Tracking

While Sa Lei and Sarutobi's group were still locked in a standoff, Minato and the other, rushing toward the outskirts of the village, suddenly stopped midway.

Feng Xun sniffed the air and said to Minato, "My nose tells me the boss lady and the others stopped up ahead. We'd better be careful."

"Mm!"

After answering, Minato moved forward even more stealthily.

As for why Feng Xun's nose was so sensitive, it was no longer within Minato's consideration. Over the past month or so, he had discovered far too many unbelievable things about his younger brother.

Not to mention anything else—just the tail on his backside and his rapidly improving strength were enough to astonish him. Sometimes, he even wondered whether he had fallen under someone's genjutsu.

But that clearly was not realistic. Even the Kurama Clan's Five Senses Illusion, in his opinion, could never achieve something like this.

The reason Feng Xun could smell Kushina was, first, because she had drunk a great deal that night and reeked of alcohol; second, because of his Saiyan bloodline. It made his nose far more sensitive than those of other ninja. (PS: This was inferred from Goku's keen sense of smell.)

What about the hair from the original story? Why haven't I found anything?

Feng Xun grumbled inwardly.

What he did not realize was that if Kushina had not been drunk out of her mind, how could she have failed to leave behind hair as markers?

Soon, Minato and Feng Xun, advancing cautiously, discovered three Cloud Ninja in the dense forest and an unconscious girl lying nearby.

At the sight, Minato was about to rush out when Feng Xun stopped him in time.

Facing Minato's questioning gaze, Feng Xun said nothing. He simply pointed toward the faintly visible metal wires nearby and the yellow paper talismans hanging from them.

Explosive Tags!

Minato was secretly startled. He gave Feng Xun a grateful look, then began scanning for a route from which they could strike.

While Minato was still searching for the best route of attack, Feng Xun turned his attention to the three Cloud Ninja.

Judging from their auras, the three men should all have Chunin-level strength. Aside from the leader, who was relatively young, the other two looked somewhat aged.

Is Kumogakure out of people? They actually sent a few old men to kidnap someone. Feng Xun sneered inwardly.

However, he did not lower his guard just because they were old.

On the contrary, he became even more vigilant. The older they were, the more experienced they had to be.

At that moment, Minato waved Feng Xun over, signaling for him to follow.

He found a flaw in the trap that quickly?

Feng Xun was a little surprised, but after giving it some thought, he understood. The traps had only been set up hastily, so they could not possibly have been too elaborate.

Besides, although the person before him was still young and lacked extensive experience, he was the future Fourth Hokage after all. Even without experience, his talent was beyond what ordinary people could compare to.

Just as Minato and Feng Xun quietly drew closer,

Yuan Wu said to his two teammates behind him, "Let's move on. Lord Sa Lei probably can't stall them much longer. We need to hurry."

As the other two Cloud Ninja nodded, one of them hesitantly asked, "Is this really worth it? We're risking Lord Sa Lei's life just for a little girl whose usefulness we don't even know?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Kushina lying on the ground.

"I don't know whether it's worth it, but I do know this is the Raikage's order. Even if we die, we must complete the mission." Without changing expression, Yuan Wu bent down, intending to carry Kushina onto his back.

However, just as he was about to touch Kushina, a cold glint flashed. Two Kunai flew at him from different directions, aimed at his heart and throat.

Yuan Wu's pupils shrank sharply. He shifted slightly, dodging the Kunai while standing back-to-back with his two teammates, who had only just reacted, forming a triangular formation. "Careful. The enemy followed us."

"Damn it, I didn't expect Konoha's people to catch up so quickly. Could Lord Sa Lei have already met with disaster?"

The three Cloud Ninja were somewhat agitated. Without knowing the enemy's strength, they did not dare make any rash moves.

"Konoha ninja, come out already! Is sneaking around and ambushing people really your style?"

As Yuan Wu shouted, he clenched his ninja tools tightly and continuously swept his gaze around the area.

He had already made up his mind. The instant there was any movement, he would strike first and throw the Shuriken in his hand.

Meanwhile, Feng Xun, lying in the grass, was thoroughly disdainful of Yuan Wu's words.

Tch, do you really take me for an idiot? How could I give up my advantage just because you provoked me a little and expose myself in front of you?

The chirping insects abruptly fell silent in the murderous atmosphere. As time passed bit by bit, cold sweat began to form on Yuan Wu's forehead.

At that moment, he was like an ant on a hot pan, enduring the torment of time while also guarding against a sudden enemy attack.

Damn it, if this continues, even more Konoha ninja will catch up.

Suddenly, Kushina on the ground caught his attention. Raising his brows, Yuan Wu's face curled into a cold smile. He grabbed the still-unconscious Kushina from the ground and pressed the ninja tool in his hand against her neck.

"Konoha ninja, if you still refuse to come out, I can't guarantee this girl will remain unharmed."

"Kushina!"

Minato's heart tightened. Even though his younger brother frantically signaled at him from the side, he still revealed himself from the grass.

"Sigh, my brother's such a hopeless romantic. He clearly could have waited a little longer."

Feng Xun shook his head and emerged from the grass as well.

Since their position had already been exposed, there was no point in staying hidden.

Honestly, he did not agree with Minato exposing himself like that. In his view, the three Cloud Ninja were merely putting on a show. Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki; they could not possibly kill her after going through so much trouble to bring her out.

Of course, he had no reason to stop Minato from exposing himself either. After all, it was only his own speculation. If the enemy became desperate and did something excessive, it would be too late for regrets.

When the three Cloud Ninja saw Minato and Feng Xun step out, they were visibly stunned. They had never imagined that the ninja who had kept them pinned here for so long would be two kids, one of whom looked only seven or eight years old.

"Heh, I never thought I'd one day be frightened by two little brats." Yuan Wu mocked himself.

But immediately afterward, his eyes turned icy.

He handed Kushina over to his teammate and said, "You two leave first. I'll deal with these two brats, then catch up with you."

The remaining two Cloud Ninja nodded and quickly left with Kushina.

In their eyes, two kids around ten years old were simply nothing to fear.