One Night (3)

After hearing Ueno Kei's reply, the Anbu operative fell silent. Without a word, he simply gave Ueno Kei a calm, measuring look. Ueno Kei did not panic or rush; he knew the Anbu was weighing his words.

Just as Ueno Kei had guessed, the Anbu was indeed assessing the truthfulness of his statement. However, Ueno Kei's age worked in his favor; although he stood over 1.4 meters tall, his youthful, tender face was impossible to disguise.

Furthermore, other Anbu operating in the area had confirmed that for the past few years, a young boy had indeed come to the eastern outskirts of the mountains every day to train. His current path was also, in fact, the route back to the village. Moreover, the boy before him gave the Anbu the distinct impression of being a mere ninja academy student, with chakra so pitifully weak that his strength must be negligible.

The Anbu concluded that he was likely not a spy or anything of the sort.

The Anbu gave a slight nod, and with a soft "whoosh," his figure vanished from the spot. Only after the Anbu had left did Ueno Kei let out a sigh of relief, his body gradually relaxing.

Although he understood that the Anbu would not simply attack anyone at will within the village, he had to be prepared for any eventuality. The Anbu's assumptions were mostly correct.

The only error, much like the black-robed man from before, was the estimation of Ueno Kei's strength. It was true that Ueno Kei was no match for either of them, but with the Lingyu Blade and the first move of the Wind Wing Sword Technique he could barely execute, he could at least manage to hold his own for a few exchanges against the black-robed man.

If he caught them off guard, it was not impossible for him to even wound his opponent. Bold yet cautious, his two lifetimes of reincarnation and the tragic hardships of his early years in this world had made Ueno Kei's heart as firm as rock.

Furthermore, from the slight trace of movement he had sensed from this Anbu, he knew the operative's strength was clearly inferior to that of the black-robed man. Ueno Kei was absolutely confident he could escape from his hands, provided there were no special techniques involved.

And if Ueno Kei were to disregard everything and use a summoning technique, it was hard to say who would emerge the victor, provided the summoned beast was decent.

Ueno Kei's eyes flickered as he looked toward the direction where the Anbu had departed.

He furrowed his brows. "Could something have gone wrong here? Why would an Anbu appear?"

Ueno Kei pondered for a moment, and suddenly, the image of a girl he had met by the river two years ago—a girl with a cold expression—flashed through his mind. "I hope this has nothing to do with her."

After thinking it over and finding no answers, he gave up and set off down the mountain.

Meanwhile, more than ten miles away from Ueno Kei, on a hillside outside a wooden cabin, two Konoha ninjas dressed as Anbu lay limp on the ground.

Seven or eight black-robed figures, distinct from the Anbu's black attire, were scattered around the cabin, including the burly Yewu and the leader, his older brother.

They were all there.

"Big Brother, why not just kill these two Anbu?" Yewu asked, his face full of confusion.

"Bringing Yun'er back was a last resort, but we have already provoked Konoha. If we can avoid killing the Anbu, we should; otherwise, we will only invite greater enmity."

Yewu gave a cold snort. In his view, the enmity was already established, so why bother with such things? However, since it was his brother's order, he could not easily object. Thus, he had ordered his subordinates to try to leave the other four Anbu alive.

"Clan Head! This is bad! The young lady is not inside!" At that moment, a black-robed man rushed out of the cabin, his face showing a look of panic under the moonlight.

"What? What did you say?" The leader tore off his hood, revealing an expression of disbelief, while the man called Yewu was already livid with rage.

He shoved his subordinate aside and charged into the cabin. A moment later, he emerged with a grim face and shook his head at his brother.

The leader closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and gritted his teeth. His voice was icy as he commanded, "Search! Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find her! The young lady could not have run off on her own. Someone from Konoha must have hidden and taken her away. Notify the others to seal off the entire mountain area immediately. I must have her found!"

"Yes!"

"Also, you must find her within an hour! If... if you can't... then proceed with the original plan to retreat!"

"Big Brother...!!!" Yewu looked at his brother with a horrified expression. He understood exactly what his brother meant, but to do such a thing?

A flash of pain crossed the leader's face, but it quickly hardened into resolve.

"Yewu, you should know what our fate will be if Konoha's reinforcements arrive! You must understand that!"

"Yes, Big Brother, Yewu understands."

Yakumo, don't blame your uncle for being heartless. For the sake of the Kurama Clan, I have no choice. If you are... if you are taken by Konoha... your uncle will surely avenge you in the future! the leader whispered to himself.

With a ruthless wave of his hand, he commanded, "Proceed with Plan B. If we find the young lady, all is well. If we cannot, abandon all operations, erase all traces, and withdraw from Konoha!"

"Yes!"

As the responses faded, the black-robed figures vanished from the spot, scattering in all directions to search.

In Konoha, the Hokage Office Building was illuminated by a faint light.

Two figures cast long, drawn-out shadows under the candlelight.

"Shikaku, has the Kurama Clan truly made a move?" one of the voices, aged and weary, asked softly.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. Kurama Yeqiong has already infiltrated the western mountain outskirts. However, Kurama Yakumo should not have been abducted; the hidden Anbu likely took her away," replied the other man, a middle-aged ninja with a ponytail and a terrifying scar across his face.

This was the famous strategist of the Nara Clan, one of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio: Nara Shikaku!

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, nodded silently.

"What a tragedy. It all stems from things left unexplained. Shikaku, keep this matter from the other three elders. Go notify Kurenai to head there; I will go myself."

"Lord Hokage, this..." Shikaku said, startled by Hiruzen's intention to go in person.

"Heh, Shikaku, do not worry. Though I am old, I am still the Hokage of Konoha. I will take a few direct Anbu subordinates with me. Besides, I planted the seeds of this fruit years ago; let me be the one to resolve the consequences."

"Yes," Nara Shikaku replied in a low voice. As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished.

"Sigh," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly and gave a slight wave of his right hand.

With a few "whooshes," several Anbu appeared, kneeling on one knee.

"Let's go. On such a night, this old man should get some exercise."

The Anbu moved silently, and their figures vanished from the Hokage building along with Sarutobi Hiruzen, heading toward the wooden cabin in the western mountain outskirts.

Meanwhile, Konoha's newly promoted Jonin, Yuhi Kurenai, upon receiving the Hokage's order, headed straight for the location of her beloved student without hesitation. A fate set in motion years ago was about to reach its conclusion today.

As she traveled, Kurenai felt a faint, lingering premonition in her heart.