Just like in the previous life, Yagami spotted the Hidden Cloud spy again while drinking at the tavern.
The plot hadn't changed.
He shoved the remaining meat into his mouth, tossed some coins on the counter, and left Tsurugetsu Tavern, heading straight for the Forest of Death.
This life offered no extra revivals — he had to be far more cautious. No rash solo actions.
If he couldn't beat them, he would call for reinforcements.
Everyone already knew the plot. How many Cloud shinobi could really suppress someone inside the Hidden Leaf Village?
Entering the Anbu's underground base beneath the Forest of Death, Yagami was lucky to find Captain Black Ape present.
"Captain, I found a Cloud spy. I've studied Cloud-style swordsmanship — I'm certain. The arm bearing marks like a decade of blade training."
Captain Black Ape didn't doubt him and immediately summoned the squad.
The unit was on rotation. Only three Anbu were in the locker room, resting after drills.
At the Anbu training ground, kunai and shuriken were fed in continuously, and someone always tidied targets and gathered weapons. Many Anbu spent their off-hours training here.
If you were fortunate, senior Anbu would share pointers, helping others improve faster.
Among them was one of Yagami's squad members, Purple Cat.
Purple Cat, too tired to delay, hurriedly put on her gear.
Yagami glanced at Purple Cat a little longer.
Purple Cat was a kunoichi with an attractive figure. Even with her mask on, one could still tell she was a beauty.
Black Ape, Yagami, and three other Anbu left the Forest of Death.
They waited outside Tsurugetsu Tavern for half an hour and soon the Cloud spy appeared.
The spy headed toward the village's northwest — the direction of the park outside the Senju compound.
Approaching the park, Captain Black Ape spotted an Anbu unit hidden in the park's woods.
"An Anbu squad is here… that's the unit guarding Princess Uzumaki?" he said.
The Cloud spy, concealed among the new Anbu recruits, suddenly rose and struck.
The guard unit descended into chaos; many couldn't tell whether the person beside them was comrade or spy, and hesitation froze them.
Yagami grabbed Black Ape before he could rush in and shouted, "Captain! Look toward the Uzumaki Princess!"
Several Cloud spies killed a Senju child and snatched Princess Kushina Uzumaki.
Black Ape barked orders: "Bad— they're targeting Princess Uzumaki! Save her first!"
Black Ape led the formation, but their speed was restrained.
Since losing his left arm, Black Ape had grown more cautious; his pursuit lacked decisiveness.
The Cloud spies and the kidnapped Kushina vanished into the darkness. Black Ape ordered flanking maneuvers and nearby checks — sensible measures, but they slowed the chase.
When they reached the base of the Leaf wall, Yagami saw a blond child slip through a hole in the wall.
Minato emerged from the wall, following the trail of red hair.
He clutched more and more strands as he ran.
Just pulling out that much hair—it hurt to watch. The girl's will to survive was fierce.
Soon Minato spotted figures ahead: three Cloud shinobi and Kushina bound and gagged.
One Cloud shinobi noticed movement behind him, turned to hold the rear, buying time for the others.
Seeing a half-size child, the Cloud shinobi sneered inwardly.
The Hidden Cloud had run its decades-long spy network inside Hidden Leaf tonight solely to snatch Princess Uzumaki.
They hadn't expected the first pursuer from Village to be a child.
A child still in the Ninja Academy could…?
Thud!
The Cloud shinobi stared in disbelief at the kunai in his waist.
How could a Leaf child move so fast—one dodge, one thrust—and already be dead?
Not far off, Captain Black Ape watched the blond boy in stunned silence.
A prodigy—talent visible to the naked eye.
His taijutsu was concise and direct; his movements, lightning swift. More important was his will to kill and his mindset.
So young, yet killing without hesitation. A natural-born shinobi.
Black Ape thought to himself that he'd better write that up carefully in tonight's mission report. A student like this deserved serious cultivation by the village.
Minato watched the opponents warily, guarding against sudden moves.
The earlier instant-kill came because the enemy had underestimated him. There would be no such luck now.
Minato's attention flickered for a moment.
One Cloud shinobi suddenly swung a blade down and to the side.
From the ground to the side, a figure wearing a fox mask burst upward.
Earth Release? Or some stealth-type earth technique.
The fox-masked Anbu moved with incredible agility, diving into the Cloud shinobi's flank.
Both knives stabbed from behind each of them.
But the Cloud shinobi's blade bore blood; the fox-masked Anbu's blade was spotless.
Minato's eyes brightened—this fox Anbu's reflexes were fast.
The Cloud shinobi's blade passed between the fox Anbu's left rib and arm—appearing dangerous, but causing no harm.
Yagami pulled his blade free; the Cloud shinobi collapsed.
Purple Cat watched as her captain, Fox, cleanly finished off an enemy. Reassurance bloomed in her chest.
Everyone in her family had warned how dangerous Anbu life could be. If she could serve under such a capable captain, maybe she'd survive.
Yagami didn't know he'd just acquired a fan. He looked toward Kushina Uzumaki.
Chasing the princess under the moon—was this part of the script meant for him?
The Cloud spy's strength was not impressive; not yet at jonin level, he wasn't unbeatable. There was still a chance.
What of the original pairing in the canon story? As a transmigrator, he lacked Minato's strength, smile, and potential. So what was missing?
If he could pair with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—what wouldn't the village spoil him with?
The thought made him a little pleased.
Yagami rushed the last Cloud shinobi.
As he clashed with the final Cloud shinobi and glanced over the enemy's shoulder, he saw Minato had already scooped up Kushina.
Huh?
Damn—why was Minato so fast?
Still in the Ninja Academy and already absurdly strong.
Minato carried Kushina up to a high spot, away from the ground battle.
The huge moon shone down on them; gold and red hair flashed under the light.
Yagami's moonlit princess-chase fantasy shattered before it even began.
Captain Black Ape arrived; he and Yagami finished off the last Cloud spy together, left and right.
Black Ape called to Minato: "Get down! We're Leaf Anbu—put Princess Uzumaki down!"
Hearing this, Minato jumped down, still holding Kushina.
"Princess Uzumaki, come back to the village with us. You'll need to meet with Danzō."
At the mention of that high-ranking Leaf official with the X-shaped scar on his chin, Kushina froze and hid behind Minato.
"I… I won't meet Danzō. I want to see Uncle Rinki!" she whimpered.
"Come back to the village, Kushina. The most important thing is to return first." Minato spoke soothingly.
Black Ape was a little surprised. The blond boy knew when to advance and when to hold back, he understood what mattered most and immediately calmed the princess.
The group returned to the Hidden Leaf gate. By then, a whole division of Anbu had gathered at the gate.
Seeing Kushina, Captain Yellow Dog breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at Black Ape escorting Kushina and said, "Black Ape, come with me to the Hokage building."
Black Ape replied, "Captain, I want Fox to come as well—Fox spotted the anomaly first."
Yellow Dog nodded. "Fine. Fox goes too."
During the battle at Eddy Village, Fox had fought from beginning to end—scouting before the fight and cleaning up afterward. His performance had been solid.
Yellow Dog had focused on cultivating Fox—he considered Fox extremely reliable and worthy of trust.