Chapter 284: The Restless Spy! Kushina is Abducted! (Please give me a ticket! Please!)
Konoha.
After Kushina became the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, her place of residence was frequently changed.
Aside from the Konoha Higher-Ups, even the clan heads of the major Shinobi Clans found it difficult to uncover information regarding this matter.
"Tang Ya, are you sure the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki lives here?"
"Could this be bait deliberately thrown out by the Konoha Higher-Ups to lure spies from various Villages?"
On the outskirts of an inconspicuous courtyard in western Konoha.
As the wind whistled, several agile figures suddenly appeared. After concealing themselves in the shadows along the wall, they cautiously observed their surroundings.
"Hmph! Since I brought you here, I naturally have full confidence."
"Also, don't compare me to the trash from those small Ninja Villages..."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is inside this courtyard, but... to ensure the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's safety, the Konoha Higher-Ups dispatched an ANBU Squad to protect her in secret."
"To abduct the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, we must first deal with them."
Facing his companions' doubts, the slightly corpulent man hidden in the shadows spoke with a hint of displeasure.
"Tang Ya! Don't misunderstand, we didn't mean to question your abilities."
"It's just that this matter is of great importance. No matter what... we must fulfill the Sandaime's entrustment and successfully bring the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki back to the Village."
"Being cautious is never wrong."
"I know, this is also the meaning of our continuous 潛伏 in Konoha."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the ANBU Squad are yours to handle. After all... combat is not my strong suit."
"Please hurry. I will intentionally create chaos in Konoha in half an hour. By then... you can take the opportunity to leave Konoha."
..."Captain..."
"Don't argue about this matter anymore!"
"It wasn't easy for Tang Ya and his team to infiltrate Konoha. This is a meritorious service they rendered for the Village, and no one can erase it."
"Prepare for battle. We only have one chance. Success is the only option, failure is not."
Watching Tang Ya's departing back, the leader slowly retracted his gaze. After a brief admonition,
several figures instantly darted out.
"Hm? Enemies..."
"Who are you? How did you find this place?"
The moment they engaged in battle, the eyes of the ANBU Squad members protecting Kushina instantly darkened.
Not only was it because Kushina's location had been exposed... but also because all four enemies before them were Jonin-level powerhouses.
"You can ask those questions when you get to the Pure Land."
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode!"
"Ninja Art: Heavy Strike Hand Blade!"
Konoha's ANBU Squad did not last long under the enemy's surprise attack.
In just a few exchanges, they were all cut down by the enemy.
"Who... are you?"
Noticing the commotion outside, Kushina subconsciously pushed the door open and walked out. Upon seeing the Anbu's corpses, a hint of panic inevitably appeared in her eyes.
Since she became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she had encountered countless assassinations and attacks.
But a scene like this... was the first time she had witnessed it.
"Red hair, it seems you are the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
After confirming Kushina's identity, a smile appeared in the corner of the leader's eye.
The matter that the Village had been planning for decades was finally about to be realized in his hands... Twenty-odd minutes later.
Apart from the western area of Konoha, raging fires ignited in the east, south, and north directions. Amidst the billowing smoke, the roar of explosive tags occasionally accompanied it.
The sudden turn of events also plunged countless Konoha Villagers into panic.
"Who is it? What exactly is happening?"
In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly sprang up upon hearing the commotion outside, an unconcealable gloom flashing in his eyes.
The attack by the Kong Ninja Village was still fresh in his mind, and he could not afford to be anything but cautious.
As his eyes flickered, an Anbu member had already appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hokage-sama, preliminary assessment indicates that spies from other Villages are causing trouble. They attacked some medicinal and ninja tool shops within the Village."
"However, please rest assured, the Military Police Force and the patrolling ANBU Squads have already been dispatched, and this disturbance should be quelled very soon."
"Attacked medicinal and ninja tool shops?"
Upon hearing the Anbu's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly. For some reason... he always felt a vague unease in his heart.
"Send out the Intelligence Division as well. I have a feeling this matter is not as simple as it appears on the surface."
..."Kushina, are you there? I brought you your favorite ramen!"
Amidst the ongoing disturbance, a figure slowly arrived outside the courtyard where Kushina resided.
The person was Minato Namikaze!
He was also one of the few people in all of Konoha, besides the Konoha Higher-Ups, who could approach Kushina at the moment.
Of course, this special privilege was largely granted by Hiruzen Sarutobi out of respect for Jiraiya, and based on the consideration of deepening Kushina's bond with the Village.
"Hey, Kushina... if you don't open the door, I'm coming in."
After waiting outside the door for two minutes, Minato Namikaze scratched his head helplessly and pushed open the courtyard gate.
"This is..."
"Kushina, where are you? Hey, Kushina..."
Looking at the bloodstains on the ground, and the corpses of the Anbu.
After a careful search inside the house, Minato Namikaze's expression completely darkened.
"Was she abducted?"
"No wonder the Village suddenly had a disturbance!"
"South, East, North... did they retreat from the West?"
"Who could it be? Could it be people from the Hidden Sand Village?"
After forcing himself to calm down, Minato Namikaze's mind raced.
"Summoning Technique!"
"Hm? Is that Minato?"
"What's wrong, have you encountered a formidable enemy?"
"But... I'm not good at fighting! Do you need me to call Gamabunta for you?"
"No... it's not an enemy!"
"Kosuke, Kushina has been abducted. I need you to go to the Hokage Building and inform the Sandaime about this matter."
"I'll leave markers along the way, I'm counting on you..."
..."What! The Anbu guarding her were all killed? And Kushina was abducted by the enemy?"
Upon hearing the news from Gamakichi Kosuke.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's right hand trembled, and the pipe in his hand directly smashed to the ground.
Of course, that wasn't the most crucial part.
The most crucial part was the abduction of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"That's right, according to Minato's assessment, the enemy has already retreated from the west side of the Village."
"Well, my message has been delivered, so I'll take my leave now."
Not long after Gamakichi Kosuke disappeared, the commotion in Konoha was completely quelled by the joint efforts of the Military Police Force and the Anbu.
"Hokage-sama..."
"Most of the troublemaking spies have likely been killed, but a few managed to escape the Village amidst the chaos, and the Military Police Force has gone after them."
"Furthermore, those people had restraints placed in their heads, and as of now... the Intelligence Division has not been able to decipher any useful information."
"Phew~ I understand!"
"Go call for Tetsuya, Hyuga Hizashi, Aburame Kana, and Inuzuka Osumi."
"Also, deploy two ANBU Squads to be on standby at all times..."
"Oh, and please invite Advisor Torifu and Advisor Mito as well!"
Looking at the Anbu member in front of him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, after his initial panic, completely calmed down.
However, an endless killing intent brewed in his deep gaze.