Just like in his previous life, Yoru spotted a Cloud Ninja spy while drinking at the izakaya.
The scenario hadn't changed.
Yoru hurriedly devoured all his meat dishes and left for the Forest of Death.
This time, there would be no second chance at resurrection,he had to be extra cautious.
If he couldn't handle it alone, he would call for backup.
Everyone knew the plot. How could a few Cloud Ninja suppress anyone in Konoha?
Entering the Anbu's underground base in the Forest of Death, Yoru got lucky, Captain Black Chimp was present.
"Captain, I've found a Cloud Ninja spy. I've studied their sword techniques, and I'm certain their arms bear the marks of a decade of rigorous training."
Captain Black Chimp believed him and summoned his team.
The squad was on rotation; only three rested in the changing room.
The Anbu training ground supplied endless kunai and shuriken, with staff to reset targets and retrieve weapons. Many Anbu trained here during downtime.
Sometimes, experienced Anbu would mentor others, accelerating their progress.
Among them was Yoru's teammate, Purple Cat.
Purple Cat, a female ninja with a curvaceous figure hidden behind a mask, hurried to don her gear.
Yoru stole a glance at her; even masked, she radiated beauty.
Black Chimp, Yoru, and three other Anbu left the Forest of Death.
They waited outside Crane Moon Izakaya for half an hour before the Cloud Ninja spy appeared.
The spy headed northwest toward the outer park near the Senju clan's lands.
Near the park, Captain Black Chimp spotted Anbu hidden in the trees.
"An Anbu team… guarding the Uzumaki princess?"
The Cloud Ninja spy launched a sudden attack.
Confusion spread,many Anbu couldn't discern friend from foe, moving sluggishly.
Yoru grabbed Black Chimp. "Captain! Look toward the Uzumaki princess!"
Several Cloud Ninja had already killed a young Senju girl and kidnapped the Uzumaki princess.
Black Chimp barked orders: "They're after the princess! Rescue her first!"
The team moved under Black Chimp's command, but cautiously.
Yoru noticed Black Chimp's squad had become more prudent after losing a left arm, slowing pursuit.
The Cloud Ninja and the princess vanished into darkness, forcing the Anbu to scout the area, further delaying them.
At Konoha's walls, Yoru saw a blond child slip through a gap.
It was Minato Namikaze, pursuing traces of red hair.
Collecting the girl's hair left Minato struggling,her survival instincts were strong.
Soon, Minato spotted three Cloud Ninja with the bound Kushina Uzumaki.
A Cloud Ninja noticed Minato and turned to cover the others.
Seeing a half-grown child, the Cloud Ninja sneered, underestimating him.
The Cloud Ninja operation was decades in planning, all for the Uzumaki princess. They hadn't expected a child to intercept first.
Thunk!
Minato's swift movements killed the Cloud Ninja's kunai in seconds.
Nearby, Black Chimp marveled at the blond boy,a visible prodigy.
His taijutsu was concise and swift, his will to kill absolute. A natural ninja.
Black Chimp decided this prodigy warranted detailed notes in his mission report.
Minato tracked the enemy carefully, knowing the next engagement wouldn't be as easy.
A Cloud Ninja slashed downward.
From underground, a fox-masked Anbu leapt, striking the Cloud Ninja from below.
Two blades pierced behind each fighter,yet only the Cloud Ninja's blade bore blood.
Minato's eyes lit up; the fox Anbu's reflexes were incredible.
The Cloud Ninja's blade passed harmlessly between the fox Anbu's ribs and arm.
Yoru drew his sword; the Cloud Ninja fell.
Purple Cat, witnessing the decisive strike, felt reassured,following a capable leader increased survival odds.
Yoru glanced at Kushina Uzumaki.
A moonlit rescue… could this plotline be his?
The Cloud Ninja spies weren't jōnin-level; he had a chance.
Even if canon paired Minato with Kushina, Yoru's crossing was different: less talented than Minato, less radiant in smile, less potential,but he might still end up the heroine's partner, gaining favor in Konoha.
He felt a spark of excitement.
Yoru rushed the last Cloud Ninja.
Looking over the foe's shoulder, he saw Minato carrying Kushina.
Damn! How could Minato be so fast?
Still not graduated, yet incredibly strong.
He leapt high, distance from the battle below, Kushina in his arms.
The moonlight illuminated their golden and red hair vividly.
Yoru's moonlit rescue fantasy shattered before it began.
Captain Black Chimp arrived; together with Yoru, they killed the remaining spies.
"Come down! We are Konoha Anbu! Release the Uzumaki princess!"
Minato obeyed, landing safely.
"Princess, return with us to see Lord Danzo."
Kushina recoiled. "I… I don't want to see Danzo! I want to see Uncle Rinmu!"
Minato mediated: "Back to the village first, Kushina. That's most important."
Black Chimp noted Minato's sense of priority,an understanding of timing and situational awareness.
The group returned to Konoha gates, where a squad of Anbu awaited.
Yellow Dog Captain sighed in relief seeing Kushina.
He instructed Black Chimp: "Escort her to the Hokage Tower."
Black Chimp replied: "I'd like to bring Fox too; he was first to notice the disturbance."
Yellow Dog nodded. Fox's performance from reconnaissance to aftermath proved his reliability.