Time slipped by, and some time had passed since the battle to hold the border.
As Tsunade's student, and someone with unusual abilities, Hyuga Tianyi
had naturally been added to the rotating ANBU roster assigned to protect Kushina Uzumaki long-term.
That day, he received an urgent deployment order with an exceptionally high security classification.
Its contents were extremely brief: only a time, a location, and the words "maximum alert," without any explanation of the mission.
What made Tianyi realize just how unusual the situation was came when he reached the assembly point.
The person leading them was none other than the ANBU commander himself, Hatake Sakumo.
This elite ninja, renowned for his blade-sharp presence, was personally overseeing an internal deployment-a rare occurrence.
"Tianyi, come with me." Hatake Sakumo gave him only a slight nod when he arrived.
His tone was calm. He offered no explanation, merely motioning for Tianyi to follow.
The squad was small. Besides Hatake Sakumo and Tianyi, there were only four others, each with a deep, composed presence.
They were clearly the elite of the ANBU elite. The group moved swiftly in silence.
Their route avoided every regular checkpoint and busy area, heading straight for a rarely visited forest on the village outskirts.
As they ventured deeper, Tianyi's keen Byakugan detected the tight security cordon around the forest well in advance.
Several full ANBU squads stood like the most faithful sentries, completely isolating the area from the outside world.
After passing through a powerful barrier designed for isolation and defense, Tianyi understood at the sight before him.
It was a meticulously cleared forest clearing, its ground inscribed with an enormous, intricate sealing formula.
At its center stood an ancient stone altar. Atop it
sat Mito Uzumaki, the legendary woman who had once scrutinized his very soul.
She