related events are pointed out, which not only explains the source, but also hints at possible disputes.
Finally, throw out the most critical and most touching core information of the old man in front of you:
"... She is Survivor of the Uzumaki Clan."
The word "Survivor", used here, is far more impactful than "orphan" and "descendant".
It emphasizes the difficulty of surviving the disaster and hints at the tragic past that may be hidden behind it. It also silently questions Konoha's inaction in the destruction of Uzushio Village. It also directly echoes Third's guilt and nostalgia for the deceased Uzumaki Clan caused by the red hair at this moment.
The title combination "Uzumaki Clan"+"Survivor"+"Grandpa Third".
Naruto cleverly used words and gestures to initially package an "incident" that may involve diplomatic friction and require complicated handling into a "family matter" that requires family elders to come forward to recognize relatives and protect younger generations in distress.
This will undoubtedly make Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally more inclined to take a protective stance during subsequent processing, giving Karin identity recognition and security more quickly, and making it easier to push back on potential accountability for Kusagakure.
This is where the knowledge of salutations and the art of language lie.
It can quietly set the tone and emotional tendency of the entire conversation at the moment of speaking.
Naruto may not be a calculating politician, but based on his understanding of Third's character and his empathy for Karin's situation, he instinctively chose the most effective and warmest entry point.
It's not easy to coax the old man!
In the study room, as Naruto's words fell, the air solidified by shock began to flow slowly.
The shock in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes gradually settled, turning into more profound thoughts, examinations, and a hint of complex concern for the Red-Haired Girl in front of him.
"These years have been really hard on you, kid."
Naruto gently shook Karin's cold little hand at the right time, lowered his head and gave her an encouraging look, with a gentle but firm voice. "Karin, don't be afraid. Tell Grandpa Third all about your experience at Kusagakure."
He is the Hokage of Konoha, and he is also the most trustworthy elder. He... will definitely make the decision for you."
The two words "call the shots" seem to give Karin great courage.
She looked at Naruto's encouraging blue eyes, then looked at Third's kind but undoubtedly powerful gaze in front of her, and took a deep breath, as if she had made some kind of determination.
She began to tell. Her voice was as thin as a gnat at first and trembling. But as the memories deepened, the pain, fear and helplessness that had been suppressed for too long gradually broke through the cage of timidity.
She told intermittently how she and her mother lived in Kusagakure, and how they were "taken in" by Kusagakure Ninja because of the surname "Uzumaki" and her mother's special healing physique.
The so-called "retention" is nothing more than a disguised form of imprisonment and plunder.
She described how her mother was used as a "universal Blood Bag" and Medical Ninjutsu tool, and her blood was frequently drawn to treat Kusagakure Ninja's injuries, and her body was getting worse and worse.
Tell how those Kusagakure Ninja greedily covet their abilities and treat them as "items" that can be used at will instead of people.
It tells how her mother gradually weakened and eventually died of illness due to long-term consumption and mental torture. Before she died, she held her hand tightly, with eyes full of reluctance and endless worries about her future.
After her mother died, her nightmare officially began.
Those who had "used" their mother turned to her as a younger, perhaps more resilient "replacement."
Endless biting, insults, beatings, and imprisonment... She was deprived of freedom, dignity, and even the right to own her own chakra and body, and existed only as a "living medical kit."
Chunin Ninja Exams participated this time because Kusagakure wanted to take her with him as a "portable logistical support" and continue to squeeze her value.
Karin's narration is not smooth, sometimes interrupted by choking, and sometimes incoherent due to fear.
But she spoke hard, revealing those dark and unbearable years in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha High Command.
As she spoke, the atmosphere in the study became more and more solemn.
The wrinkles on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face seemed to get deeper, and the hands behind his back clenched unconsciously. In his eyes that had seen all the Shinobi World situation, the initial shock and concern were gradually replaced by a cold, almost substantive anger and helplessness.
The anger was not directed at the narrator, but at the Kusagakure Ninja who were inhumane, greedy and cruel, and the helplessness was the tragedy indirectly caused by Konoha's failure to provide more effective assistance to its allies.
It was also very difficult for Konoha at that time. It was difficult to help Uzumaki Clan with strong enemies around.
No matter what Third says or thinks, two sentences cannot escape his mind.
'The butt determines the head' and 'The dead man is the big one'.
It's true that Konoha didn't help Uzushiogakure, but isn't there a descendant with a distinct Uzumaki Clan bloodline now?
Still a little Girl.
Konoha's Sealing Jutsu can also come in handy, and you don't have to worry about lack of suitable Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the future.
And Uzushiogakure is gone, why not just say a few nice words?
Asuma stood aside, his face terrifyingly gloomy.
Uzumaki Clan's orphan suffered such inhuman treatment in the allied countries.
He crossed his arms across his chest and frowned.
Asuma has an upright personality, and the worst thing he can do is bully the weak and have no bottom line.
Listening to Karin's experience, he seemed to be able to see the despair and pain experienced by Karin's mother and the girl in front of him. This was not only an individual tragedy, but also a serious departure from Ninja's ethics and human nature.
When Karin talked about how she was beaten and insulted by that two Kusagakure Genin, and was warned "Uzumaki Clan is dead" and "behave like Blood Bag", Hiruzen Sarutobi finally couldn't help it and punched the desk next to her.
"Bang!"
The solid wood desk made a muffled sound, and the Scroll and pen holder on it jumped.
"That makes no sense!"
Third Hokage's voice was filled with irrepressible anger. Although it was old, it was full of majesty.
Asuma also said in a deep voice, "Old man, this matter must not be tolerated! This is not only about this child, but also about Konoha's dignity."
Karin was startled by Third's sudden anger, and shivered again.
Naruto quickly hugged her shoulders gently and whispered, "It's okay. Look, Grandpa Third is very angry, but he is angry at those bad people. He will definitely protect you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a few deep breaths and suppressed the anger boiling in his chest.
The look he looked at Karin was not only concerned, but also filled with an unquestionable determination and protective desire.
"Kid, don't worry."
His voice became calm again, but his determination was stronger than the anger just now.
"From today on, you are a villager of Konoha. I will handle it personally for Kusagakure.
For the suffering you have suffered, Konoha will seek justice for you!
Your safety and your future will be protected by Konoha!"
This is not just a promise, but also a declaration to the entire Shinobi World in the name of Hokage.
Karin Uzumaki, from this moment on, is officially under the wings of Konoha.