Chapter 243: Karin

There were still a few days left before the end of the second stage. In turn, Shikamaru went to the Forest of Death in order to find someone important. He also wanted to look after Sakura and Ino.

Meanwhile, the Third Hokage received news from Anko.

There were only two people in the examination room to review the examination records. Hiruzen calmly smoked his pipe and listened to Anko's report with narrowed eyes.

"So he wanted to catch Sasuke... Orochimaru probably couldn't even imagine that the Uchiha was his student." Hiruzen looked out the window with a laugh.

- Like a mountain from the shoulders ...

- Student? Anko looked surprised, "Sasuke, Shikamaru's student?"

“Yes, I was surprised myself… But with his strength, taking on such a talented student is not such a big deal.

The girl nodded, and after a moment asked:

— And now what?

“Let’s take a look,” Hiruzen blew out a puff of smoke and smiled casually:

"If Orochimaru wants to act, let him... I'm more worried if he can get away unharmed a second time."

"Is he serious?"

Anko didn't understand the old man's strange confidence at all, but she couldn't help but feel that everything must be related to this Shikamaru. Remembering his actions in that forest, the girl blushed in embarrassment. This did not disappear from the sharp eyes of the Hokage, from which he only grunted, continuing to look out the window ...

"Youth..."

The exam was in full swing - only on the last day will fierce battles begin near the tower itself.

*

The Forest of Death is a place full of dangers. Over the past 24 hours, many genin have encountered difficulties: some were not lucky enough to meet strong opponents, and some, on the contrary, were able to bypass the danger. Although, there were those who could not survive this night... For them, this ill-fated forest turned into a graveyard of souls.

Early in the morning, one of several Hidden Grass genin teams moved further into the forest, sticking to the river.

- Hey you, move! shouted a boy of about thirteen with displeasure, turning to the crimson-haired girl behind him. Another guy was moving at a distance, and as soon as he heard this cry, he looked with displeasure at his comrade in a gray bandana:

"Shut your mouth Katsu!" If you attract enemies, I'll feed you to the dogs!

“B-but,” the guy was visibly frightened and quickly lowered his head, “S-sorry brother…

The bald guy that Katsu called his brother turned to Karin and calmly said:

“Do your job and keep up,” throwing a displeased glance at his comrade, he snorted:

“Stop bullying her asshole, she’s more useful than you.”

The boy lowered his head grimly, glaring furiously at Karin, and hissed:

- Red bitch...

The girl just sighed as she continued to follow her teammates. But, as before, she was still moving slowly.

Suddenly, the wind swept through the area, the bald genin immediately concentrated and jumped off the branch.

What are you brother?

- Shut up...

At that moment, a cold voice resounded everywhere:

“You really should have kept quiet, you idiot.

“Wh-who’s here!?” - the bald man shouted, visibly frightened: - Show yourself!

Turning around sharply, the guy noticed Karin in the distance, she, as always, slowed down the team!

The boy cursed angrily.

- Stupid! Come here!

The girl shuddered and quickly began to approach the two. But the next moment something unexpected happened...

— Ha! Katsu grunted and fell on his knee, then spat out a clot of blood. Seeing this sight, the genin next to him covered his mouth and abruptly stepped back two steps. There was genuine horror in his eyes!

Katsu spat out his tongue and continued to spit blood!

Karin froze in fear and quickly began to back away. But the bald one immediately yelled:

"Fool, go heal him!" Someone is here...

- Your turn! A cold tone swept through again, and then the second genin turned pale and suddenly found himself with horror that he was no longer able to control his actions - his teeth opened and then collapsed with force! The tongue, being between two sharp jaws, faced an insurmountable trap - it only had to lose its half ... A piece of the tongue flew off, and the guy began to spit blood like a comrade, unable to stop it.

“It’s worth watching your tongue ...” a mockery was heard not far away. Karin, who had already moved far away, shuddered in horror and slowly began to turn around. Her shoulders continued to tremble, but she could not stop, because she knew for sure that this person was already behind her!

A terrible opponent was breathing right into the back of his head!

— Aah! - as soon as she saw his shadow, she immediately fell to the ground and covered her face:

- Do not kill me!

"I didn't mean to," said a calm voice. But Karin did not react at all, continuing to tremble and close her eyes.

"Yeah, I overdid it..." Shikamaru sighed and knelt down, trying to touch her back. He had long seen how these "comrades" of hers treated her, so he decided to teach them a lesson. But, I completely forgot that Karin is not an adult kunoichi, she is just a thirteen-year-old girl who definitely should not have seen this.

"I won't hurt you Karin...

As soon as he touched her hand, the girl squealed and closed her eyes.

"N-no need...

“I know about your mother and how these people used her abilities until she died of exhaustion. Your hand.” Touching the bite scars on her palm, he sighed. The view was not entirely repulsive - rather, it caused a feeling of some kind of hopelessness. Day after day, like a tool, it was used for their own purposes. Thinking about it spoiled Shikamaru's mood.

Karin finally stopped squinting and looked fearfully at his actions. His eyes immediately changed, and in the next moment, the scars on the girl's skin immediately disappeared.

The girl shuddered and muttered in shock:

- Like this...

Shikamaru smiled calmly and held out a finger to adjust her glasses.

“You don't have to be afraid of me. Although I am not a good person, I can protect you. You are very talented, I want your potential not to be wasted in the village of these fools who are unable to appreciate you. Casting a disdainful glance at the two dead people nearby, Shikamaru stood up and said:

“It's up to you, Karin, both now and in the future. If you agree to come with me, I'll give you everything, but I can take you back to the Hidden Grass or just leave.

With a tremor in her shoulders, the girl turned around and involuntarily looked at the two dead men. Losing their tongues, these genin died choking on their own blood. It wasn't a pleasant sight, but Karin seemed to have seen worse things. The girl only sighed and turned back to look at her hand, suddenly she smiled a little:

Can you get rid of all scars?

- Certainly. If that's what you want, no one else will touch you, and scars aren't a problem.

"Is that so..." After calming down a bit, Karin stood up and was finally able to look at Shikamaru without fear.

- You promise? At his surprised expression, Karin bit her lip and hesitantly said:

“About what you said… About my protection and that I won’t be touched again… And also that you will remove those ugly scars…”

“Of course I promise. I'll even introduce you to another Uzumaki.

“R-really?”

The guy let out a chuckle.

“I don’t need to lie to such a cutie.

Karin nodded uncertainly, still remaining cautious. Shikamaru stepped closer and removed her Hidden Grass Protector, tossing it aside.

- You won't need it anymore. Until I give you my Seal, but it's not necessary…" Smiling, Shikamaru touched Karin's shoulder and whispered under the girl's puzzled look:

- You'll like it. - at the same second, two teleported.