The forests of Konoha are vast, indeed, the entire village is enveloped by them, grown from wood‑release techniques. Watching the treeline ahead, Minato hesitated, not out of fear for himself, but for the strength of his enemy.
He was now certain Kushina was in grave danger, but he still didn't know how many foes awaited.
Steeling himself, he darted into the forest. Nearby, Kushina had her hands bound behind her back, a rope pulling her forward. Several spy ninjas trailed her, to prevent any escape.
"Got the brat," one whispered. "I wonder what reward that esteemed lord will give."
"Stop dreaming, Yuzuru," another replied. "If we make it back alive, that's reward enough."
"What's she even good for?" Yuzuru's curiosity slipped through. "Why hide her identity like this?"
"Who knows."
"Let's just bring her back quickly."
From a distance, Minato observed them from atop a tree. Years spent with Yuki Seisui had changed his way of thinking, empathy now guided his thoughts. He couldn't believe how slow and careless they were, kidnapping in Konoha like it was a stroll. Were they fearless, or just foolish?
There were five of them: two in front, three behind, Kushina pinned in the middle. Minato drew his twin three‑pronged kunai, face steely: If they dare abduct Kushina, they've prepared to die.
He silently leapt between the branches, waiting for the right moment.
Meanwhile, one spy spoke up leeringly: "Should we do it here to the brat—?"
Kushina, desperate, was pulling out tufts of her hair and tossing them, hoping someone would find and rescue her. Hearing the spy's words, her world shattered.
Yuzuru, the leader, slapped him fiercely. "What the hell? Do you want us all dead? After being undercover so long, did you forget a shinobi's code?"
Minato used this moment. He materialized behind them, left hand glowing with blue chakra as he prepared a Rasengan. With his right, he released a small wind blade, not powerful, but elemental. It instantly severed one spy's head. Simultaneously, the Rasengan pinned another to the chest. Two shinobi died in a flash.
The others, shocked, scrambled to form seals. At once Kushina's ropes loosened, she fell free, colliding with two of them and toppling all three. Minato smiled then vanished quietly, stealth having served him well. He'd practiced teleportation repeatedly with Uchiha Haru; in battle, it felt natural.
One remaining spy released lightning-style seals, but Minato had already reappeared beside him, slicing his throat open with his kunai, blood spurted.
Two more spies arose, Yuzuru seethed, "You brat! I'll tear you apart!" He unleashed a massive fireball toward Minato.
Too slow, Yuzuru. Minato dissolved from sight. Years of life-or-death training had sharpened him.
Perched on a branch nearby, a small white snake spoke quietly: "These three were deceptively strong... much stronger than when we first fought." It flicked its forked tongue, its eyes unblinking in Minato's direction.
Yuzuru's fireball missed, but Minato reappeared above another spy, delivering an overhead Rasengan that shattered his skull.
Furious, Yuzuru prepared another jutsu, Minato braced, only to see him feint and bolt toward the forest edge: If I can't win, I'll just run wild as a rogue ninja. The task failed. He knew returning to the village would mean death.
Minato, unfazed, flipped another kunai, two razor‑fast wind blades pursued Yuzuru like slicing tofu, severing him into three pieces.
With the threat gone, Minato turned to Kushina, who had twisted her ankle and remained on the ground. He smiled softly, scooping her into his arms and headed back to the village beneath the moonlight. She looked up shyly, her cheeks flushing as she gazed at his profile.
From the snake's mouth, Orochimaru materialized. He watched them depart, expression oddly amused. If I recall, Jiraiya's other student already has a girlfriend, he mused, a hidden smile playing on his lips. So interesting, his two young students falling in love. Then he vanished into smoke.
This was his shadow clone, another had accompanied Haru; only Uchiha Setsuna went without because using clones might draw suspicion from the Uchiha clan.
Elsewhere, Yuki Seisui had no idea of Minato's ordeal. If he knew, he'd regret missing such an epic confrontation. Instead, he was busy offering thanks to his Tamashi stone, bowing excitedly to the card labeled "Shinobi Rewards."
[Display of newly obtained character fragments: Uchiha Sasuke (Eternal Mangekyo) ×1, Uchiha Sasuke (Sharingan) ×1, Uzumaki Naruto (Sage) ×1, Uchiha Kushina (Teen) ×1, etc.]
When the "Teen Kushina" fragment appeared, "Girl Punch… Help from Minato… Sweet Red Pepper!"Seisui's expression froze. What kind of "skills" were those? But before he could ponder further, the fragment integrated into his being, power surged, chakra multiplied. Suddenly he was in the training arena, channeling sweeping strength as chakra bloomed through him. He changed his name to "Iron‑Fist Handsome," punched a dummy… and shattered it in one blow. The infusion of Kushina's template granted him extraordinary power and chakra, even without receiving her three combat skills.
In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya and Minato solemnly faced Sarutobi Hiruzen. He was furious, Kushina's kidnapping must be the work of another great ninja village. Danzo's voice cut through: It must be that evil Onoki of Iwagakure, he's always coveted Konoha!
He proposed launching a covert Root strike on Iwa. Hiruzen recoiled, not wanting war so soon after the Last Shinobi War. Danzo insisted, but Sarutobi dismissed it: We'll assign Anbu to protect Kushina.
Relief washed over Minato, at least her safety would be assured. Danzo bristled: If we allow other villages to trespass now, next time they'll assassinate the genius within Konoha. Sarutobi promised he'd handle it.
The door slammed, reopened, and Danzo appeared, forcing a grim smile: Namikaze Minato, come visit Root, this place would suit you and your two teammates.
He shut the door again. Jiraiya shook his head. Sarutobi sighed: That old man is extreme, maybe that's why I was made Hokage second generation. He warned Minato: Don't trust him, root corrupts in darkness.
Minato nodded. Hokage-sama, don't worry. I won't join Root, he replied, offering a sunlit smile.
Sarutobi grinned: Konoha's future lies with you young ones, quickly grow and take over from the old guard.
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