The Sharingan has a significant advantage—it can control tailed beasts. Once again, before Konoha could react, Obito had already captured the Three-Tails and sealed it within a modified Four Symbols Seal. Years ago, Obito wasn't skilled at sealing; now, though still not a master, handling a tailed beast was trivial. At this moment, the rest of Akatsuki were busy capturing the Two-Tails.
"Don't worry. A few days from now, we'll extract it. It'll be a bit uncomfortable during the process, but you'll be fine afterward."
Perhaps because the girl before him had grown up under his watch, Obito's tone was gentle. Fifteen-year-old Karin wasn't particularly tall, but her abilities were formidable. While she hadn't mastered Nagato's secret techniques, her water-style ninjutsu was enough to demand caution.
Carrying a tailed beast inside her felt strange—not entirely bad, not entirely good. Karin rubbed her stomach as she walked with Obito through the fields and asked somewhat awkwardly, "Why seal it inside me?"
"You're a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. Your chakra is naturally strong, so even at fifteen, you can handle the power of a tailed beast. It'll only stay inside you for a few days before we extract it," Obito explained kindly.
Karin scrunched her face, clearly unconvinced. "You have Hashirama cells yourself. Why not seal it inside you instead?"
The little girl had grown up and loved to talk back. When she was tiny, she'd dare to strike him. Now, even at fifteen, she only obeyed Nagato; in confrontations with Orochimaru, she'd boldly call him a "stinking snake."
"Too complicated to explain. Nagato agrees—temporary hosting only," Obito replied.
"You'll die."
Karin stopped walking, her crimson eyes glistening with unshed tears. "If the tailed beast is extracted, it'll die! Does Nagato not want me anymore?!" She wiped her tears on her sleeve, sobbing, "I… I've been training so hard… why… why?!"
Obito sighed.
Since being taken in by Nagato at age eleven, this girl had been at her side—serving as caretaker and companion, privy to secrets and capable of understanding that a tailed beast would die if removed. Yet she silently accepted her role as temporary host, already prepared to sacrifice herself.
"You won't die." Obito said, reaching out to stroke her red hair, the softness in his crimson eyes betraying his gentleness.
"We've improved the sealing technique. When we extract the tailed beast, one-twentieth of its chakra will remain in your body. I'll place a contract seal—if the Three-Tails leaves you, it dies too."
"Really?" Tears still ran down her cheeks as she looked up at Obito, half-believing.
"Really," he said solemnly, raising his hand as if swearing. "It won't die. We agreed. And if it could, Nagato wouldn't have allowed it to be sealed in you. You may not share blood, but to her, you're like a sister."
Karin smiled through her tears, wiped her eyes, and stepped forward. "Hmph. If you lie to me, I'll never speak to you again."
Still a gullible age—though that wasn't a lie.
"Karin," Obito called, stopping her.
"Hmm?"
"Nagato doesn't have much time left. You know that, right?"
No response. Obito continued, "We've never hidden anything from you. You know what's happened. Akatsuki is important to Nagato—worth protecting with her life. And to them, she is already dead. Understand?"
"…Yes."
"This is her last wish. You know what to do?"
"…I know."
Her soft voice came from Karin. Obito sighed and gently patted her head. "Let's go."
"So this is the Three-Tails Jinchūriki?"
Nagato asked, disbelief in her voice. A fifteen-year-old girl, short, with long red hair, wearing a crimson yukata, armed at her waist. From her appearance and attire, one would hardly guess she wielded a sword, let alone was a Jinchūriki.
"Ah, the Three-Tails has no host. I found someone to temporarily fill the role," Obito said, pushing Karin forward.
"Meet Uzumaki Karin. A little brat I encountered years ago, with nowhere to go, no home."
Obito's enthusiasm puzzled Nagato. Her bright red hair marked her as a pure Uzumaki descendant—a necessity for a Jinchūriki at her age. But why was Obito so eager to push her into Akatsuki? Being homeless didn't make her eligible, even as an outsider.
"She's from the Grass Village. Her body is unusual. She's been with me, but we'll be busy. Staying here is safe for her," Obito explained.
Unusual body? Nagato raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"How unusual?"
"Others can bite her skin to heal and gain chakra. Her parents died this way in the Grass Village. She went to war young, survived when her teammates died, and was trafficked. I found her by chance. For now, let her stay here, okay?" Obito pleaded.
"Akatsuki isn't an orphanage. We don't take in freeloaders."
"I'm not a freeloader," Karin said, her voice clear, but her expression serious, lacking youthful brightness. Her difficult past explained the lack of joy, but it didn't justify outsider status.
"Akatsuki doesn't need a child. Obito, check on the Two-Tails. Once secured, bring it back for sealing."
One outsider was enough.
Before Obito could leave, Karin spoke up. "You got something wrong. I'm not a little kid."
The sound of her drawing a sword broke the room's silence. Her crimson eyes, firm and determined, radiated resolve.
Obito rubbed his forehead. "Hey, Karin… you chose the wrong opponent."
"Shut up. If you underestimate me because of my age or gender, I'll make you regret it—even if you're Pain."
Interesting—a child challenging him.
Nagato observed as the girl swung her weapon, mist rising in a water-style jutsu.
"Alright," Nagato said, a hint of pity in her voice.
"Hit me once, and I'll admit you're not a little kid."
"Perfect," Karin replied.
"Follow me."
Obito muttered, "…seriously? Boss, she really is a little brat~"
The fight moved from indoors to the rooftop.
Nagato didn't attack, only observed. Karin's water-style ninjutsu was impressive, not mere show. Her sword movements were precise and smooth, augmented by water chakra, dealing significant damage. Her stamina was good for a girl, sustaining attacks without panting.
Suddenly
Obito shouted, surprised, as the technique fired—but Karin's chakra feet anchored her firmly to the rooftop.
Even when Nagato increased the gravitational pull, Karin's body initially resisted. Just as Nagato nearly grabbed her neck, yellowish chakra chains shot out from Karin's back, striking Nagato.
Interesting.
The chains rebounded from Nagato's Almighty Push, sending Karin flying.
She knew she couldn't defeat him, but at this point, fighting with her life at stake was all that mattered. She sent out chakra chains again, this time striking a pillar to propel herself forward, then charged at Nagato. Three water constructs emerged, surrounding him.
Karin's right hand wielded her sword, left hand forming seals.
"Water Style: Water Moon Flower Mirror."
The three waves collided midair, forming a spectacular water blossom. As it bloomed, it scattered into countless water arrows raining down on Nagato.
Nagato raised her head, observing the arrows. The last time she'd seen this technique had been years ago—vivid, almost painterly. Years later, witnessing it again… things have changed.
Click.
Nagato caught Karin herself hidden among the water arrows. Her weapon remained intact, and the A-rank ninjutsu caused no harm.
"Excellent strike. Next time, bloom more flowers," Nagato said gently. She glanced at Obito. "What is that technique you taught her?"
Obito scratched his head, smiling foolishly. "I thought it'd be a waste to let it go. Karin has talent in water-style ninjutsu."
"Is that so…" Nagato sighed. "Then, from today, you're an Akatsuki outsider, Uzumaki Karin."
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
If you're enjoying the journey so far and want to read ahead, you can check out 50+ advance chapters on Patreon: Patreon.com/Crimson_Lore
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
Add to Library!