“Have you confirmed everything?” The squad leader, the Jonin Aoki, swept his gaze over his subordinates.
“Yes.” One of the Chunin, Arashi, answered cautiously.
“We’ve already figured out the little girl’s usual route.” “We’ve also confirmed our escape route.” “Fū is still keeping an eye on her right now.
We don’t know where she’s heading.” As he spoke, confusion flashed across his face.
That route didn’t seem to lead back to her home.
So why was she going that way?
“Hmph.” Aoki’s expression remained cold.
“It doesn’t matter where she’s goes.” “What matters is that we’re taking her.” “Do you all remember what I told you before?” “We do!” “Good.” Aoki nodded in satisfaction.
“Move out!” Tonight…
They would either succeed or die trying.
The moment they stepped into the Land of Fire, they had already put their lives on the line.
They believed Lord Raikage would take good care of their families.
That alone made the risk worthwhile.
If they succeeded…
The Land of Lightning would gain a perfect Jinchūriki.
No…
Not only that.
If this little girl could bear children in the future…
The Land of Lightning would become unimaginably powerful.
At the thought, fanaticism filled Aoki’s eyes.
As long as the Land of Lightning could grow stronger…
He was willing to die.
“Move quickly.” “Konoha’s ANBU aren’t pushovers.” After taking one last glance outside, the group silently departed.
As for the Chunin assigned to watch them…
Unfortunately for him…
He had already been killed.
… “Hmph.” “That stupid Akira.” Kushina pouted as she walked down the road.
“He went off to spar with that pretty-boy instead of spending time with me.” “I want to see what you two are even doing.” You kissed me…
And then nothing happened afterward.
Don’t you know girls are shy?
You should’ve confessed to me, you big idiot!
“Hmph.” “Just you wait.” She puffed out her cheeks angrily.
“I’m definitely going to beat you up later.” “He won’t be waiting for you.” A cold voice suddenly whispered into Kushina’s ear.
“You’ll never see each other again.” Kushina’s pupils contracted.
When did someone get behind me?!
Instinctively, she opened her mouth to scream.
But her attacker had no intention of giving her the chance.
One hand clamped tightly over her mouth.
A wad of white cloth was shoved inside before she could make a sound.
Then she was hoisted onto his shoulder.
No matter how desperately she struggled, it was useless.
“We’re leaving.” Aoki’s voice was ice-cold.
“We don’t have much time.” “We have to get out of the Land of Fire before Konoha realizes what’s happened.” Otherwise…
Every one of them would die here.
Hanging over his shoulder, Kushina’s eyes widened.
These people aren’t from Konoha?
Are they enemy spies?
Using the moonlight, she caught sight of the symbol engraved on his forehead protector.
Hidden Cloud?!
Why are Hidden Cloud ninja inside Konoha?
Then she remembered.
Not long ago, several Hidden Cloud shinobi had entered the village as diplomatic envoys.
But…
Why were they targeting her?
“Don’t worry, little girl.” Aoki sneered.
“No one is coming to save you.” After all…
The guard assigned to watch them was already dead.
At the very least, no one would discover what had happened tonight.
As for tomorrow morning…
Heh.
Would it matter?
By then, they would have already returned to their village with her.
Nothing else mattered.
Despair slowly filled Kushina’s eyes.
She was still so young.
Was she really going to die here?
No…
She couldn’t die.
Things had only just begun to progress between her and Akira.
She couldn’t let it all end like this.
Forcing herself to stay calm, Kushina’s mind raced.
She couldn’t beat them.
The only thing she could do…
Was leave behind clues.
Making up her mind, she quietly tore strands of her long red hair free and let them fall onto the ground.
It was her only hope.
Akira…
Please find them.
The Hidden Cloud squad moved swiftly.
Using the darkness as cover, they slipped past Konoha’s defenses and successfully escaped.
“That was easy.” Fū glanced back at Konoha with disdain.
“We got out without any trouble.” He’d thought they’d have to fight their way through.
Instead…
That was it?
“Hmph.” Aoki sneered.
“Lord Raikage paid a high price for this opportunity.” “Konoha’s people are spineless.” “If this were the Land of Lightning…” “There would never be anyone willing to betray their own country.” “No amount of money could buy that.” Thinking of it, his contempt only deepened.
“Let’s pick up the pace.” The Chunin Raikō spoke with a grave expression.
“This is still Konoha’s territory.” “If we’re discovered…” “We’re all dead.” Everyone’s expression became serious.
Without another word, they accelerated.
“Raikō.” Aoki didn’t even turn around.
“Keep monitoring the surroundings.” “Yes!” Raikō was the only sensory-type ninja on their team.
For this operation, the Hidden Cloud had paid an enormous price just to secure his participation.
After all…
Sensory ninja were exceptionally rare in their village.
The group continued racing through the forest at incredible speed.
Judging by their pace, Aoki estimated they would reach the border by tomorrow morning.
Kushina clenched her teeth tightly, refusing to let herself cry.
At the same time, she secretly dropped strands of her hair one after another onto the ground.
Akira…
Please find me.
You’re my only hope.
… Meanwhile, Akira was walking through the village streets when he suddenly froze.
A strange unease gripped his heart.
It felt as though something incredibly important was slipping away from him.
Then…
His eyes fell upon several strands of bright red hair lying on the ground.
His expression instantly changed.
“So it’s today?!” He immediately pulled out the biological tracker.
Just as he feared…
The display showed that Uzumaki Kushina had already left Konoha’s borders.
Her signal was moving rapidly toward the border of the Land of Fire.
“Damn it…” Akira’s face darkened instantly.
“Just wait for me!” Without another second of hesitation, he burst out of the village at full speed.
“You dared lay a hand on my girl…” “Then you’d better be prepared to face the consequences.” Perfect timing.
He had been running a little short on System Points anyway.
He could use them to top up his balance.