At Odds

Humiliating him in front of his teammates, Yusuke had no doubt the patrol ninja across from him would charge over and fight him to the death the very next second.

Yusuke swallowed, ready to take him head-on.

Damn Kuroiwa. What a bastard. If I weren't trying to avoid giving myself away, I wouldn't have done this.

The patrol ninja glared at Yusuke with furious eyes, as if he held a deep grudge against him.

The shopkeeper was caught between them. Though he had just been hurt badly, he didn't dare move an inch.

The patrol ninja gave a cold snort and loosened his grip on the scabbard. He knew that if he didn't leave now, Yusuke would only say worse things.

"Let's go!" He turned and left with his squad.

"Coward."

Yusuke spat, then ran his hand down the shopkeeper's prominent bulge. The shopkeeper shuddered.

"I enjoyed myself just now. Come upstairs with me," Yusuke said.

The shopkeeper pleaded, "Sir, I'm not feeling well these days."

Yusuke snorted. "What rotten luck. Forget it. Don't go wake the person upstairs. Let him wake up on his own."

With that, he shoved the shopkeeper aside and staggered out of the shop.

The shopkeeper gritted his teeth, wanting to curse but not daring to.

Yusuke wandered around the streets for a few laps, checking again and again to make sure no one was following him.

Once he entered a secluded alley, he quickly dispelled his transformation. After buying a few things at random, he returned to their lodgings.

Tsunade was the sort who could never sit still. She had finished her treatment a while ago and was now pacing back and forth around the house.

Seeing how restless Tsunade seemed, Konan mustered her courage and went over to her.

"Big sister, Yusuke will be fine. Don't worry. Let's play with origami." She hoped a game might soothe Tsunade's anxiety.

Tsunade stroked Konan's hair, managing only a faint smile.

Just then, Yusuke hurried inside. Seeing how flustered he looked, Tsunade stood and went over to him.

But a faint fragrance clung to Yusuke, and she couldn't help sniffing.

"What's wrong?" She took his hand and patted it a few times, signaling him to calm down.

Yusuke smiled. "It's nothing. I saw someone getting robbed on the way here. Good thing I ran fast."

He set down some things he had bought that morning beside Konan and Seiichi. Among them were some paper and picture books.

"These are for you. Thanks for taking us in."

"There's an origami book in there that Konan will like."

"This place is too dangerous. We're leaving today." He smiled and waved goodbye.

Tsunade froze for a moment but didn't question Yusuke's decision.

After spending several days together, she trusted his judgment. She knew he would explain.

Konan had been smiling as she looked at the paper and picture books.

But when she heard that Yusuke and Tsunade were leaving, she gazed at them reluctantly.

People on the bottom rung of society were often better at seeing what someone was really like.

After spending two days with them and seeing that Yusuke still remembered to bring his daughter a gift, Seiichi finally made up his mind.

"Wait, sir! Could you take my daughter with you? She's a really good girl. She never throws tantrums, and she barely eats."

Seiichi struggled to sit up and knelt on the bed as he pleaded.

Konan turned around and stared at her father in horror, unable to believe he was giving her away. Her wide eyes instantly filled with tears.

Her little face was stricken, and she clutched the book tightly in both hands, overwhelmed.

"I know you're ninja from another village. I can serve as bait and draw the village's ninja away."

"I only ask that you treat Konan well."

"She's much too young to stay in a place full of chaos like this."

Seiichi knocked his head against the bed over and over, ignoring his daughter as she tried to support him. He was like a dying beast making one last stand to protect its young.

When Yusuke heard that Seiichi had figured out who they were, his gaze tightened slightly.

He looked to Tsunade. This was no longer a decision he could make.

They usually pretended to be husband and wife, so he could make decisions on his own.

But when it came to the mission, he had to follow the team leader's orders.

Tsunade looked at the crying man, torn.

By the rules, for the sake of the mission, she should kill both the father and daughter before her to prevent the leak of information.

But in this man, she saw the shadow of her grandfather, Hashirama Senju.

They were nothing alike in strength, but both doted deeply on their children and younger kin.

For the mission, should I still...

Tsunade was torn, but chakra quietly gathered in her palm.

Yusuke watched her in silence, his thoughts just as conflicted.

If everything can be sacrificed for the mission, then does that include my life—even Tsunade's?

Yusuke had no answer. But if Tsunade took the lives of these innocent people with her own hands, he believed it would become a knot in her heart that would never come undone.

After a long while, Tsunade unclenched her fist, and the chakra in her hand dissipated.

"If we get the chance, we will."

She sighed. In the end, she couldn't bring herself to kill the two "witnesses."

Watching Tsunade and Yusuke turn to leave, Seiichi stopped bowing.

He was overjoyed. He had won his daughter a chance to live.

He pulled Konan into his arms, ignoring her struggles and tearful protests, and spoke softly.

"Konan, you have to be good and listen to them. When those two adults come back, you have to obey them just as you obey me. Understand?"

The rain started falling again outside. Lightning flashed, and the sky grew dark and gloomy.

The two of them made their way through the rain. Yusuke was in a surprisingly good mood. He took Tsunade's hand and secretly wrote out a coded message.

Yusuke: I controlled a Chunin. Based on what I learned, I've concluded that Amegakure is going to attack the Land of Iron, and then start a war across the Ninja World.

Tsunade: Are you sure?

The troubled look on Tsunade's face disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

Yusuke: Ninety percent sure. There are far fewer ninja patrolling the streets today.

Yusuke: The Chunin's memories also mentioned supplies, the Land of Iron, and war again and again.

Yusuke: We should go back at once and warn the higher-ups to prepare their defenses.

Tsunade didn't respond right away.

After a while, she slowly wrote: Words alone aren't enough. Send the information you told me back first, and get the old man's attention.

Tsunade: If what you say is true, Amegakure's defenses should be weaker.

Tsunade: We'll move tonight. Get Amegakure's roster of ninja or its battle plans, and find out how many troops they have.

Yusuke's hand clearly stiffened. He wasn't sure whether Hanzo the Salamander had already made his move.

Tsunade had never fought Hanzo the Salamander, so she didn't understand how terrifying he was.

Yusuke quickly wrote on her palm: Even if you team up with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, you still can't beat Hanzo the Salamander. How do you plan to get the roster from him?

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, thinking, This kid doesn't make baseless claims. But are we really supposed to return to the village with nothing but information he's inferred?

If we're wrong, the village's losses won't be something he can bear alone.