Chapter 314: Orochimaru and Karin
**Overseas, Crescent Moon Island.**
During the Third Shinobi World War, several elite shinobi, weary of the endless fighting, fled the battlefield and established the Moon Ninja Village here.
Unfortunately, their peace was short-lived.
A few years later, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Allied Shinobi Forces invaded Uchiha Clan's territory at sea, and Crescent Moon Island first fell to the Kirigakure forces, then was attacked by Uchiha Clan elites, turning it into a battlefield.
Fortunately, the once prosperous and peaceful island nation was restored with the war's end and nearly a decade of recovery.
Every day, the island welcomed numerous traders, tourists, and immigrants from across the shinobi world.
Uzushio Karin was one of them.
After being expelled from Akatsuki, she wandered aimlessly, unable to find a place to call home in the vast shinobi world.
By chance, she heard about Crescent Moon Island in the Land of the Moon, a secluded paradise away from the central conflicts of the shinobi world.
She decided to make her way there by ship.
Upon arrival, Karin, posing as a tourist, gradually adapted to island life and finally decided to stay.
She used her savings to open a small clinic, applying the medical ninjutsu she learned from Lady Tsunade to treat the islanders.
It turned out that doctors, especially medical ninjas, were highly valued and respected professions anywhere in the shinobi world.
Moreover, Karin was exceptionally talented, having inherited Tsunade's medical skills.
Initially, due to her young age and lack of apparent experience, her clinic was deserted. However—
After successfully treating several severe cases and showcasing her advanced medical skills, word spread rapidly across the island.
Soon, Karin became a highly sought-after figure in the Land of the Moon, with patients lining up at her door.
Even the ministers of the Moon Kingdom visited her, inviting her to the palace to become the prince's personal physician.
This was beyond Karin's expectations.
She only wanted to run a small clinic, lead a peaceful and fulfilling life, and not become a famous personality.
What worried her most was—
Despite using an alias and dyeing her conspicuous red hair black, her identity as a former Konoha traitor and ex-Akatsuki member was bound to be exposed someday.
When that day came, she feared her clinic on Crescent Moon Island would have to close.
After much contemplation—
Karin decided to temporarily close her clinic, citing health reasons, to stay low-key and fade from public view.
Her strategy worked.
During her "recovery," the largest-ever Chūnin Exams commenced in Konoha.
With the advent of television, the Chūnin Exams were broadcast to every corner of the shinobi world, including the remote Crescent Moon Island.
In this newly burgeoning era of television entertainment—
The spectacular battles between talented young ninjas, the vibrant life of Konoha, and the behind-the-scenes gossip created a wave of excitement that swept across Crescent Moon Island.
Everyone, from street corners to dinner tables, eagerly discussed the Chūnin Exams.
Who was the strongest genin?
How prosperous was Konoha? Why was it called the beacon of civilisation in the shinobi world? How could one immigrate to Konoha?
Compared to these discussions—
People soon forgot about Karin and her clinic.
Especially on the final day of the Chūnin Exams, with its twists and turns, the invasion by Madara and Naruto, and the climactic battle that shocked the entire shinobi world.
The Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Dan, punched the moon to pieces.
This astonishing event didn't need to be televised; anyone who looked up at the night sky that evening could witness history firsthand.
The residents of Crescent Moon Island were overwhelmed with awe, unable to recover from the shock.
Today, Karin's clinic reopened.
It was early, and there were no patients yet. Karin casually turned on the television, as usual, switching to Konoha TV to watch the news.
As she watched, her expression grew increasingly astonished.
The news reported that—
With Naruto Uzumaki's defeat, Akatsuki's jinchūriki of the One-Tail and Seven-Tails had surrendered to Konoha, marking the end of the once-feared organisation.
Surprisingly—
Before his death, Naruto, the Akatsuki leader, had a change of heart, sacrificing himself to perform the Rinne Rebirth technique, reviving ten thousand Konoha citizens.
Moreover—
The Sixth Hokage showed mercy by resurrecting Naruto and granting him and Konan the status of Konoha ninjas.
The television was airing a special on Naruto, depicting his life from being the son of a hero, mistreated by the Third Hokage and Danzo, shunned by the village, led astray, and finally, his redemption.
The production was very moving.
It seemed that under the Sixth Hokage's directive, Konoha intended to "redeem" Naruto's image.
This was something Karin had never expected.
Once, for the sake of Akatsuki, she infiltrated Konoha, betraying and deceiving Lady Tsunade. Even after all that, she was still suspected of being disloyal to Akatsuki and was expelled.
And now.
Naruto and Konan, former leaders of Akatsuki, defected to Konoha and became its ninja.
Karin's mouth dropped open in astonishment.
She couldn't help but feel that fate had played a cruel joke on her.
While Konoha and Akatsuki had reconciled, Karin, caught between the two sides, had become a traitor to both. Abandoned by both Konoha and Akatsuki, she was the biggest loser in this game.
However.
Even if Karin were given another chance to return to Konoha and become an honoured Konoha ninja like Naruto and Konan—
She would still choose to refuse.
She couldn't face Lady Tsunade again, not knowing how to confront her.
So, Karin realised that living out her days on this small island was her destiny.
This was fine... right?
While Karin was lost in thought.
Bang bang.
An urgent knock on the door echoed through the room.
Before Karin could respond, the clinic door was flung open with a loud bang. A portly minister from the Land of the Moon, accompanied by several ninja, entered.
Seeing this, Karin frowned and picked up the remote control to turn off the TV.
"Ah, Doctor, you look well. You must be feeling better?"
The minister, upon seeing Karin, beamed with joy and wasted no time in stating his purpose.
The prince of the Land of the Moon had sent him to invite Karin to the palace once again and offer her a generous salary for her services as the prince's personal physician.
"It's not about the money," Karin said, shaking her head in frustration, refusing him for the second time.
The prince, Tsukimi, was a gluttonous, lazy spendthrift who believed money could buy anything.
Karin didn't like him.
She didn't want to be confined to the palace as his personal doctor but preferred to help as many ordinary patients as possible.
"Tsk tsk, there's nothing we can do then."
The minister sighed, disappointed in Karin's lack of sense. To him, she was just another naive girl who didn't know what was good for her.
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the ninja behind him moved forward with cold expressions, ready to forcibly take Karin away.
"I advise you not to do this," Karin said sincerely, raising her fist reluctantly as they approached.
Ten seconds later.
Bang, bang bang!
The Moon Country ninja was sent flying out of the clinic, crashing into the wall on the other side of the street. After screaming in pain, they all fell unconscious.
"You, you..."
The minister, terrified, collapsed to the ground, staring in horror at the monstrous strength of the girl before him.
"Go back and tell your prince to leave me alone, or next time, I won't be so nice."
Karin looked down at the minister, her tone icy, showing her resolve.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck, and a figure emerged. Karin stepped back, clutching her shoulder, as she had been attacked by a Moon Country jonin hiding in the shadows.
"Damn scoundrels."
Karin steadied herself and looked at her bleeding shoulder. She quickly raised her other arm and bit into it.
Huh?
The minister's eyes widened as he watched Karin's shoulder wound heal rapidly. The bleeding stopped, and there wasn't even a scar left.
Karin shook her once-injured arm, which is now fully recovered.
This astonishing scene not only stunned the Moon Country ninja but also intrigued a long-haired man passing by.
"As expected of the Uzumaki clan, with such incredible healing abilities and powerful Yang Release chakra. She might even rival Nagato and Naruto."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he approached Karin.
"And who are you? Can't you see I'm handling business here? What are you doing sticking your nose in?"
The minister glared at Orochimaru and ordered the jonin beside him to take down this suspicious-looking individual.
"Heh."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly and snapped his fingers with a "snap."
Boom.
A giant snake suddenly burst out from the ground, opening its massive jaws and swallowing the unsuspecting Moon Country minister and Jonin whole.
"Who are you?!" Karin's pupils shrank as her nerves tightened to the extreme.
Orochimaru just grinned, and with a lift of his hand, dozens of poisonous snakes flew out from his sleeves, heading straight for Karin.
Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
...
An hour later.
At sea, inside the cabin of a merchant ship departing from Crescent Moon Island, Orochimaru stroked his chin, examining the unconscious Karin before him.
The more he looked at this girl, the more satisfied he became.
Though Konoha had captured Kabuto, the vital information he provided to Orochimaru had still proven useful.
Karin Uzumaki.
Not only was she Tsunade's direct disciple, but she also had a close relationship with Uchiha Sasuke. After her identity as an Akatsuki spy was exposed, she defected from Konoha.
As a member of the Uzumaki clan, Karin possessed a unique constitution, naturally endowed with vast chakra reserves and remarkable healing abilities.
Such a person was exactly what Orochimaru needed as a vessel.
After all, his current body was on the verge of collapse, and he had to undergo another Living Corpse Reincarnation soon.
Thus, after failing to take Sasuke's body, it was only logical for Orochimaru to set his sights on Karin as a "backup." Utilising his underground intelligence network spread across the ninja world, it didn't take him long to locate Karin hiding on Crescent Moon Island.
Unable to obtain a Uchiha body, he had to settle for one from the Uzumaki clan.
Orochimaru was heading to his secret hideout.
Once there, he would make all the necessary preparations to perform the Living Corpse Reincarnation and take over this young, beautiful girl's body.
One day later.
Two weary figures arrived at Crescent Moon Island and stood before Karin's clinic.
It was the belated Naruto and Konan.
They soon learned that Karin was missing and had been declared a fugitive by the Moon Country, accused of killing a minister and fleeing in fear.
They quickly discovered the truth.
Because they found shed snake skin at the scene.
"This snake skin and the cold, dark chakra... Oh no, it's Orochimaru!"
Naruto's expression changed, growing anxious.
"I didn't expect Orochimaru to target Karin. Naruto, we are too late; Karin has probably been captured by him."
Konan's face was also grave, her heart filled with worry.
They had to rescue Karin as soon as possible.
The two exchanged a glance, then immediately left Crescent Moon Island to track Orochimaru.
At the same time.
They quickly relayed this information back to Konoha, requesting assistance.
In such a critical situation, every second's delay increased the danger Karin faced.
Moreover, with Naruto and Konan's current strength, even if they found Orochimaru, they might not be able to defeat him.
In Konoha, within the Hokage's office.
"Orochimaru, that guy, never ceases to surprise me. Always up to something new."
Dan toyed with the paper crane in his hand, which contained the information sent by Konan, revealing their deep concern.
Who should he send?
Dan thought about it and decided to inform Tsunade first since her precious disciple was about to be taken over.
So.
He left the Hokage's office and leisurely headed to Konoha's medical department.
"Is Tsunade here?"
At the door of the department head's office, Dan encountered Shizune and casually asked her.
Shizune quickly bowed to Dan and respectfully reported:
"Hokage-sama, Tsunade-sama is in a meeting. Please wait in the office for a moment; I will notify her right away."
"Alright."
Dan nodded and walked into Tsunade's office, sitting on the couch.
Ten minutes later.
Creak, the door opened, and Shizune walked in with an embarrassed expression, carefully explaining to Dan:
"Sorry, Hokage-sama. Tsunade-sama said her meeting is very important and asked you to wait a little longer."
After speaking, Shizune's body tensed, her heart racing with nerves.
She expected Dan to be angry or get up and leave, knowing Tsunade was deliberately avoiding him.
However, to her surprise.
"No problem, I'm not in a hurry."
Dan smiled slightly, looking completely unbothered and even crossing his legs comfortably.
He truly wasn't in a rush.
(End of the chapter)