The second phase of the Chūnin Selection Exam has officially begun!
As the designated time arrived, Anko Mitarashi's voice echoed across the grounds, transmitting through loudspeakers and reaching all proctors and examinees alike.
Standing by the grand iron gates, the proctors drew their keys simultaneously. One of them called out, "Proceed."
In an instant, those who passed the first phase surged forward: some vanished like afterimages, others sprinted in classic Ninja runs with fists tightly clenched behind their backs, while a few strolled calmly inside. Team 8 chose the last, more relaxed route.
"Izayoi-kun, should we take the initiative?" Hinata asked softly.
"No rush," he replied. "Let's find someone first."
Activating his Reincarnation Eye, Izanami's vision expanded into a divine, omniscient vantage point. It swept across the vast Death Forest, then isolated and scanned individual teams like a surveillance device. Soon, he locked onto the location of Karin and her teammates.
"Follow me," he murmured, and in an instant he darted ahead.
Hinata and Shino Aburame followed in silent, close pursuit.
"Izayoi-kun, are you going after that female Grass ninja?" Hinata guessed.
"Yes," he nodded firmly. "Her talent is too remarkable to let slip away."
Unbeknownst to Hinata and Shino, Izanami had meticulously prepared for this moment—he even wore colored contact lenses to alter his appearance. His goal was to change two fates—and Karin was one of them.
During a previous trip to the black market, Izanami had painfully realized the danger of working alone. Had he not spared Zabuza Momochi and Haku's lives, he wouldn't now rely on a puppet. But Haku was loyal only to Zabuza Momochi—someone he distrusted too much to recruit. It was then that he conceived the idea of gathering his own subordinates. And Karin had become a prime candidate.
Though her clan was destroyed and her inheritance lost, Karin had still awakened all the unique whirlpool-clan abilities by age sixteen. Even among the thousand-year legacy, her talent was among the very best. Though her destiny had not yet shifted, she already bore five extraordinary attributes:Whirlpool Bloodline (Purple)Chakra Control (Purple)Medical Genius (Blue)Jōnin Aptitude (Blue)Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)Within chakra-themed rankings, even subtle gradations among "purple" meant something—much like how Karin's red hair, a result of her whirlpool lineage, outshone Naruto's golden hair, despite his legendary ancestral chakra.
But Izanami knew this was not the end. Once she began learning Sealing Ninjutsu—an inherent specialty of her clan—she would almost certainly unlock another attribute: Sealing Genius (Blue). Six attributes in total. That was far too valuable to hand over to Orochimaru.
Of course, neither Hinata nor Shino knew Izanami's strategic machinations. But Shino, ever vigilant, sensed something was amiss and adjusted his sunglasses.
"You're planning to recruit a ninja from another village?" he asked quietly. "That's illegal."
Izanami smiled. "Then, Shino—will you report me?"
Shino paused, considering. "If you don't keep her here in Konoha… I won't."
Over time, Shino had come to see both Izanami and Hinata as comrades. Unlike the others, Izanami never treated him like a tool—but as an equal. That earned his loyalty.
"Helping you won't be a problem," Shino added. "Just call if you need anything."
Izanami nodded. "You and Hinata focus on those two Grass ninjas. I'll handle the rest."
Team 8 accelerated through the forest, swiftly closing the gap to Karin's group.
Meanwhile, Karin was busy setting traps under her teammates' orders.
"Faster!" one pressed. "If we're discovered, we'll leave you behind."
"Right…" she stammered, her tone meek as her hands trembled. Fear gnawed at her voice.
"I'm useless," she muttered to herself. "Why would they even bring me along?"
Karin had learned this mindset early in life. Even though she grew up in the Grass Village, her mother was an outsider—never fully trusted. Any inherited perk from the whirlpool clan—from physical stamina to chakra—was exploited for medical support. Injured shinobi came to absorb chakra from Karin or her mother for healing. But her mother died early, worn out by use. As for Karin, she bore the marks of neglect: underweight, keen eyesight compromised, but her potential lay untouched.
Oddly, though the Grass Village specialized in researching foreign ninjutsu, they never realized the true significance of red hair or regenerative prowess.
"Hachimon Kaimyō Shō" — Eight Trigrams, Empty Palm!
With a whispered declaration, a faint buzzing approached. Before Karin could react, a loud crack echoed. One of her teammates was pinned to a tree with deadly force, his body cracking and blood splattering. The other fell victim to a swarm of insects, screaming as they consumed him alive. He collapsed. No second chance.
Horror paralyzed Karin. She dropped to her knees, clutching trembling hands, her face pale as death.
Then, she heard a gentle, familiar laugh.
"Well, look who it is. We meet again."
Three silhouettes stepped into sight: two boys and one girl, calm and collected.
For a moment, Karin's teary eyes recognized the central figure—"It's you!"
Hinata knelt beside her. "Let me see your arm."
She rolled up Karin's sleeve. Hinata's gentle gaze hardened instantly.
Karin's forearm bore bite marks—many different shapes—evidence of chakra-absorption attacks. But that wasn't what disturbed Hinata most.
She and Hanabi regularly absorbed Chakra from Izanami. After two years, all trace of bite marks had vanished. But Karin's arm, bruised and battered, showed signs from countless consumers. She couldn't regenerate fast enough.
Hinata barely hesitated. "Hachimon Kaimyō Shō" — Eight Trigrams, Empty Palm!
At a distance, she unleashed a devastating shockwave. A Grass ninja collapsed mid-spell, ending with a thud. No time for inquiries or explanations, Hinata showed no compassion—only swift judgment.
Karin watched as tears welled up, her heart gripped with something unfamiliar: care. An enemy had shown her the kindness she'd yearned for.
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