Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 386 Karin Uzumaki's Adamantine Lockdown

As Ita-suke's guillotine was slowly pulled from Zabuza's shoulder blade, leaving a trail of dark red blood, the infamous "demon" in the ninja world finally lost consciousness and collapsed like a lump of mud on the cold, damp bridge.

His black robe with red cloud patterns was soaked in blood, making it look even more tattered. The bandages on his face were also stained with blood, revealing only a pair of eyes that were wide open in pain and disbelief, but which had quickly lost their luster.

The thick fog, no longer sustained by the caster's chakra, began to slowly flow and thin, dissipating from the bridge surface like the receding tide.

Sunlight streamed down again, illuminating the area where the fierce battle had just ended, as well as the crisscrossing knife marks, water stains, and mottled bloodstains on the bridge.

Kakashi stepped forward, squatted down next to Zabuza, and placed two fingers on the other's carotid artery, carefully feeling it for a moment.

The skin under my fingers was ice-cold, and there was no pulse.

He then lifted Zabuza's eyelids to check the dilation of his pupils, confirming that the other man was completely dead.

Kakashi raised his head, his crimson Sharingan now concealed by his headband. His right eye, which was exposed, looked at Ida-suke, who was slinging the Executioner's Blade back onto his back, and asked, "Lord Ida-suke, do you need to take this corpse back?"

In the world of ninjas, the corpses of powerful individuals often contain secret bloodline techniques, intelligence, or even special value. How to dispose of the corpses is sometimes a matter of distributing spoils of war.

Upon hearing this, Itada turned around, his tall figure casting a shadow in the sunlight.

He glanced at Zabuza's corpse on the ground, then looked at Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi, the 'Copy Ninja' of Konoha, right? Are you interested in this corpse?"

At that moment, Jiraiya also strolled over.

He didn't look at Ida, but instead stared intently at Zabuza's striking black robe with red clouds, and slowly said, "The organization this guy belongs to is extremely dangerous. Its members are all S-rank rogue ninja, their targets are unknown, but they could very well pose a huge threat to Konoha and even the entire ninja world, so..."

He looked at Itada Suke, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity: "This corpse, and any information he may have carried related to that organization, is of extraordinary value to Konoha. We hope that Lord Itada Suke will hand it over to Konoha for disposal."

Itada Suke raised his thick eyebrows slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression.

His main mission was to lead a team of genin to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams; killing Zabuza was just a side task along the way.

However, he also knew which organization Zabuza's black robe with red clouds represented, and the Star Country's intelligence department was also paying attention to it; he had also heard about its danger.

Handing Zabuza's body over to Konoha might yield some information about Akatsuki, or at least a favor to these two.

But to just give it away like that would obviously not be in accordance with the rules of the ninja world, nor would it do justice to the fierce battle he had just fought.

"Konoha wants this corpse, fine." Itada asked directly about the price: "However, the corpse of an elite Jonin-level rogue ninja isn't cheap at the underground exchange. Especially not the corpse of a well-known 'demon' like Momochi Zabuza. What price are you prepared to offer?"

Jiraiya and Kakashi were not surprised when Ita-suke proposed a trade.

Such transactions involving spoils of war and intelligence were common among ninjas, especially between different ninja villages.

Kakashi pondered for a moment, then gave a number: "The Hidden Mist Village's public bounty for Zabuza Momochi at the underground gold exchange is 23 million ryo. We can offer 20 million ryo to buy this corpse, as well as all the items and information he may be carrying."

This price is three million ryo less than the bounty offered by Kirigakure, but considering the recent friction and tension between the Land of Stars and the Land of Water in the southern waters of the ninja world, it is almost impossible for Itada to take Zabuza's body to the gold exchange in the Land of Water to collect the bounty.

However, if one goes to other factions' exchange shops, there's no guarantee that one won't be targeted by Kirigakure's ANBU, causing unnecessary trouble.

For Itada, the direct cash transaction at a price slightly lower than the bounty was a relatively reasonable choice, saving him the risk and hassle of traveling.

After a moment's thought, Itada nodded: "Okay, twenty million taels, deal."

He wasn't bothered by the three million difference; the best thing was to cash out quickly.

"Great." Jiraiya smiled and took out a specially made sealing scroll from his ninja tool pouch.

He crouched down, skillfully unfolded the scroll next to Zabuza's corpse, and pressed his hands into the center of the scroll after forming a few simple hand seals.

"seal up!"

After a wisp of white smoke, Zabuza Momochi's corpse, along with his tattered black robe with red clouds and the scattered fragments of ninja tools, were sealed into the scroll.

Jiraiya rolled up the scroll and put it away, then spread his hands towards Itadasuke, a slightly helpless smile on his face: "However, Mr. Itadasuke, I'm really sorry, 20 million ryo is no small sum, and I don't have that much cash on me. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to come back to Konoha with us to collect this payment. Don't worry, Konoha's reputation, and my reputation as the Toad Sage, are guaranteed in the ninja world, and I would never renege on my debt."

Ita-suke didn't seem to care, waving his hand and saying, "It's alright, it just so happens that our destination is also Konoha."

"Oh? You're going to Konoha too?" Kakashi asked, a hint of doubt flashing in his one eye.

As Ita walked alongside Kakashi and Jiraiya toward the young Sasuke and Naruto who were watching from a distance, he casually explained, "Well, the genin squad I'm leading this time will be participating in the Chunin Exams that your village is about to hold. We're just escorting a few clients to the Land of Waves and, as requested by our clients, helping Mr. Tazuna's family."

"The Chunin Exams?" Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged a glance.

The young Sasuke, who had been silently observing, twitched his right eye slightly when he heard the words "Chunin Exams".

Chunin Exam?

Even the low-ranking ninjas from the Land of Stars are participating?

The trajectory of this spacetime has shifted considerably; it seems the Chunin Exams are going to be quite a grand affair...

As they spoke, they reached Naruto and the young Sasuke.

Naruto rushed over eagerly, circling around Itada twice, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the exaggeratedly large sword on Itada's back, clicking his tongue in amazement: "Wow! Uncle, you're amazing! With such a thick fog, you actually managed to defeat that bandaged monster! That sword is so cool!"

Ita-suke was somewhat surprised by Naruto's enthusiastic attitude, but he still smiled and said, "You flatter me, young man. It's mainly because Lord Kakashi exhausted most of his stamina and chakra, so I got a good deal."

Naruto wanted to ask something more, but Kakashi patted him on the head to signal him to be quiet, then frowned and looked towards the bridgehead: "Where are Mr. Tazuna and the workers? Weren't they just at the bridgehead a moment ago?"

Only after he reminded them did everyone realize that Tazner and the workers, who had been gathered near the bridgehead in shock, had all vanished.

Only the messy footprints and a few tools that had been hastily dropped showed that they had indeed been here.

"Huh? Uncle Tazuna? Everyone? Where did everyone go?" Naruto put his hand to his forehead, stood on tiptoe and looked around, but the bridge and the area below it were empty.

at this time.

boom! ! !
A loud explosion, mixed with faint shouts, came from the direction of the fishing village where Tazna's family lived in the distance!

Naruto's expression changed, and he jumped up, pointing in the direction of the fishing village and shouting, "Oh no! It's Tazuna's house! It must be that big bad guy Matsuo! He sent people to attack!"

Young Sasuke's expression also turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Just before I came to this bridge, a Konoha rogue ninja named Midori Aoi led a group to attack Mr. Tazuna's house. He was defeated by Hinata... uh, that's when I rushed over to check the situation here. Could it be that Matsuo sent more than just Zabuza and Midori Aoi's forces? Did he have a backup plan?"

"Green Aoi?" Jiraiya frowned upon hearing the name and looked at Kakashi: "A rogue ninja from Konoha? Do you know him?"

He had not returned to Konoha for many years and was not familiar with the personnel changes and defectors in the village in recent years.

Kakashi nodded, his right hand stroking his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Green Aoi... I remember him. He used to be a Chunin teacher at the Konoha Ninja Academy, with mediocre talent. But later, he instigated a student to steal the Second Hokage's sword—the Thunder God Sword—and then defected from Konoha with the sword. According to later intelligence from the Anbu, he apparently joined Amegakure after his defection and did quite well there, reportedly even rising to the rank of Jonin."

“Amegakure…” Jiraiya’s brows furrowed even more.

Amegakure, the village controlled by the Akatsuki organization.

Green Aoi is a Jonin from Amegakure, and she attacked Tazuna's house while wearing Akatsuki uniform...

The connection between these events intensified his ominous premonition.

He looked at the young Sasuke and asked, "That Green Aoi, is she also wearing a long robe with a black background and red clouds?"

Young Sasuke nodded firmly: "Just like Zabuza."

Jiraiya's heart sank.

What exactly is the Akatsuki organization up to in the Land of Waves?

"No time to think about it anymore, let's go take a look!" Jiraiya decided immediately.

"I'll go first!" Naruto, who could no longer contain himself, rushed out upon hearing this and ran wildly towards the fishing village.

His mind was filled with thoughts of Uncle Tazuna, Inari, Sister Tsunami, Boruto, and the safety of Menma and Hinata who were left behind.

Jiraiya, young Sasuke, Kakashi, and Ita no longer hesitated. They all unleashed their power, transforming into several blurry afterimages, and swept across the forest and roads, closely following Naruto, rushing towards the direction from which the explosion had come.

Soon, the group rushed out of the woods and arrived at the edge of the fishing village.

The sight before them made them pause slightly.

A large, dark mass of people had already gathered in the open space in front of Tazuna's house.

On one side were Tazuna and Yuto, along with the workers who had built the bridge and many villagers who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Most of them were dressed in tattered clothes and were emaciated, but at this moment, each of them wore a look of grief and indignation, and a resolute determination to go all out. They clutched whatever "weapons" they could find: rusty hoes, gleaming sickles, fishing forks, and even crude spears made from sharpened wooden tips.

Yuto and several young men who returned with him were more elite. Not only were they in better shape and health than the villagers, but they also held samurai swords and stood at the front of the crowd, excitedly calling out to everyone to boost morale.

Facing them in a tense standoff was another group of people who were larger and better equipped.

Most of them were burly, fierce-looking wandering samurai, dressed in haphazard leather armor or cloth, carrying gleaming samurai swords, heavy spiked clubs, chains, and other weapons, their eyes filled with violence and greed.

The leader was a short, stout man who seemed out of place in his surroundings.

The man was about forty years old, wearing a black suit, but it looked particularly tight on his round body. He was also wearing a bow tie and shiny leather shoes.

At this moment, he was leaning on a magnificent cane with a large gold decoration at the top in one hand, and holding a thick cigar in the other, puffing out smoke.

With a protruding belly that looked like he was ten months pregnant, his greasy, fat face was full of fat, and his small eyes gleamed with a cunning and cruel light. He was none other than Matsuo, the leader of the Matsuo Group, which monopolized trade in the Land of Waves and exploited the people.

Matsuo took a puff of his cigar, slowly exhaling a smoke ring. He squinted at Yuto, a dark-skinned man with sharp eyes, standing in front of the crowd opposite him. His voice was heavy with sarcasm and threat: "Yuto... Hmph, I never expected that you bunch of fish who escaped back then would actually have the guts to come back? What, did you get tired of living out there and come back to die so you could reunite with that idiot Keisha?"

He paused, pointed at Yuto and the young men beside him with the finger holding the cigar, then swept his gaze over the indignant villagers. His voice suddenly rose, filled with ruthlessness: "Fine! Saves me the trouble of looking for you! Today, I'll arrest all of you ignorant rioters who dare to defy the Matsuo Group and Lord Daimyo! Drag you to the dock and execute you in public! Let's see who else dares to follow your example, not working obediently for me, but daring to harbor wicked thoughts!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Yuto was trembling with rage. He took a step forward, pointed at Matsuo's nose, and roared with all his might, "Matsuo! You parasite that sucks the blood of the people of the Land of Waves! Look at everyone! Look at Uncle Tazuna! Look at Ina! Look at everyone in the village!"

"Who is making us poorer every day, unable to even get enough to eat? Who is forcing us to buy our fish at low prices and then demanding that we buy your grain and salt at high prices? Who is colluding with powerful lords to increase taxes and force people to sell their children? It is you! It is all of you! It is those nobles and powerful lords who sit in their palaces and don't care about our lives!"

He turned around and shouted to the villagers behind him, whose bodies were trembling slightly with fear and anger: "Fellow villagers! Don't be afraid of him anymore! Brother Keisha has shown us with his life that kneeling and begging for mercy will not bring us a way out! Only by standing up and driving them out of the Land of Waves can we and our children have a future! People like Matsuo should be hanged on the street lamps!"

"Hang Matsuo!"

"Avenge us!"

"Fight them!"

Youdou's words were like sparks igniting dry tinder, instantly igniting the villagers' long-suppressed anger.

Thinking of their executed relatives, the increasingly difficult life, and the hopeless future, fear was gradually replaced by anger and righteous indignation.

People raised their makeshift weapons and roared in unison, but with great force.

Matsuo's fat face twitched, then a more cruel smile spread across his face. He threw his cigar to the ground, crushed it under his foot, and brandished his golden cane, ordering the hundred or so ferocious wandering samurai behind him: "Stubborn fools! Charge! Kill all these rioters! Leave no one alive!"

"kill!!!"

The wandering warriors roared bloodthirstyly, brandishing their weapons, and charged toward the villagers like a flood bursting its banks!

Having fought countless battles, dealing with these civilians who only had simple farm tools and were practically unarmed was nothing short of a massacre!

Faced with this terrifying aura, many villagers showed fear on their faces and instinctively shrank back.

"stop!!!"

Seeing that tragedy was about to occur, Naruto, who had just arrived, was furious and roared as he rushed forward without regard for anything else.

However, there is someone faster than him!

Boo hoo hoo-!
Three figures shot out like lightning from the windows and doorway of Tazuna's house, instantly blocking the way between the terrified villagers and the ferocious samurai!
"King Kong Blockade!"

Karin, who was at the forefront, had her long red hair flowing in the wind. She let out a delicate shout and opened her right hand forward. The next moment, five thick golden chains shot out from behind her!

The chains, like giant golden pythons with life, moved with lightning speed and with overwhelming force, instantly piercing the chests of the dozen or so wandering warriors charging at the forefront!
The chains continued their relentless advance, piercing through several more people behind them, stringing dozens of warriors together like candied hawthorns on a skewer!
Blood splattered, the screams stopped abruptly, and the faces of the warriors strung together still held a look of ferocity and shock before they lost their lives.

"Melting Release: Lime Condensation Technique!"

Almost at the same time that Karin made her move, Kurotsuchi also completed the hand seals.

Chakra surged forth from her mouth.

A thick, grayish-white, mud-like substance shot out of her mouth and spread rapidly forward!

The wandering warriors who rushed up were caught off guard and firmly trapped by the grayish-white "mud".

Even more terrifying is that this "mud" hardens rapidly upon contact with the enemy's body, transforming into a solid substance comparable to rock!
Dozens of warriors only had time to scream in terror before their lower bodies were frozen in hard cement, unable to move, becoming sitting ducks.

"Red eyes!"

The youngest, Ranmaru, did not step forward. He simply stood quietly in place, opening his pale red eyes.

His gaze swept quickly over the remaining samurai opposite him and Matsuo further away.

A moment later, he said in a childish, clear voice, "There is no chakra reaction. They are all ordinary samurai. There are no ninjas mixed in."

Ranmaru's judgment undoubtedly reassured Karin and Kurotsuchi.

The two exchanged a glance and made no further reservations.

Karin's petite figure darted out like a nimble cat, a kunai appearing in her hand seemingly out of nowhere. She weaved among the samurai, who were either severely injured or terrified by the Vajra Chains. With each swing, she precisely slashed at the enemy's vital points, her movements clean and swift, revealing a ruthlessness that seemed incongruous with her slightly scholarly appearance.

Kurotsuchi was even more direct. She didn't even use kunai, but relied on her superb taijutsu and the powerful strength and defense brought by earth-style ninjutsu, like a tiger entering a flock of sheep.

Her punches and kicks were incredibly powerful; each strike could send a fully armed samurai flying, weapon and all, with the sound of bones cracking clearly audible.

Occasionally, a samurai would attempt to ambush her from the side or behind. She would simply stomp her foot, and a solid stone pillar or earthen wall would rise from the ground, easily deflecting the attack and often injuring the attacker in return.

The battle was almost entirely a one-sided massacre.

Hundreds of fierce and ruthless wandering samurai, who routinely oppressed the common people as easily as eating and drinking, were as fragile as paper in front of these two young low-ranking ninjas from the Land of Stars. Within a minute, they suffered heavy casualties, their cries of agony echoing across the battlefield, and they were completely rendered incapable of fighting.

The once arrogant Matsuo's sinister smile had frozen, replaced by boundless fear and disbelief.

He watched as the warriors he had hired at great expense fell like wheat being harvested, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

He no longer cared about his image, let out a pig-like scream, threw away the flashy but impractical golden cane, and turned to run away.

"Trying to run?" Karin sneered. A Vajra chain, like a snake emerging from its hole, arrived first and instantly wrapped around Matsuo's fat waist, then tightened sharply!

"Ah—!" Matsuo screamed as he was dragged along by chains like a fat pig waiting to be slaughtered, for several meters on the dusty ground, until he was dragged to the villagers, including Yuto and Tazuna, before he stopped.

He collapsed to the ground, his expensive suit stained with mud, tears streaming down his face. Seeing the villagers, their eyes blazing with anger, slowly surrounding him, he was terrified and repeatedly kowtowed, begging for mercy: "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please spare me! I'll give you all my money! I'll give you the company! Please, please, let me go! I don't want to die!!"

"Wow! Wow...that's amazing!" Naruto, who had just run up to the front, couldn't help but open his mouth wide and exclaim in admiration at the lightning-fast battle.

These genin who don't look much older than me are actually this strong?

Unlike Naruto's simple amazement, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and young Sasuke all had their pupils slightly constricted and their faces showed solemnity and surprise when they saw Karin unleash the "Diamond Sealing Technique".

Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged a quick glance, both seeing confirmation in each other's eyes.

Kakashi lowered his voice, speaking in a volume only the two of them could hear, "That technique... it's 'Adamantine Sealing Chains,' right?"

Jiraiya nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the red-haired girl who was retrieving the golden chains, and let out a heavy "hmm" from his nose: "It's a secret technique unique to the Uzumaki clan... that's right."

Their hearts sank as they thought of Naruto's mother, Kushina...

The Uzumaki clan, an ancient ninja clan known for its powerful vitality and unique sealing techniques, was wiped out many years ago, with survivors scattered throughout the ninja world, almost disappearing without a trace.

Now, a descendant of the Uzumaki clan who can use the complete "Diamond Sealing Technique" has appeared in the genin ranks of the Star Country?

Young Sasuke's feelings were even more complicated.

In his timeline, Karin was an important companion in his Hawk Squad.

The Karin he remembered, although possessing excellent perception and healing abilities, did not have such a fierce and proactive fighting style, nor had she ever used "Diamond Lockdown" so skillfully in her attacks.

In this timeline, Karin has not only joined the Land of Stars, but her increased strength and fighting style are also far removed from the image he was known for.

Is it the difference caused by different life trajectories, or... does the Land of Stars have some special method that can improve the strength of ninjas so quickly?

At this moment, Itada Suke walked up to them. Looking at the three students who were cleaning up the battlefield and comforting the villagers, a hint of pride appeared on his face. He touched his nose and introduced them, "Those three are the genin who came with me this time. They are also candidates for the Chunin Exams. The one with red hair is Uzumaki Karin, the tall one with black hair is Kurotsuchi, and the little boy with purple hair is Ranmaru. Young man, you didn't know your own strength, please excuse the rough treatment."

"Karin Uzumaki..." Kakashi murmured the name, staring at her in a daze, feeling that she really resembled his teacher, Kushina...

(End of this chapter)