For the next few days, Yagyu was never home, spending all his time training at a secluded waterfall. During this time, the only one who visited Yagyu's home was Sakura. As for Hinata and Ino, they had likely started their hellish training.
After using Sakura to create the illusion that he was out training, Yagyu quietly left a sign at his door that read, "Out training, leave a message if needed," and then slipped out of Konoha.
In just over two hours, Yagyu arrived at the short road town in the Land of Fire.
"Hm?"
As soon as Yagyu entered the town, he activated his red-eye vision and far-sight abilities to locate Karin. However, something seemed to catch his attention, and his eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.
A few seconds later, Yagyu's eyes lit up as he muttered, "Could it be that ability has awakened? The timing seems to match up!"
So, Yagyu stood still, as if waiting for something, or perhaps confirming something.
"…Yagyu-kun!"
Soon, a girl's excited voice rang in Yagyu's ears. Turning towards the sound, Yagyu saw a red-haired girl running toward him. Seeing Karin approach, Yagyu's suspicions were confirmed.
However, when she reached him, he pretended to be surprised and asked, "Karin, how did you know I was coming?"
"Hehe… because I sensed your chakra, Yagyu-kun!"
Karin blushed, looking at Yagyu with a smile of pure admiration and excitement. "Your chakra is so strong, like the sun itself—so bright!"
"When did you learn sensory techniques?"
"I didn't actually learn any sensory techniques. The Grass Village only gave me basic ninjutsu scrolls. They never taught us outsiders anything more."
As they walked to her place, Karin explained, "Recently, whenever I close my eyes, I can sense the chakra of people nearby. And the range seems to be growing."
"Just now, I suddenly sensed an enormous chakra, and Yagyu-kun's unique presence appeared in my mind, as if I could see it with my heart."
What Karin didn't say was that she had been worried Yagyu wouldn't come for her. Every day, she wandered near the town entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. At night, she reluctantly returned to her place, fearing he might arrive and not find her.
Then, one morning, Karin woke up and realized she could sense other people's chakra. Even with her eyes closed, she could "see" the chakra around her, and when she focused, the features of those chakras' owners would vaguely appear.
"A sudden awakening of sensory abilities? Really?" Yagyu pretended to be amazed.
"Mm-hmm," Karin nodded, and Yagyu reached out to pat her head, saying, "Amazing! Not only do you have healing abilities, but now you've also awakened the Kagura Mind's Eye. You truly are a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan!"
"Kagura Mind's Eye?"
Karin, enjoying Yagyu's touch, tilted her head in confusion.
Yagyu explained, "Just as the Uchiha Clan has the Sharingan and excels at fire release and genjutsu, and the Hyuga Clan has the Byakugan and excels at Gentle Fist, the Uzumaki Clan, once one of the most powerful in the ninja world, also had unique abilities. Besides their expertise in sealing techniques, the Uzumaki possessed several distinct powers."
"These powers include healing through physical touch, sensory abilities like the Kagura Mind's Eye, and sealing techniques such as the Adamantine Chains."
"These abilities could only be awakened by a select few prodigies within the Uzumaki Clan, and only by those with red hair."
As Yagyu explained, he couldn't help but feel pity for Karin's fate in the original story. She had awakened all of the Uzumaki's rare abilities—something not even all members of the clan could achieve.
Such talent would have made Karin a once-in-a-generation prodigy of the Uzumaki Clan. If the clan hadn't been destroyed, she could have been the next great Uzumaki like Mito Uzumaki of old.
If Karin had encountered Tsunade instead of Orochimaru while wandering after leaving Konoha, and had been trained by her—learning Tsunade's strength and medical ninjutsu, along with the sealing techniques left behind by Mito—Karin could have been one of the true New Generation Sannin.
That was the reason Yagyu had suggested Karin stay in the short road town: he was waiting for Tsunade.
The short road town was where Tsunade first appeared in the story and where the Sannin reunited. If Karin was to join Konoha, it had to be through Tsunade.
Only with Tsunade's sponsorship would Danzo not dare make any moves against Karin. Otherwise, Danzo would almost certainly target her—100% guaranteed.
The Uzumaki Clan members were ideal vessels for jinchuriki, and if Karin awakened her Adamantine Chains, she would be able to control tailed beasts, just like the Sharingan could.
If Danzo got his hands on Karin, he would likely target Naruto next. And if something happened to both Jiraiya and Tsunade, there would be no one left to protect Naruto. Danzo would definitely make his move.
That's why Yagyu needed to ensure Karin connected with Tsunade.
With Tsunade backing her, Karin could potentially become the strongest version of herself.
And when that happened, Yagyu would have a loyal ally far stronger than both Haku and Kimimaro.
"I see…"
Karin, oblivious to Yagyu's plans for her, nodded, her heart filling with joy and excitement. Now that she had this ability, she could help Yagyu. And if she could awaken the Adamantine Chains, she would become an even more valuable tool for him.
The thought of being needed and used by her "prince charming" made Karin grin foolishly.
Yagyu had no idea what Karin was thinking. Seeing her face light up with a lovesick smile, he patted her head again and said, "The final Chunin Exam is in a month. I'll stay here in the short road town to train and also teach you some ninjutsu."
"Really?"
Karin's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Mm-hmm," Yagyu nodded with a smile. "If you want to join Konoha, you'll need to become stronger. So, get ready for some tough training."
"I won't let you down, Yagyu-kun!"
Karin nodded eagerly. This was her chance to prove her worth, and no matter how hard it was, she would push through.
For the girl who had emerged from the darkness, her greatest fear wasn't death—it was disappointing the person who had pulled her from the abyss, losing the light that had redeemed her.
Just like Haku with Zabuza, or Kimimaro with Orochimaru.
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