A brief exchange with Karin left Naruto feeling uplifted.
Finally, a kin.
Someone willing to embrace him.
Both of them shared the same yearning for a place they could call home.
It was truly wonderful.
Naruto decided not to deal with the two Grass Ninjas for the moment.
Instead, he arranged for them to accompany Karin in staying at the Leaf Village.
As for the justification for their "unjustified detention," Naruto found a solution.
He dealt with the two Grass Ninjas and issued an employment task for Karin, allowing her to remain in the village and assist him in completing some missions.
That village where they treated her like nothing more than a "blood bag" was an unbearable hell.
There was no way Karin could return to the Grass Ninjas.
The only regrettable issue was the scroll in their possession, which was the same "Heavenly Book" as Team 7's.
This meant they still needed to hunt down other teams.
But before they even started their search, the prey came knocking at their door.
Three ninjas from the Hidden Sound Village appeared, claiming they intended to hunt down Sasuke and kill him here.
Their boasting was impressive, but their skills fell short of their claims.
Using Kido, Naruto restrained one of them.
He then allowed Sasuke and Sakura to face the others alone, in a fair fight.
Sasuke made short work of his adversary with his double-tomoe Sharingan, multiple Fire Style jutsus, and the heightened speed and precision that enhanced his shuriken-throwing techniques.
In this batch of genin, his prowess was undoubtedly unparalleled.
As for Haruno Sakura, she managed to defeat her opponent but expended considerable effort and suffered numerous injuries.
Still, her victory filled her with joy.
Fortunately, this Sound ninja team possessed the "Earthly Book," exactly what they needed.
They no longer needed to expend energy searching for other opponents.
When Naruto approached, ready to heal Sakura Haruno, she hesitated, her mind replaying Karin's words. Instinctively, she wondered whether she should bite Naruto, or at least wash her hands—stained with blood and dirt, they weren't exactly clean.
But as the faint glow of healing light appeared, she realized her worries were needless.
No need to bite Naruto!
With Sakura healed, they briskly made their way to the central tower without delay.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, two ANBU operatives returned with Anko Mitarashi, who was not in the best condition.
They reported the news one by one.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow gradually furrowed as he took a deep drag on his pipe, smoke soon enveloping the entire room.
The information left him in a state of mental disarray.
Orochimaru had infiltrated the village and even clashed with the Jinchūriki.
What could he be planning? Was he really targeting the "Jinchūriki"?
This would have immense strategic significance for the village if true. Did Orochimaru truly have the resolve and capability to covet such a thing?
From what Hiruzen knew about Orochimaru, he wasn't the type to undertake such actions.
Moreover, Anko mentioned his target being "Sasuke Uchiha."
But how reliable was this intelligence?
What troubled and bewildered Hiruzen most was Naruto.
He had managed to "transform into a tailed beast," doing so skillfully and controlling four tails without losing himself.
How was this possible?
When did this happen?
And why hadn't Hiruzen received any prior information?
Just then, with a loud bang, the door was slammed open.
Danzo entered the room, casting a glance over the individuals within before waving his hand dismissively. "Leave us. I need to discuss something very important with the Hokage."
The ANBU operatives and Anko Mitarashi remained in place.
Only when Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded did they reluctantly withdraw from the room.
As soon as they were alone and the door closed, Danzo couldn't hold back any longer. "The Jinchuriki has lost control!" His voice trembled with barely contained agitation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head calmly. "There is no lack of control. He still retains his sanity."
Danzo sneered, his tone sharp with reprimand. "Right under our noses, he's silently mastered the transformation into a Tailed Beast. If Orochimaru hadn't forced him to reveal this power, who knows when we might have uncovered it?"
"If this isn't considered losing control, what is?"
"Are we supposed to wait until the Nine-Tails escapes from the Jinchuriki's body and ravages Konoha again before we call it a disaster?"
"Hiruzen, the village can't endure another calamity!"
"We had only one Minato Namikaze, and he's already gone."
Danzo's emotions surged, culminating in an emphatic stomp. His words became even more aggressive.
"I told you long ago that you should have handed the Jinchuriki over to me."
"You don't know how to wield it."
"A Jinchuriki out of control poses the greatest threat to the village."
"Don't be so alarmist."
Danzo's exposed face twisted into a derisive grimace. "Hiruzen, you're too naïve."
"Don't overlook the changes in the Jinchuriki of late."
"We've never found the cause before, but now it's obvious. It's the Nine-Tails influencing the Jinchuriki!"
"They may have been communicating for some time."
"The Jinchuriki might have discovered his true heritage by now, learned that he is the Fourth's son."
"He's on the brink of releasing the Nine-Tails."
"It could happen at any moment!"
"Perhaps today, or maybe tomorrow."
"Leave him to me, and I assure you, he will become the finest jinchūriki."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes in confrontation. "Is this what you've been hoping for, Danzo?"
"I truly regret the leniency I showed you during that time."
"But I believe Naruto will not turn out as you say. He is a good child."
"He won't be swayed by the Nine-Tails."
"The incident with Mizuki, Naruto has already proved himself."
The mission report of the Mizuki incident still remained in the drawer of his desk.
"Naive, utterly naive. I told you back then, a jinchūriki always has ulterior motives!" Danzo shook his head, his expression darkening. "Hiruzen, your indulgence with the jinchūriki is the main reason he's spiraling out of control. Leave him with me, he shouldn't—"
He kept repeating, "Leave the jinchūriki to me."
Apart from this phrase, he could utter nothing else.
Even now, the impact of hearing about this 'jinchūriki transformation' hasn't lessened.
It left his mind in chaos, his emotions turbulent.
Hiruzen interrupted him, "This is the Hokage's decision!"
Danzo was taken aback.
Once again.
He clenched his fists, his tone vicious. "Hiruzen, I must remind you, you're merely acting as Hokage."
"The Emergency Executive Committee has the authority to revoke your position."
"Given the unique circumstances this time, involving the jinchūriki, Koharu and Homura will no longer support you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Third Hokage, who had retired once the Fourth Hokage took office.
After the Fourth's sacrifice, the village remained without someone to assume the title of Hokage.
Of the Three Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru had defected, and both Jiraiya and Tsunade had distanced themselves from the village.
Kakashi was still young, only fourteen years old.
Yet he had taken on the responsibility of acting as "Interim Hokage," a role he would hold until the next Hokage was ready to take over.
This "interim" period was unexpectedly long, stretching out to twelve years.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was calm, as if he couldn't hear the underlying threat in Danzo's words: "Oh, really?"
"But I am still the Hokage, Danzo."
"Refusing to hand Naruto over to you is my command as Hokage."
"I will handle it and provide an explanation to everyone."
Danzo gritted his teeth: "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
With resentment, he turned and left.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, the smoke obscuring Danzo's retreating figure as well as the rest of the world.
He continued to ponder.
Naruto...
How did you do it?
Unwittingly mastering the power of the "Tailed Beast."
After thinking for a long while, he put down his pipe and took out a scroll from his drawer, slowly unrolling it.
He disagreed with Danzo's methods.
He didn't feel he had the face to meet Naruto himself.
So he decided to call him back.
Be it Orochimaru or Naruto, dealing with these troubles required his assistance.
A name was written on the scroll.
Three hasty characters: "Jiraiya."
(End of Chapter)