"Minato?"
"You guessed it!
Those two train together all the time. You can tell that kid Minato really likes Kushina!"
"Then how did Minato know where Kushina went?"
"Don't worry. They're both pretty sharp! Look at the ground!"
Fugaku couldn't see Xuanhui's pointing finger, so he could only give the area a quick scan.
Fortunately, his Sharingan spotted the anomaly at once.
"Red hair! Kushina left it on purpose!"
The three had run for a while, taking turns carrying Kushina. She was simply too heavy!
There was nothing for it. They had already gotten far away and entered the forest, so they might as well walk for a bit.
The three climbed down from the trees and tied Kushina's hands. Two walked ahead, pulling her along, while the third brought up the rear.
Xuanhui caught Fugaku by the wrist, and the two slowed their pace.
Xuanhui suddenly jerked his head up. He had finally sensed Minato's chakra as Minato set off in pursuit.
"Finally noticed, huh?"
Minato ran faster and faster, eventually reaching a speed that even Xuanhui had to admire!
Roughly a dozen minutes passed.
Kushina was mentally exhausted.
Overwhelming fear weighed down her mind, and her consciousness began to blur.
Someone, please save me...
The two kept following doggedly.
"Fugaku, watch your left."
"What's on my lef-"
An agile yellow blur darted through the forest.
He held a kunai that gleamed coldly, looking especially chilling beneath the moonlight.
With a light leap, he landed soundlessly at the rear of the group.
A slash across the throat, and the first man fell to the ground, eyes wide.
The second turned to look, only for Minato to stab him with a backhand thrust before leaping into the trees beside them.
The third tightened his grip on the rope and found