Ryuran was on high alert.
In his mind, anyone capable of making Jonin like Masahiko and Yoshino willingly withdraw from the leadership race couldn't be ordinary. He even considered that the masked, black-robed figure before him might be an elder who had miraculously escaped death.
At that moment, the black-robed figure removed their mask, revealing a youthful face.
"It's you!?"
Ryuran was stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He never could have imagined that the black-robed figure was the remnant of the Uzumaki clan he had once helped in the village.
Undoubtedly.
The masked, black-robed figure in the cave was none other than Karin, who, under Shinji's orders, had rushed from the Hidden Leaf Village to the Land of Grass.
"Big Brother Ryuran, it's been a while!"
Karin smiled.
Due to her status as an Uzumaki remnant, she and her mother held an extremely low position in Grass Shinobi Village, treated as mere tools. Few in the village saw them as equals.
Ryuran and his sister Ryuzetsu were among the rare Grass shinobi who didn't discriminate against her, so she held a favorable impression of them.
Ryuran was puzzled: "Didn't you defect from the village and get taken in by the Hidden Leaf?"
At that moment, Mitsuzawa, the ramen shop owner's superior, entered the cave and explained: "Karin didn't defect. She was sent by the elders on a secret mission to infiltrate the Hidden Leaf and steal their secret techniques. She's the unparalleled genius unanimously recognized by the elders and the hope for Grass Shinobi Village's revival!"
Ryuran's expression shifted: "You're still dreaming of reviving Grass Shinobi Village?!"
Jonin Masahiko stepped forward: "Shouldn't we?"
Jonin Yoshino chimed in: "Ryuran, don't forget that reviving Grass Shinobi Village is the duty of every Grass shinobi!"
Ryuran's face twisted with bitterness: "Haven't we paid enough for that dream? The village is already in ruins. Are you still going to chase this madness? Do you want to destroy the village completely before you're satisfied?"
Mitsuzawa shook his head: "Ryuran, you misunderstand us! We're not trying to compete with the five great shinobi villages anymore. We just want to protect the Land of Grass and restore the village's dignity!"
Ryuran sneered, unconvinced by Mitsuzawa's words: "Just say it—what do you want by luring me here?"
Jonin Masahiko and Jonin Yoshino exchanged a glance before declaring in unison: "We nominate Karin as the next leader of Grass Shinobi Village!"
Ryuran was speechless: "Have you lost your minds? She's just a child!"
Karin spoke up: "Big Brother Ryuran, I'm the most suitable person to lead Grass Shinobi Village right now! Only I can restore the village's dignity!"
"Karin, do you even know what you're saying?!" After a pause, Ryuran continued: "Grass Shinobi Village is already teetering on the edge of a cliff. One wrong step, and it's doomed forever! How could I possibly entrust the village to a child like you?"
Mitsuzawa smiled: "Ryuran, what do you think our village's leader needs most right now?"
Ryuran replied: "Sincerity, of course! The actions of your 'Seed of Grass' faction are what led to the village's disaster! What the village needs now is unity—we can't afford another schism like before!"
"Mm." Mitsuzawa nodded, acknowledging Ryuran's response before continuing: "Sincerity can unite the villagers, but if the Akatsuki or 'Upper String' return, can sincerity stop them?"
"This…"
Ryuran was momentarily speechless.
The Grass Shinobi Village of the past couldn't withstand the subversion of 'Upper String,' and the current village stood even less of a chance. If the Akatsuki or 'Upper String' targeted them again, Grass Shinobi Village was as good as finished.
That was why the daimyo of the Land of Grass didn't even dare attend the village's leadership election.
Mitsuzawa smiled and said: "You're right—we 'Seed of Grass' made mistakes before. But we were right about one thing: without strength, everything is just empty talk! In my view, the village's new leader needs strength above all else—strength to protect the village from external threats!"
Ryuran seemed to realize something and looked at Karin: "Karin, you…"
Karin said: "Big Brother Ryuran, you know I'm from the Uzumaki clan, right? The elders sent me to the Hidden Leaf to steal the Uzumaki clan's secret techniques, and now I've mastered them!"
Mitsuzawa added: "Ryuran, let's hold the leadership election right here! You and Karin will face off one-on-one. If you win, we'll all nominate you as the next leader! But if Karin wins, she'll be the village's next leader!"
Ryuran looked at Masahiko and Yoshino.
Both Grass Shinobi Village Jonin nodded, endorsing Mitsuzawa's proposal.
Though it felt somewhat dishonorable to fight a child, for the village's future, Ryuran finally nodded: "Fine!"
Mitsuzawa, Masahiko, and Yoshino stepped aside, clearing space for Ryuran and Karin.
Ryuran said: "Karin, be careful!"
Karin didn't waste words, only nodding lightly.
Mitsuzawa announced from the sidelines: "The match begins!"
Ryuran raised both hands, beginning to form seals.
He and Ryuzetsu possessed a unique Bloodline Limit, giving them a natural advantage in taijutsu and ninjutsu.
His strength was among the top in today's Grass Shinobi Village, one of the reasons he was a strong contender for the next leader.
At that moment, Karin raised her hand.
She didn't form seals. With a gentle wave, a golden chain shimmering with a faint glow shot from her body, instantly binding Ryuran mid-seal.
"What!?"
Ryuran was dumbfounded.
The moment the golden chain wrapped around him, he lost control of his chakra. Though his seals weren't complete, he knew even if he finished them, he wouldn't be able to release any ninjutsu.
Karin said calmly: "You've lost!"
As a seasoned Jonin of Grass Shinobi Village, Ryuran wasn't about to admit defeat so easily. He abandoned his seals and struggled, trying to break free from the golden chain with sheer strength.
But no matter how he struggled, he couldn't escape. The chain only tightened, gradually rendering him immobile.
The watching Jonin Masahiko and Yoshino shook their heads, sighing.
They hadn't initially supported Karin either. As some of the few remaining Jonin in Grass Shinobi Village, both had wanted the leadership position.
But after sparring with Karin, they realized the vast gap in strength between them and her, leading them to wholeheartedly nominate her as the next leader.
Seeing Ryuran still struggling, Karin said: "Give up! This move is called 'Adamantine Sealing Chains,' developed by our Uzumaki clan to subdue tailed beasts. Once bound by these chains, even the Nine-Tails can't break free!"
Hearing that even a tailed beast couldn't escape, Ryuran stopped struggling: "I lost!"