Spy Incident

Back at the Hokage's Office, Uchiha Yufeng gave the Third Hokage a brief report on the mission to escort Tsunade.

Uchiha Yufeng also relayed Tsunade's final message to the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage rose and walked to the window, gazing out over Konoha.

He took puff after puff of his pipe, looking deeply lonely for a moment.

Only after quite a while did he calm himself.

"I understand."

With that, he returned to his seat and waved Uchiha Yufeng away.

"Ding, Senju Tobirama (Youth) Fragment +1."

Uchiha Yufeng nodded and left.

Returning to the Anbu mission desk, Uchiha Yufeng began picking through missions again.

Sure enough, making his presence known was useful if he wanted to squeeze Senju Tobirama fragments out of the Third Hokage.

The missions continued!

Within a month or two, I'll squeeze every last fragment out of the Third Hokage.

"Hmm?"

This scroll stated that he was to patrol the area around Konoha Hospital in secret and prevent suspicious individuals from appearing. If the situation became urgent, he was authorized to use force.

Konoha Hospital?

Uchiha Yufeng accepted the mission and completed the registration.

Then he headed straight for his destination.

Uchiha Yufeng found a relatively open spot where he could take in the entire area around Konoha.

Standing in a tree and concealing himself, he watched the movements around him through gaps in the leaves.

Most of the ninjas entering and leaving Konoha Hospital were familiar to Uchiha Yufeng.

Most were teams formed by newly graduated ninjas of the same class. Having just become Genin, they were at their most eager and wished they could take on countless missions in a single day.

The more missions they took, the more likely they were to suffer bumps and bruises, so they naturally visited Konoha Hospital more often.

Suddenly, three familiar figures appeared at Konoha Hospital.

They were Yuhi Shinku's team.

Although they were some distance away, he could still clearly hear their conversation.

"Father, when will Yufeng return to the team?"

Yuhi Kurenai pouted, looking like she had lost her soul.

"He'll come back once his training is about done."

Hearing that perfunctory answer, Yuhi Kurenai's pout grew even more pronounced.

Her face was filled with displeasure.

"Yugao, do we still have to keep doing these D-rank Missions...?"

Uzuki Yugao copied Yufeng's habitual gesture and spread her hands.

"The team has lost its only Medical Ninja. If we can't get another Medical Ninja transferred over anytime soon, it'll probably be impossible for us to complete missions above C-rank!"

Hearing that, Yuhi Kurenai sighed.

The village placed great importance on the lives of its ninjas. Ever since Tsunade had advocated that every four-person team must include a Medical Ninja, any team carrying out missions ranked C or above had to be assigned one.

It had now become an established convention, unless it was a special non-combat unit.

Hearing his daughter's complaints, Yuhi Shinku shook his head helplessly.

Even he had not expected his daughter to rely so heavily on Uchiha Yufeng.

But under the current circumstances, Yuhi Shinku truly did not think he had made the wrong decision.

After all, Uchiha Yufeng was very strong and could protect his daughter, Kurenai, but there would always come a day when he was no longer by her side.

If Kurenai did not take this opportunity, while Uchiha Yufeng was away, to grow properly, she might become Uchiha Yufeng's burden in the future.

Seeing the aggrieved expression on his daughter's face, the harsh words that had reached his lips ultimately went unsaid.

Let's wait a little longer.

After all, his daughter was still young and had only graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago.

"Kurenai!"

At that moment, the members of Minato's Team also arrived one after another at the entrance of Konoha Hospital. Seeing Yuhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin stepped forward to greet her.

"Huh? Where's Yufeng? Why isn't he here?"

Uchiha Obito looked over Team 1 and glanced around. Without thinking, he began shouting at the top of his lungs, drawing the attention of passersby.

"Obito, Yufeng joined the Anbu."

Seeing this, Yuhi Kurenai walked over and signaled for him to keep it down before quietly explaining to Uchiha Obito.

"Huh? The Anbu?!"

Uchiha Obito's brain seemed to crash.

Uchiha Yufeng? The Anbu?

How had those two completely unrelated words ended up together?

Uchiha Obito could not understand it.

"Oh? Not bad. He's already joined the Anbu. That's far better than certain Genin who get injured even doing D-rank Missions."

A hint of surprise flashed through Kakashi's eyes. However, seeing Uchiha Obito's foolish look, he spoke in an irritated tone.

"Kakashi!!"

Uchiha Obito flew into a rage, clenching his fists as he glared threateningly at Kakashi.

Watching the two of them clash like needles against awls, Namikaze Minato awkwardly scratched his hair and smiled at Yuhi Shinku.

"Sorry for the interruption, Senior Shinku."

Yuhi Shinku sighed.

"These brats really never let anyone rest easy!"

Just then.

A female Medical Ninja near the one examining Obito's injuries slipped a Kunai from her sleeve.

She thrust it directly at Obito.

Uchiha Obito was stunned by the sudden attack. He froze, reacting too slowly.

Namikaze Minato's gaze sharpened as he was about to act.

But a Shuriken flew in ahead of him and struck the ninja's wrist directly, halting her attack.

The ninja who had just made the move darkened in expression and turned into mud.

"An Earth Clone?"

Only then did Uchiha Obito come back to his senses. He pulled out a Kunai from his waist.

He warily scanned his surroundings.

Bang!

Amid the crowd, someone dressed in Medical Ninja attire was kicked to the ground at Uchiha Obito's feet.

"This person is...?"

Namikaze Minato and Yuhi Shinku looked at the unresponsive ninja and were about to step forward to investigate.

"The ninja who attacked just now is still alive. I only knocked him out with a kick."

Uchiha Yufeng's voice rang out. The two looked at his Anbu uniform and the mask on his face.

Realizing that he was Anbu, they stepped back a few paces to make way for him.

However, when they heard that somewhat familiar voice, the two raised their eyes and exchanged a look.

The commotion quickly drew the arrival of other Anbu personnel.

"This person should be a spy. I'll take him away! Please help maintain order and ensure everyone's safety here at Konoha Hospital. I'll return after dropping him off."

Uchiha Yufeng briefly explained the situation to the Anbu members. After speaking, he grabbed the man by the shoulder and headed for the Anbu Interrogation Division.

Watching Uchiha Yufeng leave, the approval in Yuhi Shinku's eyes deepened.

"Obito, are you okay?"

Nohara Rin stepped forward and looked at Uchiha Obito worriedly.

"Rin, I'm fine. That Anbu-sama saved me just now, otherwise... haha!"

Uchiha Obito felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head foolishly.

"Obito, you have to be careful on missions next time! Your injuries have gotten worse again!"

Hearing Nohara Rin remind him again, Uchiha Obito sighed and spoke dejectedly.

"I know, Rin. I made you worry. Next time, I'll definitely protect myself properly!"

Only after hearing Uchiha Obito's promise did Nohara Rin feel at ease.

She looked in the direction Uchiha Yufeng had just left, a hint of confusion flashing through her eyes.

"That Anbu person from earlier looked kind of familiar..."

Kakashi lowered his head beside her, lost in thought.