The sky gradually became dark, and the flow of people on the street began to thin out. Minato and the other three had already returned to the hotel where they were staying. After a simple dinner, the four of them adopted a serious demeanor. As per Sakumo's request, only he was observing from a position near the balcony. Even though the visitor was an elite ninja from the Cloud Village, they couldn't afford to be careless.
The night grew exceedingly dark, and the town of Izumi was extremely quiet, unlike the bustling late-night atmosphere of Konoha. Minato and the others remained vigilant in the room, while Sakumo kept a close watch on the situation outside.
Finally, a faint sound of footsteps reached their ears. Despite the distance, skilled ninjas could detect any details and sounds. Suzuka, Minato, and Uchiha Yoruki, though young, possessed this level of insight.
At the same time, the chakra compass placed in front of them began to glow faintly.
"Everyone, pay attention, the target has appeared," Sakumo said softly, and the four nodded. Then, he laughed and added, "They're too cautious. In this case, there's no need for a compass at all."
Minato and the others couldn't see the outside situation, but Sakumo observed a group of people walking slowly into the town. They were covered with wide black robes, making it difficult to see their faces. However, their unusual body shapes hinted at their unusual identities.
The group didn't use transformation jutsus but didn't hide their chakra fluctuations either, instead gradually releasing them, as if on guard. Kuriyama Shinzo clearly knew that Konoha wouldn't let him go easily.
On the street, among the robed figures, two were paying close attention to their surroundings, but the room Sakumo chose was their blind spot.
"There are sensor ninjas among them," Suzuka noted. Sakumo and the others were prepared for this, having shielded the entire room with a barrier to prevent detection. Otherwise, with Sakumo's powerful chakra, they would definitely be sensed.
"Among them, there are also ninjas with very strong chakra," Sakumo sneered. "The Kumo Village is really generous. For Kuriyama Shinzo, they dispatched ninjas of this level."
The tense relations between the major ninja countries made it clear that sending such elite ninjas to protect Kuriyama Shinzo was almost equivalent to declaring war.
Minato and Uchiha Yoruki tensed up.
Sakumo turned to them with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I will keep you safe."
Although the Sandaime had told Sakumo not to worry too much about the life and death of these two, Sakumo saw potential in them that rivaled his own. He wouldn't allow these promising ninjas to fall into the hands of the Kumogakure and a Konoha traitor.
"Haha, I'm shaking with excitement," Uchiha Yoruki said, his expression full of exhilaration, his whole body, including his face, twitching with anticipation. As a member of the famous Uchiha clan, he wouldn't permit himself to feel fear.
Minato, on the other hand, didn't feel the nervousness expected from a first mission or facing enemy ninjas. His body was tense, out of caution, not fear.
A smile appeared on his still slightly immature face. "It's us who want to kill him, and we are not a burden."
Sakumo laughed. Though young and perhaps a bit reckless, these ninjas had the passion necessary for fighting.
"Are we going to act now?" Minato asked, a note of concern in his voice. Izumi Town was peaceful, and acting here could destroy that peace.
"This is a fight between ninjas. We cannot involve civilians. Moreover, this is the territory of the Land of Hot Water. If civilians are killed or injured, the Hot Water Village will not let it go," Sakumo said. Even big countries like the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning couldn't easily disrupt the peace of other nations, especially when the ninja countries were on the brink of war.
"Follow them quietly and wait until they're outside the town before taking action," Sakumo instructed.
Kuriyama Shinzo and his group, with hidden identities, had walked to the end of Sakumo's view. If they continued like this, they would lose sight of their target. Minato and the others nodded and moved closer to Suzuka.
Swish!
The four of them disappeared from the room.
Outside the town, in a large forest area, the robed figures hadn't walked far before the leader motioned for everyone to stop.
"What's wrong?" one of them asked in a hoarse voice.
The leader removed his hat, revealing a dark but resolute face. His thick lips curled into a slight smile. "Someone is here to kill you." The sharp eyes hidden under the robe narrowed slightly.
Swish!
As soon as the leader spoke, a flash of white light streaked through the silent, dark forest, filling everyone's vision. The murderous intent was so palpable that it made their pores open and their bodies tremble.
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