Naruto's civilian cannon fodder starts with the three-body technique

Chapter 341 Kushina Incident

"Thank you all for your kindness. The Umino clan is willing to share this benefit with all parties. Within the Land of Fire, our clan is willing to share a portion of our profits with the friendly clans of Konoha, so that we can operate together and share the benefits equally."

Faced with this surging wave of "investment," Umino Sasuke smiled calmly, his gaze sweeping over the representatives of the various Konoha ninja clans.

Having already tasted the benefits of cooperating with Umino, the Akimichi clan representative immediately stated: "The Akimichi clan is willing to fully support Umino Restaurant and will contribute some of our existing hotel resources for integration!"

The Akimichi clan, well aware of the principles of "making a fortune in silence" and "not standing out," proactively diluted their shares and sought a prudent partnership.

Representatives from the Nara, Yamanaka, Aburame, and Kurama tribes also responded, expressing their willingness to participate in the investment or provide channels.

Even the usually reserved Hyuga and Uchiha clans were shaken by the prospect of huge commercial interests. Although the clan leader's expression was still not good, the deputy in charge of general affairs had become incredibly eager.

In an instant, the banquet hall transformed into a large-scale business negotiation meeting, with an incredibly lively atmosphere.

Sasuke Umino cleverly distributed the profits within the Land of Fire, binding most of the ninja clans to his cause. The nascent commercial empire, bound by food and with tentacles reaching across many countries, quietly took shape amidst the clinking of glasses.

At the head table, Hiruzen Sarutobi took in everything. He was wary, but his face wore an increasingly gentle smile. He frequently clinked glasses with Sasuke Umino, his words full of praise and attempts to win him over.

"Sasuke, the current state of the Umino clan is truly a blessing for Konoha! Seeing your youth and talent fills me with immense pride. The future of Konoha needs the courage and responsibility of a young hero like you to protect it. I will need your continued attention to the affairs of the village in the future, and we will work together!"

He patted Umino Sasuke on the shoulder affectionately, as if he regarded him as his most important ally. The downfall of Mitomon Homura had shaken his foundation. The powerful strength, deep potential, extensive network, and amazing commercial value shown by the Umino clan made him have to do his best to win them over, at least to prevent Umino from siding with his political enemies.

As for covert suppression and checks and balances, that's inevitable, but at this moment, superficial harmony and appeasement are also crucial.

Hyuga Muneyoshi and Uchiha Kanoku, however, changed their previous friendly attitude. Although they maintained basic etiquette, the aloofness and solemnity in their eyes were hard to hide.

Hyuga Muneyoshi's pure white eyes swept across the bustling banquet hall, finally landing on Umino Sasuke, who was surrounded by envoys from various countries and Konoha's high-ranking officials. He felt extremely apprehensive; the Umino clan's rise to power was simply too rapid!

From the diversity of secret techniques, the top-tier combat power of summoned beasts, bloodline limits, and the extensive network of connections supported by multiple countries, to their current business layout, every aspect is catching up with or even beginning to surpass the advantages that the Hyuga clan has accumulated over hundreds of years.

What's even more frightening is that although the number of ninjas in the Umino clan is currently small, the younger generation, such as Umino Koko, Umino Tobirama, and Umino Tetsu, have all shown extraordinary talent and strength, indicating the clan's terrifying reproductive potential.

Given time, the dominance of Konoha's top powerhouses will inevitably be broken.

This made him feel threatened like never before, so he whispered to Hiashi Hyuga beside him, "Keep a close eye on the movements of the Umino clan, restrain your clansmen, and do not engage in conflict with them. Send Tokuma to the front line to show our clan's goodwill."

He felt the pressure and even began to consider whether he needed to adjust some of the overly restrictive clan rules.

Compared to Hyuga Muneyoshi's alarmed state, Uchiha Hikaru was in no better shape. His initial goodwill towards Umino Sasuke vanished instantly, and his knuckles turned slightly white as he held his wine glass.

Standing beside him, Fugaku Uchiha's malice was almost tangible. The prosperity of the Umino clan was like a mirror, reflecting the "predicament" of the Uchiha in Konoha. They had powerful Sharingan and a long history, but they were excluded from the core of power. In business, they were far less successful than the Umino clan, who were "unconventional" but reaped huge rewards.

Sasuke Umino's clan motto, "Protect kindness and repay debts," subtly exudes a domineering and inviolable aura, which instills a sense of challenge and anger in the proud Uchiha.

The sense of disparity is even stronger when seeing Sasuke Umino and Hiruzen Sarutobi "having a pleasant conversation," while the Hokage's attempts to win over the Uchiha clan remain superficial.

"Hmph, it's just a temporary situation." Uchiha Kakuzu sneered inwardly, but the worry in his heart lingered.

He glanced at his son Fugaku's almost out-of-control, gloomy eyes, and felt even more irritated. The rise of the Umino clan had undoubtedly exacerbated the dissatisfaction of the radical Hawk faction within the Uchiha clan with the status quo.

The banquet lasted until late at night, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely, at least on the surface. When the last group of guests left the Umino tribe's territory, they were filled with satisfaction, profound memories, and various thoughts about the future.

This grand ceremony, destined to be recorded in the annals of Konoha and even the entire ninja world, has finally come to a close.

However, the ripples it caused have only just begun to spread throughout the entire ninja world.

Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to work overtime again today. As soon as he returned to the Hokage Building, the smile on his face instantly vanished, replaced by an extremely serious expression.

He immediately summoned Koharu Utatane and several of his closest confidants, and said in a deep voice: "The Umino clan has gained momentum and its power is established. We should do our best to win over Umino Sasuke, give him a higher status and more say in village affairs, and appropriately delegate medical, logistical, and some defense matters."

At the same time, strengthen the supervision of Umino's commercial activities, especially those involving cooperation between the major ninja clans and Umino Shokuyo.

Furthermore, have Danzo monitor the Umino clan. Ideally, Root should provoke the Umino clan first; they absolutely must not be allowed to join forces!

Hiruzen Sarutobi was trying to both win over and keep in check, and at the same time, his desire to end the Ninja War was becoming increasingly urgent.

Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi's proactive response, the Hyuga and Uchiha clan leaders, despite holding an emergency meeting overnight, were noticeably more passive and reactive. Hyuga Muneyoshi emphasized patience and observation, while reminding the branch family to maintain unity within the clan. Uchiha Hikaru, on the other hand, faced greater internal pressure, with some radical hawks becoming louder, demanding that the clan take a more proactive stance to secure its interests, and even raising doubts about the clan head's conservative strategy.

The Konoha leadership and the major ninja clans were on high alert, but the smaller ninja clans in Konoha presented a different picture. Most of them maintained goodwill towards the Umino clan, and some even considered forming an alliance. The shares in Umino Restaurant meant a stable source of wealth in addition to mission rewards, so their sense of identification with the Umino clan naturally increased dramatically. Clan leaders like Gekko and Shiranui were moved to tears as they looked at the letter of intent in their hands, as if they saw the dawn of their clan's revival.

As a vassal of Umino, the Mitomon clan felt fortunate and had a sense of belonging upon seeing the goodwill extended by the various Konoha ninja clans. The strength of the Umino clan was their support, so they worked even harder to tidy up the venue, showing a strong sense of vassalage.

With the consent of Umino Sasuke, Finance Minister Minamoto no Mitsuaki immediately sent back intelligence through secret channels, emphasizing the Umino clan's Kage-level combat power, Ice Release bloodline limit, top-tier summoning beasts, the potential of young clan members, secret technique system, multinational connections, and enormous commercial value.

In his secret report, he "strongly recommended" increasing official support for the Umino clan, using them as a counterbalance to the traditional powerful clans of Konoha, especially the Hyuga, Uchiha, and Sarutobi clans, and as an important pawn for the Daimyo's economic infiltration of Konoha. His own "investment" in the Umino Restaurant was the first step in this strategy...

The daimyo of the Land of Rivers was overjoyed, feeling that he had made the right bet. Maintaining a close relationship with the Umino clan had indeed allowed him to establish ties with Kado, boosting the Land of Rivers' commerce and giving him a better chance of suppressing the Land of Tea.

Amidst his anxiety, Takigakure leader Shibuki also saw a glimmer of hope, hoping that Sasuke Umino's "mediation" could bring Konoha's reinforcements as soon as possible.

When Sunagakure's special envoy, Toyoshiro Shoran, returned to the embassy, ​​he was filled with worry. One concern was the terrifying rise of the Umino clan, but the main worry was the safety of his daughter, Yoko.

He urgently sent a secret report to Sunagakure: "The emerging powerful clan of Konoha, Umino, has unfathomable strength and enormous potential. They have become an important pillar of Konoha. Their clan leader, Umino Sasuke, is extraordinary in his methods and his influence far exceeds expectations."

The negotiations for a ceasefire and the redemption of Yecang and Fenfu will likely become much more difficult.

It is recommended that the higher-ups reassess their strategy towards Konoha, and be willing to make greater concessions if necessary.

The rise of the Umino clan has greatly increased the influence of Konoha's "hawk" Umino Sasuke, and also made Sunagakure's bargaining chips at the negotiating table lighter.

Kirigakure Mizuki returned to the Konoha Inn, dismissed everyone around her, and stood alone by the window.

The moonlight shone on her icy face, her eyes revealing a complex and unfathomable expression.

The emergence of Ice Release completely shook the Minazuki clan's "monopoly" on Ice Release bloodline limits. Was it a threat? Or some kind of opportunity?

She recalled the "misunderstanding" in the land of rivers and Umino Sasuke's eyes, which seemed to see through everything.

"Investigate! Use all available resources to find out the true origin of the Umino clan's Ice Release technique! Is it related to our clan?" She gave a death order to the elders accompanying her.

At the same time, the terrifying strength and potential displayed by the Umino clan also made her deeply worried about the future of Kirigakure.

The clamor of the Umino clan's territory had completely subsided, leaving only the faint sounds of servants cleaning up the mess. Moonlight poured down like mercury onto the magnificent clan grounds, illuminating the newly erected clan emblem and the still-warm altar.

However, as Umino Sasuke stood on a high point in the main house, his brows furrowed slightly. His superhuman spiritual perception spread like an invisible spider web, covering most of Konoha.

At this moment, an extremely subtle yet intensely malicious and urgent chakra fluctuation was emanating from the area where the Cloud Village delegation was staying.

"Sound Release: Listening!"

Umino Sasuke's ears twitched slightly, and invisible sound waves spread like ripples in space, instantly penetrating the layers of buildings and accurately capturing the deliberately hushed conversation inside the Cloud Village delegation.

"...We can't wait any longer. The Umino, Uchiha, and Hyuga clans of Konoha each have a foundation no weaker than our Yotsuki clan. Add to that the Sarutobi and Ino-Shika-Cho clans, and Konoha's foundation is simply too deep. Brubi is becoming increasingly unstable. For the sake of Kumogakure's future, we must bring the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki back to the village as soon as possible!"

This was Gabino's deliberately suppressed yet still anxious voice.

Another cold voice responded: "The target's residence has been confirmed, and the location of the secret police's defenses has also been identified. Captain, shall we proceed according to plan?"

"Act now! After capturing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, I will personally lead a team to lure the enemy. Raiga, you take three people to escort the target and make sure to meet at the designated location on the border! Remember, the target is of utmost importance; spare no effort!"

The chilling killing intent and the desperate determination were crystal clear in the feedback of the sound waves. Sasuke Umino felt a chill in his heart. As expected, the Cloud Village had made its move, and its target was none other than Kushina Uzumaki!
Sasuke Unno remained expressionless. Although the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could not be lost, as it concerned not only the safety of Konoha, direct intervention would be too conspicuous. He needed a "reasonable" reason to intervene.

Looking down into the courtyard, Minato Namikaze, representing Jiraiya who had come to attend the ceremony, was helping to tidy up some scattered decorations. His golden hair shone brightly in the moonlight. Tobirama and Kaoru, the two little ones, were checking the list of gifts left by the guests. Both of them looked a little tired after participating in the grand ceremony, but their spirits were still good.

"Minato, Kaoru, Tobirama, the three of you come here for a moment," Sasuke Umino's gentle voice rang out.

The three immediately put down what they were doing and walked over quickly.

"Lord Umino/Second Brother." The three bowed.

With a hint of elder's concern on his face, Umino Sasuke said, "Thank you for your hard work today. Kushina's situation is special; with so many people around, she didn't have a chance to attend this banquet. She's probably bored at home by herself. Luckily, the clan has left some food and pastries. Take some to her for a late-night snack and check on her while you're at it."

He pointed to an exquisite multi-tiered food box next to him.

Minato Namikaze's eyes lit up, and he smiled warmly: "Yes, Lord Umino! I'll go right away!" His concern for Kushina was evident.

Tobirama Unno was somewhat puzzled: "Brother, if I go alone—"

Before he could finish speaking, Haiye Xiaoxin gently tugged at his sleeve. Xiaoxin was perceptive and keenly caught the subtle meaning in her brother's tone.

“It’s a good opportunity to stretch our legs and digest our food,” Umino Koko chimed in, winking at Umino Sasuke. “Let’s go together, Third Brother.”

Sasuke Umino nodded in satisfaction: "Okay, go and come back quickly, Tobirama, Kaoru, be careful on your journey."

He emphasized "be careful," his gaze sweeping across the three faces with a meaningful look.

Minato Namikaze's mind was entirely on Kushina. Without much thought, he immediately picked up the food box. Tobirama Umino, though feeling that his older brother was making a mountain out of a molehill, still agreed. Koko Umino, on the other hand, understood perfectly well that this trip was not just about delivering midnight snacks.

The three of them, carrying food boxes, soon arrived at Kushina Uzumaki's relatively secluded little house on the edge of the Senju clan's territory.

Under the moonlight, the cabin was quiet, and the presence of the shadowy forces who should have been on guard nearby was nowhere to be seen.

"Something's not right!" Minato Namikaze's expression changed slightly; he possessed extraordinary intuition and observational skills.

He put down the food box, and with a swift movement, silently darted to the side of the hut.

Umino Koko's delicate nose twitched slightly, and a very faint odor lingered in the air.

"There's a bloody smell!" Haiye Xiaoxin whispered, pointing to a dark red patch in the shadows of the corner of the wall that almost blended into the night.

Tobirama Unno's expression also darkened.

The three quickly checked the cabin and found it empty.

There were no obvious signs of a struggle inside, but the chakra aura of the ANBU members protecting Kushina had completely vanished, as if erased. Considering the smell of blood, the outcome was obvious.

"Kushina! She was..." Minato Namikaze's heart clenched suddenly, a huge wave of panic and anger surged into his heart.

Although he didn't know Kushina's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he had already sensed that Kushina had always been closely protected by the Anbu. Now, it was clear that something had happened to Kushina, and she was most likely captured by the enemy.

"Calm down, Minato!" Umino Koko's voice carried a strange soothing power. She quickly analyzed, "The opponent was able to silently eliminate the Anbu and take people away. It seems that they are very strong, and their actions are extremely secretive and swift. Now our most important task is to track them down and send the message to the village!"

Tobirama Umino immediately said, "Xiao Xin, inform Second Brother!"

"Sound Release: Ultrasonic Wave Technique!"

Next, Tobirama Umino formed the Tiger Seal with both hands, and invisible sound waves spread out from him, trying to capture any remaining traces of chakra or footprints.

Without hesitation, Umino Koko bit her finger and quickly formed hand seals: "Summoning Technique!"

With a soft thud, a small note disappeared. This was an emergency communication method developed by Umino Sasuke using summoning techniques. Currently, only the Umino clan and the Iron Wall Anbu are using it.

"Over here!" Minato Namikaze was already squatting on the ground, picking up a small clump of soil with his fingers, and sniffing carefully at the bushes next to him. "There's a very faint trace of lightning chakra, and also, the unique soap scent from Kushina's hair. The direction is—the Forest of Death!"

Minato Namikaze's tracking ability is outstanding, in no way inferior to the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs!

Hidden in the shadows of a higher tree canopy, Sasuke Umino watched Minato's performance below, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. Minato, that kid, is indeed exceptionally talented.

"Let's go!" Minato Namikaze was extremely anxious and took the lead, rushing towards the direction of the Forest of Death.

Umino Koko and Umino Tobirama exchanged a glance and immediately followed.

The night in the Death Forest is filled with a primitive and dangerous atmosphere.

The towering trees blocked most of the moonlight, leaving only dappled spots of light. The low humming of various nocturnal creatures and the rustling of leaves rubbing together filled the air, along with the scent of damp, decaying leaves and earth.

Minato Namikaze moved like a master hunter, his figure darting through the forest at high speed. Sometimes he would bend down to examine the subtle traces on the ground, a blade of grass bent underfoot, an unnatural scratch on a piece of bark; sometimes he would stop, his nostrils flaring, trying to catch the faint, unique scent of Kushina in the air, as well as the lingering Lightning Release chakra of the Cloud Ninja.

His tracking route was not a straight line, but rather he constantly adjusted his direction based on clues, with a precision that was astonishing.

Kaoru Umino followed closely behind. Her sound perception was far inferior to Tobirama Umino's, while Tobirama Umino continuously released faint sound wave perception, like a human radar, alerting to possible traps or ambushes around him.

"Minato, are we going in the wrong direction?"

After traveling quite a distance and leaving the outer edge of the Forest of Death, Tobirama Unno couldn't help but ask a question.

Within his range of sound wave perception, there seemed to be no obvious signs of movement of a "large target" ahead.

Clearly, the decoy traces deliberately left by Gabino, the leader of the Cloud Village delegation, were now taking effect, interfering with Tobirama Unno's judgment.

Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze abruptly stopped.

Anxiety and uncertainty also appeared on his face. Kushina's safety made him extremely anxious, and the clues he was tracking were becoming blurry again. The immense pressure made it hard for him to breathe.

"Wait!" Haiye Xiaoxin suddenly stopped, squatted down at the base of a big tree, and carefully brushed aside a few fallen leaves.

Under the moonlight, a long, vibrant red hair, as bright as a burning flame, lay quietly on the soil, cleverly pressed under a large leaf.

"It's Kushina's hair!" Minato Namikaze rushed forward instantly, picked up the few strands of red hair, and his eyes blazed with intense hope. "This must be a mark that Kushina left on purpose!"

This discovery acted like a shot in the arm, instantly dispelling the gloom and doubts in Minato's heart.

He regained his confidence, his eyes becoming incredibly determined: "Yes, this is the direction, she must be showing us the way!"

Umino Koko breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her, "The fact that she was able to leave a mark means that Kushina is not in immediate danger and is clear-headed. Minato, let's speed up!"

The three were greatly encouraged and, following the direction indicated by the red hair mark, sped up like three arrows, rapidly traversing the dark forest.

Meanwhile, within Konoha Village, Sasuke Umino's clone had already issued an emergency order to the Jonin team.

Yuhi Shinku arrived with a squad of three experienced Jonin to receive the order.

The reason why Yuhi Makoto was given this order was entirely because she was the most successful ninja invested in by the Kurama clan. The Kurama clan invested in many ninjas in Konoha, teaching them genjutsu. Yuhi Makoto was the strongest among them and also the Jonin with the closest relationship to the Kurama clan.

As the Kurama clan's relationship with Umino Sasuke grew closer, Yuhi Shinku was introduced to him. This was intended to help Umino Sasuke take control of the Jonin team, while also hoping that Umino Sasuke would take care of Yuhi Shinku, a mutually beneficial political arrangement.

Retrieving the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would be a great achievement, so Sasuke Umino naturally chose a Jonin who was close to him to complete the mission. This good opportunity fell to Kurenai Yuhi.

Therefore, Kurenai and the others received an urgent order: Gabino, the leader of the Kumogakure delegation, was suspected of kidnapping the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and they were to immediately track him down and intercept him.

However, Gabino was a seasoned expert at decoys. The traces he left behind were blurry and highly deceptive, perfectly leading Kurenai Yuhi's team in another direction, while Minato and his two children followed the correct path. In the distance, the indistinct mountain outlines of the Land of Fire's border were already faintly visible, and the air seemed to carry the tension and solemnity unique to border regions.

"We've caught up!" Minato Namikaze, who was at the forefront, shouted in a low voice, his eyes flashing with cold light.

About 300 meters ahead, four figures were running rapidly. A tall Cloud Village Jonin was carrying a petite red-haired figure whose hands and feet were bound, and three Cloud Village Chunin followed closely behind.

"Kushina!" Minato Namikaze's heart leaped into his throat.

"Konoha pursuers!" The Cloud Village Chunin responsible for covering the rear also spotted Minato and his two companions immediately and sounded the alarm.

Without turning his head, the Cloud Village Jonin coldly ordered, "Proceed as planned to cover their retreat! Hold them off at all costs!"

A flash of lightning appeared beneath his feet, and his speed suddenly increased as he charged toward the border with Kushina on his back, clearly intending to sacrifice three Chunin to buy time.

"Charge!" Minato Namikaze roared, his speed exploding once more, almost transforming into a golden streak of light.

"Don't even think about it!" The three Cloud Village Chunin immediately stopped, turned around, and formed hand seals, instantly creating a triangular defensive formation.

"Tu Dun·Tu Liubi!"

Lightning Release: Lightning Serpent!

"Wind Escape·Big Breakthrough!"

Three ninjutsu techniques instantly materialized, a sturdy earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking the way; several leaping lightning snakes snaked in from the side; a violent gale whipped up sand and gravel, obscuring vision and disrupting perception.

The three worked together seamlessly, combining offense and defense, with the aim of slowing the enemy down.

"Minato, Tobirama, you two charge over there! I'll handle this!"

With a sharp cry, Umino Kokoro advanced instead of retreating in the face of the oncoming lightning snakes and gale.

"Secret Technique: Sticky Candy Armor!"

Her body was instantly covered by a layer of flowing, sticky armor. The violent wind blades cut into the armor but could not penetrate it at all. The fierce lightning snakes crashed into the sticky armor, but the current was guided and dispersed by the viscous substance, and the power dropped sharply. They only sparked a burst of crackling electric sparks and failed to penetrate even a little bit.

Taking advantage of the moment when the opponent's ninjutsu was blocked, Umino Koko's petite body unleashed terrifying power as she stomped her right foot hard on the ground.

"Strange power!"

Boom! ! !

Centered on her landing point, the hard ground cracked inch by inch like a spider web, and a violent shockwave carrying rubble and dirt swept over it.

This sudden area-of-effect attack instantly disrupted their formation and casting rhythm.

"A good opportunity!" Minato Namikaze and Tobirama Umino seized this precious gap, their figures moving like lightning, and they sped past the chaotic flank created by Kaoru Umino.

Minato Namikaze even took the opportunity to throw several kunai, instantly killing one of the Cloud Village Chunin who used Wind Release techniques.

"Don't even think about going over there!" The two remaining Cloud Village Chunin tried to stop them.

"Your opponent is me!" Umino Koko appeared in front of them, her fist covered in sticky armor, slamming towards them with a piercing shriek that tore through the air.

The two Chunin were forced to fight back and instantly engaged in fierce combat with Umino Kaoru.

The defensive capabilities of the sticky armor and the terrifying destructive power of her monstrous strength allowed Umino Koko to fight two opponents single-handedly without being at a disadvantage, keeping her enemies firmly in place.

Minato Namikaze and Tobirama Umino, on the other hand, did their best to catch up.

Finally, at the edge of a relatively open forest clearing less than three miles from the border, they caught up with the Cloud Village Jonin!

"Put her down!" Minato Namikaze shouted sharply, his kunai gleaming coldly.

The Cloud Village Jonin, codenamed Raiga, stopped and carefully placed Kushina on a thick tree branch at his feet to make sure she wouldn't fall.

He turned around, his eyes filled with killing intent, and his lightning chakra began to surge violently around him, making a hissing sound, exuding an imposing aura.

"Kōnoha brats!" Raiga's voice was icy as he sneered, "You two little brats think you can save people?!"

Before he finished speaking, he instantly formed hand seals: "Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Chasing Fang!"

A ferocious thunder wolf, formed from raging lightning, roared and pounced on Minato Namikaze, who was charging at the forefront.

"Wind Release·Vacuum Wave!"

Minato Namikaze reacted extremely quickly, unleashing a white wind blast to meet the Thunder Wolf head-on.

boom!
The wind and thunder collided, creating a violent explosion and a surge of air.

"Secret Technique: Water Candy Harvesting!"

Seizing the opportunity, Tobirama Umino opened his mouth and spat out a large amount of viscous syrup, instantly covering Raiga's feet and a large area around him, attempting to restrict his movements.

"Hmph! A mere trick!" Lei Ya sneered, lightning flashing beneath his feet, "Lightning Instantaneous Movement!"

His figure vanished from his spot in an instant, so fast that he left only a blur on the retina, easily avoiding the range of Mizugae and appearing to the side and behind Umino Tobirama.

"Lightning Release: Heavy Flow Burst!" A fist wrapped in blinding lightning, carrying immense force, slammed into Tobirama Umino's back.

If this blow lands, it could be fatal!

"Secret Technique: Sticky Candy Armor!" Tobirama Umino quickly added another layer of armor to himself.

boom!
Thunder Fist slammed heavily into Tobirama Umino's back. Although he managed to block the heavy blow, the enormous impact still made his blood surge, causing him to stagger forward. He felt a sweet taste in his throat and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

The thunderous strike from the Cloud Village Jonin was indeed extraordinary.

"Tobirama!" Minato Namikaze exclaimed in alarm, immediately throwing several kunai at Raiga in an attempt to break the siege.

Raiga easily dodged the kunai, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes: "Is that all you've got? You're next!"

His figure flashed with lightning once more, appearing in front of Minato Namikaze as if by teleportation, and his lightning-encrusted hand blade slashed straight at Minato's neck.

Its speed far surpasses that of an ordinary Jonin!
Minato Namikaze's pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly dodged to the side. Although Raiga was fast, Minato Namikaze's reflexes were exceptionally quick, and he managed to dodge every time.

scoff!

The lightning at the edge of the hand strike only tore Minato Namikaze's clothes.

"Minato!" On the tree branch, Kushina Uzumaki was frantic when she saw Minato Namikaze in danger. She struggled desperately, but her body was weak because her chakra was sealed.

Despite his injuries, Tobirama Umino continued the battle: "Secret Technique: Black Rope Manipulation!"

Ten jet-black, tough ropes shot towards Lei Ya like venomous snakes, attempting to entangle and bind him.

"Annoying bugs!" Raiga waved his hand impatiently, lightning flashing as he cut or deflected the black ropes that were attacking him. He realized that Minato Namikaze was agile and the main threat, so he decided to deal with the blond kid first.

"Thunder Escape: Thunder Phantom Lightning Pillar!"

Raiga quickly formed hand seals, and several dazzling pillars of lightning appeared out of thin air, attempting to block all of Minato Namikaze's escape routes. At the same time, he used Lightning Release ninjutsu to rush forward, aiming directly at Minato Namikaze's vital points.

There is no way to avoid it!

A resolute glint flashed in Minato Namikaze's eyes!
Instead of retreating, he charged towards Lei Ya as if he were ready to fight to the death!

"You're courting death!" Lei Ya grinned maliciously, the lightning on his fist intensifying!

Just as the two were about to collide.

Minato Namikaze's eyes flashed, and his body twisted at an incredible angle, narrowly avoiding Raiga's deadly punch.

At the same time, the kunai that he had been holding behind his back with his left hand shot out like lightning. The target was not Raiga's body, but the inside of his right elbow joint that was exposed due to his full-force punch. That was not only the node where lightning release chakra flowed at high speed, but also the weak point of the entire arm.

puff!

The kunai pierced in with perfect precision.

"Ah!" Raiya let out a painful groan.

The flow of chakra in his arm instantly became disordered, and the violent lightning momentarily stopped.

It's now!

Despite the numbness caused by the Lightning Release, Minato Namikaze finally completed the hand seals he had prepared: "Wind Release: Vacuum Ball!"

Puff puff!
Several highly penetrating compressed air bullets, at such close range, struck Raiya's chest, which was wide open due to his injured arm, with great force.

Click!

A clear cracking sound rang out.

As if struck by a heavy hammer, Lei Ya was sent flying backward, spitting out blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. He crashed heavily into a large tree, slid to the ground, and his eyes quickly dimmed, completely losing their vitality.

Even in death, he could not believe that he had been defeated by a mere brat!

"Minato!!" Kushina Uzumaki thought Minato Namikaze was no match for Raiga, and struggled excitedly, but her body tilted and she fell from the high tree branch!

"Kushina!" Minato Namikaze and Tobirama Umino exclaimed simultaneously.

Tobirama Umino was closer, and he endured the pain, pushing off with his feet to rush over and catch him.

However, a golden light was faster than him!

"Wind Instantaneous Movement!" Minato Namikaze's figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

The next moment, he appeared in mid-air where Kushina had fallen, and steadily caught the falling girl in his arms.

The moonlight, like water, fell upon the two people embracing.

Minato Namikaze held his recovered treasure, his heart still pounding. His golden hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to his forehead, and his shoulders were slightly charred from the lightning. But all he could see was the safety of the girl in his arms.

Kushina Uzumaki fell down, revealing her still-shaken yet stubborn little face. At this moment, her large, beautiful eyes reflected Minato Namikaze's anxious yet gentle face. The shock of surviving the ordeal, the gratitude of being protected, and the feelings that had been quietly growing all erupted at this moment.

A blush rose to her cheeks, and she forgot to struggle, simply staring blankly at Minato Namikaze.

Tobirama Unno rushed forward, but stopped in his tracks upon seeing this scene.

He scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, seemingly unaware of the subtle atmosphere in the air, and asked with concern, "Minato, Kushina, are you alright?"

"Oh dear, it seems I'm late!"

A voice, tinged with mockery and sarcasm, suddenly rang out.

Sasuke Umino emerged from the shadow of a large tree like a ghost, a mischievous smile on his face, his gaze sweeping over Minato and Kushina as they embraced tightly.

"Kids these days are really something else. They're so young and already know how to be a hero and rescue a damsel in distress, and embrace under the moonlight?"

He deliberately dragged out his words, his eyes mocking as he looked at Minato Namikaze's face, which had instantly turned bright red, and at Kushina, who was so embarrassed she wanted to bury her face in Minato's arms.

Then, he turned to look at Tobirama Unno, who looked completely bewildered and seemed not to understand the situation, and sighed with disappointment: "Sigh, Saburo, look at Minato, how fast he moves and how quick-witted he is. And you? If your Body Flicker Technique had been just a little bit faster, you would be holding the little princess right now. What a great opportunity!"

Tobirama Unno was taken aback by his older brother's words and instinctively retorted, "Brother! What are you saying? Kushina is our comrade. Saving her is the priority. Why think about anything else!"

He looked completely upright and didn't think about it that way at all.

Sasuke Umino sighed inwardly, rubbing his forehead. "My silly little brother! This is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! The current princess of Konoha! She may have a fiery temper and violent tendencies, and she even demanded to marry into the family… but her noble status and immense potential are undeniable! Such a perfect opportunity for a political marriage and a powerful ally has been missed. Looks like when we get back, I'll have to put this kid through the Body Flicker Technique training—train him like crazy! Train him until his reflexes are faster than his brain!"

"Alright." Sasuke Umino put away his joking expression and walked to Kushina, who had been carefully put down by Minato. "Let me see what those Cloud Village thieves have done to you."

A faint chakra glow emanated from his fingertips as he gently placed them on Kushina's wrist.

Under the microscopic perception of the Sound Wave Escape Technique, the situation within Kushina Uzumaki's body was clearly revealed. A sealing technique that suppressed the flow of chakra was wrapped around her abdomen like shackles, which was the culprit causing her to feel weak all over.

"Hmph, the Cloud Village's Lightning Binding Seal, nothing more than a cheap trick." Umino Sasuke curled his lip in disdain.

He spread his five fingers, each fingertip glowing with a faint light representing the five elements of chakra, and pressed them directly onto Kushina Uzumaki's abdomen.

"Five Elements Seal - Released!"

hum~
A gentle yet powerful force broke through the seal and entered Kushina's body, instantly shattering the stubborn lightning binding seal.

"Ah!" Kushina Uzumaki felt a lightness throughout her body, and her previously suppressed chakra surged forth like a flood.

However, just as her power was restored, an even more violent, evil chakra filled with endless hatred suddenly erupted from the depths of the seal in her abdomen.

"Roar—!" A ferocious roar, audible only to Kushina Uzumaki, exploded deep within her consciousness.

"Oh no! It's the Nine-Tails!" Kushina Uzumaki's expression changed drastically; she could feel the seal vibrating violently.

Chi chi chi——

Visible, scarlet chakra bubbles seeped uncontrollably from every pore of her body, leaping and rising on her skin like burning flames!
Her eyes instantly hardened into eerie, beastly slits, her teeth sharpened, and an aura of destructive power emanated from her.

"Kushina!" Minato Namikaze was shocked and instinctively reached out to help.

"Don't panic!" Umino Sasuke remained unusually calm, with even a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

He formed a simple hand seal with one hand and uttered a low shout: "Spirit Summoning Technique!"

boom!
As the white smoke dissipated, a gigantic, grotesque sword, covered in barbs and wriggling slightly as if alive, appeared out of thin air—it was Samehada.

"Samehada, dinner's ready!" Umino Sasuke smiled and patted the Samehada blade.

Samehada let out an excited low groan, as if it had smelled an unparalleled delicacy.

Its massive body seemed to come alive, automatically coiling upwards and instantly "enveloping" Kushina Uzumaki, who was dissipating the Nine-Tails' chakra. It wasn't a restraint, but rather like a living armor.

(End of this chapter)