Mizukage's office.
"Reporting, Mizukage-sama, within three days, the Anbu found a total of four people, all of whom were spies from various Villages, and there are two fugitives: Shina, Anbu codenamed Hare, it can currently be confirmed that she is with the group who stole the Tailed Beast.
The other person is Uesugi shinchi, Shina's husband; after investigation, he left the Village on the morning of the Tailed Beast theft, and his whereabouts are currently unknown.
It is clear that these people had premeditated plans."
"I understand."
The Third Mizukage's face was grim, and his hand on the armrest of the chair was tightly clenched, indicating how terrible his mood was at the moment.
"Dispatch the Mist Hidden Tracking Unit; we must capture them before they escape the Land of Water."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!"
After the Anbu finished speaking and was about to get up to carry out the mission, he heard the Mizukage's voice again.
"Also, has the Sealing Jutsu squad not yet sensed the Tailed Beast container?"
Although the Third Mizukage was asking, his flat tone showed that he did not hold much hope for this matter.
Two days ago, realizing he had been tricked, the Third Mizukage immediately ordered the Sealing Jutsu squad to search for the Tailed Beast container upon returning to the Village; the talismans attached to it, besides sealing the Tailed Beast, could also allow the Sealing Jutsu squad to pinpoint its location.
But no matter how the Sealing Jutsu squad operated, they couldn't sense anything at all.
That is why the Hidden Mist Village's actions have been so extensive these past two days; capturing people was secondary, finding the Tailed Beast container was the main objective.
"This… not yet."
The Anbu hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and speaking.
"Good, I understand, you may withdraw."
Looking at the Anbu who left with the Instantaneous Body Technique and the mountain of documents piled before him, the pen on the table was tightly gripped by a hand.
After a sigh, the Third Mizukage cleared his mind from the annoyance, loosened his grip on the slightly deformed pen body, picked up a document, and continued to review it.
He was the Mizukage of the Village; everyone else could slack off, but he could not.
Even if he was vexed, he could not show it and could only digest it himself in secret.
…
"Phew, it seems this place has been abandoned by those guys; it's really not easy to become stronger."
Ren stood on a tree trunk, looking at the open space not far away, feeling a bit emotional.
Within his perception range, there were no Chakra fluctuations from anyone nearby, indicating that after the Tailed Beast was taken, this place had lost its value.
This was good, as no one would hinder him anymore.
"Let me see, under the fifth large tree behind the wooden house."
Ren muttered as he walked forward, finally stopping under a tree, his gaze fixed on the nearby bushes.
Time to get to work.
Ren leaped behind the bushes, squatted down, and began digging after feeling a patch of soft soil.
Although he had no digging tools, what he had buried was not too deep, so in less than five minutes, Ren unearthed a jar from underground, covered in dense talismans; it was precisely the Tailed Beast container that the Kirigakure had been searching for days.
"Tsk, luckily I was prepared, otherwise I couldn't have taken this guy with me."
Ren carefully wiped the dust from the talismans, looking at the extra talisman on top, and said with lingering fear.
Before Ren left, he had asked Minato Namikaze for a talisman that could block perception, specifically to guard against this move from Hidden Mist.
It should be known that when the Uzumaki Country was destroyed, the Hidden Mist Village was the closest country, so their gains from it were much greater than other countries.
For example, a small amount of Sealing Jutsu was enough to support Hidden Mist's Sealing Jutsu squad.
Although it was much stronger than ordinary Sealing Jutsu, there was still a certain gap compared to Kushina, who had received Uzumaki Mito's true teachings, and Minato's Sealing Jutsu was passed down from Kushina; the application of advanced Sealing Jutsu that blocks perception was not a difficult task for Minato Namikaze, though its creation was troublesome.
"No time to delay, let's go meet up with them."
Ren took out a cloth, wrapped the jar, and then carried it on his back; after shaking it left and right to ensure it wouldn't fall, he turned and headed back the way he came.
Half an hour later, Ren arrived by the street and happened to encounter the Fujiwara Transport Team approaching the Hidden Mist main gate.
As the transport team passed a shadow, Ren directly used the Instantaneous Body Technique to get onto the carriage.
Noticing the figure that suddenly appeared in front of her, Shina's eyes narrowed, and her left hand instinctively reached for her waist.
When the newcomer turned his head, Shina's hand movements paused; after glancing around for a moment and seeing that no one was paying attention to them, she asked in a low voice.
"Done?"
"Absolutely, quickly put it away; this thing is too conspicuous whether I'm carrying it or whatever."
As Ren spoke, he turned his back, and the bundle fell into Shina's hands; she tucked the item into the pile of supplies they had already arranged, then sealed the opening, and it was done.
"Hmm? You're back!"
Just then, Fujiwara Kazane, who had unintentionally poked his head out of the carriage, noticed the returning Ren and immediately showed delight.
Ren, however, signaled him with his eyes to pay attention to the front and not reveal any flaws.
The Hidden Mist main gate was not far away, and the level of security there was imaginable.
If they were exposed, they would have to prepare for a desperate escape.
Fujiwara Kazane immediately understood and quickly pulled his head back into the carriage to avoid suspicion.
"Stop, submit to inspection!"
Upon reaching the main gate, a Kirigakure stopped the transport team and shouted in a low voice.
Hearing this, Fujiwara Kazane immediately stepped out of the carriage and went to greet him with a smile.
"Kihara Chunin, don't you recognize me?"
As he spoke, he handed over a few prepared banknotes, and when the other party saw it was a big client and those banknotes, his attitude immediately did a complete turnaround, asking with a fawning concern.
"Long time no see, Fujiwara Chairman, has your business in our Hidden Mist Village been smooth these past two days?"
"Hehehe, I brought in a large batch of goods, thanks to Mizukage-sama and you, this time I'm sure I can sell them for a good price."
"You flatter me, you flatter me!"
After exchanging pleasantries, the two began the routine inspection; just like last time, a few Kirigakure just superficially rummaged through things before letting them pass; of course, money was indispensable, with one banknote per person to appease them all.
"See you next time, Fujiwara Chairman!"
Kihara said with a reluctant expression, holding Fujiwara Kazane's hand; after all, such generous clients were rarely encountered throughout the year, and after this parting, who knew when they would meet again.
"Goodbye, everyone in Hidden Mist, I will definitely return!"
Seeing the Hidden Mist main gate gradually shrink until it disappeared behind them, Ren, Shina, and Fujiwara Kazane finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Shina leaned against the pile of supplies, closing her eyes; unknowingly, her back was already soaked with cold sweat.
After several days of life-and-death situations, they were finally safe!
Ren raised his hand to cover half of his face, lying in the carriage, as cool breezes brushed against his cheeks.
One eye eagerly looked at the gloomy sky.
For the first time, he felt that this weather was not bad.