Just as Karin was beaten black and blue and could barely hold on any longer!
Hiss-!
An enormous dark-purple venomous snake suddenly shot out, swift as lightning, and swallowed every one of the abusive Kusagakure shinobi in a single gulp!
The sudden bloody scene left Karin frozen on the ground, her pupils contracting as she stared in utter shock.
A blood-scented wind struck her face, and a cold, sinister presence enveloped the area.
A tall, elegant figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
Dressed in a white kimono, with a chilling air and a faint smile on his lips, he was Orochimaru, who had spent years roaming the shinobi world.
Orochimaru walked slowly up to the terrified Karin, bent down slightly, and gently held out his hand to her, his voice calm and warm.
"Come with me."
"You possess a power precious to the shinobi world. I need you."
Karin tensed all over, staring fearfully at the unfamiliar man before her. Frightened and flustered, she instinctively wanted to back away.
Everyone she had met in her life had been a cruel person who bullied, exploited, and hurt her. No one had ever spoken to her so gently.
As though he saw through all her fears and misgivings, Orochimaru continued softly, each word touching the deepest despair in her heart.
"If you stay in Kusagakure, your fate is already sealed."
Orochimaru's gaze was calm, his tone sincere.
"At my side, you can choose how you survive and what you live for. All of it will be up to you."
Those few words completely shattered every defense in Karin's heart.
In her entire life, no one had ever asked her how she wanted to live.
Everyone had only wanted to use her, exploit her, and drain her dry.
For the first time, someone