# Chapter 37: Taking in Karin
The smell of gunpowder and blood from the Forest of Death still seemed to linger in the air. Rubik had already brought the still-shaken Karin back to the relatively safe core area of Konoha.
Without delay, he went directly to find the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was discussing countermeasures with Jiraiya in the Hokage's office.
The atmosphere inside the office was heavy. When they saw Rubik enter with an unfamiliar red-haired girl wearing glasses, both the Third Hokage and Jiraiya paused their conversation, their gazes falling on Karin.
The girl still bore the disheveled marks of battle, her eyes timid as she followed closely behind Rubik, her fingers unconsciously clutching at the corner of his clothes.
"Rubik, who is this?"
The Third Hokage set down his pipe, looking at Karin with gentle eyes before asking with some speculation as he noticed her red hair.
Rubik got straight to the point: "Uzumaki Karin, a surviving examinee from the Forest of Death. She's from the Hidden Grass Village, and Orochimaru has set his sights on her."
The Third Hokage immediately understood the severity of the situation. He looked at Karin, his voice steady yet comforting:
"Uzumaki Karin, is it? I am the Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Welcome to Konoha. You are safe here."
He paused before continuing:
"Regarding your status as a ninja from the Hidden Grass Village, and the matter of you staying in Konoha, I will personally negotiate with the Hidden Grass Village. You don't need to worry—just settle down here peacefully."
The Third Hokage's words were gentle yet weighty, carrying a kind of magical power that made people instinctively trust him.
Karin kept her head lowered, her body trembling slightly, not immediately responding. She quietly lifted her eyelids and quickly glanced at Rubik beside her, her eyes full of dependence and unease.
She didn't know whether this powerful savior would continue to protect her, nor whether this strange village was truly safe.
Jiraiya, seasoned and perceptive, saw through the girl's concerns at a glance. Stroking his chin, he chuckled, breaking the silence:
"Old man, look how scared you've made this little girl. Right now, the person she trusts most is probably Rubik, who saved her from Orochimaru's clutches."
He turned toward Rubik with a mischievous wink:
"I think, why not let Karin stay with Rubik for a while? With him around, the girl will feel more at ease, right?"
The Third Hokage stroked his beard thoughtfully, considering the feasibility of this proposal. He looked at Rubik:
"Rubik-kun, I recall you're currently staying at Naruto's place? That boy already... Adding another person, wouldn't that be inconvenient? If needed, the village can arrange new accommodations for you and Karin."
Rubik's expression remained calm, as if stating the most ordinary matter:
"No need to trouble yourself, Hokage-sama. I now have another residence."
He paused before adding:
"At Mononoki's place."
"Oh?"
Both the Third Hokage and Jiraiya froze simultaneously.
The next second, both old foxes instantly understood!
"Pfft—cough cough!" The tea Jiraiya had just sipped sprayed out directly, choking him until his face turned completely red. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Rubik, his voice rising in excitement and even cracking slightly:
"Wha... what?! Another residence?! At that Momoki girl's house?! You sly dog!!"
His expression was incredibly complex, mixing delight with envy and jealousy, his entire face visibly flushing and heating up, almost ready to emit steam.
"Truly worthy of being my student, Jiraiya! This speed! This efficiency! You've completely surpassed your master! Hahaha!"
He tried to mask his envious feelings with exaggerated laughter, but his flushed face and twitching eye muscles completely betrayed him.
Rubik merely glanced at him coolly.
"Old perv, you still need more practice!"
A flash of surprise crossed the Third Hokage's face, followed by his wrinkled face blooming like a chrysanthemum, revealing an extremely gratified and delighted smile. He nearly dropped his pipe.
He looked at Rubik with eyes full of an elder's affection and approval:
"Good... excellent! Rubik-kun! This is truly... wonderful!"
He paused, his tone becoming solemn and full of gratitude:
"That Momoki child... thank you for taking care of her. As her elder, I sincerely thank you!"
Rubik calmly accepted this gratitude and even made a small joke:
"You're too kind. Speaking of which, I should 'thank' Orochimaru for his 'assist.'"
He meaningfully mentioned Orochimaru's attack.
Hearing this, the Third Hokage's smile faded somewhat, his eyes becoming sharp. He then spoke seriously:
"Rubik, rest assured. I will personally take responsibility for Momoki and Karin's safety. I will dispatch the most elite ANBU squads to protect them both around the clock in secret. I absolutely won't let Orochimaru or anyone else have any opportunity!"
Rubik nodded. With the protection of the Hokage's direct ANBU, he could indeed feel more at ease.
"Then, I'll first take Karin to Momoki's place to settle her in."
He glanced at the still somewhat cowering Karin.
"Afterward, I'll assist Jiraiya-sensei in tracking down Orochimaru's whereabouts and objectives in the village."
"Mm, thank you both for your hard work."
The Third Hokage nodded solemnly. As if remembering something, he walked behind his desk, opened a sealed scroll, and retrieved another scroll from it. On the scroll's cover, complex runes representing the character for "forbidden" were branded.
"This is what I promised you before."
The Third Hokage handed the scroll to Rubik.
Rubik looked at the scroll, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he reached out and took it.
"Thanks, gramps."
Rubik weighed the scroll, a confident arc forming at the corner of his mouth.
He put away the forbidden jutsu scroll, then said to Karin behind him:
"Let's go. I'll take you to a safe place."
Karin looked at Rubik, the fear in her heart calming slightly. She gathered her courage and gently nodded.
Rubik took Karin's hand, ignoring Jiraiya beside them who was still muttering things like "Damn it... why haven't I after all these years..." and "Good student, you should teach your master...", gave the Third Hokage a slight nod of acknowledgment, then turned and left the Hokage's office.
Watching Rubik leave with Karin, and the scroll in his hand, the Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
---
**Momoki's Home**
Momoki was sitting at a small table by the window reading a book, the morning sunlight streaming through the lattice window and falling on her, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene.
Hearing the door open, Momoki looked up. Those clear, large eyes first settled on Rubik, then curiously turned toward the unfamiliar red-haired girl with glasses behind him.
When she saw Karin tightly gripping the corner of Rubik's clothes, her body still trembling slightly, looking terrified and pitiable, Momoki's eyes instantly filled with great confusion.
She put down her book, stood up, crossed her arms, and let her gaze bounce back and forth between Rubik and Karin several times. Then her pink lips parted slightly as she spoke in a tone carrying subtle teasing yet also some disbelief:
"Although I don't mind you finding another one outside... isn't this speed a bit too fast? Just last night... and you're already bringing a new person home this morning?"
Rubik: "..."
"Bonk!"
Rubik unceremoniously extended his finger and flicked Momoki's smooth forehead, neither too lightly nor too heavily.
"What are you thinking?!"
Momoki covered her flicked forehead and pouted, though she wasn't actually angry. Those beautiful eyes still looked at Karin with curiosity.
Rubik sighed, pulled Karin to sit down in the living room, and concisely explained what happened in the Forest of Death—encountering Orochimaru, saving Karin, her identity as an Uzumaki clan member, and being targeted by Orochimaru.
"...So, she has nowhere to go now and is in danger. The Third Hokage has agreed to let her stay in Konoha, but she temporarily needs a safe place to settle. During this time, she'll probably need to stay here. I wanted to ask your opinion."
Rubik looked at Momoki.
Momoki listened quietly, the teasing expression gradually fading from her face, replaced by seriousness and understanding. When she heard about Orochimaru's attack and Karin's predicament, her brow furrowed slightly, a flash of sympathetic concern crossing her eyes.
"I see..."
Momoki nodded, indicating complete understanding. She stood up and walked over to Karin, who still had her head lowered, her body slightly tense.
A warm and genuine smile bloomed on her face, her voice gentle yet clear as she introduced herself:
"Hello, Karin. My name is Momoki. Welcome to our home. You can stay here during this time—don't be afraid."
Karin hesitated for a moment, then finally placed her hand in Momoki's cool palm.
However, what Karin didn't expect was that Momoki didn't simply shake hands.
Momoki gently embraced Karin's somewhat thin body, one hand soothingly patting her back, her voice as tender as a spring breeze brushing across water:
"It's okay now... Karin. It's safe here, truly."
She glanced up at Rubik beside her, her eyes carrying a barely perceptible tenderness and sense of security.
"With this reliable guy around, no one can hurt you. So, you don't need to be afraid anymore, okay?"
Karin was startled by this sudden gesture. Then she sensed Momoki's chakra—that familiar feeling of kinship.
This girl had similar experiences to her own?!!
She seemed to remember her deceased mother, and her eyes couldn't help but redden. Finally, she began to cry.
Her sobs were heart-wrenching, filled with long-suppressed fear, pain, and sorrow. Tears fell like broken beads, instantly soaking the fabric on Momoki's shoulder.
"Mother!... Mother..."
Rubik stood to the side, silently watching these two kindred spirits without saying a word.