Chapter 171: Team 3

The Dragon Vein was located in a long-extinct country called "Rōran," now part of the Land of Wind's territory.

Karin wasn't particularly fond of the Land of Wind. The barren landscape, harsh winds, and relentless sandstorms were terrible for her skin. But this time, she was actually excited to be here.

Although she wasn't entirely sure how much the "Zanpakutō" would boost her strength, she knew that Sasuke's sword hadn't even been "released" yet. Nine-Tails was already powerful on its own, making it hard to gauge the potential. But anything that both Naruto and Nine-Tails valued had to be truly significant. Plus, having more in common with Naruto filled Karin with a small sense of happiness.

"It's really in ruins now," the red-haired girl said, standing on tiptoe as she walked through the "Ancient Kingdom of Rōran," looking around. "Orochimaru mentioned that over twenty years ago, this place was still a prosperous country."

"Greed always finds a way," Naruto responded calmly.

This land bordered four countries. Being weak and without a ninja village, it had become a bustling marketplace, as trade here wasn't subjected to the heavy taxes imposed elsewhere. However, its prosperity was tied to its independence from any single nation. Once it became part of a country, it lost its value.

Karin kicked at the fine sand, thinking of the "Land of Whirlpools."

"There's something interesting up ahead," Naruto said after scanning the area with his senses, smiling slightly. "Want to check it out?"

"Enemies?" Karin tilted her head.

Naruto shook his head. "They're not after us. We just happened to cross their path, and now they've chosen us as their target."

Karin looked ahead and formed a hand sign on her chest.

"Mind's Eye of the Kagura."

Her sensory ability swept forward, probing the area. She detected something buried in the sand along the path they were taking.

She quickly moved ahead. Sand waves surged, and several ancient humanoid puppets leaped out. Hand blades, kunai, and spears with sharp, cold, and poison-coated tips surrounded her from all directions.

Karin's expression remained calm. She formed another hand sign.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough."

The jutsu was unleashed, and with the help of the already fierce winds in the desert, its power was amplified, becoming a sharp, invisible blade. The puppet master hiding in the shadows sensed her intent. Two puppets charged at her, but the Wind Release severed the nearly invisible chakra strings, causing the puppets to collapse.

The remaining two puppets, sheltered by the fallen ones, were still under the puppet master's control. But instead of lingering to fight, they began to retreat.

Karin was about to give chase when she heard a noise and instantly moved back. A hissing sound came from the two puppets. Inside their bodies, explosive tags were attached and triggered. Just as Karin retreated, a thunderous explosion erupted, sending thick smoke billowing out.

Explosive tags... In battles among top-tier ninjas, they were almost useless, taking too long to activate and lacking power. But in a fight at the level of an average jōnin, if used correctly, they could be incredibly effective.

Karin was momentarily held back by the explosion. When the smoke cleared, the puppets were gone. She formed another hand sign and activated "Mind's Eye of the Kagura" again to track down the puppet master.

Unexpected chakra entered her sensory range. Karin tilted her head. At that moment, several figures used the Body Flicker Technique to land on the high walls of a nearby ruin. Two pairs of Byakugan, a green jumpsuit, and a girl with twin buns.

"That's the Uzumaki girl who's always with Naruto," said one of the girls with long hair.

"Konoha ninjas," Karin noted, observing their forehead protectors. "What are you doing here?"

"We're on a mission, of course," replied the man with long hair and the Byakugan, his tone calm. "Are you alone? Where's Naruto—"

Karin's expression turned odd.

A gentle voice interrupted him: "I'm right here. Can't you see me?"

Neji Hyuga immediately turned his head toward the voice. The blonde figure in a white haori stood conspicuously among the windblown ruins. Neji gritted his teeth, chakra surging, veins bulging around his temples. Byakugan activated. But... he saw nothing. No chakra? No tenketsu? No physical body? In his eyes, it was all a blur.

Hinata Hyuga's face also changed. She felt the same way as Neji. One of the three great dōjutsu, renowned for its "insight," the Byakugan was completely ineffective against Naruto.

"Naruto," Neji took a deep breath, calming himself. "It's been a long time. Do you still remember me?"

Naruto smiled: "Of course, Neji Hyuga, it's been a while."

"And me, Naruto!" Lee raised his hand enthusiastically. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Are you also after the Dragon Vein?" Naruto asked directly.

Neji was taken aback.

"Would a ninja of your caliber be interested in something like the 'Dragon Vein'?" asked the girl with the twin buns, narrowing her eyes seriously. She was Tenten, another member of Team 3, skilled in weapons.

Naruto nodded slightly: "It has some use for me."

"Our mission is to protect—" Tenten began, but Neji cut her off, his tone firm and decisive: "Tenten, our mission is to capture the rogue ninja from Sand Village, Mukade. The Dragon Vein... isn't our concern."

"But his target is the Dragon Vein," Tenten insisted.

Lee scratched his head, confused, glancing between Tenten and Neji. If his memory was correct, the mission was as Tenten had said—to capture Mukade and protect the Dragon Vein. But he also understood why Neji was saying this: to avoid conflict with Naruto Uzumaki. Even if they added Hinata Hyuga to their team, they still wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Karin tilted her head. Her sensory ability had already located the puppet master she had failed to catch earlier: "A rogue ninja from Sand Village? I've found him. About one kilometer underground in a tower at ten o'clock."

Hinata tilted her head, using her Byakugan to peer in that direction. At the location Karin mentioned, she could faintly see a trace of chakra. It was almost at the limit of her range.

"There is a ninja there, but it's too far for me to clearly identify his chakra," Hinata said softly, withdrawing her gaze and cautiously glancing at Karin.

"Mind's Eye of the Kagura from the Uzumaki clan?" Neji also looked at her, speaking softly.

Karin put her hands on her hips. This team was led by Neji Hyuga, but she only locked eyes with Hinata: "While Mind's Eye of the Kagura may not be as useful in battle as the Byakugan, in terms of sensory perception... the Byakugan falls short."

Hinata shrank back timidly, hiding behind Tenten.

"Naruto," Neji remained unbothered by her, his expression still calm, "After this mission, could I ask you to spare some time? There are things I'd like to consult you about."

Naruto looked at him. Mind's Eye of the Kagura could sense his emotions. At this moment, his heart was far from the calm demeanor he was displaying. It was tumultuous, like a raging storm.

"Sure," Naruto nodded.

Neji exhaled in relief and bowed. "Thank you very much."

Lee blinked his eyes. Hinata with Karin, Neji with Naruto—he glanced at Tenten, who was looking at Neji with concern.

Oh... So, I'm the odd one out?

"Let's catch Mukade first," Karin waved, exchanging a glance with Naruto before she smiled and vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Lee exclaimed, "That was fast!"

"She killed a team similar to ours during the Land of Lightning mission," Neji said as he followed after her. "A year has passed since then; she's only gotten stronger. After all, she's... by Naruto Uzumaki's side."

These words made Hinata's expression subtly change. Tenten noticed and sighed.

Inside a dilapidated, sunken tower, Karin landed. In the center of the tower was a floating platform. The relentless wind and sand outside seemed to have no effect here. The seals were still clear. At the center of the array, a slight mound rose, with a three-pronged kunai embedded in it.

A hunched, emaciated man stood before the mound, staring at Karin: "You don't seem to be a ninja from Sand Village or Konoha."

Karin nodded.

"Are you here for the Dragon Vein's power as well?" He raised his hand, his tone filled with temptation. "If you're not from one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, why don't we work together? The Dragon Vein's power is limitless..."

Karin clasped her hands together: "The word 'cooperation' refers to two people of equal status, rank, and strength working together. Didn't they teach you that in Sand Village? It's unreasonable to make such a request."

As she spoke, golden chains surged forth with a whoosh. There weren't many, only four, but they charged forward with fierce momentum.

"Adamantine Sealing Chains!" The man's strength was average, but he was knowledgeable enough to recognize the technique at a glance and gasped in shock, "You're from the Uzumaki clan!"

He hadn't made the connection when he saw her red hair. After all, in Sand Village, "red hair" wasn't an uncommon trait. But now... Uzumaki clan, a young girl. He couldn't help but think of one person.

"You're Karin Uzumaki!" His expression turned fearful, his body trembling involuntarily. Though the chains hadn't even hit him, his chakra was already in disarray. "What are you doing here? Is Naruto Uzumaki also here? Would a ninja like him covet the power of the Dragon Vein?"

That powerful ninja who had once altered the terrain in a single battle. His name had spread throughout the ninja world. Even just hearing his name, even before seeing the "blonde figure," just knowing he stood on the opposite side made the man tremble with fear.

"Someone like you doesn't require Naruto to step in," Karin said softly.

The chains surged forward even faster. The man's instincts as a ninja kicked in. He spread his hands, flinging out two scrolls from his sleeves. Driven by inertia, the scrolls unfurled. Two humanoid puppets landed on the ground amid a puff of white smoke.

~~~

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