"Waaaaah..."
A girl with long, fiery red hair crouched alone in a corner, crying.
Beside the girl lay a fallen brown bear, its carcass cleaved in two by a sharp blade.
"I almost forgot, we have a great employee here."
Haruma paused, then said softly, " Chōjūrō, take this little guy with you."
"Yes."
Chōjūrō adjusted his glasses and slowly walked towards the girl.
Hearing other people's voices, Karin shrank back and quickly wiped away her tears as she stood up.
"Auntie, young lady, please come with us."
Chōjūrō said, blushing slightly.
Upon hearing this,
Karin stared in horror at the three members of Kirigakure, her body pressed tightly against the tree root, looking as if she was about to cry.
Suigetsu looked at the somewhat frightened girl with a strange gaze.
Wearing Grass Ninja Forehead Protector, her exposed arm bore obvious bite marks.
Suigetsu wondered what the boss saw in her.
"We... we meant no harm."
"We just want you... to come with us."
Chōjūrō, who was bad at speaking, stammered as he looked at the girl who was about to cry.
Upon hearing this, the girl became even more frightened and shook her head frantically.
I thought sending Suigetsu to negotiate would scare Karin.
Even sending the socially awkward Chōjūrō didn't help much.
Haruma looked at Chōjūrō and sighed helplessly, gently waving her fingers.
Click click click,
Karin staggered, and the clods of earth on the ground shattered and floated up.
Looking up at the Haruma, Karin plopped down on the floating mud, completely bewildered.
Let's go.
Let Bai handle the appeasement.
In front of the tower
When Haruma arrived with the three little ones, Kimimaro, his two companions, and the snake were already waiting nearby.
They even thoughtfully prepared two copies of the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, afraid that Suigetsu might forget the important matter.
Seeing the giant python preparing to pounce, Haruma simply waved her hand and let it go.
He then handed the girl floating behind him to Bai, saying, "A member of the Uzumaki Clan, with excellent perception."
"With a little training, it should suit your team."
Haruma also noticed that Karin calmed down considerably the moment she saw Sasuke.
The bear carcass from before was probably Sasuke's doing.
Bai nodded and helped the somewhat panicked girl up.
He gently patted the dust off Karin's body.
I thought Shiro was a girl's Karin, and it felt like I'd found a savior.
She pressed herself close to Bai's body and secretly glanced at Sasuke.
Then, fearfully, she glanced at Haruma.
Haruma glanced around and realized that the only ninjas who had reached the tower at this time, besides them, were Karin from the Kusagakure.
"I'm going back to eat first. Let me know when everyone's almost here."
As Haruma spoke, she glanced at Suigetsu with a warning look. "Stay put and don't cause me any trouble."
After saying that, Haruma vanished from the spot in an Body Flicker Technique.
Meanwhile, Ichiraku Ramen in Konoha gained another customer.
Suigetsu's tense body only relaxed after Haruma left.
The restless Suigetsu gazed at the dense forest not far away, her eyes darting around.
"Keep your legs under control, or you'll be in big trouble."
Kimimaro, who had been resting with his eyes closed, spoke a warning in a low voice.
"Cut,"
Suigetsu snorted disdainfully, but her body remained obediently still.
He is still no match for Kimimaro.
Although the Hydrification Technique grants immunity to physical damage.
However, Kimimaro's close -Taijutsu meant that Suigetsu's recovery speed couldn't keep up with the speed at which she was destroyed.
In addition to the density of his bones, Kimimaro's defense was also far superior to that of ordinary people.
Most of the damage from the Blastsword will be blocked by the bones.
On the top of the tower
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi, Anko, the examiner for the second exam, and a small squad of Anbu all gathered here.
After searching the forest without finding any trace of Orochimaru, Anko frowned and said:
" Lord Hokage, I suggest we cancel this Chunin Ninja Exams."
Anko touched the slightly stinging mark on the back of her neck. "Although I haven't seen Orochimaru in person, I'm sure that guy is in Konoha right now."
Compared to three years ago, Sarutobi now appears much older.
His face was covered with dark brown age spots that he couldn't hide, and his skin was as rough as tree bark, giving him a weathered look.
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, " The Chunin Ninja Exams cannot be stopped."
"Invitations to the third exam have already been distributed to the daimyo of various countries and the kage of each village."
Seeing Anko about to speak, Sarutobi continued, "If it's just Orochimaru showing up, we'll have to cancel the joint Chunin Ninja Exams involving several countries."
"What will the other ninja villages and daimyo think of Konoha then!"
"Yes, Anko."
The Anbu behind Sarutobi added, "Does that mean we have to cancel every time Orochimaru shows up before the high school entrance exam?"
Sarutobi, noticing Anko's restless Anko, said softly, "I will send someone to investigate Orochimaru's actions."
"But we cannot afford any mistakes in this exam."
Anko nodded with a grim expression. "I understand, Lord Hokage."
Former Uchiha Clan headquarters.
Haruma courtyard.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Haruma was lying in a rocking chair, chatting with Fugaku and the phantom of Mei Terumi.
"Should I go too?"
Fugaku frowned and asked.
I had only been home for a few days, and my two sons were away.
Fugaku, who had finally enjoyed a few days of married life, was somewhat dissatisfied.
You were definitely going to come.
With her legs crossed, Haruma casually remarked, " The Shinobi World isn't exactly peaceful right now. Mei's strength is still a bit lacking."
Ignoring the fiery glare from her secretary, Haruma continued, "It's not just you; Qing has also joined the guard team."
"The exam's over, now I'm going to join the Akatsuki."
"I'm not entirely at ease leaving these little ones on the return journey without you leading the way."
"We've been providing free funding for several years, but we haven't received any compensation. We can't let someone else take it all."
Thinking that his youngest son was also in the exam group, Fugaku sighed and nodded.
Haruma at the Mei Terumi, Qing Tian asked softly, "You should have received the invitation from Konoha, right?"
"Snort,"
Mei Terumi glared at Haruma with annoyance, clearly stung by the words that had just been said about her lack of strength.
But Mei Terumi heard the question, she nodded her head willingly.
"Alright."
Sensing the fluctuations in Kimimaro's mark, Haruma stood up and said:
"Let's treat this as a free show, a proper Sarutobi."
"And it's time you met with the company's chief inventor as well."
Ignoring the questions in their eyes, Haruma turned and disappeared.
And the phantoms of the two gradually faded away.
Kirigakure), the Uchiha Clan's stronghold.
Fugaku, whose spirit had just returned to his body, was also rubbing his temples with a headache.
"What's wrong?"
Mikoto, who had been watching over her the whole time, asked with concern.
"It's nothing."
Fugaku waved his hand. "It's that kid Haruma. He wants me and the secretary-general to go to Konoha on official business next month."
"Is the mission difficult?" Mikoto asked her husband with concern.
"Without."
Fugaku wrapped his arm around Mikoto's slender waist, "I'm just a little reluctant to part with this rare time alone together."
Mikoto blushed and slapped away the large hand that was misbehaving on her waist.
He brought the freshly brewed hot tea to Fugaku's lips.
"Dalang, have some tea first."