The solid wood chair scraped against the floor due to the sudden movement, letting out a piercing "creak."
He stood bolt upright, appearing somewhat stiff; within his aged yet still sharp eyes, extremely complex emotions churned.
Shock, disbelief, deep nostalgia, a sudden surge of sorrow, and a faint trace of excitement and hope that even he hadn't immediately noticed.
His gaze shifted back and forth between Naruto and Karin, finally lingering for a long time on Karin's vibrant red hair, as if seeking to confirm an incredible fact through its color.
She truly was a child of the Uzumaki Clan, and she looked very much like Kushina did when she first arrived at Konoha.
The air in the study seemed to freeze.
Only the blue smoke rising from the pipe on the desk continued to curl slowly through the air.
Standing by the door, Asuma watched his father's intense reaction with understanding, sighing inwardly.
Even his father, who had seen many great storms, was so out of sorts; it showed just how much of an impact this scene brought.
Naruto, of course, knew what the Third Hokage was so shocked about.
He took a step forward, still holding Karin's hand tightly, and met the Third's shocked gaze, breaking the silence with a clear and solemn voice:
"Grandpa Third, this is Karin."
"I found her among the teams participating in the Chunin Exams from Kusagakure."
Pay attention! Take notes!
This isn't recommended for practical use, as it's highly dependent on the setting, execution, looks, and the other person's history.
First, state her name to give her the most basic individual recognition.
Then, point out where she was found and the related event; this explains her origin while hinting at potential disputes.
Finally, throw out the most crucial core information that would touch the Old Man's heartstrings:
"...She is a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan."
The word "survivor" used here was far more impactful than "orphan" or "descendant."
It emphasized the difficulty of surviving the disaster, hinted at the tragic past hidden behind it, and silently questioned Konoha's inaction when Uzushiogakure was destroyed; it directly echoed the guilt and nostalgia the Sandaime felt for the deceased Uzumaki members due to that red hair.
The combination of "Uzumaki Clan" + "survivor" + "Grandpa Third."
With his words and posture, Naruto cleverly packaged an "incident" that could involve diplomatic friction and require complex handling into a "family matter" where a clan elder needed to step up to recognize and protect a relative in distress.
This would undoubtedly make Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally more inclined toward a protective stance in subsequent dealings, granting Karin identity recognition and security more quickly, and making it easier to push back against potential accountability from Kusagakure.
Such is the wisdom in address and the art of language.
It can quietly set the tone and emotional leaning of the entire conversation the moment one speaks.
Naruto might not have been a calculating politician, but based on his understanding of the Sandaime's character and his empathy for Karin's situation, he instinctively chose the most effective and warmest entry point.
Coaxing an Old Man isn't that hard!
In the study, as Naruto's words fell, the air that had frozen in shock began to flow slowly again.
The shock in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes gradually settled, turning into deep reflection, scrutiny, and a trace of complex concern for the red-haired girl before him.
"You've truly suffered these years, child."
Naruto timely squeezed Karin's cold little hand, looking down to give her an encouraging look, his voice gentle yet firm: "Karin, don't be afraid. Tell Grandpa Third everything you experienced in Kusagakure."
"He is Konoha's Hokage and the most trustworthy elder. He... will surely seek justice for you."
The words "seek justice" seemed to give Karin immense courage.
She looked at Naruto's encouraging blue eyes, then at the Sandaime's kind yet undeniably powerful gaze, and took a deep breath as if making a final decision.
She began to speak, her voice initially as faint as a mosquito's buzz and trembling, but as the memories deepened, the long-repressed pain, fear, and helplessness gradually broke through the cage of cowardice.
She told him intermittently how she and her mother ended up in Kusagakure, and how they were "taken in" by Kusagakure Ninja because of the surname "Uzumaki" and the special healing constitution her mother possessed.
The so-called "taking in" was nothing more than disguised imprisonment and plunder.
She described how her mother was treated as a "Universal Blood Bag" and medical tool, frequently having her blood drawn to treat the wounds of Kusagakure Ninja, her health deteriorating day by day.
She told of how those Kusagakure Ninja greedily coveted their abilities, viewing them as "objects" to be used at will rather than human beings.
She recounted how her mother gradually weakened and eventually died from long-term exhaustion and mental torture, clutching her hand tightly at the end, her eyes full of resentment and endless worry for her daughter's future.
She told of how, after her mother's death, her own nightmare officially began.
Those who had once "used" her mother turned their sights on her, the younger and perhaps more resilient "replacement."
Endless biting, insults, beatings, imprisonment... She was stripped of her freedom, her dignity, and even the right to her own Chakra and body, existing merely as a "Living Medical Kit."
Participating in the Chunin Exams this time was merely because Kusagakure wanted to bring her along as "Portable Logistics Support" to continue exploiting her value.
Karin's narration was not smooth; it was sometimes interrupted by sobs and sometimes incoherent due to fear.
But she struggled to speak, revealing those dark, unbearable years bit by bit before Hiruzen Sarutobi, a high-ranking official of Konoha.
As she spoke, the atmosphere in the study grew increasingly heavy.
The wrinkles on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face seemed to deepen; his hands behind his back clenched instinctively. In his eyes, which had seen all the winds and clouds of the Ninja World, the initial shock and concern were gradually replaced by a cold, almost tangible anger and helplessness.
That anger was not directed at the narrator, but at the inhuman, greedy, and cruel Ninja of Kusagakure; the helplessness was for the tragedy indirectly caused by Konoha's failure to provide more effective aid to its ally back then.
Konoha was also in a difficult position at the time, surrounded by powerful enemies and unable to spare a hand to help the Uzumaki Clan.
No matter what the Sandaime said or thought, it couldn't escape two phrases.
'Where you sit determines how you think' and 'respect the dead'.
It was a fact that Konoha hadn't helped Uzushiogakure, but wasn't there now a descendant with distinct Uzumaki blood right here?
And it was a young girl.
The Sealing Techniques Konoha had collected could also be put to use, and there would be no more worry about lacking a suitable Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in the future.
Besides, Uzushiogakure was gone; couldn't he just say a few nice words?
Asuma stood to the side, his expression terrifyingly grim.
An orphan of the Uzumaki Clan had actually suffered such inhuman treatment in an allied nation.
He crossed his arms, his brow furrowed tightly.
Asuma had an upright character and couldn't stand such bullying and bottomless evil acts.
Listening to Karin's ordeal, he could almost see the despair and pain experienced by Karin's mother and the girl before him. This wasn't just an individual tragedy; it was a severe deviation from Ninja ethics and humanity.
When Karin mentioned being beaten and insulted by those two Kusagakure Genin and being warned that "the Uzumaki Clan is dead" and to "obediently be a blood bag," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally couldn't help himself and slammed his fist onto the desk beside him.
"Bang!"
The solid wood desk let out a dull thud, causing the scrolls and brush pot on it to jump.
"Unacceptable!"
The Third Hokage's voice carried irrepressible anger; though aged, it was full of majesty.
Asuma also said in a deep voice, "Old Man, this matter cannot be overlooked! It's not just about this child; it's about Konoha's dignity."
Karin was startled by the Third's sudden anger, her body shrinking back again.
Naruto quickly draped an arm gently over her shoulder and whispered, "It's okay now. Look, Grandpa Third is very angry, but he's angry at those bad people. He will definitely protect you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the churning anger in his chest.
The way he looked at Karin was no longer just with concern, but with an unquestionable determination and protective instinct.
"Child, rest assured."
His voice returned to a steady tone, but that determination was even firmer than his anger just now.
"From today on, you are a villager of Konoha. As for Kusagakure, I will handle it personally."
"For the suffering you've endured, Konoha will seek justice for you!"
"Your safety, your future—Konoha will guarantee them all!"
This was not just a promise; it was a declaration issued to the entire Ninja World in the name of the Hokage.
Uzumaki Karin was, from this moment on, officially placed under the wings of Konoha.