I want to invite you to deal with the Third Hokage
After gathering her mother's keepsakes and a change of clothes, Karin followed Naruto to an izakaya in Kusagakure. Sitting by the second-floor window, she quietly observed the bustling crowd below.
As she ate her pork cutlet rice, curiosity about Naruto grew.
This esteemed figure of the Uzumaki clan had not only altered his hair color and physique with the Transformation Jutsu but had even adjusted his chakra signature—making him unrecognizable even to sensory-type ninja.
Just how powerful did one have to be to master such a technique?
Sensing Karin's thoughts, Naruto smiled and said, "This is just a practical use of sealing techniques. Once we return to Uzushiogakure, an elder will teach you the ways of the Uzumaki clan's Fūinjutsu."
Karin nodded before hesitantly asking, "Master Menma, how many of our Uzumaki clan members are still alive?"
Naruto thought for a moment before answering, "Currently, we can confirm fewer than five, but in time, our clan will rise again."
"Fewer than five…" Karin murmured, her heart sinking. Still, seeing a fellow clansman was a rare joy.
Just then, a large number of Kusagakure shinobi appeared on the streets below, searching house to house. One squad even made its way upstairs, causing Karin's breath to hitch.
However, the moment Naruto cast them a casual glance, the team abruptly turned and left, moving toward the next building instead.
"Are they looking for me?" Karin whispered, trembling. She clutched her shoulders, haunted by memories of Kusagakure treating her like a disposable tool.
Naruto glanced at her and nodded. "Of course. Your ability to heal others by allowing them to bite you is too valuable for a small village like Kusagakure to let go easily."
Karin hesitated, then quickly asked, "Master Menma, is that why you took me in? Because of my healing abilities? I can only be bitten three times a day—any more, and my life force suffers."
Naruto looked at her as if she were an idiot. "Do you think I don't have the same ability? If I ever needed to, a single bite could drain most of your life force."
His tone turned serious. "Don't be reckless in the future. Unless it's for someone truly important, never risk your vitality."
Karin was silent for a moment before asking, "Then… what do you want me to do?" After years of being exploited by Kusagakure, she felt uneasy simply following Naruto without a clear purpose.
"You have an interest in medical ninjutsu, don't you? Then focus on that. Uzushiogakure needs skilled medics, and you can fill that role."
With just a few words, Naruto decided Karin's future.
He then gazed into the distance, his expression contemplative. "The great shinobi villages have rotted, and Kusagakure is no exception. Just because you escaped, the village is already tearing itself apart."
"No… even without you, Kusagakure was bound for civil strife."
In the original timeline, Konoha had endured the Uchiha Massacre and the Hyūga Affair, leading to internal divisions and a weakened military. Yet, the other great villages had not seized the chance to attack.
Part of the reason was the devastating scale of the Third Shinobi War—no village emerged as a true victor.
The other reason? Internal instability. The major villages were either isolating themselves or suppressing their own factions. Even the most unified, Kumogakure, had lost control over its Jinchūriki.
The so-called Konoha Crush, orchestrated by Orochimaru, was the only event that even resembled a large-scale conflict—and even that had ended in a farcical manner.
Naruto had no intention of interfering with Kusagakure's internal power struggles. Even if he backed a faction, it wouldn't be enough to establish control. His influence was already stretched thin between the Land of Waves and Kirigakure.
However, Kusagakure's jutsu were worth acquiring. Despite being largely derivative, they could still supplement the jutsu archives of Uzushiogakure and save time on research.
Brushing aside his drifting thoughts, Naruto suddenly sensed a familiar chakra approaching. A knowing smile formed on his lips.
This chakra didn't belong to Akatsuki—it came from Konoha.
Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, was nearby, likely searching for the prophesied Child of Destiny. His arrival would only further complicate Kusagakure's situation.
Seeing Naruto's amused smile, Karin was puzzled.
But she quickly realized—whatever happened next, it wouldn't be her suffering. It would be the village that had once treated her as a tool.
A faint smile crept onto her lips as she mimicked Naruto's expression.
---
Outside Kusagakure.
Jiraiya trailed behind Tsunade and Shizune, his usual mischievous grin in place. However, his mind was preoccupied with a serious matter—how to convince Tsunade to join him in challenging their former sensei, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After their "chance meeting" days ago—where he had conveniently paid off her gambling debts—Jiraiya had been searching for the right moment to bring up the topic. But he had yet to find an opening, leaving him no choice but to persistently follow her.
Shizune sighed in exasperation. "Lord Jiraiya, if you have something to say to Lady Tsunade, just say it. Don't pester me about it. Besides, what else would she be doing besides drinking, gambling, and healing people?"
Tsunade shot Shizune a glare, then turned to Jiraiya. "Spit it out already. You've been following us since we left the Land of Fields."
"If this is another one of your confessions, I'm rejecting you now. And if the old man sent you, go home. The village may belong to Hokage, but I have nothing to do with it. I'm just a wandering Jōnin."
Jiraiya winced at the blunt rejection, but he quickly regained his composure.
With a rare serious expression, he cleared his throat. "Tsunade, I came to ask for your help… in taking down the Third Hokage."
Tsunade and Shizune froze.
For the first time, Jiraiya was openly suggesting action against Konoha's leadership. And it wasn't Danzo he was targeting—but Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
Both women immediately suspected foul play. Was Jiraiya under a genjutsu? Or worse—was this even Jiraiya at all?
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her voice grave. "Do you realize what you're saying? You're asking me to help take down the Third Hokage. Our teacher. The leader of Konoha."
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