Kushina Uzumaki's Crisis

Chiyu could hardly wait to return to Konoha.

The only brief time Chiyu could see Kushina Uzumaki was during the small window of free time after completing a mission.

Moreover, Kushina Uzumaki had now learned some Sealing Jutsu from Mito Uzumaki, and three months ago, Mito Uzumaki had agreed to let Kushina Uzumaki begin taking missions.

However, due to Kushina Uzumaki's importance, the missions she carried out were all within the Land of Fire.

As a result, over these eight months, Chiyu and Kushina Uzumaki had met fewer times than he could count on one hand.

Although returning to Konoha this time did not necessarily mean he would get to see Kushina Uzumaki, Chiyu still held onto that hope.

At the thought that he might be able to see Kushina Uzumaki, a smile unconsciously appeared on Chiyu's face, and he sped up toward Konoha.

Konoha.

Having just completed a mission, Kushina Uzumaki walked out of the Hokage Office.

Kushina Uzumaki rubbed her aching neck. This ninja life was completely different from what she had imagined.

So far, Kushina Uzumaki and her two teammates had done nothing but accept and complete endlessly easy D-rank missions, leaving her utterly stifled.

"If Chiyu were here, even D-rank missions would be fine."

After pouting and muttering to herself, Kushina Uzumaki headed toward Mito Uzumaki's residence.

It was already dusk.

Kushina Uzumaki returned to the residence.

"I'm back!"

But Kushina Uzumaki received no response.

Kushina Uzumaki went farther into the residence and called again, "I'm back, Grandma Mito?"

But Kushina Uzumaki still received no reply.

Kushina Uzumaki paused at the kitchen entrance and murmured, "Grandma Mito isn't here?"

Kushina Uzumaki stared blankly through the kitchen window.

She had noticed that the branches outside seemed to be swaying strangely.

At that moment, three figures appeared at the window.

The Kumogakure ninja Chiyu had always worried about had appeared.

These three Kumogakure ninja had been lying low in Konoha for many days.

They had observed that Kushina Uzumaki possessed special Chakra and had become intensely covetous of her. Seizing today's opportunity, they prepared to abduct her.

The three Kumogakure ninja climbed through the window into the kitchen.

Kushina Uzumaki, who had no real combat experience, was terrified and immediately ran.

As she fled, Kushina Uzumaki cried loudly for help, "Is anyone there? Help!"

However, among these three Kumogakure ninja who had infiltrated Konoha, two were Tokubetsu Jonin and one was a Jonin.

The three quickly caught up to and subdued Kushina Uzumaki.

After succeeding, the three Kumogakure ninja immediately withdrew from Konoha.

Within a forest in the Land of Fire.

Kushina Uzumaki's hands were tied behind her back. Two ninja walked ahead, while one held the rope and walked behind Kushina Uzumaki.

Kushina Uzumaki walked forward with lifeless eyes.

They were getting farther and farther from Konoha, and closer and closer to the border of the Land of Fire.

Kushina Uzumaki accidentally stepped on a stone and fell to the ground.

The ninja behind her roughly yanked the rope, forcibly pulling Kushina Uzumaki up from the ground.

"Hey! Don't slack off! Keep walking!"

Kushina Uzumaki tightly clenched the bell Chiyu had given her and secretly shook it, hoping for a miracle.

But they were nearly at the border, and the miracle still had not come. Despair filled Kushina Uzumaki's heart, and tears began streaming down her face uncontrollably.

Thinking that she might never see Chiyu again, Kushina Uzumaki felt as though someone were clutching her heart, the pain unbearable.

In despair, Kushina Uzumaki shouted, "Chiyu!"

"Shut up!"

Just as the Kumogakure ninja behind Kushina Uzumaki was about to slam his fist into her—

Suddenly, the roar of thunder rang out from the forest.

"Thunder Breathing · Fourth Form · Distant Thunder!"

The three Kumogakure ninja saw only a flash of lightning. The head of the Kumogakure ninja who had been about to throw his punch flew straight into the sky.

This sudden turn of events shook the other two ninja, and they immediately retreated to put distance between themselves and their attacker.

Chiyu appeared before Kushina Uzumaki.

Seeing Kushina Uzumaki in such a wretched state, Chiyu's heart ached terribly.

After cutting the rope binding Kushina Uzumaki's hands with a slash, Chiyu reached out and gently stroked her face.

"I'm sorry, Kushina. I came too late..."

Kushina Uzumaki threw herself into Chiyu's arms and burst into loud sobs.

Chiyu's heart clenched with pain as well. At the same time, he turned his gaze toward the two Kumogakure ninja preparing to attack. The killing intent in his eyes could no longer be restrained, and his Two-Tomoe Sharingan had opened.

Chiyu released Kushina Uzumaki, helped her sit against a tree trunk, and made his voice as gentle as possible. "Kushina, wait here. Once I deal with them, I'll take you home."

Chiyu used the Summoning Jutsu and summoned the White Snake.

"White Snake, protect Kushina."

Hearing the chill in Chiyu's voice, the White Snake did not try to draw attention to itself. It obediently coiled beside Kushina Uzumaki.

Chiyu adjusted his breathing, his Sharingan locking tightly onto the two Kumogakure ninja.

When Chiyu had discovered the bell ringing, a sudden sense of dread had risen in his heart, and he immediately realized that something had happened to Kushina Uzumaki.

Following the bell's guidance, Chiyu stimulated his body with Lightning Release Chakra, activating it as he rushed here at full speed.

The Kumogakure Jonin Oyulo looked at Chiyu's Sharingan with greedy eyes. "The Sharingan! The Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha Clan?! Our luck is really good. But this brat isn't simple. Atuyi, attack together!"

Tokubetsu Jonin Atuyi replied solemnly, "Yes, Captain!"

Oyulo and Atuyi simultaneously drew the ninja blades from their backs.

"Lightning Release · Thunder Slash Flash!"

Oyulo unleashed an electric current toward Chiyu, then used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside him and thrust his blade at Chiyu's body.

"Thunder Breathing · Second Form · Rice Soul!"

Chiyu instantly unleashed five lightning-shaped consecutive slashes.

The first slash cut apart Oyulo's ninja blade, while the remaining four slashed toward Oyulo's vital points.

Oyulo's reaction speed was also extremely fast. He blocked three of the strikes, but the fourth still cut across his chest.

Oyulo lowered his head to look at the charred blade wound on his chest, then stared at Chiyu in shock.

Although Chiyu had killed his companion with a single slash earlier, and he had already known that Chiyu was fast, only upon truly exchanging blows did he experience just how fast this boy was.

If his reaction had been any slower just now, he would have been beheaded by the second slash like his companion.

Chiyu, however, frowned slightly.

He had slowed down.

Because he had rushed here to save Kushina Uzumaki and stimulated his body with Lightning Release Chakra for too long, Chiyu's meridians now throbbed faintly with pain.

Chiyu assumed his stance again. These two Kumogakure ninja had to be killed here!