Chapter 132: The Trojan Horse Strategy
Haruko's gaze swept across the floors, finally locking onto a room on the third floor.
"Found it."
There, a slightly small figure was curled up, possessing a massive amount of Chakra within that tiny body.
"It must be Karin. That location is... the dormitory?"
There were two slightly larger figures near her, presumably the two Hidden Grass Village Genin.
Judging by the steady flow of Chakra, they should be in a state of sleep.
Haruko deactivated his Byakugan, his pupils returning to a light grey color.
He did not go through the tower, but instead avoided surveillance, slipping out of the corridor window like a wisp of smoke and moving along the shadows of the outer wall.
Hidden Grass Village resting room.
The two Hidden Grass Village Ninjas, who had just been beaten black and blue in the preliminaries, were snoring like thunder. Karin was curled up in the corner, stroking fresh bite marks, tears glistening in her eyes.
To them, Karin was not a companion, but merely a "strategic resource" that required no maintenance, a "blood bag" that could restore health with a single bite.
The window was silently pushed open a crack, and Haruko slid in.
Perhaps due to the sensing ability brought by the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Karin suddenly looked up, and her eyes met Haruko's.
She wanted to scream, but Haruko clamped his hand over her mouth just as she opened it.
"Shh—I don't intend to hurt you, but this requires your cooperation."
With fear in her eyes, Karin still nodded slightly.
She did not struggle, allowing Haruko to carry her out of the room through the window.
...
"Does it hurt?"
Outside, after setting Karin down, Haruko brushed over the bite marks on her body, his hands glowing with green light.
The fresh bite marks gradually faded and disappeared, and her skin returned to being smooth.
Unfortunately, it had little effect on the old scars.
Even so, it caused Karin's tears to break the dam.
Haruko pretended not to see, continuing to infuse some Natural Energy into her body to replenish the physical deficit caused by having her blood drained.
Karin could feel that sensation—like something warm was repairing her body, not just the wounds on her skin, but even the deep-seated exhaustion from long-term abuse was dissipating.
Karin's complexion visibly became rosy.
"Who are you? Why are you helping me?"
"My name is Haruko, and I'm here to take you away from Hidden Grass Village."
Haruko pointed inside the window, "Come with me, or continue staying in Hidden Grass Village as a blood bag; the choice is yours."
"I..."
Seeing Karin hesitate, Haruko explained further:
"I know what you're worried about. I know about your ability, but as you can see..."
Haruko's hands glowed with green light again, "I don't really need it. This is called the Mystical Palm Technique; its healing effect is no worse than your constitution, and it's even much more efficient in terms of Chakra utilization."
"Then why..."
"Because I don't like Hidden Grass Village; we have a grudge."
Haruko's answer was straightforward, "Saving you is just a side task."
Karin's body trembled; she understood the subtext of Haruko's words—"Hidden Grass Village considers you very important."
"I, I will go with you."
"Smart girl. But before that..."
Haruko casually performed hand seals, and a Shadow Clone appeared quietly, transforming into Karin's appearance amidst a puff of white smoke.
"You have to tell me the basic information about those Hidden Grass Village Ninjas first, at least enough to get through today."
The transformed Shadow Clone said in Karin's voice.
...
Watching "Karin" return to her original position through the window, as if she had never left, Haruko performed hand seals again.
"Summoning Technique."
The white smoke dissipated, and a giant Slug appeared before the two.
"Lord Haruko, do you have any business with me?"
The Slug's voice remained gentle and healing.
"Slug, could you please take this child to Shikkotsu Forest for the time being? I'll find a safe place to let her out in a few hours."
The Slug leaned in to "look at" Karin and shook its tentacles with some difficulty: "I'm afraid that won't do. The environment of Shikkotsu Forest is not suitable for human survival; with this child's physical condition, it would be life-threatening."
"Uh..." The unexpected obstacle made Haruko scratch his head, "Then how about this, you wrap her up first, and I'll think of something else."
...
In the infirmary, Mino Ichi lay on the bed, his face pale, but his eyes were still bright.
Bang!
"Ichi! You idiot, you're not dead yet, are you?"
Haruko pushed the door open and swaggered in.
Ichi, lying on the hospital bed, rolled his eyes: "Thanks to you, I'm still kicking. But you, why did you come here?"
"Could it be that the match is over? Coming to the infirmary... could it be that you lost? Was it because you used too much Chakra to treat me..."
He struggled to sit up, but was pressed back down by Haruko.
"Just lie down. Lost? Don't look at who I am? I'm not bragging, even if the other 17 people besides me attacked together, I could still win."
"Ah, yes, yes, yes, you're amazing, you're the best."
Although Ichi thought Haruko was bragging, he was relieved to hear that Haruko had won, "So what are you here for?"
"I got a little injured."
Haruko showed the hole in his clothes, "And to see you while I'm at it."
Lowering his head to check Ichi's condition, Haruko turned to look at the medical team Ninja: "Shouldn't Ichi's injuries be sent back to Konoha for professional treatment immediately?"
"We don't have enough manpower, and the risk of sending just one or two people to escort a wounded patient through the Forest of Death is too high."
"Hmm... in that case, I have a proposal."
Haruko nodded and shouted outside, "Come in!"
"Um... the door is a bit small..."
As a giant Slug head appeared at the door, the medical Ninja's jaw almost hit the floor.
"Hey... that, isn't that Lady Tsunade's summoning creature? Why is it here?"
"Ahem. Let me introduce myself; actually, I am Lady Tsunade's disciple."
"Eh?!"
Not only the medical Ninja, but even Ichi exclaimed in shock.
Ignoring their reactions, Haruko pointed at the Slug.
"My suggestion is to have the Slug transport him to the hospital, and have Anko-sensei escort him."
The medical Ninja looked at the Slug, then at Haruko, and nodded: "I will go and ask for instructions from the Third Hokage."
After the medical Ninja left, Ichi tried to sit up again—
"Haruko! When did you..."
And was pressed back down by Haruko again.
"Just this year, after the Uchiha incident. Also, this matter hasn't been made public yet, so remember to keep it a secret."
"Oh, oh..."
...
The Third Hokage agreed to this plan.
Watching the Slug carry Ichi away, escorted by Anko, Haruko turned and returned to the arena.
Everything was going according to plan.
No one noticed that there was another person hidden inside the Slug.
The real Karin would safely arrive in the Konoha urban area and then hide.
And that "Karin"—
"I hope he likes this surprise."
Would follow the Hidden Grass Village Ninjas back to the inn where they were staying after the preliminaries ended.
"If you dare to cause trouble at the Ramen Shop, then stay in Konoha's soil forever as fertilizer."
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