Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

Naruto's intentions towards her were far too obvious.

In Karin's opinion, Naruto's high regard for her was utterly illogical.

Why did you choose me... to be your partner?

Karin still remembered what Naruto had said to her in the cage.

Naruto said that he would become Karin's partner if Karin was willing to use her power to help him.

It's kind of funny, but Karin felt like she was a completely useless person.

It is only his special physique, which allows him to recover his chakra and injuries, that piques people's interest.

But Naruto also said that he had no interest in such a physique.

Instead, they believed in Karin's own power.

Karin has only met Naruto twice... Why is Naruto more certain of Karin's unlimited potential than Karin herself?

Naruto's gaze fell on Karin.

He couldn't possibly say that there were only two and a half Uzumaki clan members still alive in the ninja world, with Karin and Nagato, two pure-blooded Uzumaki, each counting as one.

Naruto, being of mixed race, is considered half a mixed-race individual.

As for the Vortex that Naruto knew could be used to suppress Tailed Beasts, he only knew Karin.

Naruto didn't want to answer.

But Karin kept staring at Naruto, clearly indicating that she wanted Naruto to answer.

"If I really had to say... it's probably because I can't live without you."

Naruto chose to give a perfunctory answer.

Without Kushina's chakra, Naruto couldn't use the Adamantine Sealing Chains at all.

The only remaining choices are Nagato and Karin.

One is a madman who possesses the Rinnegan, the leader of Akatsuki, and who, disregarding the lives of the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, plans to collect and use the power of the Tailed Beasts to create world peace through terrifying violence. He calls himself "God".

One is... a weak and easily manipulated little girl who can be subdued with just a few words.

Compare them like this.

Of course, it has to be karin.

Naruto gives Karin the "result" of the answer based on his own understanding of the "process".

But Naruto forgot Karin's personality...

Like Sakura, Karin is a girl who tends to have all sorts of strange little emotional scenarios playing out in her mind.

In the original story, Karin became infatuated with Sasuke simply because he was rescued by him during the Chunin Exams.

Naruto gave a perfunctory answer because he couldn't explain it clearly.

It's not surprising that people who hear this ambiguous answer can expand upon it in various ways.

Karin deduced the "process" from the "result" of Naruto's answer.

It has to be her...

Karin stared at Naruto.

To what extent did she misinterpret Naruto's answer in her mind?

Only she herself knows the truth.

Chapter 8 Black Market

"Is this really okay?"

Walking along the coastal town of the Land of Fire, facing the bustling crowds passing by.

Karin always felt that these people's gazes were only given a casual glance and then immediately looked away.

It is full of profound meaning.

"It is perfectly normal for a blind person to use a cane to feel their way when walking on the street, and to look around in crowded streets to avoid accidentally hurting others or themselves."

Naruto, however, did not share Karin's worries; he too was looking around.

Karin followed behind him.

"But...you—no, the two of us—"

A traitorous ninja.

Karin kept her last words to herself.

She had been imprisoned in Hozuki Castle for too long and was unaware of what was happening in Konoha.

Konoha was destroyed.

This matter occurred just before the two were about to set foot on the land of the Land of Fire.

Naruto casually told Karin this from the small boat.

"You're feeling anxious because you lack combat experience..."

Naruto pointed out the source of Karin's fear.

"Keep calm. You and I both have good perception abilities, especially your Kagura Mind's Eye, whose perception range and accuracy are even better than mine."

"There really are Konoha ninjas here. They haven't even noticed us yet, but we've already spotted them."

Naruto suddenly stopped and turned to look at Karin: "If you're really scared, you can run away. Konoha will only arrest me; they probably don't even know you were originally a Grass Ninja."

Karin simply shook her head, rejecting Naruto's suggestion.

But Karin was still a little worried.

Naruto understands.

After all, Karin only officially became a rogue ninja after she set foot on land.

Karin was only twelve or thirteen years old. She possessed the precociousness unique to ninjas in the ninja world, as well as the immaturity that was appropriate for her age.

She was able to recognize the fact that she had become a rogue ninja.

However, because he was not used to being a rogue ninja, he faced an uncertain future and enemies that could appear at any time.

The confusion in one's heart cannot be dispelled by simple comfort.

His previous life as a Grass Ninja was mostly spent with others forcibly arranging everything for him.

It's understandable that Karin would feel overwhelmed if she suddenly had to make her own decisions.

Naruto won't be making any strict demands on Karin now.

Everything needs to be done step by step.

Furthermore, Karin's willingness to follow Naruto through a life of wandering and betrayal without regret is enough to prove her courage.

What she lacks now is confidence and the habit of being a rogue ninja.

Are you hungry right now?

Naruto suddenly asked.

From leaving Hozuki Castle and drifting at sea until this morning when I set foot on the land of the Fire Country again.

Naruto and Karin didn't eat or drink anything, let alone eat.

Karin nodded, then shook her head again.

“All my things were taken by Wuwei before, including my wallet.”

This is why Karin nodded and shook her head.

"You don't need to worry about the money."

Naruto said, "Let's go eat something first. If you're full, you won't overthink things."

Naruto beckoned Karin to stay close to him.

However, the place Naruto took Karin to was not a restaurant or eatery.

Instead... it's the movie theater.

"Eh?"

Watching Naruto walk into the movie theater without hesitation.

Karin let out a puzzled sound.

When Karin followed him into the movie theater, Naruto handed her two paper tickets.

Karin subconsciously took the paper ticket and glanced down at it.

One is a meal ticket from the restaurant inside the movie theater.

There is a long list of names of staple foods or snacks that can be brought into the screening room.

The other one is a movie ticket.

The ticket shows the showtime, seat number, and movie title.

The Great Adventure of Princess Fengyun.

"This is……"

Karin's gaze fell upon the promotional posters prominently displayed in the movie theater.

The movie that's been heavily promoted recently is "The Great Adventure of Princess Fengyun".

"How about taking this opportunity to get used to being alone?"

Naruto offered his suggestion.

Aren't you going to watch?

"Not interested."

Naruto's gaze also fell on the promotional poster.