Iruka: You call this a Chunin?
As a talented(?) Chunin himself, Iruka decided to stand up and say his piece.
A Chunin couldn't possibly have this kind of strength!
Hatake Kakashi: Not necessarily. It is uncertain what Lord Second and Orochimaru might have researched in the future that could strengthen Konoha's overall power. So, that Anbu saying he is a Chunin might not actually be lying.
For a time, the ninjas of every village fell into shock.
What exactly did Senju Tobirama and that fellow Orochimaru research in the future?
Besides the Honkai Beast experiment, did they actually have other results?
This caused the other Four Great Ninja Villages to once again refresh their perception of Konoha.
Is Konoha truly so uniquely blessed by heaven?
Even after being on the brink of total destruction once, it could actually burst forth with such immense energy.
Not only did it not completely perish, it actually became even stronger.
Except for the basic population not exceeding that of Old Konoha, the overall strength of New Konoha far surpassed Old Konoha.
At this moment, within the Pure Land, countless souls of Kusagakure watched their Lord Jonin being handled like a small chick without the slightest dignity, wanting to cry but having no tears.
Why? How did things turn out like this?
["I thought that damned invader had taken you away, but I didn't expect you to be released directly into Konoha. Was it to cause chaos within the village? I'm afraid he never imagined you would be such useless trash, right?"
Looking at the ninjas from Kusagakure who had been recaptured, Senju Tobirama gave a cold laugh.
"Lock them up again. Perhaps for the time being, we won't need to go outside to look for experimental subjects."
"Yes, Lord Second, however..."
"However what?"
"However, there are still two experimental subjects that haven't been caught yet. They should still be in hiding. I'm afraid they might cause some... damage to New Konoha."
The Anbu wearing an animal mask lowered his head, not daring to look at Senju Tobirama.
After all, failing to capture everyone was their dereliction of duty.
One must know, these were just ninjas from a few small ninja villages, while they were Konoha ninjas—and they had grown stronger under the various items researched by the Lord Second, Orochimaru, and the others. Yet, they still hadn't found everyone.
This made them feel ashamed.
"Hmph~ It seems we have two fellows who enjoy playing hide-and-seek. Increase the search intensity. I want to see them before dawn tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Not hearing any punishment from the Lord Second, the Anbu Chunin's heart immediately relaxed.
But they knew that before dawn tomorrow was the final deadline the Lord Second had given them.
If they didn't bring the people back by then, they would likely be expelled from the Anbu.
In fact, that might be considered the lightest punishment.
After all, the Anbu does not need trash!
Thus, the Anbu began a search of the entire New Konoha, not letting any suspicious target escape!
Under the full search of the Anbu, the remaining two people were effectively nowhere to hide.
It didn't even take until dawn; before midnight, the people had already been found.
"Hasn't there been too much commotion in New Konoha these past few days?"
Karin felt a bit strange these past few days. Especially starting from two days ago, a voice always appeared in her mind.
But when she tried to listen carefully, she could never quite hear what the voice was saying.
However, with the appearance of Mr. Crow and the resurrection of her mother, she didn't hear the voice anymore.
Because Karin's entire focus was on her mother.
Although her mother had turned into a small cat, she didn't mind.
Furthermore, she knew that if others found out her mother had undergone resurrection, it would absolutely trigger a disaster.
A disaster that would separate mother and daughter again; her mother might even encounter torture even more cruel than what she faced in Kusagakure.
But now, her mother had become a small cat. As long as she didn't say anything, no one would know her mother had been resurrected.
And according to her mother, her current body seemed to be very powerful, and she could become her ninja beast in the future to fight side by side with her.
This... was truly wonderful!
"Damn it! Let me go! I am the leader of Kusagakure! You fellows treating me like this, aren't you afraid of punishment from the Daimyo?"
At this moment, Karin, who was spending tender time with her mother, suddenly heard a familiar voice.
The body of the small cat in her arms trembled upon hearing this voice.
A hint of fear surfaced in the pupils of this mother and daughter.
Subconsciously, Karin pushed open the window and saw an Anbu on the roof tying someone up securely.
That person was still constantly shouting, making the Anbu annoyed enough to tear off the man's own clothes, preparing to stuff them into his mouth.
Right then, the man saw Karin pushing open the window while holding a calico kitten, and he immediately let out an angry roar.
"It's all because of you! It's all because of you, you jinx! Back then, if not for you, that woman wouldn't have chosen to stay in Kusagakure, we wouldn't have been targeted by those fellows from Konoha, and Kusagakure wouldn't have been destroyed! It's all your fault!"
The Anbu instinctively turned his head and saw Karin, whose pupils were gradually becoming lifeless. Realizing things were bad, he immediately gagged the mouth of the experimental subject who intended to say more, then took him away with a few leaps, vanishing from Karin's sight.
"Mama, is everything he said true?"
"..."
In Karin's arms, Karin's mama was truly like a doll, falling into silence.]
Uzumaki Karin: Mama, is what he said true? Did you really choose to stay because of me?
Kusagakure Leader: Of course it's true. Have you forgotten? It was just for a meal and a few words from some kind-looking old people that you chose to stay. And your mother chose to stay to take care of you, knowing full well what she would encounter. All of this is because of you!
The imprisoned leader of Kusagakure let out a crazed laugh.
He blamed all the faults entirely on Karin; he himself had no fault whatsoever.
"It seems you truly are tired of living."
Orochimaru, who was currently performing an experiment, shook his head and then walked toward the place where the leader of Kusagakure was imprisoned.
Orochimaru: Karin, you don't need to take his words to heart. This kind of person only knows how to blame all faults on others and never looks for the cause within themselves. You are the victims, and you were deceived. You have no fault.
Orochimaru: Rest assured, I won't let the fellows from Kusagakure die too quickly.
A: To dare to jump around like that while being a prisoner, you really don't know Orochimaru's methods.
At this moment, Karin could no longer hear any words.
She wanted to try her best to recall the situation when her mother brought her to Kusagakure, but she was too young then; she didn't remember.
She really didn't remember what happened that day!