On the other side of Konoha, a massive barrier had been erected. The Nine-Tails, driven away from the heart of the village, was trapped inside it.
The plot was moving rather quickly. After inspecting the dungeon's boundaries, Yuzuru hadn't had enough time to get inside the barrier first.
It was already a little late, but given how precious the chance to enter the dungeon was, Yuzuru hadn't completely abandoned his original plan.
After all, the newborn Naruto Uzumaki couldn't defend himself at all. If Yuzuru could get close, he might find a chance to strike.
After thinking it over, Yuzuru decided to bring along the corpse of the Third Hokage's old teammate—Torifu Akimichi, who had already died—to make himself seem more credible.
And as he approached the edge of the barrier with the body on his back, he happened to see the Third Hokage crouching there with several other ninja.
Couldn't the people from Konoha open this barrier in time? Or had they all just assumed that the Fourth Hokage would handle the job?
Yuzuru didn't know. He only knew that what came next would really test his acting skills.
The Third Hokage had plenty of guards around him, so Yuzuru's approach was noticed almost immediately.
"Lord Third, someone's coming up behind us."
Anyone approaching Konoha's key figures at a time like this warranted caution, so an Anbu Ninja quickly reported it.
The Third Hokage glanced back, then said, "Don't be nervous. Let him through."
Yuzuru was able to reach the Third Hokage. He knew he should keep his words brief. Calm—even cold—would work, and it would be even better if he could hide a trace of sorrow beneath that coldness.
"Lord Third, I have some bad news..."
Yuzuru didn't need to say anything more. He had Torifu Akimichi on