Chapter Twenty: One Night (5)

Because of this, at this very moment, the Anbu operative's body was trembling uncontrollably, even the hand gripping his kunai shaking slightly.

"Is the Kurama Clan truly going to betray Konoha?" the Anbu asked in a deep voice after a scoff.

Kurama Yewu had intended to strike a lethal blow to finish the operative off, but upon hearing these words, his body jolted. He hadn't expected the man to already know it was the Kurama Clan. Could it be that the Konoha high command was already prepared?

At this thought, a fierce look flashed in Kurama Yewu's eyes.

His voice turned icy. "Hmph, betray Konoha? It is you in Konoha who have bullied us too far! My clan's genius was imprisoned, and our clansmen were slaughtered! After treating my clan this way, do you expect us to just sit here and be slaughtered? Enough talk. Since you know it is the Kurama Clan acting, there is no turning back!"

The Anbu's expression tightened. He could clearly sense that the aura of the man called Kurama Yewu was no less than his own, not to mention that he was currently severely wounded and there were three other Kurama clansmen nearby who clearly possessed the strength of Chunin.

Even if he were in perfect condition, he might not be a match for this Kurama clansman, as the opponent specialized in genjutsu, and he happened to have a glaring weakness when dealing with it.

The Anbu did not fear death. As an Anbu, he was ready to sacrifice himself at any time for the interests and safety of Konoha. But the problem now was that, although he saw that the Ninja Academy kid had decent potential, he had entrusted him to take the target away. Even for a genius, carrying someone would inevitably slow their movement, and it had been less than a few minutes since he had left.

A bitter look appeared on the Anbu's face. He had already given his all, and his body was reaching its limit. Now, he could only drag this out for as long as possible.

"Hmph." Seeing the Anbu remain silent, Kurama Yewu knew exactly what the man was planning. He threw back the hood of his black cloak, revealing a face filled with murderous intent.

At this point, Kurama Yewu had no intention of letting the Anbu go. After all, the man already knew it was the Kurama Clan. Although Konoha would surely discover it was them eventually, dragging it out for even a moment longer was worth it.

Of course, Kurama Yewu did not know that Konoha had long been aware of the Kurama Clan's plan. The Third Hokage saw through their actions as clearly as fire, and as they began their operation, he had already set out with several Anbu.

At the Third's speed, he would arrive in less than half an hour. If the leader of the Kurama Clan had known this, he would not have ordered a retreat in an hour, but would have ordered it without hesitation.

Even if the Third was old, he was still the "Shinobi Hero" who had once dominated the ninja world—the Hokage of Konoha! In their view, even if the Kurama Clan betrayed Konoha, the Hokage would not move easily.

However, they did not know that Sarutobi Hiruzen had been hoping to resolve the Kurama Clan's issues peacefully, which was why he had stepped out personally when faced with this situation. He would not, and did not want to, give up any hope of a peaceful resolution.

But the Kurama Clan had ultimately decided to use extreme measures to solve their problems, which caused Sarutobi Hiruzen great pain. The misunderstandings grew, and the grievances deepened.

Yet, even at this very moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen had not given up on the idea of a peaceful resolution. That was why he had kept the Kurama Clan's actions hidden; he knew that if those two advisors learned of the Kurama Clan's movements, they might have different ideas.

Worse still, if that person found out, Sarutobi Hiruzen was certain that his methods would be to completely eradicate the Kurama Clan. He knew his old teammate all too well.

As long as it was for the benefit of Konoha, any factor that could threaten the village's safety would be nipped in the bud.

Just like the past incidents with the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan.

As he moved quickly, Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled the events of the past, his expression becoming increasingly resolute. Konoha was everyone's village; peace must never be abandoned lightly. The situation with the Kurama Clan had not yet reached the point of no return.

Conflict would only bring casualties, and in the end, it was Konoha's members who would suffer. Sarutobi Hiruzen did not want to see another clan completely wiped out in Konoha. Once was enough; it must never happen a second time!

"Increase speed!" Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered in a low voice.

"Yes!"

Several figures dashed rapidly through Konoha Village, hurrying toward the forests in the western suburbs.

The lonely night was cold and quiet. All the villagers of Konoha did not know that the noble Hokage in their hearts was still using his aging body to maintain the peace of Konoha on this most ordinary of nights.

On the other side, just as Kurama Yewu's murderous intent peaked and he was about to strike down the Anbu, the operative suddenly felt a chill run through his entire body. He thought to himself, Oh no.

As he moved his hands to weave signs, a figure appeared silently on the spot. The Anbu's body stiffened, his hands stopping mid-sign, and he went limp, collapsing softly onto the ground.

There was no sound.

The person who appeared was the leader of the black-robed men, the current head of the Kurama Clan, Kurama Yeqiong!

Kurama Yewu approached Kurama Yeqiong and said, "Big Brother, why didn't you kill him? He already knows it's the Kurama Clan!"

Kurama Yeqiong shook his head. "Even if he knows, it was only a matter of time. I have already said that we must not further provoke the Konoha high command. This way, even if Konoha issues a wanted order later, it won't be as extreme, and the Kurama Clan's situation might be slightly better."

"Enough, let's not talk about this. Where is Yun'er?" Kurama Yeqiong interrupted Yewu, who was about to say more, and asked in a deep voice.

Yewu had been somewhat dissatisfied regarding the Anbu, but upon hearing the mention of Kurama Yakumo—the key to this entire plan—he jolted, cursing himself for almost forgetting the priority.

Kurama Yewu said, "Big Brother, a brat took Yun'er away earlier. He looked like just a Genin, dressed in black with a sword on his back."

"Oh?" Kurama Yeqiong heard this, a strange look flashing in his eyes as the image of the handsome youth with purple hair appeared in his mind.

"He shouldn't have gotten far. I already ordered them to split up and search, especially toward the direction of Konoha Village. If that boy is smart, he should take a detour rather than head straight for the village. Yewu, you take men toward the southeast, and I will take the other direction!"

"Yes, Big Brother!"

"Remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not take his life. A severe injury will suffice, and the same goes for that boy! Just retrieve Yun'er!"

Kurama Yeqiong said with a warning tone. He knew his cousin's personality well; without a warning, he really might kill him. If he hadn't appeared just now, the Anbu would have already been dead.

Under Kurama Yeqiong's piercing gaze, even though Kurama Yewu was reluctant, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "Understood, Big Brother!"

Seeing Kurama Yewu's response, Kurama Yeqiong finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid that his cousin would lose his head and do something troublesome.