Bab 264: Karin
A spy... with a special identity?
Hearing Itachi's words, Kakashi was taken aback. After all, catching spies was one of the ANBU's responsibilities, indicating his inadequate work.
Under Kakashi's questioning gaze, Itachi took out a paper crane and handed it to Dan:
"This is from the Angel of the Akatsuki, intercepted by me. Inside is a message notifying the spy that their identity has been exposed and instructing them to leave immediately."
Dan took the paper crane, played with it for a moment without opening it, and directly said:
"The spy you're talking about is Karin, the one by Tsunade's side."
"...So the Hokage-sama knew all along," Itachi said, equally surprised.
After much hesitation, he learned about Karin from his brother Sasuke. Itachi then intercepted the message from Konan's paper crane, confirming Karin's identity as a spy. Since Karin was Tsunade's disciple, not just any disciple, her identity was highly sensitive.
Therefore, Itachi quickly went to the Hokage's office to report this matter to the sixth Hokage and waited for Dan's decision.
Who would have thought?
The Sixth Hokage had already seen through Karin's disguise.
Dan casually tossed the paper crane to Kakashi and revealed Karin's true identity to both of them:
"This Karin belongs to the Uzumaki clan."
No wonder...
Itachi suddenly understood, and all his doubts were instantly resolved.
When Karin arrived in Konoha, she didn't have a surname and was considered a genius among civilians.
Being from the Uzumaki clan meant she was related to Naruto Uzumaki.
This also meant that Karin was likely a member of the Akatsuki and had a close relationship with Naruto, explaining why Naruto would take the initiative to teach Sasuke a lesson and demand he stay away from Karin.
Hearing this news, Kakashi was even more taken aback.
Thud.
He came to his senses and immediately knelt on one knee, bowing his head to Dan to apologize:
"I overlooked Karin's situation. Please punish me, Hokage-sama."
It wouldn't be a big deal if it were just any spy, but Karin was different.
She was Tsunade's disciple, deeply cherished by her, and even treated as a daughter.
It's easy to imagine how much sensitive information Karin must have gathered from Tsunade over the years, giving the Akatsuki a clear view of Konoha's activities.
This situation constituted a significant failure on the part of the ANBU, and Kakashi, as the head of the ANBU, felt particularly responsible.
He was deeply remorseful.
"Get up, Kakashi."
Dan didn't punish Kakashi but said calmly, "Like Kabuto, Karin was someone I deliberately left alone. You are not to blame."
Then he asked Itachi, "Where is Karin now?"
"In Konoha Hospital, with Tsunade-sama."
Itachi quickly replied, "Sasuke's injuries are quite severe, so I took him to Tsunade-sama for treatment and asked him to find a way to stall Karin. Please instruct me, Hokage-sama."
Since Dan had known about Karin's background all along yet hadn't acted, he must have had his reasons.
Dan thought for a moment and said, "I'll go there personally."
With that, he stood up, grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off his body, donned his pristine Hokage robe, and strode out of the Hokage's office.
Kakashi and Itachi exchanged glances and followed closely behind.
---
In Konoha Hospital.
A series of urgent footsteps could be heard in the hallway near the chief's office.
It was Tsunade, Karin, and Anko with her two students.
"Anko, what's going on?"
Tsunade asked as they walked towards the operating room.
With the excellent talent cultivation system, Konoha had an increasing number of medical ninjas in recent years, allowing Tsunade to have some free time finally. She rarely personally performed surgeries anymore.
Usually, she stayed in her office or occasionally taught at the ninja academy, leading a semi-retired, leisurely life.
But this patient was different, making her uneasy about letting someone else perform the surgery.
It was Sasuke Uchiha.
That guy was Konoha's number one genius, the son of the Uchiha clan leader, and more importantly, the nephew of the Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan.
If Sasuke couldn't be properly treated at Konoha Hospital and ended up with lasting damage, even Tsunade would find it difficult to explain to Dan and the Uchiha clan.
Moreover, Sasuke was personally brought in by Itachi, who specifically requested Tsunade's help.
"Itachi-sama said Sasuke was attacked by an enemy from another village and suffered a piercing wound from a black rod. The rod seems to have sealed his chakra, preventing it from flowing, and the wound is continuously bleeding. The situation is not looking good.
Shizune-senpai has already provided preliminary treatment for the wound and is watching over Sasuke, waiting for you to arrive."
Hmm?
A black rod that can seal chakra?
Hearing Anko's description, Tsunade frowned, recalling that she had seen such a weapon before.
She remembered.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, the four major ninja villages invaded Konoha, and Deva Path Pain used similar weapons.
Could it be that the Akatsuki are making a comeback?
Tsunade was taken aback and quickened her pace towards the operating room.
Walking beside her, Karin was even more shocked because she immediately thought of someone who could have done this.
Naruto.
Apart from Naruto, Karin had never seen anyone else use black rods.
She immediately grew nervous and instinctively asked Anko, "Senpai, who was the attacker?"
"I don't know. Neither Itachi-sama nor Sasuke mentioned it," Anko shook her head.
Hearing this, Tsunade turned back, looking at Karin with some curiosity.
She knew Karin had feelings for Sasuke and often found excuses to call him over, creating opportunities for them to be alone, hoping Karin would seize the moment.
But now, the usually concerned Karin didn't ask about Sasuke's condition first. Instead, she asked about the attacker's identity.
This seemed a bit unusual.
Tsunade asked nonchalantly, "Karin, do you have any idea? Have you guessed the attacker's identity?"
"Uh, no."
Karin quickly waved her hand, smiling embarrassedly to hide her guilty and unusual reaction.
Tsunade, hearing this, withdrew her gaze and didn't press further.
As they walked, they soon reached the operating room. The three entered.
Inside.
Sasuke lay on the operating table, pale and sweating, with a black rod piercing through his side. The wound looked terrifying.
Fortunately, Shizune was there to take care of him, and a small slug was sitting on Sasuke, supplying chakra to stabilize his condition.
As Tsunade's first disciple, Shizune was fully capable of performing the surgery on Sasuke.
However, Itachi had specifically requested Tsunade for the best surgical outcome, aiming to leave no sequelae and ensure that Sasuke's future as a ninja was unaffected.
Therefore, this surgery for Konoha's number one genius could only be performed by Tsunade herself.
Sasuke also noticed Tsunade and the others arriving. His gaze immediately fell on Karin, filled with complex emotions.
He said that he and Karin were just friends, which was indeed true.
Because Sasuke's mind was solely focused on training and becoming stronger, he had no interest in romance. It wasn't that he had no feelings for Karin; he had no feelings for any woman.
However.
In Sasuke's eyes, Karin had always left a good impression—a genius medical ninja, optimistic and straightforward, albeit occasionally staring at him with a lovestruck expression that gave him chills.
He never imagined that beneath her seemingly innocent exterior, she was actually a spy for the Akatsuki.
Moreover, judging by Naruto's tone, Karin held a significant position in the Akatsuki, explaining why Naruto valued her so much.
Pushing aside his thoughts, Sasuke focused on his mission.
His task was to stall Karin and ensure she didn't leave the operating room until his brother reported to their uncle and brought reinforcements to capture her.
Sasuke was even determined that if Karin sensed something was wrong and tried to escape, he would risk his life to stop her.
He didn't want to be a failure anymore.
"Tsunade-sama, you're here."
Shizune quickly approached to greet Tsunade and explain Sasuke's condition in detail.
"Alright."
Tsunade nodded while examining Sasuke's injuries. During this process, her gaze sharpened, confirming that the black rod piercing Sasuke was indeed the same weapon used by Pain.
Just as everyone thought Tsunade was about to begin the surgery.
She suddenly turned to Karin, who was standing dumbfounded, and said, "Karin, you take over. Sasuke is in your hands."
"What?"
Karin's mouth dropped open, caught off guard. She instinctively asked, "Why?"
"What do you mean, why?"
Tsunade immediately looked displeased, frowning as she said, "I've taught you for so long. Today is the perfect opportunity to test your progress. Hurry up, don't just stand there, unless you want to watch him die."
With that, she stepped aside, folding her arms, adopting a stance of a mere observer.
Faced with Tsunade's urging, Karin shrank her neck and nervously replied:
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade was like a strict mother, and Karin dared not disobey her orders.
She took a deep breath
and approached the operating table.
Pre-surgery, general anesthesia was usually administered, but Sasuke didn't want to lose consciousness, so he opted for local anesthesia, meaning he would endure some level of pain.
"Do it, Karin."
He said in a deep voice, his eyes fixed on the girl before him.
Feeling guilty, Karin avoided Sasuke's gaze as much as possible, murmuring softly:
"...Okay, bear with it."
She quickly calmed down, regaining her composure, and soon displayed the qualities of an excellent medical ninja.
The surgery began.
The entire process went exceptionally smoothly.
Clink.
The bloodstained black rod was removed from Sasuke's body and placed in a tray.
While suturing the wound, Karin suddenly spoke, looking worried, "Did you see who the enemy was? To push you to this extent."
Sasuke hesitated.
Is she testing me?
He remained silent for a few seconds before lying, "The enemy was too fast. I couldn't see clearly. All I know is it was a woman."
Oh, so it wasn't Naruto.
Hearing this, Karin felt slightly relieved.
Then who could it be? Konan-sensei?
Regardless of who the attacker was, their strike was indeed ruthless. Although not fatal, improper treatment would have left Sasuke bedridden for at least three months.
As she pondered, Karin got distracted. At this moment—
Snap.
Due to her mistake, Sasuke's wound stitches broke open, causing blood to gush out again.
"S-sorry."
Karin immediately broke into a cold sweat, stammering and fumbling.
Seeing this, Tsunade's frown deepened.
From the perspective of an observer, Tsunade could tell that Karin's technique wasn't the problem—it was her lack of focus.
Such an important surgery, yet this girl was distracted.
What could be so urgent that she couldn't concentrate?
Tsunade instinctively sensed that Karin must know something about Sasuke's attack, explaining her unusual behavior.
Never mind.
Saving lives was the priority; the rest could be questioned later.
With that in mind, Tsunade lowered her hands, ready to take over. She couldn't let anything happen to Sasuke.
Unexpectedly.
Swoosh.
Karin suddenly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a pale arm, and decisively said to Sasuke:
"Bite my arm."
"What did you say?" Sasuke was bewildered by the girl's actions, momentarily forgetting the pain in his wound.
Not just him, but everyone in the operating room was puzzled by Karin's behavior, and their faces were filled with confusion.
"No time, hurry and bite me, no questions!"
Seeing Sasuke's blood flowing nonstop, Karin urged anxiously, even pushing her arm towards Sasuke's mouth.
Perhaps due to excessive blood loss.
Sasuke felt a bit dizzy, faintly imagining that Karin's pale arm was delicious food emitting an enticing aroma.
In a daze, he bit down.
In the next moment, a miracle happened.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Sasuke's wound began to heal at a visible rate within seconds.
His complexion also returned to normal, and he looked significantly better.
It was as if he had never been injured.
During this process, Karin endured the pain in her arm, remaining silent, allowing Sasuke to absorb her chakra.
"Incredible."
Shizune and Anko couldn't help but marvel at the scene.
Was this a medical technique developed by Karin? This treatment method was indeed unique, and unheard of.
And it was highly effective, almost instantaneously healing Sasuke perfectly.
Even Tsunade-sama probably couldn't achieve this level of healing. It was unbelievable.
As Sasuke regained full consciousness, he slowly released his bite.
He then noticed that he had bitten too hard, leaving a prominent bite mark on Karin's arm, with her skin bleeding.
"Sorry, are you okay?" Sasuke felt guilty, apologizing.
"I'm fine. It'll heal in a while."
Karin smiled, retracting her arm and covering the bite mark with her sleeve as if nothing had happened.
But Tsunade strode over, grabbing Karin's arm, staring intensely at her disciple, demanding:
"Karin, what's going on? Give me an explanation immediately!"
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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