Konoha Anbu, base.
Ninja wearing animal masks assembled in silence and with ruthless efficiency.
The order had been given.
Three elite squads—twelve Anbu in total, each at least Special Jōnin level—completed combat readiness in just three minutes.
No wasted words. After each squad leader confirmed the objectives and assigned search sectors, they vanished from the base's exits like black crows melting into the night, sweeping toward the forests outside the village.
At the same time—
Eastern edge of the forest, the incident site.
A temporary concealment barrier set up by Konoha's Barrier Team shrouded the area, cutting off outside sight and sensory detection.
Several patrol units stood guard on the perimeter, the atmosphere cold and lethal.
Inside.
Medical-nin and sealing specialists were carefully examining the three enemy shinobi who stood like statues.
"Vital signs are extremely faint—practically a suspended-death state. But none of the organs have failed, and cellular activity is being maintained at the bare minimum…"
One medical-nin reported while sensing with chakra, disbelief in his voice.
"It's like time has slowed down on them by thousands—no, tens of thousands—of times? No… it's more like… 'stasis.'"
"No external injuries. Their internal chakra circulation is completely frozen. The meridian system shows no signs of damage."
Another medic added.
"Neural reflexes are zero. This isn't an effect caused by any known genjutsu, fūinjutsu, or taijutsu."
The sealing team tried probing for abnormalities with runes and barrier formulas,
but the moment any investigative chakra touched their bodies, it vanished like a clay ox sinking into the sea—no feedback at all.
"Unbelievable…"
The sealing team captain frowned deeply.
"It's like there's a layer of rules—or a field—around their bodies that we can't comprehend, cutting off all internal and external interaction."
"Our methods are completely ineffective."
"Can you remove this state? Or… read their memories?"
The arriving Anbu sub-commander asked in a low voice.
The medical captain and sealing captain exchanged a glance, then both shook their heads.
"The risk is extremely high. Forcing it open could kill them instantly—or trigger an unknown backlash."
"As for memory-reading… in this state, mental activity seems to have completely stopped as well. Conventional methods won't work."
Behind his mask, the Anbu sub-commander's expression turned grim.
That meant a major intelligence lead was cut off for now.
"Secure the scene and these three samples. Keep trying, but don't take risks."
He issued the order: "Everyone else—expand the search radius. Look for anything suspicious, even the faintest trace of unfamiliar chakra residue, or microscopic signs of spatial distortion!"
"Yes!"
The Anbu scattered again. Like a precision machine, they began combing the area with even finer scrutiny.
Minato Namikaze appeared atop a tall tree.
Eyes closed, he pushed his senses to the absolute limit.
His Flying Thunder God training made him far more sensitive to spatial fluctuations than most.
But there was nothing.
Aside from the tiny ripples caused by Konoha shinobi moving around, he couldn't detect a single trace of abnormal spatial residue.
The way that man had left was so clean it made Minato's blood run cold.
"Who… exactly… is he?"
Minato opened his eyes and stared into the vast night sky, confusion and sharp anxiety churning in his chest.
Kushina… where are you right now? Are you still safe?
…
Far from Konoha—perhaps even beyond the borders of the Land of Fire.
Space itself rippled gently, like a lake settling after a stone is tossed in.
Rei Ao stepped out of nothingness, holding Uzumaki Kushina—who was still frozen in shock and confusion—and landed in a silent clearing deep in the woods.
Moonlight filtered through sparse branches. Unknown insects chirped in the dark.
He loosened his arms.
Kushina's legs went soft and she almost collapsed, instinctively grabbing the trunk of a nearby tree to steady herself.
The warmth of his hold disappeared, and the cool night wind made her shiver—snapping her fully back to reality.
She stumbled back two steps, pressing her back to the tree, staring at the mysterious, overwhelmingly powerful man with a mix of wariness and helpless uncertainty.
Her heart was pounding.
"Y-you… you really are… the chat group's… Leader Rei Ao?"
Her voice was tiny, full of disbelief.
"The deal's already been made, hasn't it?"
Rei Ao leaned casually against another tree, relaxed—as if he'd merely stepped out for a walk.
"How does it feel? Escaping from those trash mobs."
Kushina blinked.
Then the terror of moments ago surged back—the feeling of being cornered, and the eerie sight of those three shinobi turning into "statues" in an instant.
Relief and lingering fear tangled together in her chest.
"Th-thank you… for saving me."
She lowered her head and murmured her thanks, fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.
Then she remembered something, jerking her head up—her face draining slightly.
"Wait! The deal terms! That… 'unlimited body-usage rights'… w-what does that mean?"
In her panic, she hadn't read carefully—she'd only thought, as long as I can live, anything is fine.
Now that she was safe (for the moment), the meaning of that line washed over her like icy seawater, filling her with panic and shame.
Rei Ao watched her face flush and her eyes turn frantic, and found it mildly amusing.
Girls in this world really do mature early.
"Exactly what it says."
He spoke flatly.
"As payment for saving you, when I need to, I can use your body."
"Of course, only while you're conscious—and on the premise that it doesn't endanger your life."
"U-use… my body…"
Kushina's face went so red it looked like it might drip blood. Her mind uncontrollably flashed to a few awful interpretations.
"What are you thinking."
Rei Ao seemed to see straight through her, the corner of his mouth lifting into a half-smile.
"Right now, you're obviously not suitable. You're too weak—you wouldn't survive me messing with you."
Kushina's face burned even hotter—this time from embarrassment.
But at the same time, she let out a quiet breath of relief. At least it wasn't the worst-case scenario she'd imagined.
Still… the words "pathetically weak" stung her pride.
"I… I'll get stronger!"
She couldn't help snapping back, red eyes flaring with stubborn defiance.