The thought of having to survive an entire month made Yako's head ache.
A piercing dog howl shattered the rainy night.
The Divided Inu was coming.
Yako feigned surprise and asked Byakko, "What's happening?"
Byakko hurriedly reported, "Three Konoha ninja are running this way carrying three captives, one of whom is a child. Behind them is a giant summoning beast—the Divided Inu, the former guardian summon of Uzushio Village."
Time was running out for Yako.
Madara was lurking just a few kilometers away in the mountains behind.
If Yako faced Madara again, there were a hundred ways Madara could kill him.
"Move! Whoever they are from Konoha, we can't stand by and watch."
Yako wanted to save Uzumaki Nagato but dreaded facing Madara, so the best plan was to intercept Nagato as soon as possible.
Yako's speed was swift, putting distance between him and Madara, and he felt safer already.
Seeing the three Konoha ninja, Yako immediately said, "Those three Konoha ninja are very likely under genjutsu. Their eyes look off! You handle those three; I'll stop the Divided Inu."
Byakko was about to report the strange chakra flow in those three ninja but was impressed the captain had already noticed.
The captain was sharp, worthy of a senior ANBU squad leader surviving over half a year.
Yako pushed off with his legs, leaped over the three ninja, and appeared between them and the Divided Inu.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A massive water barrier surged up, blocking the Divided Inu.
Atop the beast, Uzumaki Yuka looked surprised, recognizing Fox.
She quickly ordered Divided Inu to retreat, feigning fear of Fox, and stepped back.
Yuka saw that Fox seemed to have become the squad leader of three ANBU squads.
Who would've thought Fox's spy mission was so successful, now an ANBU squad leader? She recalled when she first met Fox—he was just a low-level ANBU.
Over half a year, Fox became the ANBU's backbone, gaining more intel.
Hearing about the turmoil in Konoha—the passing of Lady Mito—Yuka wanted to ask about the Nine-Tails' sealing and Princess Kushina.
But now wasn't the time for chatting or gathering info.
The three squads charged at the Konoha ninja, trying to dispel the genjutsu.
These three Konoha ninja were strong—one Jonin, two Special Jonin.
After a few skirmishes, Murasaki spotted the key: "They're protecting their captives!"
The captives meant more to them than their own lives.
Yako's fight with Divided Inu looked fierce—water release surged into the sky, and Earth Spear jutted like a thorny forest. Yet most attacks missed.
Using the water to hide himself, Yako signaled Yuka to retreat quickly.
Yuka trusted Fox completely, took no unnecessary actions, and decisively ordered Divided Inu to withdraw.
After Divided Inu left, Yako returned to the rear battlefield.
He approached Byakko and asked, "Byakko, can you identify the genjutsu?"
Byakko said, "No, it's unclear what genjutsu it is. Most have fixed effects—binding or hypnosis.
But their genjutsu seems like a powerful ocular illusion creating strong psychological suggestion, forcing the three Konoha ninja to fulfill a purpose.
Judging by how they risk injury to protect their captives, the suggestion is to transport the captives."
There was no time to waste—the place was too close to Madara.
Yako looked at Uzumaki Nagato; if he could snatch Nagato and get far from Madara, there might be a chance.
If he took Nagato here, Madara's Rinnegan would rot in his eyes—the ninja world's finale would come early!
Yako charged at Nagato and shouted to the nearby Yamanaka squad, "Hold them off! I'll handle these guys!"
"Got it, Captain!"
Yako observed Nagato, who was unconscious, tightly bound by two ropes at his armpits and waist by Konoha Jonin.
"Captain!" Murasaki shouted in shock.
When Fox passed by, Yamashiro suddenly stepped diagonally forward, stabbing a kunai into Yako's back!
Hearing the rushing air behind him, Yako instinctively dodged sideways.
That crucial half-step saved his life.
Looking down, he saw the kunai's tip piercing out of his left shoulder!
Adrenaline surged; he felt no pain, only an intense burning sensation in his left shoulder.
He quickly formed a seal and released his only backward attack—Earth Spear.
Two spears shot out, piercing Yamashiro.
At the same time, Murasaki used the Mind Transfer Secret Technique and discovered Yamashiro's brain held two souls!
A hundred ri away, Kato Dan suddenly awoke in a cave.
His escort ninja asked, "How is it, Dan? Found any rain ninja?"
Kato Dan shook his head, lying, "No, no rain ninja found, only some rain country rogue ninja unhappy with Hanzō."
Only Kato Dan and clan leader Hanaki knew about the secret ANBU investigation—couldn't tell the two escorts.
The escorts said, "Hanzō is strict—no one dares approach within ten meters, the leaked poison gas could kill. No trusted aides, poor control, relying on personal strength to deter, everywhere are rogue ninja gangs."
Kato Dan leaned on the wall, regretting no clues from Yamashiro.
Yamashiro had participated in the Nine-Tails sealing night but knew nothing of the truth—all orders came from Fox, the squad leader.
In Fox's squad, Fox was strong, and the two team leaders—Murasaki of the Yamanaka clan and Byakko of the Hyuga clan—both had strong spiritual power.
While Yamashiro's soul drifted in the air, he noticed Fox's spirit was unusually strong—about twice that of an ordinary soul.
Clan leader Hanaki said there was an Uzumaki spy in ANBU, and only by confirming Fox was not the spy could they kill him.
On the battlefield, cold sweat ran down Yako's forehead: "Smoke bomb!"
Everything was chaos; Yamashiro attacked him suddenly, wounding his left shoulder.
Using the smoke bomb's cover, Yako quickly jumped away.
There were still strong enemies hidden; for now, Nagato's rescue was impossible.
The three Konoha ninja's goal was to capture Uzumaki Nagato, ignoring the retreating ANBU.
After retreating, Yako said, "Head west! Find shelter from the rain! I need to rest and heal!"
Madara's cave was to the east; they had to get as far as possible.
Yako's body now combined Senju and Uzumaki bloodlines—strong constitution; given rest, his shoulder wound would heal thanks to Senju's slow regeneration.
Finding a cave, Murasaki treated and bandaged his wound.
This was Yako's closest brush with death—without that last dodge, Yamashiro's ambush would have pierced his heart.