Though Karin hadn't directly intervened in Yakushi Kabuto and his group's mission to rescue Orochimaru, she had monitored them closely from the shadows, observing their every move.
Frankly, their performance far exceeded her expectations.
Guren, Jugo, Kidomaru, and Tayuya—despite being just a handful of shinobi—had split up to break through, tying down a significant number of Hidden Leaf's forces, leaving insufficient manpower to pursue Orochimaru immediately.
Kabuto's display was particularly astonishing. He not only effortlessly dispatched a large number of pursuers but also defeated Sasuke, a Mangekyo Sharingan user, in an instant, leaving Karin secretly stunned.
Because of this, Karin, who had been prepared to step in, ended up merely observing from the shadows, completing the task assigned by the Leader.
Thus, she couldn't help but steal a few extra glances at Kabuto, even though he had already exited Sage Mode.
While Karin studied Kabuto, Orochimaru was also observing her.
"The Akatsuki sent only her?"
Seeing just Karin, Orochimaru's mind began to race, though he knew now wasn't the time to turn on her.
After a brief exchange, the three sped off toward the east.
To break the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, they needed to head to the Land of Whirlpools, near the sea in the east of the Land of Fire, to find the ruins of Hidden Whirlpool Village.
After all, the Dead Demon Consuming Seal was a forbidden technique developed by the Uzumaki clan, so the key to unraveling it lay with them.
…
Hidden Leaf Village.
Though it was late at night, the Hokage Building remained brightly lit.
In the Hokage's Office, besides Tsunade, the three advisor elders—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—were gathered.
"Lady Hokage, the prison riot has been largely subdued, and most of the escaped prisoners are under control!"
"Lady Hokage, Haku from the Police Force captured one of the attackers, who has been taken to the prison."
"Lady Hokage, Uchiha Shinji successfully apprehended the attacker Guren near the outer wall!"
"Lady Hokage, Kidomaru and Tayuya, who fled with Orochimaru, have also been captured by the Police Force!"
Reports flooded into the Hokage's Office.
Though the news was positive, the Hidden Leaf leadership remained grim-faced.
Tsunade, visibly irritated, asked an Intelligence Division shinobi, "Why haven't we heard anything about Orochimaru?"
The shinobi quickly replied, "It's confirmed that Orochimaru escaped the village during the prison riot. However, Jonin Asuma, Jonin Kurenai, and Uchiha Sasuke from the Police Force are pursuing him. We should have news soon!"
Tsunade pressed, "Has Orochimaru's current condition been assessed?"
The shinobi answered, "We've evaluated it. The seals binding his body have likely been undone, but some internal seals placed by the Sealing Corps cannot be removed quickly. These will hinder his chakra refinement and ninjutsu usage. Our assessment is that he currently poses a threat equivalent to an ordinary Jonin!"
Tsunade exhaled slightly.
If that was the case, Asuma, Kurenai, Sasuke, and the support of several Chunin and Genin should be enough to recapture Orochimaru.
Koharu Utatane spoke up. "Who were the attackers? How did they incite the prison riot?"
The shinobi saluted her before responding, "The mastermind has been identified as Yakushi Kabuto, Orochimaru's subordinate. They attacked and impersonated the interrogation team sent to question Orochimaru, infiltrated the prison, and sparked the riot from within!"
Homura Mitokado questioned, "How is that possible? Even the interrogation team needs a pass and code to enter the prison!"
The shinobi replied, "We confirmed with the prison guards—they presented both the pass and the correct code."
"A traitor!"
Instantly, the room's leaders realized the implication.
Without a traitor's assistance, Kabuto's group couldn't have precisely ambushed the interrogation team. The timing was too perfect. Regardless of how Kabuto obtained the pass and code, it pointed to a mole aiding them within the village.
Hiruzen suddenly asked, "Danzo never left his cell?"
"Yes!" The shinobi saluted before continuing, "Though Danzo's cell door was opened, he did not participate in the riot."
Swish. At that moment, an Anbu hurried into the office, glancing cautiously at Hiruzen before reporting to Tsunade. "Lady Hokage, we just received word: the team pursuing Orochimaru was routed in a forest several kilometers from the village. Heavy casualties. Jonin Asuma and Jonin Kurenai are critically injured, and Uchiha Sasuke is missing!"
"What!?"
Tsunade shot up from her seat.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Who did it?"
The Anbu replied, "According to reports from the front, it was Orochimaru's subordinate, Yakushi Kabuto!"
Hiruzen's eyes tightened. "Just him?"
Facing Hiruzen's intensity, the Anbu steeled himself. "Yes. Before passing out, Jonin Asuma said our intel was wrong—Kabuto is very strong!"
Tsunade, without hesitation, ordered, "Send more forces to support Kakashi. We must bring Orochimaru back!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The Anbu departed.
As the Anbu left, the three advisor elders' expressions darkened.
Letting Orochimaru escape the village was already a grave mistake. Now, with the first pursuit team—most likely to recapture him—defeated, catching the fugitive Orochimaru had become exponentially harder!
Koharu Utatane said, "Tsunade, the priority now is to root out the traitor hiding in the village! Interrogate the captured subordinates of Orochimaru immediately!"
"I know."
Tsunade nodded slightly.
…
Several Days Later.
After a long journey, Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Karin arrived at the ruins of Hidden Whirlpool Village.
Orochimaru sighed. "This is the site of Hidden Whirlpool Village. During the Warring States period, the Uzumaki clan, equal to the Senju and Uchiha, built their village here!"
Though Karin was born in Hidden Grass Village and hadn't witnessed the destruction of Hidden Whirlpool Village or the scattering of the Uzumaki clan, as an Uzumaki descendant, seeing the ruins stirred complex emotions, leaving her feeling somber.