Chapter 185: Sasuke's Little Fan Girl [Part 2] (Patreon)

Chapter List: Naruto: Sakura Blizzard

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"Don't worry," they reassured her, "we will make the Hidden Grass Village pay. You'll avenge your mother with your own hands!"

Facing the Hidden Grass Village was no challenge for Konoha; they had no real power to resist. Ultimately, how they would deal with the Hidden Grass Village was up to Karin, the victim.

"But let's backtrack for a moment, Sasuke," Sakura interjected with a puzzled expression. "How did you come across Karin?"

Sasuke had only been gone for about ten minutes, and when he returned, he brought Karin back with him. What was even more curious was the admiring gaze Karin had for Sasuke. What exactly had transpired in those brief minutes?

"I went out to clear my head and stumbled upon Karin being attacked by a bear. I brought her back here," Sasuke explained succinctly, describing the situation. He then asked, somewhat confused, "By the way, Karin, where's your team? The Hidden Grass Village wouldn't have sent you to the Chunin Exams alone, right?"

"They all died in traps. I only survived because of my abilities. But after escaping the trap, I didn't get far before encountering a bear. Then you saved me!" Karin's eyes were practically sparkling as she looked at Sasuke, her face flushing by the end of her explanation.

At that moment, Karin had been in utter despair, but then Sasuke, her heroic savior, appeared out of nowhere. He had rescued her from the clutches of the bear, and the image of him slaying the beast with a single sword strike was etched deeply into her mind.

"Aren't you a ninja?" Hinata asked, puzzled. "How could you be afraid of a bear?" The creatures within the Forest of Death were indeed more ferocious, but they hadn't reached the level requiring a Summoning Jutsu. Even a newly graduated Genin could easily handle a regular bear!

"I... I don't know any ninjutsu..." Karin admitted, her head bowed in embarrassment. "The Hidden Grass Village only taught me how to extract chakra. They never taught me any ninjutsu, nor did they allow me to learn any physical techniques."

"That's outrageous!" Hinata exclaimed, frowning. "They taught you how to extract chakra but intentionally didn't teach you any ninjutsu or combat techniques. They wanted to use your chakra for healing but were afraid you might retaliate if you became strong. They've tried to limit your potential from the start..."

"You should stay with us for now," Sakura softly suggested. "When we reach the Central Tower, we'll speak with the Third Hokage. He'll provide you with identification, and you can then settle in Konoha without worry." She didn't even need to consider whether the Third Hokage would agree. Just the weight behind the Uzumaki surname would be enough for him to consent.

"But what if the Hidden Grass Village contacts the Hokage?" Karin inquired, her voice tinged with worry. The Hidden Grass Village wouldn't let her go that easily. Would the Third Hokage confront them just for her, an orphan?

"Don't fret over it," Hinata responded, exuding the confidence of an elder sister. "If the Hidden Grass Village dares to cause trouble, we'll crush them!" She spoke without any pressure. For a small ninja village like theirs, which at best had a few Jōnin, confronting Konoha wasn't even feasible. The Hyuga clan alone could decimate them.

"Thank you all..." Karin wiped her tears, gratitude filling her gaze as she looked at Sakura and the others. She had never imagined she would one day escape the hell that was the Hidden Grass Village.

"Look, Sasuke, your house is spacious enough. After we get out of the Forest of Death, let's have Karin stay at your place for a while. You must take good care of her for me!"

Sakura and Uchiha Mikoto exchanged knowing smiles, promptly entrusting Karin into Sasuke's care.

"Alright, then!" Although he wanted to say he wasn't cut out for taking care of others, seeing the expectation in his mother's eyes and the threatening look from Sakura, Sasuke could only sigh in resignation and agree.

"Really? That's wonderful..." Karin lunged forward and hugged Sasuke tightly. To her, after her mother's death, Sasuke was the person she felt closest to. In this unfamiliar environment, she naturally wished to stay by Sasuke's side.

"Let go of me..." An innocent and tsundere helper blushed, trying to pull her off, yet he didn't dare to use too much force. Eventually, it led to a stalemate.

"It seems there's hope..."

"Sasuke is finally coming around. As a mother, I can now die without regrets..."

Sakura and Uchiha Mikoto huddled together, discussing in whispers, particularly Uchiha Mikoto, who, seeing Karin's fangirl demeanor around Sasuke, even took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Over the next few days, Sasuke wore a face of constant resignation. Although Karin no longer felt distant towards Sakura and the others, she was still closest to Sasuke. She liked to stay by his side whenever possible, and her lovesick gaze made Sasuke quite uncomfortable.

By the time everyone reached the Central Tower, it was already the final day of the second round of the Chunin Exam. They had literally walked into the Central Tower right on the deadline.

"Everyone, take out your scrolls, open them, and throw them..."

They took out their Heaven and Earth scrolls, opened them without hesitation, and threw them out. Smoke erupted, and subsequently, a figure in a wheelchair appeared before everyone.

"Iruka Sensei, what are you planning to do?"

Sakura, Naruto, and the others all looked with bewilderment at Iruka, who sat in the wheelchair, his entire body wrapped in bandages.

"Iruka Sensei, you're so injured, yet you're still so dedicated?"

Hinata stepped forward and poked Iruka's arm, causing him to gasp in pain.

"Cough, anyway, there's nothing for me to do in the hospital. I might as well take on the task of guiding you!" Iruka's face was clearly in pain, his facial muscles twitching, but he still maintained a smile. Inside, he felt like he was banging his head against a wall in agony.

"Stop, Iruka Sensei, you should just obediently go back to the hospital to recuperate. Otherwise, you might worsen your injuries. We have some matters to attend to with Grandpa Third Hokage, so we'll take our leave now!"

Sakura gestured for a pause and directly summoned Zabuza through a mental space. "Bandages, take Iruka Sensei back for recuperation, and make sure he doesn't run around anymore. Otherwise, if his injuries worsen accidentally, it will tarnish your hospital's reputation!"

"Understood!"

Zabuza looked resentfully at Iruka, who had sneaked out of the hospital, and stood behind his wheelchair. With a show of strength, he lifted the entire wheelchair, Iruka included, and walked out boldly.

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 186: The Cowered Hidden Grass Village [Part 1]