Tell Everyone to Stay Safe

Hyuga Hiashi was no fool. A fool could never have become Clan Head. He immediately realized something had happened.

After Shikamaru Nara exchanged a few words with the chubby boy from the Akimichi Family, the boy actually put down his chips and reached out with a hand still covered in crumbs to grab the Yamanaka Clan member sitting in the row ahead of them.

Then all three stood up.

"Sakura, find a way to get permission to go home. Hide near the edge of the village if you can. Better yet, leave the village and hide outside."

"And stay away from Sasuke Uchiha..."

Before Ino left with Shikamaru and Choji, she tossed a note onto Sakura's desk.

Her relationship with Sakura had its ups and downs, and it all came down to Sasuke. If Ino trained with him for even a little while, Sakura got jealous.

Sometimes Ino found Sakura annoying too. But Shikamaru had hinted that whatever was about to happen might be serious, so she gave Sakura a warning anyway.

Sakura misunderstood her good intentions. Just as Ino reached the classroom door, Sakura suddenly stood and shouted:

"Ino! Don't think I'll give up!"

No one had come to find Hiashi yet, which probably meant the target had nothing to do with the Hyuga Clan. Even so, he should not risk alerting anyone.

Hyuga Yue had come back unusually early today, though, and Ino had clearly heard something. Hiashi wanted to ask Shikaku—or even go straight to the Hokage—for an explanation, but Yue, who had access to Inoichi Yamanaka, was a good source of information.

"No matter what happens, I won't leave Sasuke-kun!"

"Stay safe. Tell everyone else to be careful too..."

The strange Anbu and Root operatives, along with young Ino hurrying home, suddenly made something click for