Luring Out the Anbu

At the very least, Yashui had mastered the Transformation Technique, even though Konohamaru and Naruto's training consisted of nothing but that.

Naruto's long-term research had brought his Transformation Technique to a state of perfection, and Yashui had borrowed Naruto's image while learning it. This saved him the time of having to go around "gathering material."

Naruto, who could elevate the ordinary Transformation Technique into a Transformation Technique, was not stupid at all.

However, Naruto was simply terrible at both the Transformation Technique and the Clone Technique. Aside from the Nine-Tails inside him causing trouble, it was largely because he had no interest in these two types of ninjutsu.

Compared to the Transformation Technique and Clone Technique, Naruto's combat ability and physical stamina were relatively outstanding. Perhaps Naruto simply preferred techniques that could be used in actual combat.

"Naruto, there is something I want to tell you." Yashui looked at the setting sun. It was almost time to head home with Konohamaru.

"What is it?" Naruto squinted at Yashui, his eyes looking as if they weren't even open.

"I've applied for early graduation. We'll be taking the graduation exam together the day after tomorrow," Yashui said, gazing at the sunset.

"Early graduation? You can apply for something like that?" Naruto truly didn't know anything.

"Yeah, that's right." Yashui said to Naruto with a face full of smiles, "Because I want to graduate with you."

When Naruto heard Yashui's words, his face turned red instantly. The light of the setting sun reflected on Naruto's cheeks, making it impossible to tell if it was the red of the sunset or Naruto's blushing.

Wait, what was going on? Seeing Naruto's coy expression, Yashui realized that the tone he had just used was a bit off.

Everything Yashui had just said was the absolute truth; he had indeed applied for early graduation specifically to graduate alongside Naruto. He wanted to be with the Konoha Twelve and find a bit of the warmth he remembered.

But the way he said it sounded so much like a confession. Even more bizarrely, Naruto acted just like a young girl who had been suddenly confessed to, becoming all shy and bashful.

This made Yashui feel very awkward.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Yashui, who was feeling a headache over Naruto's attitude, noticed something strange in the trees. Could the sunlight at this angle really cast a shadow like that?

"Konohamaru, can you go home by yourself? Tell Grandpa I won't be back for dinner." Yashui glanced at Konohamaru.

"Um, I can... but what are you going to do, Brother Yashui?" Konohamaru asked innocently.

"Naruto and I have some business to take care of." After saying this, Yashui grabbed Naruto and headed deep into the woods.

Naruto still looked bashful, muttering, "We only just met for the first time..."

Yashui was truly mortified. It seemed Naruto's future love for Sasuke was indeed more than just simple friendship.

"Naruto, don't make a sound no matter what I say next," Yashui whispered into Naruto's ear.

"Mm... mm." Naruto replied, blushing.

"..." If Naruto were a girl, what happened next would be a classic scene in a small grove. Yashui shook his head; he couldn't let his mind wander, there was serious work to be done.

"Naruto, someone has been following you. It's likely a genin-level ninja." Yashui covered Naruto's mouth as he spoke. He still didn't trust Naruto to stay quiet after hearing that.

Yashui had seen that the sun had already set, yet a small patch on a nearby tree branch was still casting a shadow. The shadow didn't move; it looked like a completely still painting.

In such a situation, the first thought was usually that a ninja was hiding there. Judging by the subpar camouflage, it was likely a genin.

Hearing Yashui's words, Naruto was shocked. If Yashui hadn't been firmly covering his mouth to keep him from making a sound, he would have been shouting and screaming already.

"Listen to me, I have a strategy... we can figure out his goal..." Yashui whispered into Naruto's ear.

Mumble mumble mumble (Tactical discussion process)...

Yashui punched Naruto in the face: "You guy, what are you trying to do to my little brother?"

"Tch... Konohamaru was the one sticking to me." Naruto was knocked to the ground; he pulled a kunai from his ninja tool pouch, preparing to fight back.

"Heh, come to think of it, my grudge against you goes back a long way. If you hadn't killed the Fourth Hokage, Grandpa wouldn't have to keep working at his age!"

"So he should hurry up and hand the position of Hokage over to me."

"I'd rather give the position of Hokage to a dog than to you, you demon fox!" Yashui pulled out two shuriken and threw them at Naruto: "Take this! Demon fox!"

"I'm not a demon fox! I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" Naruto seemed to be fighting for the first time; he was flustered just trying to dodge the two shuriken.

Taking advantage of this, Yashui formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" Yashui didn't use his full strength; the fireball was only a meter wide, looking no different from the fire tricks performed by street acrobats.

The fireball blocked Naruto's path. Naruto ran a few steps to the side, only to run straight into Yashui.

"You're finished." Yashui shoved Naruto aside, then pulled out a kunai and stabbed it into Naruto's body.

"Cough, cough..." Naruto's lung was pierced, and he coughed up a bit of blood.

"The next strike won't miss!" Yashui said, thrusting the kunai toward Naruto's chest.

A strong, powerful hand grabbed Yashui's wrist. The grip was firm, causing Yashui's wrist to ache. For a moment, Yashui couldn't move at all.

Yashui looked up to see an Anbu wearing a white mask with a ninja sword strapped to his back.

"That's enough." The Anbu let go after speaking. He approached Naruto, preparing to take him to the Konoha Hospital.

"Poof!"

The moment the Anbu touched "Naruto," he transformed into a wooden log.

"I told you to stop following me!" At that moment, the real Naruto jumped down from behind the Anbu, shouting as he launched a sneak attack.

This was Yashui's plan: the two of them would pretend to have an internal conflict. During the fight, Yashui would intentionally push Naruto to signal him to use the Substitution Technique. Once Naruto used the Substitution Technique, Yashui would immediately apply the Transformation Technique he had already prepared to the log, turning it into Naruto's likeness.

The whole process was as fast as lightning. Once the steps were finished, Yashui could safely attack the fake Naruto, while the real Naruto could observe the situation from the shadows, ready to launch a surprise attack.

If the person who arrived didn't stop Yashui's "lethal" strike and only appeared to collect the body after "Naruto" had "died," it would show that the person had ill intentions.

But if this person stopped Yashui's fatal attack on Naruto, then they were likely following him to protect him. There was no need to worry about someone like that.