First Encounter with Akatsuki

Late summer, Konoha Year 53.

Kushina sent Naruto to Uchiha Fugaku's home.

On her way out, she ran into Uchiha Shisui once again.

Uchiha Shisui was now the deputy director of the Konoha Military Police Force.

"Lady Kushina."

"It's been a long time, Uchiha Shisui."

"Are you heading out on a mission, Lady Kushina?"

"Yes. Naruto needs to stay at the Uchiha Clan Residence."

"Please rest assured, Naruto will be perfectly safe. I guarantee it."

"I hope so." Kushina looked toward the Hokage Building, her gaze somewhat dim.

The rumors that had spread among Konoha's civilians two weeks ago had not affected her much, but they had affected Naruto.

The civilian children who used to play with Naruto had almost all disappeared.

It had dealt Naruto quite a blow, and he had been in low spirits lately.

Kushina knew who had done it, but the fact that Naruto could use the Tailed Beast Cloak was indeed true.

Kushina felt quite helpless. Anju had hoped she would ask the Military Police Force to thoroughly investigate the rumors, but Kushina had not done so.

Her reason was that Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki would be exposed sooner or later.

But Anju did not see it that way. Naruto was still a child, and one's environment had a profound impact on them. Although Naruto had grown up in that kind of environment in the original story without becoming antisocial, Anju did not dare take that risk.

A mentally healthy person simply could not pull off what Naruto had, so Anju did not want Naruto to go through such things again.

Now that Kushina could shelter Naruto from the storm, he should be given a good environment in which to grow up.

But Kushina simply did not take this seriously.

It probably had something to do with what she had experienced in Konoha as a child.

Kushina Uzumaki left Konoha with three companions.

Their mission target was in the Land of Rain.

A noble from the Land of Rain had been visiting a city lord in the Land of Fire. Taking advantage of the city lord's drunkenness, he had run off with the city lord's wife and treasure.

When the city lord discovered it the next day, he sent people after them, but the pursuing ninja and samurai all died.

That was why the mission had been issued to Konoha.

The mission had been raised from A-Rank to S-Rank.

That indicated that a team of Konoha Ninja had already failed this mission.

That failed team had included one jonin and three chunin.

This time, two jonin and two Special Jonin had been dispatched to complete it.

They were clearly determined to see the mission through.

The actual mission was to recover the stolen property, with the woman included among it.

Twenty days had passed since the incident.

The city lord from the Land of Fire had not held out much hope to begin with.

But when the mission had been issued to Konoha, the reward had only been Eight Hundred Thousand Ryo. If Konoha failed, it would simply mean Konoha had not handled the job properly.

Now, Konoha wanted to complete it partly to salvage its reputation.

That was the analysis of Kushina's jonin teammate.

One day later.

Kushina and her three teammates entered the Land of Rain.

Once they entered the Land of Rain, Kushina and her three teammates all became cautious.

Farther away from them.

Four figures clad in Red Cloud Black Background appeared some distance away.

Because it was raining and the two sides were far apart, Kushina did not notice them.

"Orochimaru, that's the Jinchuriki from your village, huh? Hehe, I hope you won't go easy on her. I still want a Jinchuriki Human Puppet."

Beneath the cloak of a short, dark, sturdy figure, Sasori teased Orochimaru.

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked the rainwater from his face. "Don't worry. I also want a Jinchuriki on my operating table."

"Hehe, the reward this time is substantial. Don't screw it up. Make sure you capture all of them," Kakuzu said coldly.

Biwa Juzo, carrying the Kubikiribōchō, was equally straightforward. "Let's go. We'll surround them and make sure they can't escape. I'll take the rear."

At that moment, a gigantic pitcher plant emerged from the branches of another tree.

"There's one more ninja behind those four. It should be that Masked Man from five years ago."

After Zetsu appeared, he gave the four of them a reminder.

"Oh? This Masked Man has the same target as us?" Kakuzu looked at Zetsu curiously. "I remember this mission was issued directly to us."

"No. This Masked Man may have some connection to Kushina Uzumaki. The client said we should guard against Kushina being rescued by the Masked Man."

"?"

The four ninja were all somewhat puzzled, and Zetsu did not keep them guessing.

"The client said that this Masked Man might be protecting Kushina Uzumaki, so they hoped we would take him into account as well. That is why the payment is as high as One Hundred Forty Million Ryo. If we kill the Masked Man, there will also be a bounty available from the Black Market."

Kakuzu was somewhat displeased.

"It was bad enough that one target became two. This Masked Man even has Space-Time Ninjutsu. What way do we have to restrain him?"

"Give it a try. We can't just refuse to make an effort." Zetsu was somewhat helpless as well.

Meanwhile, farther away in the sky.

Six figures in red clouds against black robes watched from afar.

They were none other than Nagato's six puppets.

Having never witnessed the Masked Man's ninjutsu, he decided to personally test Minato. It also happened to let him avoid the other members while he tried to recruit the Masked Man into Akatsuki.

After Kushina Uzumaki arrived at the mission location, she discovered that the target was inside a tower in this Land of Rain town.

They could have forced their way in, but Kushina decisively chose to retreat.

The moment they left the town, a ninja carrying Kubikiribōchō blocked the path of the four of them.

"Didn't expect to be discovered so quickly. Can't be helped. Stay behind obediently."

At that moment, Kakuzu's combined ninjutsu, Earth Grudge Fear: Final Shot, had already reached the four of them.

Kushina swiftly activated her Tailed Beast Cloak.

The Tailed Beast Cloak was highly practical, capable of both attack and defense. If the Sealing Array had not suppressed Kushina's strength last time, it would have been incredibly difficult for those Masked Ninja to capture her.

Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall! 3

Kushina's companions rapidly formed hand seals as well. Three earthen walls rose up, only to be immediately shattered by Kakuzu's ninjutsu.

However, after breaking through the three earth walls, the ninjutsu had lost its momentum.

Kushina ignored all of that and directly began condensing a Tailed Beast Ball.

"Stop her!"

Kakuzu began to panic. They absolutely could not let Kushina use a Tailed Beast Ball now.

Otherwise, its power would be enough to force them back. If they retreated, they would have to surround and intercept Kushina all over again.

Wouldn't that just be a waste of time?

At that moment, a vast number of venomous snakes appeared on the ground, covering the entire surface.

Five or six snakes intertwined behind Kushina, then gradually formed into Orochimaru's shape. Colors appeared on each of Orochimaru's five fingers.

Five Elements Seal!

But although Kushina was condensing a Tailed Beast Ball, she had not relaxed her defenses around herself. The instant Orochimaru appeared, several golden chains shot out from behind her.

Before Orochimaru's fingers could touch Kushina, he was already bound by Adamantine Sealing Chains.

At the same time, the Tailed Beast Ball above Kushina's head shot toward Kakuzu, who had spread open his five Earth Grudge Fear masks.

Kakuzu regretfully withdrew the masks, then swiftly retreated.

If he did not retreat, he would have to take the Tailed Beast Ball head-on. There was no way he could withstand that.

PS: Thanks to reader Night Moon Black Wing for the monthly vote.