Karin didn't comply, but instead turned to look at the Shadow Clone, seemingly awaiting Naruto's command.
"Hokage-Grandpa means no harm; let him see it."
The Shadow Clone said gently.
Karin hummed softly, nodded obediently, raised one arm, and slowly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a slender arm covered in teeth marks.
"Bite marks—"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed slightly, and his heart sank.
If it were Tsunade, seeing such shocking teeth marks, she would probably be furious and slam the table.
"Physical healing, a Whirlpool Clan ability. It seems you, Karin, are a genuine Whirlpool Clan member."
Hiruzen Sarutobi re-lit his pipe, rose, and walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the undulating, varied buildings of Konoha Village, his eyes becoming distant and profound.
"I thought that after the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, there would be no more red-haired descendants of the Whirlpool Clan. I never expected there to be someone like you in the world."
"But you are from Grass Hidden Village—"
The Shadow Clone interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi, continuing, "Grass Hidden Village is incredibly righteous. Knowing the deep connection between Konoha Village and the Whirlpool Clan, they have been sheltering Karin, waiting for the right time to send her here."
"As Uzumaki Naruto, a member of the Whirlpool Clan myself, I cannot stand idly by while my kin wander outside, suffering hardships."
"Please, Hokage-Grandpa, allow me to take Karin in!"
"As for Grass Hidden Village, I believe their village chief is benevolent and righteous, and I'm sure he won't have any objections."
"You—you little brat!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his head, looking in surprise at the seemingly passionate Shadow Clone.
The Third Hokage held his pipe, took a few puffs, and his gaze swept over Uzumaki Naruto and Karin.
Both were from the Whirlpool Clan.
Now that the Whirlpool Clan was almost completely extinct in the Ninja World, perhaps they were the last remaining descendants.
Moreover, with Uzumaki Naruto's hot-blooded personality, if Karin wasn't allowed to stay, who knows what mischief he might cause.
"Phew—"
"Alright!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, feigning helplessness, and waved his hand in response, "Since you insist on taking her in, I permit it."
"However, you must take good care of Karin."
"Really? Thank you, Hokage-Grandpa!"
The Shadow Clone said excitedly.
"Don't get too happy too soon. I still need to negotiate with Grass Hidden Village. I hope they don't brand Karin as a Rogue Ninja."
The Shadow Clone looked nonchalant, hands clasped behind his head, and replied, "A small Grass Hidden Village, a minor power that can only survive between the Five Great Nations. What can they be arrogant about?"
"Hmph, you brat—"
"Hurry up and leave, I still have work to do!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his pipe, shooing away the Shadow Clone and Karin.
After Karin's identity was settled, the Shadow Clone first took her shopping to buy new clothes.
Oh, right.
There was also the most important item—glasses.
Although Karin didn't wear glasses during the Chunin Exams, she was actually nearsighted by then.
On the other side.
Naruto, Hinata, and Ino Yamanaka successfully arrived at the central tower in the forest. Another team also arrived at the same time—a squad of Sunagakure Genin.
Among the three, the leader was a cold young man with short red hair, the character "Love" carved on his forehead, wearing a brown Sunagakure uniform with a grey chest plate over it, and a large gourd on his back.
His gaze towards everyone was full of hostility and rejection.
As if he hated everything in the world.
Everyone was his enemy!
It was Gaara, the Ichibi Shukaku Jinchuriki of Sunagakure.
And following him on his left and right were Gaara's two "attachments"—Temari and Kankuro.
"This person is so gloomy, it's like I owe him a million Ryo," Ino Yamanaka pouted.
If Kurenai Yuhi were present, her heart would surely ache.
Ino Yamanaka didn't owe Gaara a million Ryo, but she truly owed Naruto a million Ryo.
Actually, Gaara's aura was very strong. Although it was far from Orochimaru's tangible, illusion-inducing killing intent, it was still more than ordinary Genin could bear.
However, after Ino Yamanaka had been subjected to Naruto's Shadow Monarch's oppressive aura, even if Kurama broke the seal and appeared, roaring at Ino Yamanaka, Ino Yamanaka wouldn't show the slightest fear.
So, in Ino Yamanaka's eyes, Gaara was just a conceited and pretentious gloomy young man.
"It's them—"
Temari and Kankuro also saw the new Seventh Team.
Naruto's group was quite noticeable.
After all, most teams were a combination of two males and one female, or three males. A combination of two females and one male was rare.
"Interesting, someone actually arrived at the tower faster than us. Is it good luck? Or just good luck?!" Kankuro sounded like Gaara's mouthpiece.
Gaara remained silent, walking towards the new Seventh Team. Around him, subtle sand particles could be faintly seen floating, like an ethereal mist, enveloping Gaara.
Naruto's expression was very calm.
Not to mention him, as long as Gaara didn't release Ichibi Shukaku, Hinata could defeat Gaara.
As for releasing Ichibi Shukaku?
Sorry, a mere Ichibi is truly not enough to face Naruto, who possesses offensive and defensive capabilities at the Kage-level.
"Swish!"
Just as the two sides were about to confront each other, a blur appeared out of thin air, blocking their path.
This man, with a black headscarf, a Konoha forehead protector, and a pair of panda eyes, looked like he hadn't woken up, and said weakly, "Cough, cough, cough. My name is Gekkō Hayate, and I'm one of the proctors for the Third Exam. Please, examinees, present your scrolls."
Reaching the central tower of the Death Forest was only one of the passing conditions for the Second Exam.
In addition to that,
They also needed to collect the "Scroll of the Heavens" and the "book of earth" scrolls, ensure all members were alive, and had never opened or peeked at the scrolls during the process.
"The scrolls are here, Examiner Gekkō, please see."
Naruto flipped his hand, took out two scrolls from his item bar, and held them side by side in his palm.
Gekkō Hayate didn't even need to check their authenticity, and said weakly, "Very good, you may open the scrolls."
"Open the scrolls?"
"Weren't we not allowed to open the scrolls?!"
"Oh~ I understand now. You're just like Examiner Ibiki Morino, you like to use words to mislead us, trying to trick us!" Ino Yamanaka immediately pointed at Gekkō Hayate and said.
Who knew.
As she thought she had seen through Gekkō Hayate's "conspiracy," Naruto and Hinata each took a scroll and opened them.
The scrolls were not blank; they were covered in dense incantations, with a large character for "Human" in the center.
The moment the scrolls were opened, the Ninjutsu activation conditions were met, and the stored Chakra took effect, immediately bursting into a cloud of white mist, summoning a Konoha Village Chunin.
"Naruto."
Iruka Umino pulled his crooked Ninja forehead protector straight and smiled as he looked at Naruto.
"You've had a hard journey..."
Before Iruka Umino could finish speaking, Naruto stepped forward, gave him a bear hug, and laughed, "It wasn't hard at all, it was more like a picnic."