บท 52: Chapter 52 : Karin 5
All the way to the tower, I talked with Karin, and the girl finally opened up about her life, describing her experiences in the Kusagakure village and the monsters in human form who lived there.
"They are the reason why my mother died. I will never forgive them," Karin said, her emotions raw. It's understandable, given that she hasn't had anyone to confide in, and now that I'm listening, she's pouring out all her feelings.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed on the broad back of Nue while we flew toward the center tower.
"I'm sorry, I... I didn't know you had such a life," I replied, lying through my teeth. Although I genuinely felt sorry for her, this world is indeed dangerous and cruel.
Power is essential to survive here.
Seeing the girl breaking down completely in front of me, I couldn't help but sigh. She's only about twelve and has suffered perhaps more than anyone I know.
"I can't promise anything, but maybe I can do something about it. If I can, would you want to live here in Konoha?" I asked, rubbing my hair, already knowing that making this happen would be a drag.
There's no way I can hide her, and as a kunoichi from another village, there's also that complication.
Unless I get the Hokage's approval, it won't happen. I need to find a way.
Hearing me, she slowly looked up, as if questioning whether that's even possible. I could only smile, unsure myself.
"Again, I can't promise anything, but I can request the Hokage to make an exception for you. It might not be possible for others, but you are an Uzumaki, right? Maybe the Hokage will consider it," I said, not looking directly at her.
To be honest, it wasn't a big deal; after all, why wouldn't the village accept another Uzumaki? But the real problem was the shadow hidden in Konoha.
If that person targets her, what will I do? He probably won't until the Hokage is gone, but that's only for another month.
After that, Hiruzen will die, and Danzo will hold too much power until Tsunade becomes Hokage. Kidnapping Karin won't even be a secret objective then; he could do it in broad daylight using his elder status.
Sigh.
But I can't let Hiruzen stay in the Hokage chair either; the village will be doomed if he remains. For the upcoming conflict with Akatsuki, Tsunade must come.
Even though I plan to prevent this conflict from playing out as it did in the anime, Hiruzen still needs to go. With him here, I can't deal with Danzo, and I can't have that.
Sigh.
So, I have to get official permission from Hiruzen for Karin to become a member of the village and protect her during the short period between Hiruzen's death and Tsunade's arrival.
Alternatively, I might just hide her somewhere until Tsunade comes. Given the timeline, it won't be that long—most likely three months at best.
I thought and thought again, but neither option seemed ideal. While I was contemplating her future, she suddenly spoke up.
"Forget it, I don't want to stay here in Konoha."
I blinked in confusion, not understanding why she would say this suddenly.
"I'm actually not a kunoichi; I only know how to use chakra but have never received any formal training. And I don't want to live with shinobi if possible," Karin said, and I could sense the repulsion she felt toward ninjas. Clearly, her childhood trauma was speaking.
"I see!
Well, if that's the case, that's fine. Please don't think that all shinobi are like those you've seen in the past. There are good shinobi too, Karin.
It's fine if you don't want to live in Konoha. I have good connections with a nearby village and the Land of Waves. If you want, I might be able to arrange a normal life for you there. Though those red eyes are a dead giveaway, if you're willing to dye them, I'm sure no one will be able to find you there," I said, coming up with an idea.
Hearing this, Karin looked at me with a complicated expression. "Why would you do this for me, a complete stranger?" she asked, her face showing no particular emotion.
"Hmm... I'm not sure. I saved you because I wanted to, and you were an Uzumaki. Of course, you being cute was also a reason...
So now that I've saved you, making sure you're okay isn't a big deal. I'd rather you live here in Konoha. Honestly, there are many people here with good connections to the Uzumaki clan, and we already have an Uzumaki boy in our village.
You'd feel at home here, but if you don't want that, I won't force you.
Finding a safe place for you isn't that troublesome, so why shouldn't I?" I replied with a shrug, making her face furrow even more.
"Hmm... I'll think about it. Please give me some time." She replied after thinking for a bit, sounding more confused about what she wanted to do.
"No problem, take your time. We still have some time before the Chunin Exam ends here, so we don't have to worry," I said as I finally spotted the tower.
"We're almost there..." I added as I began to lower Nue so others wouldn't see her near the tower.
"From here on, we'll walk."
With this, I got off and helped her dismount Nue before the bird vanished.
"Remember not to say anything about the summon you saw me use here, okay?" I reminded her, to which she gave me an exaggerated look.
"I get it, I get it—won't say anything about your pets to anyone. Pinky promise," she said, her mood lifting slightly.
But a pinky promise?
She held up her pinky for me to hold, and I was dumbfounded.
What is she... five?
My smile might have indicated to her that she did something strange, as her face began to change.
"What? Isn't this what people do to promise they won't lie?" she asked with a huff.
"Yeah, yeah, they do." It was hard not to smile at how innocent she was in her own unique way.
xxx
I Fully intend to fix all the mistakes you guys point out from now on so please go ahead and tell me in the comments if you guys spot any mistakes, I will be grateful for all your help.
Here is the goal for this Week.
500+ stones for the first bonus chapter on Monday
1000+ Stones for the second bonus chapter on Sunday bonus chapter
"Thank you Very Much for All Your Support"
If you want to read up to 20+ Chapters in advance, check my Patre on
Patreon.com/Kamidemond
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง