Boosting Two People's Favorability at Once

As they spoke, the group of cloud ninja had already rushed into Uzumaki Kushina's house.

Soseki's expression turned grave. "Damn it, we're too late!"

"Ha ha, don't worry." Asuma looked positively delighted by their misfortune. "Those cloud ninja are done for. I heard from the old man that that big sister's strength is super—"

Before he could finish, several black-clad ninja emerged, escorting a red-haired girl.

Asuma: "???"

Seeing the strange look in Soseki's eyes, Asuma hurriedly explained, "I get it. This must be that red-haired big sister's deliberate disguise. She wants to follow this lead and catch all the spies in one go."

But Soseki shook his head slightly. If he had guessed correctly, most of Uzumaki Kushina's strength was currently being suppressed by the Nine-Tails.

After all, Uzumaki Mito had been too old when she transferred the seal. Though the Third Hokage and the others were powerful, their mastery of sealing techniques still could not compare to that of the Uzumaki Clan.

Most importantly, the Nine-Tails sealed within Uzumaki Kushina was whole. This meant that the strength of the seal within her was even weaker than Naruto's would be in the future.

To keep the Nine-Tails from breaking free, Uzumaki Kushina did not dare use Chakra at all. As a result, she did not dare resist even after being captured by these small-fry ninja.

It could be said that those cloud ninja were dancing on the edge of death without even realizing it.

So this world really does make it easy for good people to be bullied, Soseki reflected inwardly. Beside him, Asuma had also realized that something was wrong.

That big sister had stumbled several times along the way, only to be brutally dragged across the ground by those cloud ninjas tugging on the rope.

Even if she was putting on an act, did she really need to go this far?

"This is bad, Soseki. That big sister may have actually been captured. We need to save her now!"

"Wait. Don't be impulsive. Don't forget, they have a hostage!"

At that thought, Asuma immediately grew anxious. "Then what do we do? Damn it, we shouldn't have tested them. We should've just arrested them. Even if we'd gotten it wrong, they could've only scolded me."

"Don't blame yourself too much. This involves two countries. Without evidence, the higher-ups wouldn't directly arrest them."

"But it'll be too late if we go back for help now!"

Soseki's voice remained steady and unhurried. "Don't worry. There's still a way."

Hearing Soseki say that, Asuma calmed down as well. "Tell me, Soseki. What do we do?"

Soseki narrowed his eyes. "Keep following them for now. When they reach the Leaf Village border and are only one step away from success, that should be when they're most relaxed. Then we'll work together to snatch the hostage back at the first opportunity!"

Asuma could not resist arguing, "But what if they don't let their guard down?"

Soseki said helplessly, "Then I'll have no choice but to try using Genjutsu to strike their minds. I'm very confident in my Genjutsu, but they're still ninja. I can't guarantee it'll work."

"It has to work!" Asuma said, then grumbled gloomily, "I've been out this late, so can't the old man hurry up and spy on me for once? Damn it, he must be taking advantage of me not being home to peek at other people."

Unlike the worried Asuma, Soseki's expression had not fluctuated in the slightest from beginning to end. Everything so far had gone according to his expectations, including the other protagonist of this little show, who had yet to make an appearance.

Whether I'm boosting one person's favorability or two people's, it's still boosting favorability. So don't disappoint me, Senior Namikaze Minato!

Compared with Namikaze Minato, Soseki actually valued Uzumaki Kushina more... or rather, her sealing techniques. Still, Namikaze Minato also had the potential to develop into an excellent Tool Person.

Naturally, Soseki did not want to miss such an opportunity to boost two people's favorability at once.

If Namikaze Minato makes a move, I won't have to put in much effort. I just need to find the right opportunity to pick up some experience. But what if... he doesn't arrive in time like he did in the original timeline?

Soseki did not believe that the river of fate would be as still as a stagnant pool, incapable of producing even the slightest ripple. Placing too much faith in the future he knew would only leave him in a passive and disadvantageous position.

So, even when taking part in this known "future," he had still made ample preparations. Before deliberately guiding Asuma, he had already investigated their intentions and strength in advance.

After all, I never said that an ordinary Chunin was beyond my ability to handle. As a genius, it would be perfectly reasonable for me to break through in battle, wouldn't it?

Under the cover of night, the two closely followed behind the cloud ninja.

Asuma picked up a soft strand of red hair from the ground, his expression complicated. "Soseki, are these people really ninja?"

That big sister had dropped hair all along the way, and it was brilliant red hair that stood out like fire in the darkness. Yet not one of those ninja had noticed it.

At first, he had worried that the cloud ninja were deliberately trying to lure them out, but now it seemed that those ninja were genuinely weak!

Soseki remained silent. He finally understood why the Cloud Village loved stirring up trouble so much yet gained so little every time—they were weak, but still loved causing problems!

After realizing this, Asuma asked eagerly, "Soseki, should we get closer?"

Soseki was about to answer, but the Chakra fluctuations coming from afar made him lose focus for a moment.

It was the Chakra he had attached to Uzumaki Kushina's hair.

Though he was not a specialized sensory ninja, under these circumstances, if someone picked up the strands of hair that had fallen to the ground, he could still sense the fluctuations of Chakra.

Namikaze Minato? It looks like I need to act quickly. Otherwise, once he gets here, there won't be anything left for me to do!

With that thought, Soseki no longer hesitated. "Of course we should get closer. And we'll take the chance to launch a surprise attack!"

Asuma's eyes widened. "But didn't you say we should wait until they got close to the Leaf Village border?"

Soseki put on a grave expression and earnestly spun his tale. "Earlier, I overlooked an important detail. These cloud ninja likely arranged for people to meet them outside the barrier beforehand. If a battle breaks out at the border, the cloud ninja outside the barrier might notice. If they charge into the barrier regardless of the consequences, then even if the adults in the village receive word, it'll be too late."

"So it's best to attack somewhere relatively close to the border, but where the fighting won't be noticed by those outside the barrier."

"I understand." Asuma nodded in sudden realization and praised him, "You really did think things through, Soseki."

"Alright. Watch my hand signs in a moment. As soon as I finish forming them, immediately snatch that big sister back."

"Got it!"

Thanks to Liu Daohai for the 300 tip, and to I Never Said I Was Unhappy for the 100 tip.