A brute mustn't think too much! (Two-in-one)

Following Simba, Takahashi Yū and Mizuki wove through the dense forest.

Simba looked like a dog-no! He was a dog, just a dog through and through. His entire head pressed against the ground, his wet nose twitching nonstop. His front legs crawled parallel to the ground, while his hind legs stood normally, continually pushing his front half forward.

But perhaps because he was too young or lacked experience, his eyes followed wherever his nose sniffed.

Takahashi Yū picked a red hair off a branch. Watching Simba still circling on the ground, completely oblivious to the hair caught above him, left him speechless.

A good dog! Just not quite good enough!

"Come on. Let's see just what they're playing at."

Takahashi Yū bent down, straightened Simba's head, and waved the hair in front of his nose.

"Woof, woof-woof."

Simba was delighted. He had finally found the source of the unfamiliar scent.

"Simba, go home!"

Worried Simba might get hurt by accident, Takahashi Yū grabbed his scruff and gently tossed him back the way they had come.

Simba understood simple phrases, such as "go home" and "play." At Takahashi Yū's call, he happily trotted home.

Takahashi Yū searched the area with Mizuki for a second hair. Finding it would give them a direction, but they needed to hurry-not because he feared Kushina would actually be taken away, but because she might pluck out all her hair.

Under the current circumstances, even a powerful outsider couldn't abduct someone from Konoha. There might already be several ANBU squads waiting on the perimeter, afraid Minato would fail.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, over here!"

Mizuki waved a long hair as she called to Takahashi Yū.

"Okay, let's go."

With a direction established, things went smoothly. Extending a line through the first and second hairs, Takahashi Yū and Mizuki kept finding red strands along the way.

Seriously? Was this really something a Cloud Shinobi capable of infiltrating Konoha could overlook?

Takahashi Yū already clutched a small bunch of red hair. She wasn't really going to pluck herself bald, was she?

"Shh!"

Mizuki turned and raised a finger to her lips, signaling Takahashi Yū behind her to keep quiet. Her Mind's Eye of the Kagura had finally detected something unusual.

Takahashi Yū scratched his head and said to Mizuki, utterly speechless:

"Mizuki... do you think anyone would attempt an infiltration without bringing a sensory ninja?"

"Or do you think I could hide this presence of mine, shining like a firefly in the pitch-black night?"

Mizuki immediately blushed scarlet. Spending every day near this giant beacon, she had grown accustomed to him and overlooked this "battlefield star," Takahashi Yū.

"Ah..."

Takahashi Yū scooped Mizuki up, tucked her under his arm, and sprang into the trees. She cried out in surprise, then hurriedly covered her mouth.

"Point the way."

Following Mizuki's pointing finger, he played Tarzan once again!

In the forest, a party of four traveled single file, struggling with the thorns along their path.

"Lord Aruyi, is it really okay for us to move this slowly?"

"We abducted an Uzumaki from Konoha..."

The Cloud Shinobi slowly clearing the way at the front asked sincerely.

At the rear, Aruyi, who held Kushina Uzumaki's rope, answered his teammate's question in a proud tone.

"Kid, this Portable Barrier cost a fortune in the Land of Demons!"

"I laugh at Sarutobi's lack of strategy and Homura's lack of wits! They think a sensory barrier lets them rest easy! Hahaha, can't you see we're almost within sight of Konoha's wall?"

"Take it slow. What if you accidentally step outside the Sensory-Blocking Barrier by walking too fast and get spotted?"

"Who knows what the boss will reward us with when we return to Kumogakure? Your jonin promotions will be as good as guaranteed!"

As he spoke, Aruyi began laughing loudly at the rear of the group.

The Cloud Shinobi in the middle looked worried and poured cold water on Aruyi's enthusiasm.

"Captain, keep your voice down. We're still in Konoha. The Sensory-Blocking Barrier blocks outside detection, but I can't sense anything outside either."

As he spoke, the Cloud Shinobi in the middle formed another hand seal before his chest, then gave up in less than a second. It could fool Konoha's Sensory Detection Array; how could a mere Sensory Chunin like him break through?

"What are you afraid of? Nobody's come yet. This Uzumaki probably isn't important!"

Caught between them, Kushina lowered her head. She still saw herself as an outsider and felt she couldn't fit into Konoha.

With her hands bound by Aruyi behind her, she could only struggle to pluck out the red hair she hated most and drop it.

She hoped someone would see it and save her, her heart filled with sorrow.

This was a textbook case of having no damn clue about her own situation. Who was her grandmother? Konoha's Retired Emperor! If someone in class so much as spoke to her, information on three generations of their ancestors would be on Mito's desk that night!

Never mind staying out overnight! Wasn't that asking for trouble?

For all anyone knew, the few ninja left stationed in Konoha were already waiting beyond the wall ahead.

Minato Namikaze, the young man entrusted with such high hopes, was now lost in thought as he stared at the abruptly broken trail of red hair.

"Woof?"

Simba eyed the blond blocking his way home in confusion.

Minato Namikaze's gloomy expression brightened with delight!

With Mizuki tucked under his arm, Takahashi Yū stood in the treetops, gazing down at the slowly advancing Cloud Shinobi squad with a complicated expression. Aruyi's arrogant laughter echoed through the woods.

Were they here to be comedians? Takahashi Yū, who would be detected from three kilometers away on a battlefield, had actually crept right up beside the enemy.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, they seem to be inside some kind of barrier. I can't sense them, but the barrier also covers whatever they pass, so the Mind's Eye of the Kagura picked up the inconsistency."

Mizuki spoke quietly, held at Takahashi Yū's waist.

"How's your training going?" Takahashi Yū asked.

"No problem!"

Understanding Takahashi Yū's meaning, Mizuki answered confidently.

With a few leaps, Takahashi Yū carried Mizuki ahead of the Cloud Shinobi, set her on the ground, and climbed back into the treetops.

Enemies like these felt like they would dirty his hands...

Staring at the wall looming ever higher before her, Kushina Uzumaki sank into despair. Nobody was coming to save her. She sniffled.

"Captain, isn't that the smell of blood?"

"What smell of blood? You're too nervous, kid. Can't you learn from me..."

Before he could finish, four Adamantine Sealing Chains shot out of the bushes to the side, instantly binding three Cloud Shinobi and one redhead and hoisting them into the air.

Over? Over.

Takahashi Yū closed his eyes. How strong could a squad defeated by a twelve- or thirteen-year-old Minato Namikaze possibly be?

Takahashi Yū instructed Mizuki:

"Wait here a moment. Kill them if they misbehave."

Seeing Mizuki nod, Takahashi Yū swiftly scrambled up Konoha's wall. He had to see whether any surprises were waiting for the Cloud Shinobi, or he wouldn't be able to sleep!

Standing atop the wall, Takahashi Yū saw that the sensory barrier outside it had already turned red. Goddammit, did it only detect their own people?

Standing on the Wooden Wall built by the First, Takahashi Yū surveyed everything below. Outside was as desolate as if locusts had swept through.

Seriously! There really wasn't anyone!

A cold wind blew over Takahashi Yū, and he felt like a clown!

Sighing, he jumped off the wall and returned to Mizuki, who was quietly talking with Kushina. The three Cloud Shinobi were bound behind her, not only trussed up with Adamantine Sealing Chains but gagged as well.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, this is what they used!"

Mizuki held up a black stone for Takahashi Yū to see. Golden stripes were carved into its surface.

Takahashi Yū took it, and a crack appeared with a sharp snap, startling Mizuki into snatching it back.

"It can't block you!"

Mizuki wanted to take it back for Lady Shui Ling to study, since it had no chakra fluctuations at all and didn't seem to be a ninja creation.

"Sigh..."

Takahashi Yū sighed and asked Kushina:

"What happened? Abducted in your own home?"

Kushina lowered her head. A little embarrassed, she nodded in shame and indignation.

"Yes."

"Where's Mito?"

"I moved... moved out to live on my own."

"Nobody protecting you?"

"N-no."

Takahashi Yū covered his forehead. So this was Konoha? Truly worthy of being the Shinobi World's number-one ninja village.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, someone's coming. No! A lot of people are coming," Mizuki told him.

"Let them come. I can't damn well sleep until I figure this out!"

Takahashi Yū plopped down beside Mizuki, questioning his life a little.

Before long, familiar barking added another shadow to Takahashi Yū's expression. Hadn't he told Simba to go home?

As though he had suffered some injustice, Simba shot out of the bushes and jumped into Takahashi Yū's arms, barking furiously in the direction he had come from.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Takahashi Yū stroked Simba's head and looked toward the bushes.

Minato Namikaze emerged wearing a strained smile, a few strands of red hair still clutched in his hand.

Goddammit, you still found your way here after I cut off your trail!

Realizing Minato had come to save her, Kushina looked at him with a little light in her eyes.

Takahashi Yū patted the spot beside him, signaling him to sit. Seeing that the dog had found his owner, Minato Namikaze could only obediently approach.

"What's your name?" Takahashi Yū asked despite knowing the answer. After all, this was their first meeting.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, my name is Minato Namikaze. I'm Kushina's classmate..."

Before Minato could finish, Takahashi Yū's large hand pressed down on the crown of his head. Beside them, Kushina anxiously tugged at Takahashi Yū's clothes.

"What did you do to my damn dog?!"

Takahashi Yū shook Minato's head back and forth while Simba wagged his tail and barked at him.

Dizzy from Takahashi Yū's shaking, Minato hurriedly pressed both hands against the large hand on his head.

"Nothing! I only asked him to show me the way," Minato hastily explained.

Takahashi Yū released him, and Minato collapsed to the ground, his eyes still wobbling. He felt as though three birds were circling above his head.

"Hmph. Do it again and I'll scramble your brains." Takahashi Yū resumed rubbing Simba's head.

He smoothed Simba's fur. Seeing Minato suffer, the dog's tail spun wildly like a propeller.

Watching Takahashi Yū bully Minato, Kushina wanted to speak but held back.

"Lord Takahashi Yū, a lot of people are coming this way." Mizuki seemed to feel no strain from holding the three Cloud Shinobi captive.

That was exactly what Takahashi Yū was waiting for. He stood and folded his arms.

The first to arrive were several Uchiha in police uniforms. Takahashi Yū beckoned them over.

The Uchiha exchanged glances, unsure what Takahashi Yū wanted, but still leaped toward Takahashi Yū.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Takahashi Yū raised a hand and flicked each of them on the forehead. Watching them grimace in pain, he snapped:

"The enemy sneaked into my damn Farm, and you call yourselves Uchiha?"

He knew it wasn't their fault. After all, that little stone could evade even the Uzumaki's Mind's Eye of the Kagura. Most of the Uchiha had followed Fugaku to reinforce the Land of Water Frontline, leaving them short-handed and already swamped with the villagers' everyday trifles.

But Takahashi Yū was really irritated. He had picked up the red hairs along the way, yet Minato Namikaze had still followed. It felt like he had failed to avert the original timeline's progression and come for nothing.

While the Uchiha crouched, clutching their aching foreheads, the Third arrived with several ANBU squads. Seeing the Cloud Shinobi suspended high in the air and Kushina beside them, he broke into a cold sweat inwardly. Thank goodness they had passed through Takahashi Yū's Farm!

Members of the Barrier Team had arrived with them as well.

Takahashi Yū beckoned those Barrier Team members over too. When they pointed at themselves in confusion, he nodded.

Yes, you! Get your asses over here!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Several more people crouched, clutching their foreheads. Exasperated at their incompetence, Takahashi Yū said:

"You can't detect enemies, but you're damn sensitive when it comes to detecting me! Are you all freeloaders?!"

The ANBU behind the Third broke into cold sweats. This had nothing to do with us!

The bound Cloud Shinobi, the disheveled Kushina beside them, and Takahashi Yū's words made the arrivals understand what had happened.

The Third straightened his collar and signaled the ANBU to take custody of the bound Cloud Shinobi.

Takahashi Yū used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside the Third, hooked an arm around his neck, and took him aside.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was baffled, but seeing no ill intent from Takahashi Yū, he let himself be pulled along.

"Third, tell me the truth. Was today a setup?" Takahashi Yū whispered conspiratorially to him.

The Third Hokage was completely bewildered, his expression full of confusion. What setup?

"Takahashi, what... are you talking about?"

"Old man, stop playing dumb. Hurry up and call out the people hiding beyond the wall!"

The Third Hokage was even more confused. Hiding what? Did he think they had many people left guarding Konoha right now?

Seeing the Third Hokage's expression, Takahashi Yū grew anxious.

"Weren't you planning to let that Blondie over there rescue Kushina, and then..." Takahashi Yū extended his little finger and waggled it at the Third.

A veteran of politics, the Third immediately understood Takahashi Yū's meaning and struck his fist hard against his palm.

Goddamn, Takahashi Yū had this kind of strategic talent too?

Seeing the Third's look of sudden realization, Takahashi Yū grew even more anxious.

"Goddammit, don't think I don't know you peep on Kushina every day! How could you let her get abducted?" Takahashi Yū lost control of his volume.

The Third Hokage panicked too, hastily pulling Takahashi Yū farther away. Seeing that the people behind them hadn't heard, he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't dwell on how Takahashi Yū knew about his Telescope Technique. Perhaps Jiraiya had let it slip.

"Takahashi, Kushina has always lived with Lady Mito. Would I dare 'observe' the Senju residence unless I had a death wish?" the Third Hokage whispered.

"Then you didn't assign any ANBU?" Takahashi Yū hurriedly asked again.

"Have me station people near the Senju Clan Compound? To protect Kushina or to keep watch on Lady Mito?" The Third Hokage gave Takahashi Yū a strange look.

"Takahashi, holding a high position isn't as simple as you think. You have to consider how all sides will react and avoid arousing suspicion!"

The last person Takahashi Yū wanted a lecture from was this Third Hokage with his endless conspiracy theories.

He waved a hand, telling the Third Hokage to take his people and go. Takahashi Yū had made a clown of himself tonight, and he was annoyed.

"Then, Takahashi, that thing they used to block sensory detection..."

"I heard they got it from the Land of Demons. You want it? Then what rank does this mission count as?"

"Farewell!"

Konoha was so poor now that it had nothing left but its underwear. Anything involving money was off the table.

Ah, people weren't what they used to be.

The Hokage's group quickly dispersed, taking the still-unconscious blond kid, Minato Namikaze, with them. The ANBU would probably get a scolding from the Hokage too, and might have to serve as a guard unit for a while. Luckily, this hadn't been made public, or it would probably have caused quite a panic. After all, enemies had already snuck into the village. They had simply been wrong in the head and decided to kidnap someone instead of setting traps, or Konoha would have been in for it.

Takahashi Yū headed toward the Farm Estate with Mizuki and Simba, shaking his head the whole way. Conspiracy theories did me in!