In the evening, Konoha Village's Anbu discovered Uzumaki Asako, Hayato, and Kushina walking out of their room together, casually strolling through the Village.
This scene put all the Anbu on high alert, and they secretly braced themselves. These individuals held extraordinary significance for the Village, and no mistakes could be allowed.
The three first enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at a barbecue restaurant, then went to a high point in the Village to view the night scenery, and continued their stroll afterward. On the surface, their behavior appeared completely normal, even leisurely.
It wasn't until midnight that the three returned to Uchiha Hayato's residence together.
"Something's a bit strange," an Anbu wearing a mouse mask suddenly said, a hint of coldness in his voice. "It's too calm; it's completely unlike their style."
The unease in everyone's hearts was finally resolved. Yes, Kushina and Asako, who had shown such concern for the Uzushiogakure incident, could appear so relaxed in such a tense situation. This was clearly contrary to common sense!
This was simply not how they should act after the Village was attacked.
The Mouse decisively ordered: "I'll go check Hayato's house. Rabbit, immediately inform Hokage-sama. Everyone else, quickly head to the Village entrance!"
With a flash, the Mouse instantly entered Uchiha Hayato's room through an unclosed window. It was empty.
They weren't here, as expected!
At the same time, in the forest outside Konoha Village, three figures quietly disappeared into the night.
Kushina looked back at the unconscious Barrier Team Ninja on the ground in the distance and asked with some unease, "Is it really okay to just leave them there?"
Hayato showed a confident smile: "It's fine. They're sleeping soundly. Those Anbu won't take long to realize we've left. We must use this time to create distance."
Asako looked at Hayato, then at the fallen Ninja, a chill running down her spine. The casualness with which this outwardly sunny young man had used his Sharingan for Hypnosis earlier gave her a… suffocating feeling.
Hayato seemed to Detect her thoughts and calmly explained: "It's nothing major, just a small trick of the Sharingan."
[Hypnosis: Causes the target to fall into a sleep state]
Hayato found that as he continuously used Pokémon skills, he gradually became able to perceive the natural energy present in the air. However, to completely master it and integrate it with Chakra, he seemed to be missing a crucial opportunity.
"Alright, get on!" Hayato called out. "Kushina, sit in front, Asako, sit in back. Inform me in advance if Konoha's pursuers arrive."
"Got it…" Asako mumbled softly, her face slightly flushed, as she lightly jumped onto Arcanine.
"Woof!" Arcanine let out a low growl, its four limbs pushing off with force, speeding through the moonlit forest.
Feeling the wind rush past her ears, Kushina gasped. The Arcanine she was riding also seemed pleased with its speed after evolving and ran even harder.
Inside Konoha Village, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was preparing to sleep.
He had just named his unborn child in his wife's womb—Asuma, Asuma Sarutobi.
As Hokage, he rarely enjoyed moments of family time. Thinking of the previous report that Hayato was strolling through the Village with two Uzumaki Family girls, he slightly eased his worries.
"Report, Third Hokage-sama!" an urgent voice came from outside the door.
"What is it?"
"Uchiha Hayato is suspected of having left the Village with two Uzumaki Family members!"
"What?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stood up, quickly putting on his clothes, completely disregarding his sleeping wife beside him. "What about the others?"
"The Anbu have already rushed to the Village entrance. Some members found the Barrier Team members unconscious and are currently on guard at the scene."
The screen of the communicator flickered, showing several fallen Barrier Team members and the Anbu guarding the scene.
"Report, Uchiha Hayato has left the Village. His suspected destination is Uzushiogakure. A team of members has begun pursuit."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth, muttering, "Doesn't he know what consequences this will lead to?!"
It could very likely trigger another war. Although the clouds of war already hung over the Ninja World, this action would undoubtedly push Konoha into the fire.
Lady Mito's time was running out, and there was a risk of the seal breaking. The Nine-Tailed had to be transferred from Lady Mito to Kushina immediately.
"Issue an S-rank mission: retrieve Uchiha Hayato and Uzumaki Kushina, at all costs!"
-----------------
Near the Valley of the End, Hayato and the others had dismounted Arcanine and were proceeding on foot.
Asako leaned close to Hayato's ear and whispered, "Hayato, it seems someone is catching up."
"Is that so?" Hayato smiled slightly, showing no sign of panic.
Uchiha Hayato smiled. Arcanine wasn't suitable for running on all terrains. After passing through the Valley of the End, the three dismounted Arcanine and walked for a while before the Anbu caught up.
If no one had caught up, he would have been disappointed.
"Uchiha Hayato, stop walking," the Anbu's voice was low and stern. "Uchiha Hayato, Hokage-sama orders you to return to the Village immediately, or you will be deemed a rogue Ninja!"
Hayato patted his waist, and a white light flew out.
"Take care of them quickly, Xiao Yan."
A brilliant white light flashed, and Monferno landed on the ground, its fists lightly colliding, emitting a dull thud.
Arcanine remained in place, unsure whether to continue, and the expressions of both girls also changed.
"Is it a mistake to want to save one's own Village?" Uchiha Hayato said loudly. "Kushina is from the Uzumaki Family. Is it wrong for her to rescue her Family?"
"Moreover, Uzushiogakure and Konoha Village have been allies for generations. Even Konoha Village's symbol is the Uzumaki. If we can't even protect our allies, then what right do we have to prove we can protect our comrades?"
Hayato questioned the two Anbu who had arrived first.
The two remained silent, looking at each other: "You and Uzumaki Kushina are not allowed to leave Konoha. That is the order we received."
"Mach Punch!"
One Anbu felt his vision go black as a huge shadow loomed over him. Monferno's fist had already pressed down, and the next second, he was sent flying by a massive force, slamming hard against a tree trunk and falling unconscious.
Looking at the unconscious Anbu, Monferno scratched its head. Sorry, it hadn't held back its strength. Hayato had clearly told it not to use too much force. It seemed it hadn't adapted to its evolved body yet.
The other Anbu's face behind his mask showed anger, but he met a pair of blood-red eyes, and his body fell straight down.
"Sleep, you poor fellow."
"Hayato…" Kushina gently clutched his sleeve, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "Is it really okay for us to do this? I want to save Uzushiogakure, but Lady Mito has also been very kind to me, and I don't want the Village to suffer danger…"
Hayato clapped his hands, moved the two Anbu aside, leaving a conspicuous scroll, and turned to comfort Kushina: "Kushina, don't overthink it. Only the strong are qualified to protect their comrades. Being indecisive will only result in losing both sides."
"Other Anbu will catch up soon and take them back."
Uchiha Hayato's lips curved into a smile as he looked towards Konoha, seemingly exchanging a distant gaze with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Old man, do you know that in my former world, this move is called a showdown?
He intended to do this. After revealing the power of Pokémon, he slowly realized that he too had become an important combat resource for the Village, similar to Kushina. Over time, Hiruzen Sarutobi's protection had also become an obstacle.
With this action, he wanted to prove that his strength had reached the qualifications to step onto the stage of the Ninja World, that he could protect himself, and was no longer a minion to be slaughtered at will.
Before he finished speaking, Hayato took the lead, his back appearing incredibly resolute in the moonlight.
"Let's go. Uzushiogakure can't wait."