Chapter 29: Karin Reveals The Truth
Leaping through the treetops, Sato glanced in the direction where Naruto and Sasuke were headed. He sensed that Orochimaru's chakra signature had moved away from them, but it hadn't left the Death Forest entirely. Orochimaru was likely meeting with his disciple Anko and informing the Third Hokage of his return before departing from the forest.
Meanwhile, the teams from the other participating villages were also undergoing their exams. In Team 7, Sakura had just undergone a significant transformation by cutting off her long hair. Thanks to the timely intervention of Lee, Neji, and Tenten, she survived Sasuke's awakening and avoided being incapacitated or killed.
Since Ino and Sakura didn't have any conflicts in this timeline, the Team 7 exam would proceed smoothly with the help of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation. Sato had no interest in participating, as it didn't serve his current objectives.
Having located Hinata and Shino, Sato swiftly made his way toward Team 8. After a while, his Shadow Clone sensed his return, giving him the perfect opportunity to leave the team under the guise of an excuse. Disappearing in a puff of smoke, Sato left Hinata and Shino to collect their Heaven and Earth scrolls.
Rather than lingering in the Death Forest or preying on other candidates, Sato took Hinata and Shino towards the central tower. He wanted to ensure that Karin, whom he had manipulated and gained favor with, wouldn't change allegiances from the Kusagakure to the Otogakure and become a pawn for Sasuke, as she did in the original timeline.
Using his Sensing Technique, Sato quickly located Karin's position and approached her. Catching her attention, Karin's red eyes widened in surprise as she recognized him.
"Mr. Sato!"
Sato feigned relief and replied, "I'm glad you're still here. I couldn't bear the thought of you returning alone."
Karin's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Really?"
Sato reassured her, patting his chest. "Don't worry, there's still more than four days left until the end of the second exam. It won't take much time for me to go back and forth between Kusagakure and the Fire Country."
Overjoyed, Karin expressed her gratitude, and Sato responded warmly. They shared a moment of friendship as Sato gently touched her head, promising to see her off.
Just as they were parting ways, Karin hesitated and asked about Sato's exam. He assured her that he had enough time and flexibility to participate. Their interaction solidified their bond, and Sato secretly vowed to protect Karin from the manipulations of others.
Before leaving the village, Sato noticed the bite marks on Karin's arm and grew concerned. He examined them closely and noticed that the size and shape of the marks varied, indicating they were inflicted by different individuals.
With a serious expression, Sato gently confronted Karin, asking about the marks. Overwhelmed with emotion, Karin struggled to explain. Eventually, she revealed that the bite marks were a part of her unique ability and her role in Kusagakure.
Sato cradled Karin's head in his hands, wiping away her tears and urging her to open up. With a mixture of vulnerability and trust, Karin finally mustered the courage to share her story. Sato listened attentively, his gentle demeanor reassuring her.
As they connected on a deeper level, Karin couldn't help but be drawn to Sato's compassion and understanding.