Sitting cross-legged on the demonic sword, Sakura rubbed her shoulders. She definitely didn't want to spend her life as a chef—the real plan was to become a quiet but powerful investor from the shadows.
At that moment, however, a malicious soul ripple appeared within Sakura's Sensor perception.
"That direction… isn't that the Hyuga clan's territory?!"
Furrowing her brows, Sakura had the strange feeling she had forgotten an important incident. This malicious soul ripple made her hesitate whether she should go check things out or not.
"What could possibly be happening to the Hyuga clan at this time?!"
While thinking, Sakura maneuvered the demonic sword toward the source and flew in that direction. It couldn't be helped—curiosity was just too difficult to control. It wasn't until those hostile soul ripples started moving that realization suddenly struck her.
"The Hyuga clan… Cloud Village… Hinata's kidnapping."
Recalling recent news about a diplomatic envoy from the Lightning Country's Cloud Village coming to sign a peace treaty, Sakura instantly understood. Back in canon, Hinata Hyuga had been kidnapped as a child, and the culprits were exactly members of this Cloud Village envoy. When discovered, the Cloud Village shamelessly turned the tables, using the threat of war to pressure the Third Hokage into backing down. As a result, Hizashi Hyuga—Neji's father—chose to commit suicide to protect his elder brother.
"So it's you guys from the Cloud Village again, huh? This time, I won't let you get away with it!"
Having lived in Konoha for four years, Sakura naturally had developed an attachment to the village. More importantly, this event was essentially the origin of Neji's tragedy. If Hizashi had lived, Neji probably wouldn't have turned into that bitter guy constantly ranting about destiny.
According to Sakura's Sensor perception, those few malicious soul ripples were rapidly fleeing outside the borders of Konoha Village. Sandwiched among them was another small, sleeping soul emitting a gentle, kind aura, which immediately confirmed her suspicions.
Chapter 7 – Cloud Village Kidnapping Incident [Lower Part]
"Pick up speed! We must get the target out before anyone from Konoha realizes what's happening!"
Izumisaburo, the leader of the Cloud Village envoy, muttered grimly while carrying a sack on his back, quickening his steps even further. Once the Hyuga clan found out their young lady had gone missing, if they activated their Byakugan, there would be no chance left for them to escape.
"Yes!"
Three subordinates responded in unison, quickly matching their leader's pace. They had already mentally prepared to sacrifice their lives when they accepted this mission—but if survival was an option, who would willingly give up their life?
They were getting close—almost there! The barrier surrounding Konoha Village was now clearly within reach. Once they crossed its boundary, Konoha would have no way of chasing them anymore.
As Izumisaburo was fantasizing about completing the mission successfully, bringing the heir of the Hyuga clan back to the Cloud Village, and basking in admiration from his fellow villagers and praise from the Raikage, a voice abruptly chilled him to the bone.
"You know, if it's not too much trouble, could you kindly put the girl down? It's such a shame to stuff such a lovely little girl inside a coarse sack. You really don't know how to treat a young lady with gentleness and care, do you?"
Sakura stood atop the demonic sword, her left hand holding an oil-treated paper umbrella. She emotionlessly observed those heavily wrapped figures. When she sensed that Hinata Hyuga, whom Izumisaburo carried behind his back inside a sack, was merely unconscious, she finally felt relieved.
"Just a kid? That's all I had to worry about?"
Izumisaburo focused his gaze and immediately relaxed. Thinking about how frightened he had been earlier, a surge of killing intent rose in his heart.
"What a shame. Such a cute little kid should be sleeping soundly at home instead of wandering around at night. I really hate to kill someone as adorable as you, but too bad—you witnessed this, so I have no choice but to send you to your grave."
Knowing he risked discovery the longer he stayed, Izumisaburo hurled the sack on his back toward one of his chunin subordinates. Then he pulled out a kunai from his ninja tool pouch, moved his feet, and dashed toward Sakura like lightning.
As a veteran jonin with countless battles under his belt, Izumisaburo naturally held no sympathy—what was one child's life anyway? Many children had already died by his hands; killing another brought him absolutely no psychological burden.
"What a pain."
Facing Izumisaburo's charge, Sakura lightly sighed. With a thought, the demonic sword beneath her feet shot straight toward Izumisaburo. However, her intention wasn't to engage him head-on but rather to rescue Hinata first.
"Oh? Is it a kekkei genkai that allows flight? Or perhaps one that controls metal? Either way, it doesn't matter. Die!"
Cruelty flashed in Izumisaburo's eyes. At the thought of killing her, a sick thrill curled through him.
At the moment they were about to collide, an abrupt blue streak of light flickered across Sakura's eyes—it vanished instantly, unnoticed by anyone. Yet Izumisaburo now wore an expression of shock.
"You dodged?!"
The kunai passed right through Sakura's body. Years of battle experience told Izumisaburo clearly—the figure he pierced was not solid flesh, but something illusory, like a mere afterimage.
"Quickly leave with the target! Her goal is to save someone!"
Seeing Sakura flying toward his back while standing on the demonic sword, Izumisaburo immediately understood her plan. He quickly shouted toward his three chunin subordinates before swiftly turning and charging at Sakura again. This time, his kunai was coated with lightning attribute chakra. After what had happened just now, he no longer underestimated her.
The three other shinobi accompanying Izumisaburo were all chunin. Upon hearing his command, they reacted swiftly—one grabbed the sack and prepared to flee while the other two stayed behind to assist Izumisaburo in eliminating Sakura. They had learned early on never to let their guard down against any enemy—no matter how young or small the opponent was. A lesson bought with blood, paid for by countless veterans who died during The Great Ninja World War.
"You three are such a pain."
She frowned as the trio closed in around her, forming a triangle. If she didn't act fast, they'd get Hinata out of here. Ninja could move at incredible speed, and this area was right on the outskirts of Konoha. Within moments, whoever was carrying Hinata could slip past the barrier's coverage.
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