Just like in his previous life, Yako encountered the Cloud Shinobi spy while drinking at the izakaya.
The plot hadn't changed.
Yako wolfed down all the meat in front of him and left the izakaya, heading straight for the Forest of Death.
This time, there were no extra lives. He had to be more cautious—he couldn't afford to act recklessly.
If he couldn't win, he'd just call for backup.
He knew the storyline—how could a few Cloud Shinobi possibly suppress him inside Konoha?
Arriving at the underground base of the Forest of Death used by the Anbu, Yako was in luck—Captain Black Ape was present.
"Captain, I spotted a Cloud Shinobi spy. I've studied Cloud-style kenjutsu extensively, and I'm certain—their arm bears the wear and tear of someone who's practiced swordsmanship for ten years straight."
Captain Black Ape didn't doubt him and immediately gathered his subordinates.
The squad was on rotation. In the locker room, only three Anbu members were resting after training.
In the Anbu training area, there was an unlimited supply of kunai and shuriken, with personnel on standby to clean up targets and collect weapons—so many members trained here during their downtime.
If you were lucky, some Anbu would even offer guidance, accelerating one's improvement.
Among them was one of Yako's teammates—Purple Cat.
Despite her exhaustion, Purple Cat quickly suited up.
Yako glanced at her again.
Purple Cat was a kunoichi with a curvy figure. Though masked, it was obvious she was a beauty.
Captain Black Ape, Yako, and three other Anbu left the Forest of Death.
They waited half an hour outside the Tsurugetsu Izakaya before spotting the Cloud spy.
The spy moved toward the northwest of the village, in the direction of the park outside the Senju clan compound.
Near the park, Captain Black Ape noticed Anbu hiding in the trees.
"There's another Anbu squad… wait, are those the guards assigned to Princess Kushina?"
Suddenly, the Cloud spy embedded among the rookie Anbu struck.
Chaos erupted in the guard unit. Many couldn't tell whether the person next to them was an ally or an enemy, causing hesitation.
Yako stopped Captain Black Ape from charging in.
"Captain! Look in Princess Kushina's direction!"
Several Cloud spies had killed a young Senju girl and abducted Princess Kushina.
Captain Black Ape's face fell. "Damn! Their goal was Princess Kushina all along! We move to intercept now!"
With Captain Black Ape leading the squad, their pursuit was cautious and measured.
Yako quickly realized that since losing his left arm, the captain had become much more careful—hesitant in his pursuit.
As Princess Kushina and the Cloud Shinobi disappeared into the shadows, the captain had the team break off to investigate surrounding areas, delaying their advance even more.
By the time they reached the outer wall of Konoha, Yako saw a blond kid crawling through a hole in the wall.
He landed right behind Namikaze Minato.
Minato darted forward, still following the traces of red hair.
Strands of red clung to his hand—more and more of them.
Just imagining how much hair had been ripped out was enough to make one wince. That girl had a powerful will to survive.
Soon, Minato spotted figures up ahead.
Three Cloud Shinobi, and a tied-up Kushina Uzumaki.
One of the Cloud Shinobi noticed Minato approaching and turned to cover the retreat, giving the others time to escape.
Seeing it was just a kid, the Cloud Shinobi sneered inwardly.
The Cloud Village had been operating spies within Konoha for over a decade. Tonight, they all moved for one reason—to capture Princess Kushina.
And yet the first one to catch up… was just a kid?
A mere child—hadn't even graduated from the Academy. What could he possibly—
Thud!
The Cloud Shinobi stared in disbelief at the kunai lodged in his waist.
That Konoha kid had dodged and struck in one fluid motion—killing him?
Not far off, Captain Black Ape watched the blond boy in astonishment.
A genius. Natural talent visible to the naked eye.
His taijutsu was clean and efficient, his movements sharp—and most importantly, his killing intent and mindset.
To kill so cleanly at that age… a born ninja.
Captain Black Ape thought to himself that he'd have to give this kid a glowing mention in tonight's mission report.
This kind of Academy student deserved to be cultivated by the village.
Minato kept a close eye on the remaining enemies, wary of their next move.
That earlier kill had only worked because the enemy had underestimated him—he wouldn't get another chance like that.
Then Minato froze.
One of the Cloud Shinobi suddenly spun around and slashed downward toward his flank.
From beneath the ground, a masked Anbu wearing a fox mask emerged.
Earth Release?
A stealth-based Earth Release.
The fox-masked Anbu was fast—so fast he plunged straight into the enemy's chest.
Their blades pierced each other's backs.
But the blade in the Cloud Shinobi's back was bloody. The blade in the fox Anbu's back was spotless.
Minato's eyes lit up. The fox Anbu's reflexes were incredible.
The Cloud Shinobi's sword had pierced through the space between the fox Anbu's left ribs and arm—dangerous, but not fatal.
Yako withdrew his blade. The Cloud Shinobi fell.
Purple Cat saw her captain handle an enemy so efficiently and felt reassured.
Her family had always said being an Anbu was dangerous. But if she could follow such a strong squad leader… maybe she'd survive?
Unaware he had just gained a secret admirer, Yako turned his attention to Kushina.
Chasing the girl under the moon… was this trope really about to be handed to him?
The Cloud spies weren't even that strong—not Jonin level—so it wasn't like he didn't stand a chance.
So what if the original pairing was canon? He was a transmigrator! Sure, he wasn't as strong as Namikaze Minato, didn't smile as brightly, and lacked his raw potential, but so what?
If he could become the CP of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the village would probably pamper him like royalty.
The thought alone made him a little giddy.
Yako rushed the last Cloud Shinobi.
Just as he engaged the enemy, he saw over their shoulder—Minato had already scooped Kushina into his arms.
What?
Damn it, why was Namikaze Minato so fast?
He hadn't even graduated the Academy and was already monstrously strong.
Minato leapt to a high vantage point with Kushina in his arms, distancing himself from the battlefield.
The enormous moon bathed the pair in silver light, their golden and red hair shining together.
Yako's "chasing the girl under the moon" dream shattered before it could even begin.
Captain Black Ape arrived, and together with Yako, flanked and killed the final Cloud Shinobi.
Then Captain Black Ape called out, "Get down from there! We're Konoha Anbu. Hand over Princess Kushina!"
Minato obeyed, leaping down with Kushina in his arms.
"Princess Kushina, please return with us to the village. Lord Danzo is waiting."
The mention of that Konoha higher-up with the X-shaped scar on his chin made Kushina shudder and hide behind Minato.
"I… I don't want to see Danzo! I want to see Uncle Rinju!"
Minato stepped in to mediate. "Let's head back, Kushina. The most important thing now is to return safely."
Captain Black Ape raised an eyebrow—this blond kid had a good sense of priorities. He knew what mattered most right now and was trying to calm Princess Kushina.
The group returned to Konoha's main gate, where a large Anbu detachment was already assembled.
Seeing Kushina, Captain Yellow Dog let out a sigh of relief.
He looked at Captain Black Ape and said, "Come with me to the Hokage's office."
Captain Black Ape replied, "Captain, I'd like to bring Fox along. He was the first to notice something was wrong."
Yellow Dog nodded. "Very well. Fox comes too."
During the Battle of Uzushio Village, Fox had been present from start to finish. From scouting to cleanup, his performance had been exceptional.
To Captain Yellow Dog, Fox was a promising subordinate—reliable and worthy of trust.