The Ceremony Goes On, the Hunters Leave the Village

In the early morning, Konoha, in front of the Uzumaki Estate.

The golden Uzumaki banner unfurled in the morning breeze, the spiral pattern on its surface seemingly coming to life, tinged with a dark red hue as the light and shadow shifted.

Shiro stood inside the courtyard gate, having changed from her maid outfit into a plain-colored kimono, with a sealing scroll tucked into her waistband.

She looked up at the flag, then looked down to check the Sealing Jutsu in the courtyard, her fingertips brushing against the cracks in the floor tiles to make sure every line was intact.

Karin squatted at the entrance of the sealing vault, holding the yellowed scroll of the Uzumaki Sealing Technique in her hand, and muttering incantations as she recited the structure of the technique.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she refused to stop.

Tenten, he would carry his toolbox from the other end of the yard; the box was piled high with hammers, wrenches, and modified Explosive Tag.

She put the box down in the corner, dusted off her hands, and said, "I'll check the last layer of runes on the sealed gate one last time. There will be a lot of people later, so I don't want anything to go wrong."

Sasuke leaned against the courtyard wall, arms crossed, Sharingan activated, his gaze sweeping across the end of the street.

The Yang Release Mark on the back of his neck was faintly warming, as if reminding him not to let his guard down.

Sakura stood beside him, clutching a medical kit in her hand, green Chakra faintly visible at her fingertips.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her nervousness, and whispered, "Sasuke, do you think something bad might happen today?"

Sasuke didn't turn around, but simply replied, "With Naruto around, you don't need to panic if something happens."

Kakashi stood on the other side of the courtyard gate, holding a copy of "Icha Icha Paradise" in his hand. He squinted and flipped through a couple of pages, but his eyes were actually fixed on the street.

He could sense the Chakra reactions of the Anbu hidden in the surrounding rooftops, twice as many as usual.

Naruto came out of the house.

He changed into a dark blue robe with gold Uzumaki patterns embroidered on the hem, and the cuffs were tightly fitted, revealing a section of his wrist.

Her hair wasn't sticking out as usual; it had been tidied up a bit, but her azure eyes still held a wildness in them.

He walked to the center of the courtyard, looked up at the flag, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Let's begin."

The ceremony had no complicated procedures.

Naruto stood under the flagpole, looked around, and saw that everyone standing in the courtyard was one of his own.

Haku, Karin, Tenten, Hinata, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and a few branch family ninjas who were willing to work with them—a dozen or so people scattered around, without any noise or formalities.

Naruto spoke, his voice soft but each word clear. "The Uzumaki Estate stands tall today. This isn't anyone's private property; it's a place where anyone willing to follow the rules and protect their comrades can return."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Sasuke, Karin, and Hinata: "I don't care what your surnames are, or which clans you belonged to before. As long as you recognize this place, this is your home."

Karin gripped the scroll tightly, her eyes slightly red.

Hinata lowered her head, a hint of determination flashing in her Byakugan.

Sasuke his face away, Yang Release Mark on the back of his neck heated up again.

Naruto didn't say anything more, but simply pointed to the flag. "This flag will be our symbol from now on. Anyone who dares to step on it will pay the price."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.

Hyuga Hiashi walked in with a dozen or so branch family members.

Neji stood at the back, his expression complex, the scar on his wrist from the fracture not yet fully faded.

He looked up at the flag, then at Naruto, but ultimately said nothing and just stood there without moving.

Hiashi walked up to Naruto, took a scroll from his pocket, and handed it to him. "This is the Hyuga Clan's document supporting the Uzumaki Estate. I will proceed with the branch family reform according to the draft."

Naruto took the scroll, glanced at it, and nodded. "Okay. Remember what you said."

Without saying anything more, Hiashi turned and left.

Neji hesitated for a few seconds before finally following, but when he reached the door, he turned back to look at Naruto, his eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and anticipation.

The ceremony had just ended when another person arrived at the courtyard gate.

A messenger from the Hokage Tower's headquarters respectfully handed Naruto a document stamped with the Hokage's seal. "The Fifth Hokage's order officially recognizes the civil and sealing management authority over the 'Uzumaki Clan Settlement'."

Naruto took the approval document, glanced at it, and a smile played on his lips, "Tsunade was quite decisive this time."

The messenger wiped the sweat from his brow, turned and left, clearly not wanting to stay any longer.

Kakashi put away his book, walked over to Naruto, and whispered, "The Hokage Tower has probably received the official letter from Hidden Cloud by now. Hidden Leaf can't possibly ignore the border meeting in three days."

Naruto shoved the approval document into his pocket. "Whether they care or not, I'll handle my own affairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, Karin suddenly covered her forehead, her face turning pale.

"The Tracking Seal has stopped!"

Naruto turned his head instantly. "Where?"

Karin gritted her teeth, cold sweat beading on her forehead: "Northeast, near the Eight-Code Station. The seal suddenly broke; either it was broken, or..." "They escaped."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, his voice turning cold.

He turned and walked towards the courtyard gate, saying as he went, "Bai, I'm leaving the house to you. I'm going to collect some debts."

Haku came out of the house, carrying a teapot, and looking at Naruto's back, suddenly spoke, "Naruto."

Naruto stopped in his tracks.

Bai put down the teapot, walked to his side, and said softly, "Don't carry this alone. You're not the only one here."

Naruto paused for a moment, then smiled, "Understood. Take some people with you today."

He turned to Sasuke: "Come on, follow me out of the village."

Sasuke didn't waste any words and followed immediately.

Kakashi sighed and stuffed the book into his pocket, "Time to work overtime again."

Konoha Gate, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi stood on the official road.

The sky in the distance was low and the clouds were rolling. The direction of the Land of Lightning seemed to be covered by an iron curtain, and even the sunlight could not get in.

Naruto looked up at the sky, a cold smile playing on his lips, "Kumogakure, interesting."

Sasuke stood beside him, his Sharingan activated, staring northeast. "Do you think they'll be waiting for us at the Eight-Code Station?"

Naruto shook his head. "No. But they can't go far."

He raised his hand, and a golden Uzumaki pattern appeared in his palm, slowly rotating and pointing northeast.

"The Tracking Seal may have broken, but the mark I left remains."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "When did you leave this?"

Naruto turned his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Do you think I'd let a thief who broke into my house get away with it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot.

Sasuke and Kakashi exchanged a glance and followed at the same time.

Three figures sped along the official road, kicking up a cloud of dust, heading northeast.

The clouds in the distance seemed to have lowered, and lightning flashed within them, as if something was brewing.

[Chapter End Hook]

Eight-Code Station, a dilapidated guesthouse.

Samui stood by the window, a short knife in his hand, his eyes calm.

Yugito sat on the edge of the bed, tapping her knees with her fingers, and asked impatiently, "Will that spy come back alive?"

Samui didn't answer; he just stared out the window.

At the entrance of the inn, a figure stumbled in, covered in blood, clutching the half-seal map tightly in his hand.

He gasped for breath, looking up at Samui: "They escaped... but they've caught up..."

Before the words were finished, a loud bang came from outside the inn.

The wooden door was kicked down, sending splinters of wood flying.

Naruto stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"We've found you."