Nagato's reason for refusing to bring Karin along was simple. The power of the Otsutsuki clan was overwhelming—far beyond what they could safely handle. They themselves were barely able to ensure their own survival. If Karin's abilities were discovered, if she were taken… the consequences would be unimaginable. And it wasn't some distant possibility either. If the Otsutsuki truly wanted to take her, it would be effortless—even right under their watchful eyes.
So when Karin asked to join them, Nagato rejected her immediately.
But Karin had backbone.
She pointed her sword straight at Nagato and declared,
"I won't accept that. Fight me if you dare!"
Watching from the sidelines, Zaraki Kita rubbed her forehead helplessly. Karin was getting fiercer by the day. But Nagato didn't even bother responding to the provocation—it was beneath him.
Today was the day of departure.
Nagato, Konan, and Zaraki Kita stood ready atop the rooftop. Obito, unusually, wasn't late. Kakashi was there to see him off, along with Shigure, one of Konan's subordinates. Orochimaru and Suigetsu had also come all the way from the base.
There were still thirty minutes before departure.
For an entire week, Karin had kept silent about whether she would go or not. The truth was, she was afraid—afraid that even the slightest hint of her intention would be crushed immediately by Kita, Konan, or Nagato himself.
And yet, even after all that…
She was still refused.
Obito burst into laughter, sitting at the edge of the rooftop, legs swinging as he mocked,
"Kid, with how weak you are, what are you coming with us for? To get in the way?"
Truth be told, Karin wasn't weak at all. While she might not match elite jonin like Kakashi, she could definitely hold her own against someone like Shigure. But she hated being called weak.
Her blade flashed—water chakra surging along its edge as she slashed forward.
WHOOSH!
The strike passed right through Obito harmlessly.
"Karin! Just how do you want to die? I'll gladly grant it!" she snapped, her tone sharp and violent.
Obito had grown far stronger, especially after awakening his Sharingan. Just the night before, in a last-minute effort, he had even unlocked Susanoo.
But while her strike missed Obito—
It didn't miss everyone else.
A scream tore through the air.
"DAMN IT!!! Karin, what the hell are you doing?!"
Hidan appeared on the rooftop, clothes shredded, a deep gash across his torso. Truly, walking peacefully and getting hit by a blade from the sky.
Obito laughed even louder. Even Nagato showed a faint smile.
Karin, however, radiated dark fury. Though she felt a hint of guilt toward Hidan, she didn't forget her main point.
"I'm part of the organization too! Why can't I go?! I'm not a kid anymore!!!"
I'm not a kid…
The words were filled with frustration, defiance, and a desperate need to prove herself.
Nagato felt a headache coming on.
There is some selfishness in this decision…
Karin was the only member of his clan he had left—aside from his mother. Naruto didn't count; he didn't even have the signature red hair. As the leader, it wasn't unreasonable for Nagato to give her special protection.
But more than that—he was afraid.
Afraid she would be taken right before his eyes.
And if that happened… it would be unbearable.
"What would you even go for? To die? If that's what you want, I can grant it right now."
Kakuzu's deep voice rumbled as he stepped forward beside Hidan. His tone was as casual as ever—like they were heading out for leisure, not possibly… to their deaths.
"Kakuzu!" Karin protested. "I won't die! My abilities will definitely help you! Please, Pain! Kita, I'm begging you!"
When determination failed, she resorted to pleading.
Orochimaru chuckled softly from the side. He had watched Karin grow up. If not for Kita's protection, she would've long since become one of his finest experimental subjects. Still, watching her grow from a weak little thing into… a slightly less weak one, was amusing in its own way.
Kita received Karin's plea.
And ignored it.
This time, she stood firmly with Nagato.
Karin was her student. She had watched her grow. No matter what Karin said or did—she would not be allowed to go.
Nearby, Suigetsu quietly sighed in relief.
Karin going meant walking into death. He couldn't stop her—but these people could.
And he definitely wasn't stupid enough to speak up. If Karin didn't get her way and found out he interfered… he'd be the one suffering later.
Still unwilling to give up, Karin turned to Konan.
Konan only smiled silently.
Then—
Hidan, in a rare display of terrible timing, opened his mouth to mock her again.
Chaos erupted.
Fifteen minutes before departure, Itachi, Kisame, and Sakura arrived.
"Ah, Kakashi-sensei, are you going too?" Sakura asked in surprise.
Kakashi waved his hands. "No, no, I'm just seeing Obito off."
Sakura looked momentarily stunned—then like she had just been force-fed romance.
Soon after, she greeted Orochimaru.
"Long time no see, Orochimaru-sama. How's your research going?"
"Quite well," he replied, handing her a small unknown package. "Take this. It might be useful."
Sakura's face lit up.
Meanwhile—
Karin was still fighting.
"WHY?! Sakura gets to go, but I don't?!"
She pointed her blade at Nagato again.
"You're biased, Pain!"
Yes. I am.
Nagato didn't deny it—he just stayed silent.
Sakura awkwardly waved. "Uh… good morning, Leader…"
Nagato's headache worsened.
Kisame finally spoke up.
"Maybe the difference is that you're only an unofficial member."
That logic didn't hold—Kita was unofficial too.
Nagato said nothing.
At last, Konan stepped in.
She beckoned Karin over.
Hope flickered.
Karin ran to her.
Then—
TAP.
Konan gently poked her forehead with two fingers.
Karin froze, stunned.
"Karin… this mission is extremely dangerous. We may not return unharmed. If we don't come back… the village will be yours."
Karin's breath caught.
"You're talented. Strong. Smart. Learn from Shigure and Kakashi. Protect this place—for me, and for Kita. Can you do that?"
Recognition.
Trust.
Responsibility.
Karin's vision blurred.
This was not her homeland—her true home, Uzushiogakure, was long gone. And yet now… someone was entrusting her with a village.
Her eyes burned.
Kita smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Be good. Wait for us."
Karin said nothing more.
Five minutes before departure, Deidara arrived atop his clay bird.
"Hmm? Why is everyone here so early? We're not late, right?"
"IDIOT! You're late!" Hidan roared.
At last—
All members were present.
Nagato stepped forward.
"Orochimaru, I leave Toneri to you."
"I understand."
"Shigure, Kakashi—the village is in your hands."
"Yes, Pain-sama."
Finally, he turned to Karin.
"Karin… you are my last remaining clansman. No matter what, I won't let you risk your life. You'll have your chance in the future—but not this time. Listen to Konan. Take care of the village… and yourself."
Tears welled up.
Karin nodded hard.
Nagato turned.
No speech. No rallying cry.
Just silence.
Then—
He pressed his palms together.
BOOM.
Space itself tore open behind them—a dark fracture in reality.
"The Otsutsuki must be destroyed. We do not return otherwise. Move out."
He stepped in first.
Konan followed.
Kita followed.
Then everyone else—without hesitation.
No one asked what lay beyond.
No one hesitated.
Not Kakuzu.
Not Sakura.
Not even for a second.
Soon—
The rooftop was empty.
The black cloaks were gone.
Karin could no longer hold back.
She screamed toward the closing rift,
"You have to come back! I'll be waiting right here! All of you—come back alive!!! That's a promise!!!"
The closed.
Everything returned to normal.
As if nothing had ever happened.