"Karin... Uzumaki Karin."
Karin was half-asleep and disoriented. As she opened her eyes, the light was so dazzling... Was that the sun?
She looked up and saw a golden sun.
No, on closer inspection,
it was golden hair, but the smile was so warm, like a small sun.
Uzumaki Karin, huh?
Naruto repeated, staring at the red-haired, red-eyed, glasses-wearing girl.
Uzumaki, this surname was the same as his. Looking at the standard red hair, was she from the Uzumaki clan?
He recalled his textbooks;
there was once a Land of Whirlpools in the ninja world, inhabited by the Uzumaki clan.
The Land of Whirlpools was once an ally of Konoha. Many elements of Konoha came from the Land of Whirlpools, such as the spiral pattern on the back of the village's ninja vests, and Konoha's symbol itself.
There weren't many records about this country.
He only knew that after its destruction, the Uzumaki clan, having lost their country and home, were forced to wander the ninja world.
As for more details, Naruto had once sent a clone to the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools to investigate his origins, but unfortunately, he found nothing.
But he could be certain,
if there were no surprises, his father's side of the family was from the Uzumaki clan who had wandered to Konoha.
Otherwise, why would his surname be Uzumaki?
After all, in this world, just like in Japan, people usually take the husband's surname after marriage.
For example, if Sakura married Sasuke, her name would become Uchiha Sakura after marriage.
As for why he didn't have red hair?
It could only be because he was a mixed-blood; his mother wasn't Uzumaki, but his mother's genes were too strong, which resulted in his blonde hair.
Being chosen as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must also be because of his Uzumaki bloodline.
Looking at the bonuses of the Uzumaki bloodline, they were practically perfect Jinchuriki embryos.
Naruto had always believed this.
Regarding his lineage, the Nine-Tails said nothing, and he never asked.
After all, the "Nine-Tails' Attack" wasn't a good memory.
Whenever the topic came up, both the boy and the fox simultaneously pointed the finger at 'Uchiha Madara' as the culprit.
No, now they'd start blaming Uchiha Obito.
Besides, Naruto had never cared about his lineage. It was good to know, but he didn't care if he didn't.
After all, his parents were dead.
Moreover, what could a powerful lineage bring?
Strength?
From childhood, his strength had continuously soared.
Fame?
Laughable. No matter how famous he got, could his dad possibly be the Fourth Hokage?
That would be too much of a dark joke.
Pulling his thoughts back, Naruto looked at the rare kinswoman he'd found, his expression unusually gentle.
"Coincidentally, my surname is also Uzumaki."
"Really?"
Karin glanced in surprise at Naruto's golden hair. Having been used as a tool her whole life, she was timid and didn't dare to refute powerful ninjas from other villages.
Feeling her distrustful gaze, Naruto added, "Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto!"
"You're really an Uzumaki? But your hair—"
"Mixed-blood, you know how it is."
What does 'you know how it is' mean?
Karin didn't quite understand Naruto's meaning, but she unexpectedly felt valued and warm. And this person was so handsome!
"Naruto."
From behind, Sasuke's voice came.
"Hm?"
Karin saw another black-haired handsome boy appear next to the golden-haired one.
Sasuke merely glanced at the three captured ninjas, then looked away. "We've collected all the scrolls. What do we do now?"
Naruto thought for a moment. He had already fought Orochimaru, and it had been very satisfying.
Staying longer wouldn't bring any audience or strong opponents; there was no good show left to watch.
Also, he had obtained quite a bit of information from Orochimaru.
For example: after the Forest of Death, there would be a one-on-one elimination round, which was the main event, with a huge audience, all of whom were powerful nobles.
The grand finale would still be Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan—that was his stage.
Since that was the case,
Naruto offered his suggestion, "I want to go directly to the Central Tower. What about you two?"
"Sakura and I both feel the same way."
"Alright, let's head off then."
Turning to look at the kinswoman he had just met, Naruto suddenly remembered the 'horror' of the Forest of Death. For a weak person like her, it must be extremely dangerous, right?
Since all ninjas needed to reach the Central Tower, he might as well give her a ride.
"Karin, do you want to come with us?"
"Me? Can I come too?" Seeing her companions still unconscious, Karin was a bit indecisive.
"If you're willing."
"That's great, I'm willing!" Karin nearly jumped up at Naruto's invitation.
"Don't move, I'll untie you."
Naruto stepped forward and reached out. The moment he grabbed her wrist, he saw irregular but dense bite marks all over Karin's arm.
"What's this?" Naruto was curious. It couldn't be realistic tattoos, could it?
Karin looked a little shy. "It's nothing."
Seeing this, Naruto didn't press the issue.
Team Seven, along with an unofficial member, set off.
The group completely disregarded potential enemies and wild beasts, traveling ostentatiously and chatting loudly.
No one foolish enough came to bother them.
Along the way, Naruto, through some clever questioning, learned that Karin's bite marks were actually inflicted by others, and that others could recover chakra and injuries through this method.
Naruto was stunned. Such an incredible physique existed in the ninja world?
It was even more amazing than his Free Spirit Pills.
What a talent!
Wait, being from the same Uzumaki clan, did he also have this ability?
Naruto froze. He was tempted to try it out, but then he thought of getting a bite mark and decided against it.
It wouldn't look good on his body.
However, when he got a bit older, there was a certain place that could be bitten.
But this Grass Hidden Village, how could they not cherish the Uzumaki clan so much?
You know, this is my biological sister from a different father and mother!
It seems this must be a morally corrupt village.
They don't deserve Karin.
This kind of talent, my Konoha wants them!
"You've suffered so much in the Grass Hidden Village, why don't you stay in Konoha, Karin?" Sakura, overcome with kindness, had a similar thought to Naruto.
Upon hearing that she could stay in Konoha and no longer be exploited, Karin was naturally overjoyed.
She secretly glanced at Naruto. Seeing his subtle nod, her heart swelled with even greater happiness.
She believed the little sun before her would not deceive her.
However, remembering something, Karin became hesitant again.
"Ninjas must return to their respective villages after the Chunin Exams, unless they defect. And as the host village, Konoha would not accept such ninjas," the always calm Sasuke revealed the truth.
That seemed to make sense.
If a talented ninja from another village came to Konoha for the exams, only to be forcibly kept by Konoha.
As the host, Konoha would likely be criticized and ridiculed by the entire ninja world. In a serious case, it could even trigger a war.
Old Man Third Hokage would certainly not agree.
Naruto pondered for a moment, and instantly thought of another answer.
What if the Grass Hidden Village simply... ceased to exist?
If the village was gone, ninjas would naturally have the freedom to choose.
This,
he had to admit, Orochimaru was truly inspiring.
He had the Konoha Crush Plan; Naruto could entirely customize a Grass Hidden Village Destruction Plan.
He'd find a clone and directly wipe out the Grass Hidden Village.
Don't ask why,
Uchiha Obito will claim responsibility for this incident.
Perfect timing. He just bought a 'Kamui' Mangekyo Sharingan; he could go out and test its effects.
They both wore masks anyway. Who would know?
Besides, it was about time for Uchiha Obito to make an appearance; otherwise, the ninja world might think the Ninja World Daily was lying to them.
Moreover, the Grass Hidden Village in the Land of Grass, such a small country, could also serve as a pilot for reform.
It was simply killing three birds with one stone!
And so, it was happily decided.
Naruto exchanged a glance with Karin, who was secretly watching him, and smiled brightly.