In Konoha: Three Choices at the Start

In the dense forest, shadows swayed beneath the branches as several figures streaked past like the wind.

"Sir! I don't understand. Why did we go to all this trouble just to capture this little girl?"

One Kumogakure ninja asked in confusion.

"Hmph! What do you know? This girl is a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan. They say Konoha's previous Jinchūriki was Mito Uzumaki, the First Hokage's wife!"

"After years of investigating in secret, I'm certain this girl is Konoha's choice for the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

The lead Kumogakure ninja's eyes gleamed as he spoke with conviction.

"So if we bring her back, we'll have earned a huge reward!" The ninja's eyes lit up, delight spreading across his face.

"Of course! Knowing the Third Raikage, he'll make it worth our while!" Yotsuki Shunfeng said.

"Now stay sharp! We need to get out of here quickly. Konoha has probably realized the girl's been abducted by now!"

"Understood!" the three replied.

Inside a Kumogakure ninja's pack, Kushina's muddled mind cleared the moment she heard them.

Her little face went deathly pale, fear filling her eyes.

I've been kidnapped? What did they just say? The Third Raikage? They're from Kumogakure?

The thought of being abducted by Kumogakure ninja and taken to their village sent Kushina into a panic.

When she looked behind them and saw not a single Konoha pursuer, her panic only grew.

"What are you trying to do? Put me down!" she shouted.

"Oh? You're awake?" Yotsuki Shunfeng said calmly.

"I suggest you stop struggling. We're Kumogakure spies sent to Konoha."

"Your identity is rather special. If you keep struggling or shouting, we won't mind taking a corpse home instead!"

"Your body is worth just as much to us as you are alive. So if you're smart, stay still. Understand, little girl?"

Yotsuki Shunfeng's cold words terrified Kushina.

Tears filled her eyes, and she nodded cautiously.

"Good! As long as you behave, we'll get you safely back to Kumogakure!"

"I can promise you this: whatever treatment you received in Konoha, you'll receive the same from us!"

Yotsuki Shunfeng was pleased with Kushina's response.

Then he barked, "Pick up the pace! We have to leave Konoha's territory as soon as possible!"

"Yes, sir!" the three replied.

Watching the trees fly past, Kushina couldn't help remembering her days at the Ninja Academy.

She remembered all the little moments she had shared with Mikoto and Liuyun.

No! I have to save myself! Kushina forced herself to focus.

She turned her head, bit off a few strands of her red hair, and spat them out.

The loose red strands fluttered away, scattering through the forest.

Every so often, Kushina bit off a few more strands to leave a trail.

Half an hour later, there was still no sign of pursuit from Konoha.

Despair crept into Kushina's eyes. Her pale little face crumpled, and she suddenly screamed.

"Uchiha Liuyun, you jerk! What's taking you so long?"

"Little girl! Do you have a death wish?" Yotsuki Shunfeng snarled.

Before he could say another word, a voice called from behind them, growing closer.

"I heard you, my little princess! Your knight is late. Sorry I frightened you!"

By the time he finished speaking, Liuyun had closed in on the Kumogakure ninja.

"A brat from the Uchiha Clan? Arrogant little fool. You two, stay behind and deal with him!"

Yotsuki Shunfeng gave the order coldly to the two ninja at the rear.

"Yes, sir!" they answered.

The two Kumogakure ninja drew their Kunai, turned, and charged at Liuyun.

They moved so fast that only two blurred figures were visible in the moonlight.

Kumogakure specialized in Nintaijutsu, and the Third Raikage was among its finest practitioners.

Its ninja were naturally no slouches at Taijutsu either.

They were fast, but Liuyun was faster. With his Sharingan helping him, there was no comparison.

(I've read the comments. Everyone likes that sort of thing, so don't worry—I'll make sure to include it!)

My Little Princess, Sorry I Frightened You!

He accelerated sharply, becoming a streak of black light.

He appeared between the two Kumogakure ninja. Before either could react, he pressed a hand against each of their stomachs.

Crack! Crack!

A freezing current surged through them. Ice appeared and spread across their bodies like a plague.

In the blink of an eye, two lifelike ice sculptures stood on the branch.

Liuyun didn't spare them a glance. He kept moving and sped up.

Yotsuki Shunfeng heard the commotion behind him and frowned. Turning his head, he saw Liuyun already closing in.

"Useless fools!" he cursed. "They couldn't even hold off one brat, and they got themselves killed!"

He turned to the ninja beside him. "Keep going. I'll stop the brat behind us!"

"Yes, Lord Yotsuki!"

The Kumogakure ninja carrying Kushina answered and fled without hesitation.

Yotsuki Shunfeng gripped his Kunai as lightning spread across his body!

It was Kumogakure's secret technique, Lightning Release: Body Tempering Technique!

"Uchiha brat, you brought this on yourself!"

With a vicious grin, Yotsuki Shunfeng stamped his foot and flashed toward Liuyun like a brilliant blue streak.

Thunder crackled and arcs of electricity danced around him. He looked like a god of thunder descended to earth.

His Kunai became a blur as he slashed at Liuyun's neck.

Lightning coated the sharp blade, greatly increasing its destructive power.

Even before it reached Liuyun, its overwhelming force was enough to strike fear into anyone's heart.

There was no doubt that Yotsuki Shunfeng had reached the level of an Elite Jonin.

Most other ninja facing him with his Lightning Release technique active would likely have been killed.

Unfortunately for him, his opponent was Liuyun—Uchiha Liuyun, who had a wealth of abilities and Kage Level strength.

As his Kunai was about to slice through the brat's neck, contempt crossed Yotsuki Shunfeng's face.

And I thought he'd be strong. He's nothing special.

The next instant, his expression changed drastically. The brat's eyes had turned crimson, three Tomoe clearly visible in each.

"The Three-Tomoe Sharingan! How is that possible? At his age?"

The sight made Yotsuki Shunfeng hesitate for a moment. Then his face lit up with delight.

"Good! Very good! I never expected to take down a Uchiha Clan prodigy before leaving! What luck!"

Suddenly, the scene before Yotsuki Shunfeng changed. In an instant, he found himself in another space.

A red moon hung high overhead. Crows cawed.

Cross-shaped stone monuments stood scattered all around him.

He was bound to one of them, his limbs spread wide.

Liuyun stood opposite him, watching impassively.

"Brat! Where am I?" Yotsuki Shunfeng shouted as he struggled.

"This is my Mangekyo's ocular technique. You should feel honored."

Liuyun picked up a long blade and drove it into Yotsuki Shunfeng's side. Screams soon filled the Tsukuyomi Space.

Back in reality, Yotsuki Shunfeng's eyes went blank. The lightning around him vanished, and he fell toward the ground like an ordinary man.

Liuyun flashed in front of Yotsuki Shunfeng.

He reached out with one slender hand and seized Yotsuki Shunfeng by the throat.

Then he squeezed hard!

Crack! A crisp snap rang out.

The Jonin leading this Kumogakure mission was dead!

Liuyun tossed him aside like trash, picked a direction, and vanished.

In the shadowy forest, a young man raced ahead.

As he ran, he kept glancing behind him.

The scenery blurred past, and anxiety crept across his previously impassive face.

"Damn it! Why hasn't the captain caught up?"

"Hmph! Your captain isn't coming! He can't beat Liuyun!"

Kushina shouted triumphantly from his back. Her dejected expression had vanished.

Warmth filled her heart, and she even found herself looking forward to seeing Liuyun.

"Shut up, little girl! One more word and I'll kill you!" the Kumogakure ninja roared.

"Hmph!" Kushina curled her lip in disdain.

As Liuyun had said, anger only made people lose their heads.

And people who lost their heads might do something reckless they would never normally dare. At times like this, it was better to hold back.

"Wait!" The running ninja frowned and stopped on a large tree branch.

"I've passed this tree already. And why is it so quiet around here?"

"Oh? You finally noticed something was wrong?"

Liuyun stepped out from where he had hidden among the branches, smiling.

"Liuyun! What took you so long?" Kushina turned her head, puffed out her cheeks, and complained.

"Ah, sorry! Sorry! I'll be quicker next time!"

"I frightened my little princess!"

Liuyun's words brought a blush to Kushina's cheeks. She lifted her chin and said haughtily, "I'll forgive you this time. Come sooner next time!"

"Of course! I'll obey my little princess's orders!" Liuyun nodded, looking ready to do anything she asked.

"Will you two stop? Am I invisible?" the Kumogakure Chunin shouted, his face twitching.

They're already flirting at their age, and right in front of me! Have they no sympathy for a single man?

"Ah! I forgot you were still here!" Liuyun said with an awkward smile.

"You bastard! You little brat! You've really made me angry! I know I can't beat you, so I'll take this girl with me to the Pure Land!"