Jokichi checked the situation using the Book of Omniscience. Only the status of 19 teams was displayed on it.
This meant at least six teams had been eliminated.
Because the Book of Omniscience doesn't display dots of light for dead people.
He found Karin's location on it.
She was with her two Kusa ninja teammates, located about thirteen kilometers east of his position.
Closing the book, he stored it in his spatial storage.
Jokichi determined the direction and hurried toward Karin's location.
He didn't know if the others possessed the potential to be special materials, so he would get his hands on the confirmed ones first.
As for Neji, since they were in the same village, there would be plenty of opportunities, so he could be put off for later.
...
On the other side.
At the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers.
Although separated by just a single step, one side was yellow sand and the other was a forest, making one sigh at the magic of nature.
Suddenly, four figures gathered at the border.
They wore Konoha Anbu uniforms, animal masks, and carried long swords on their backs.
It was precisely the Anbu squad led by Kakashi, sent by the Third Hokage to investigate the border of the Land of Wind.
"Did you find any anomalies?"
Kakashi, acting as the captain, looked at the three squad members.
The three shook their heads together.
"Then continue," Kakashi said.
"Lord Hokage attaches great importance to the results here. There cannot be the slightest negligence during the search."
"Yes."
The three responded in unison, then immediately left using the Body Flicker Jutsu.
Soon, a short Anbu returned.
"Sasuke, what is it?"
Since there were only two people here, Kakashi addressed him directly by his real name.
Sasuke said, "I gathered some information from a passing merchant caravan earlier. It seems there are very few ninjas in Sunagakure right now. The escort missions they requested were delayed for two days before personnel were assigned."
"Mhm!" Kakashi pondered slightly.
"I remember the Daimyo of the Land of Wind outsourced the citizens' missions to Konoha! Sunagakure shouldn't be so busy that they are short-handed."
Sasuke nodded in agreement.
Because the situations of Konoha and Sunagakure were different, he didn't find anything strange at first.
It was only when he remembered the difference between the two later that he felt it was strange.
Therefore, he reported it to Kakashi.
"Gather the squad, we're returning to report to Lord Hokage."
"Yes."
...
The Forest of Death.
After searching for a period of time, Jokichi finally found Karin.
She was with two Kusa ninja teammates, struggling against the enemy's attacks.
The people attacking them were three Taki ninjas.
The situation was very unfavorable for the Kusa ninjas. One Kusa ninja had a kunai stuck in his leg, and the other was even worse off, his upper body dyed red with blood, as if he had been caught in an explosion from an explosive tag.
As for Karin, although she looked miserable, with many footprints from being kicked on her clothes, she hadn't suffered any major injuries.
She dealt with the enemies while surveying the battle situation, her eyes darting around. Clearly, she had made plans to run away once they were defeated.
Soon, her two teammates fell one after another.
The three Taki ninjas surrounded her.
"Wait a minute." Karin raised her hands. "The scroll is on the captain. Let me go."
The three Taki ninjas looked at each other. One ran to search the corpses, while the other two surrounded her in the middle.
"Found the scroll."
The one searching the corpses waved the scroll at them.
The two Taki ninjas surrounding Karin looked at each other and nodded, then simultaneously charged at Karin to kill her.
"We don't want to leave any loose ends, die!"
Karin gritted her teeth and pulled out a smoke bomb.
Just as she was about to throw it, a dark shadow flashed before her, and the three Taki ninjas fell one after another.
In front of her, there was an extra boy, bare-chested with his back facing her. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, leaving dappled spots on his firm and powerful body.
"This is..."
Looking at the back in front of her, Karin forgot to run away.
With her homeland destroyed, she had fled to live in Kusagakure with her mother, and had never been saved by anyone.
No, let alone being saved.
Kusagakure never treated them as human beings.
Because of the special constitution of the Uzumaki bloodline, as long as their bodies were bitten, they could help restore chakra and heal injuries.
Even as ninjas, they were only treated as mobile first-aid kits.
Her mother even died because of this.
This person suddenly appearing to save her made Karin feel an unprecedented warmth.
This person is my angel.
Even though she hadn't seen his face yet, Karin felt a strange sensation toward the person in front of her.
At this time, the person turned around.
There were many dried bloodstains on his body and face, but it couldn't hide his refreshing face and evenly muscled, firm figure.
So handsome!
A blush appeared on Karin's face.
At this time, the boy stepped forward, walking slowly towards her, a faint smile on his face.
What is he going to do?
Is he going to kill me?
Karin's heart tightened, feeling a bit afraid, but she didn't run away.
Looking at the smile hanging on the boy's handsome face, she inwardly felt he wouldn't hurt her.
Look, the boy's sword hadn't even been drawn.
Who would wear such a warm smile and move so slowly when killing someone?
At this time, the boy slowly reached his right hand out to her.
The target...
Is he going to pat my head?
Does he want to comfort me?
Karin recalled the romance novels she had read, and warm, loving scenes appeared in her mind.
Instantly, her heart raced like a deer, and she tightly closed her eyes.
Suddenly, a sharp pain on her head.
Karin cried out "Ouch!", covered her head, and opened her eyes.
Her red eyes filled with tears, her face full of grievance.
"I'll take this tuft of hair as thanks for saving you!"
The boy wrapped up the bright red long hair, carefully placed it into his clothes, and then walked past her.
Eh!?
Karin was stunned, somewhat perplexed.
Instead of patting my head to comfort me, he pulled my hair...
A prank?
Or...
Karin's mind raced with wild thoughts.
Suddenly, that person's voice came from behind again.
"You're a member of the Uzumaki clan, right!"
Eh!?
Karin woke up from her wild thoughts, looked back at the boy, hesitated for a moment, and nodded in admission.
"Come to Konoha!"
The boy said, "These two Kusa ninjas don't seem to treat you as a comrade. Why not come to Konoha!"
"The Uzumaki clan has been friends with Konoha for generations. If you explain your situation to the Hokage, he will definitely take you in."
"Of course, if you can't bear to leave your home in Kusagakure, you can ignore my words."
After speaking, the boy left.
And Karin stood frozen in place.
She didn't pay attention to what the boy said earlier, only remembering the last sentence.
If you can't bear to leave that home in Kusagakure, you can ignore my words.
"Kusagakure, home..."
Karin bit her lower lip, her small fists clenched until they turned white.
"How could that kind of place be called a home!"
Her fiery red eyes became unusually determined.
...
On the other side.
After leaving his suggestion, Jokichi quickly rushed toward other squads nearby.
Although the probability of these misfits possessing potential was very low, there was no harm in trying. What if he hit the jackpot?