Naruto stood on the branch, holding the incense.
But Karin seemed to feel like she was floating in the sky as she clung tightly to Naruto's arm.
"Come down," Naruto said gently.
Karin's pretty face came close, her eyes wide as she studied him carefully.
Vaguely, she saw a handsome, heroic figure. "Thank you… kind person," she said softly.
Naruto: "…"
It's fine—after all, I'm helping for a purpose.
The huge bear below saw that Naruto could fly and, terrified, fled the scene.
Karin, worried she might fall, clutched Naruto's arm even tighter.
"My benefactor, I lost my glasses around here. Can you help me find them?" she asked earnestly.
Always helping those in need, Naruto brought Karin closer to the tree trunk. "Wait here," he instructed.
He flew down to search. Not long after, he returned, holding her glasses in his hand.
Once Karin put them on, she felt a wave of relief. Without her glasses, she was almost blind. And having just been chased by a monster, she had genuinely feared for her life.
Looking up at her rescuer, Karin's eyes widened in surprise.
Hiss~
This face, this aura, this presence…
Isn't this the kind of hero she had been dreaming of?
Impossible!
Karin's expression trembled as she exclaimed, "You… you… are you the Genin who defeated an Elite Jōnin?!"
"It doesn't count," Naruto said humbly. "That guy was careless."
Sure enough!
The thought that her rescuer could defeat an Elite Jōnin made Karin feel a sense of security.
All she wanted now was to survive and leave once the exam ended.
So she shyly said to Naruto, "Well… I… I want to follow you."
Naruto looked at her, surprised. "?"
He knew Karin was bold and straightforward—but he hadn't expected her to be this open.
"I got separated from my teammates, and they don't care about me. Now I just want to survive. Once I reach the central tower, I'll quit the exam. I won't be a burden to you," Karin explained.
"Alright," Naruto said, accepting without hesitation.
After all, it had always been part of his plan to get closer to Karin. Once she awakened her Uzumaki abilities, he could ask for her advice.
Karin smiled happily. "You're really kind~ I'll remember your help. My name is Karin. What's yours?"
"Uzumaki Naruto," he replied casually. Then he added, "My teammates are still waiting. Let's go join them first."
Karin nodded obediently. "I'll follow you, Naruto-kun~"
Her presence was a pleasure to Naruto's senses. After all, he was a hero who had saved a beautiful girl—strong, capable, and handsome.
On the way, Karin couldn't help but chatter.
"Naruto, are you also an Uzumaki? Are we related?"
"By the way, why are you in Konoha? I thought the Uzumaki clan was scattered across the ninja world."
"You're so handsome and powerful… there must be lots of girls who like you…"
"Naruto, do you like anyone?"
…
When they returned to the tree hollow where Team 7 was resting, they saw the chaos outside.
Many ninjas had gathered—Sound ninjas, Grass ninjas, and Konoha's young genin.
Fights were breaking out between the Konoha camp and other teams.
Sasuke was holding his own, able to fend off three opponents at once. Haruno Sakura and Ino barely managed to keep up.
Karin was a little frightened and hid behind Naruto, peeking out at the intense scene.
Naruto groaned. What a mess.
"Hey! Hey! Stop fighting! Everyone, stop!" he shouted.
At the sound of his voice, all eyes turned toward him.
That iconic yellow hair and heroic face—everyone froze.
The ninjas from Kusagakure and Otogakure paled.
"It's the Genin who defeated an Elite Jōnin! What do we do?"
"Damn… he wasn't here just now!"
Haruno Sakura brightened. "Okay, Naruto-kun is back! It's safe now."
But…
Who was that red-haired girl behind Naruto?
Could she be the one he rescued earlier?
Sakura's heart sank. That red-haired girl might attach herself to Naruto…
A sense of crisis washed over her.
Naruto stood tall and declared publicly, "Now, except for Konoha's ninjas, everyone else should leave."
His tone wasn't arrogant, but it sparked outrage instantly.
"Haha!" Toz stood up, eyes blazing. "I heard you defeated an Elite Jōnin? Let's see if it's true. I'll take you on myself!"
Naruto's expression didn't change. He raised his hand and fired a miniature Rasenshuriken at Toz.
"What is that?!" Toz shouted, instinctively raising a Wind Style barrier.
But even this powerful Wind Style couldn't stop the spinning black ball.
He didn't have time to dodge, and the miniature Rasenshuriken struck him in the abdomen, carrying him several hundred meters away.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted. A semicircular shockwave tore forward, annihilating everything in its path.
The aftermath shook the scene. Everyone raised their arms to brace against the hurricane of destruction.
After a few moments, silence fell.
"Are you… kidding me?" a Sound ninja whispered, falling to the ground in shock.
Two of Toz's teammates fled in terror. The rest, except for Konoha's ninjas, ran for their lives.
Konoha's young genin stared at Naruto in awe—this was the first time he had demonstrated mass-destruction ninjutsu.
Karin swallowed nervously. "Naruto-kun… I… I don't need to leave, right?"
Naruto shook his head. "Of course not. Didn't you just say we might be related?"
"Yes! We're relatives! I might be Naruto-kun's sister!" Karin said, relieved.
But then she added quickly, "Just for show."
Naruto: "?"
Sister… why emphasize that? Isn't it still a bond, even if it's just for show?
Karin's thoughts were her own, but Naruto couldn't help feeling slightly puzzled.
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