"It's the Heaven Scroll."
"Damn it~"
Hearing that the scroll wasn't the Earth Scroll that their squad needed, one of the people immediately kicked Karin, sending her sprawling on the ground.
"It's because of your bad luck that this scroll isn't the Earth Scroll we need."
"Why is your luck so terrible? If it were the Earth Scroll, we could go straight to the Central Tower instead of risking our lives to steal more scrolls."
"In the end, it's all your fault."
The person kept kicking Karin hard while speaking.
The other person saw his teammate abusing Karin but didn't say anything.
In their eyes, Karin wasn't a teammate at all; she was just a 'Medicine Person' meant to help them successfully advance to Chunin.
Since she wasn't a teammate, a little abuse shouldn't matter, right?
Lying on the ground, Karin recalled the suffering she and her mother endured in the Grass Ninja Village while gritting her teeth and enduring the abuse inflicted by her tormentor.
Before, how much she had wished someone would stand up and save her.
Unfortunately, cruel reality only brought her disappointment every time.
She no longer hoped for anyone to save her; she only wished to cling to life like this. Why was even that so difficult?
'Mom, it looks like I'll be coming to find you soon.'
The person's kicks grew heavier and heavier; perhaps they were venting their fear of the Chunin Exams, or perhaps they were simply enjoying abusing Karin.
Just as Karin rolled her eyes, feeling like she was about to die, she suddenly heard a voice.
"You damned bastards, what are you doing?"
"Who's there?"
The Grass Ninja squad turned their heads in surprise, looking toward the source of the sound.
They saw a yellow-haired person standing on a floating sword, glaring fiercely at them.
The two were terrified by Naruto's appearance and immediately turned to flee.
But they couldn't bear to leave Karin, their 'Medicine Person.'
So, even as they ran, they tried to drag Karin along with them.
"Bastards, don't touch her."
Seeing that the two tried to drag Karin even while escaping, Naruto truly became enraged at that moment.
"Sword Control Incantation~ Go!"
"Swoosh~"
Jumping down from the Flying Sword, Naruto ran while controlling the Flying Sword to attack the two people.
"Ugh..."
"Ah..."
After one round of attack, the two Ninja screamed and fell to the ground.
The Flying Sword returned to its sheath. Naruto ignored the two dead Grass Ninja and instead picked up Karin, patting her face to try and wake her consciousness.
"Hey, wake up."
"Don't you dare die just like that."
Vaguely, Karin felt an extremely warm Chakra. She had only ever experienced this feeling from her own mother.
She thought she had already died and was now in her mother's embrace.
'But why do I still feel so much pain?'
'Why is this pain so real?'
The pain in her body made Karin realize that she didn't seem to be dead, but rather lying in someone else's arms?
She struggled to open her eyes and saw a youth with yellow hair and what looked like six whiskers near the corners of his mouth.
"Phew~ You're finally awake."
Seeing Karin open her eyes, Naruto breathed a sigh of relief.
Because he knew that as long as Karin was still alive, Sakura's Guanyin Spell would save her.
"Clap, clap, clap~"
Just as Naruto was about to leave and meet up with Sasuke, a round of applause sounded.
"I was wondering why I couldn't find Sasuke. Turns out it's because all of you can fly."
That raspy voice, pale skin, and disgusting tongue—Naruto recognized immediately that this guy was Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru? What are you doing here?"
Looking at Orochimaru, Naruto showed vigilance and shielded Karin behind him.
"Will you hand this girl over to me?"
Orochimaru was very interested in Karin; he already knew about her special qualities, which is why he stopped searching for Sasuke and came here instead.
Unfortunately, Naruto had gotten here first.
"Do you think I would hand Karin over to you?"
Hiding behind Naruto, Karin felt a wave of warmth wash over her heart and body when she heard him say that.
"In that case, there's nothing for it. It looks like I'll have to take her by force."
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands."
With that, Orochimaru made his move.
Watching the three large pythons attack him, Naruto reacted quickly. With a hook of his index and middle fingers, the Flying Sword shot out of its sheath, and in a flash of lightning, all three large snakes were cut in half.
"The Internet cafe really is a magical place."
Having failed the first strike, Orochimaru did not continue the attack but instead lamented the wonder of the Internet cafe.
"Orochimaru, think carefully. Karin is someone that Uncle specifically requested. Do you dare offend Uncle?"
Hearing Orochimaru grumble like that, Naruto wanted to slap himself. Why was he here? Wasn't it because Ge Liang had entrusted him and told him about Karin's situation?
Naruto didn't believe Orochimaru would dare offend Ge Liang.
"I see."
It was clear from Orochimaru not continuing his attack on Sasuke inside the Internet cafe that he was indeed wary of Ge Liang. Furthermore, since Ge Liang had shown him Danzo's appearance, he was even less willing to offend Ge Liang.
But he didn't want to let go of Karin's special Physique.
Stealing Karin would inevitably offend Ge Liang.
Not stealing Karin would impact his research.
After weighing his options, Orochimaru made a compromise.
"How about this? You just need to give me two... no, three tubes of her blood, and I'll let you leave."
Hearing this, Karin instinctively wanted to roll up her sleeve, as it seemed like a worthwhile deal to escape such an enemy for only three tubes of blood.
But she didn't expect Naruto to actually refuse.
"Go to hell! Don't think I'm afraid of you."
"If you want Karin's blood, you'll have to step over my dead body."
Karin was stunned. She didn't understand why Naruto refused; it was only three tubes of blood, not her life.
But receiving Naruto's protection, her heart felt warm. She finally knew what it felt like to have a true comrade.
"In that case, don't blame me."
At this moment, Orochimaru made a decision.
He could not give up Karin, who was nearly within his grasp.
So what if it was Ge Liang? He had offended people stronger than himself before.
Didn't he live quite freely even after leaving the Akatsuki Organization?
In his mind, the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, who possessed the Rinnegan, was even more dangerous than Ge Liang.
If the Akatsuki Organization couldn't find him, much less Ge Liang.
As long as I lay low, no one will be able to find me.
"Myriad Sword Art!"
Seeing Orochimaru's Aura change, Naruto knew he was about to attack, so he immediately unleashed his ultimate move, and also created a Shadow Clone to protect Karin, lest she be caught in the crossfire.
"That is truly a powerful attack."
Looking at the sky full of Flying Swords, even Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a chill.