Karai was introduced in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 1, during the "City at War" storyline. She came from Japan to New York to unify the warring factions of the Foot Clan that had risen following the death of Oroku Saki. Shredder's Elite Guard forces had been randomly attacking anybody seemingly without reason. Karai offers the Ninja Turtles a deal; if they assist in stopping the Elite, she will give them a peace treaty with the Foot.