Chapter 133: Kushina's Desperate Rescue Mission
Having received his orders, Uchiha Kazuki selected his ANBU subordinates and prepared to depart.
Due to the mission's urgency and tight timeframe, he wasted no time and immediately led his four-man team on the journey to recover Minato Namikaze.
The five members assigned to this mission were essentially the elite of the elite—the best of the best within ANBU.
As the newly appointed ANBU Commander, Uchiha Kazuki wore his signature 'Owl' mask and maintained silence, pushing forward at a relentless pace.
It was clear that every passing moment increased the danger to Minato Namikaze.
Though a day and a half had already passed, the chances of Minato's survival were slim. After all, his opponent was the Third Raikage—renowned for his monstrous endurance and combat prowess, arguably one of the most overwhelming forces in the shinobi world. Combined with Minato's severely weakened condition, the odds looked grim.
But still... there remained a sliver of hope!
About ten hours later, Uchiha Kazuki and his ANBU squad arrived at the location Kakashi had described.
"As expected—signs of a Tailed Beast Bomb explosion."
After examining the devastated terrain, Uchiha Kazuki quickly assessed the situation. "Everyone, spread out and search for any traces left by Minato Namikaze."
"Yes, sir!"
The four ANBU operatives responded crisply before vanishing into the surrounding forest like shadows.
Once alone, the ground beside Kazuki slowly rippled upward, and White Zetsu emerged. "Lord Kazuki, I figured you'd come, so I waited here for you."
"What exactly happened?"
Uchiha Kazuki frowned slightly.
"Uh, well... there was a small complication."
White Zetsu grinned sheepishly and scratched his head. "Everything went according to plan at first. Minato Namikaze was seriously injured, and the AB Combo was defeated. But then, unexpectedly, the Third Raikage himself suddenly showed up."
"The Heavenly Transfer Technique from the Hidden Cloud?" Uchiha Kazuki immediately deduced how the Third Raikage had arrived. The only jutsu capable of transporting the Raikage from the Hidden Cloud Village directly to Konoha's border—spanning hundreds of kilometers instantly—had to be the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
"Huh? The Heavenly Transfer Technique?" White Zetsu clearly knew of this technique and exclaimed in surprise. "But isn't that technique supposed to create violent friction with the atmosphere? I thought it was only used to transport objects?"
"Originally, yes—it was only for objects." Uchiha Kazuki pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "But the Third Raikage's body is strong enough to withstand it. He's the only shinobi who can use the Heavenly Transfer Technique to travel hundreds of miles instantaneously. He's the exception to the rule."
"Hiss... no wonder he can fight Tailed Beasts to a standstill. The man's a complete monster!"
Even White Zetsu, himself an anomaly, couldn't help but grimace in amazement.
Uchiha Kazuki pressed on. "And then? What happened after that?"
White Zetsu gestured wildly, reenacting the scene as he recounted in detail: "Minato Namikaze fought the Third Raikage one-on-one. He landed a Rasengan directly on him, but it didn't even scratch the Raikage's skin! Then the Raikage chopped him in the neck—one strike—and Minato was severely injured. After that, the Raikage dragged both Minato and the AB Combo back toward the Hidden Cloud Village."
"So Minato's still alive?"
Uchiha Kazuki felt a small measure of relief. He couldn't afford to have his future Ashura die before he was even born.
"The Raikage didn't kill him—probably wants to interrogate him for information." White Zetsu paused thoughtfully, then added, "Though he's in pretty rough shape."
"Understood."
Uchiha Kazuki nodded slightly. "Send a White Zetsu clone to track them and keep me constantly updated on their position."
"Yes, Lord Kazuki."
White Zetsu slowly sank back into the ground.
Shortly after, the ANBU members who had scattered to gather intelligence returned.
"Sir, we've located what appears to be the battle site between Minato Namikaze and the Third Raikage." One ANBU operative reported. "Based on the evidence at the scene, we believe Minato Namikaze was defeated and captured by the Third Raikage. They're heading toward the Hidden Cloud Village."
"Alright, I understand."
Uchiha Kazuki considered for a moment, then issued his orders. "Tatsuma, return to the village and report this to Lord Hokage. The rest of you—continue the pursuit with me!"
True to their elite ANBU training, there was no questioning or hesitation.
Executing orders was their duty, and Tatsuma immediately broke off from the group and headed back toward Konoha.
The remaining members, despite having traveled at high intensity for over ten hours and being utterly exhausted, gritted their teeth and followed Uchiha Kazuki as they continued pursuing the Third Raikage's group.
A day later, they officially crossed into the Land of Lightning.
However, the expected ambush by Hidden Cloud shinobi never materialized.
Instead, they encountered many strange traces along their route—such as claw marks gouged into rocks, as if left by some enraged beast.
Upon approaching the first village, Uchiha Kazuki raised his hand, immediately halting everyone.
In an instant, the entire squad froze like statues.
"Tentori, scout what's happening up ahead."
Sensing massive chakra fluctuations suggesting a battle several hundred meters away, Uchiha Kazuki called to one of his operatives.
"Yes, sir!"
Tentori stepped forward silently. Veins bulged around his eyes as his pupils turned pure white. "Byakugan!"
His enhanced vision pierced through the distance, black and white images flooding his mind.
"Sir, there are over a dozen Hidden Cloud shinobi attacking a single person up ahead." He reported what he observed, but quickly his expression twisted in shock and disbelief. "Wait... the person being attacked... no, how is this possible?!"
"What is it, Tentori?"
His teammates grew curious at his shocked tone.
"Sir!"
Tentori called out urgently, his voice strained. "The person being attacked by the Cloud shinobi—it's a Konoha kunoichi... it's Uzumaki Kushina, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
Uchiha Kazuki's eye twitched violently. He nearly lost control of his expression.
"What?!"
The other two ANBU members reacted with equal shock. "Tentori, are you absolutely certain? That's impossible! The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki should be in Konoha—how could she possibly be here?!"
Uchiha Kazuki shared their disbelief.
How did Uzumaki Kushina escape from Konoha?
Were the guards assigned to watch the Jinchuriki completely incompetent?!
They'd actually allowed the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to leave the village—and this woman had somehow gotten here before them, entering the Land of Lightning ahead of their pursuit team!
No wonder they'd seen those strange claw marks along the way. They were all left by Kushina!
"I'm not mistaken—it's definitely Uzumaki Kushina!"
Tentori called out again, his voice rising with urgency. "From what I can see, she's already half-transformed into the Tailed Beast! Wait... a fourth tail just appeared!"
A fourth tail meant the Jinchuriki was dangerously close to going completely berserk!
Moreover, for reasons unknown, Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had appeared before them and was actively engaged in combat with Hidden Cloud shinobi. It was utterly incomprehensible!
"Sir, what are your orders?!"
The three ANBU operatives were beginning to panic. They understood all too well the critical importance of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to Konoha. If anything happened to her, it would be catastrophic!
"Protect the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki at all costs!"
Uchiha Kazuki issued his command without hesitation, his eyes turning cold and deadly. "Follow me—we're eliminating every last one of those Cloud shinobi!"
[End of Chapter 133]
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