The red-haired woman hiding at the back of the classroom was none other than Kushina Uzumaki.
Due to her special status, she couldn't go to the battlefield, so after graduation, she had been living in the village. Currently, she was working as a ninja instructor.
During this time, rumors had been spreading throughout the village. They finally reached her ears.
"Did you all hear about the incident this morning?"
"Of course! It was terrifying! That Yusuke Kamizuki from Kirigakure actually proposed to Kushina. He left a note saying if she's not sent to him, he'll kill one person a day!"
"That's horrifying! Is he a devil? Kushina-sensei is Minato's lover! He actually—"
"Shh! Lower your voice! Kushina-sensei hasn't gone home yet! What if she hears—"
The voices of several instructors gradually faded.
Outside the classroom door, Kushina was gritting her teeth!
Over the past week, she had heard some rumors. She had asked Minato about it, and his answers were always reassuring. So, she had been ignoring this matter all along.
However, today's events made her fully understand. It turns out... this wasn't just a rumor!
People in the village had already started losing their lives because of her!
She silently left the school, walking on the streets of Konoha. Whether intentional or not, she could always feel the ninja and civilians around her watching her. It was as if they were all saying, "It's all because of you that so many people have died!"
Covering her ears, Kushina quickly returned to her home.
After thinking for a long time, she decided to go find Minato to get answers.
Upon arriving at the Hokage office building, ignoring the ninja guards at the entrance, she rushed straight into his office.
At this moment, Minato was reporting the current situation to Hiruzen.
"We have already contained a large portion of the villagers. But... the rumors can't be stopped anymore..." Minato said with a grim expression, "This matter has completely spread..."
Bang——!!
The office door was violently smashed open by Kushina! She was seen gritting her teeth, quickly walking in.
"Rumors? What rumors! Minato, and geezer Third! What exactly are you hiding from me?!" She was furious at this moment.
"Kushina." Minato hurried over.
"Sigh..." Hiruzen furrowed his brow and let out a heavy sigh, "Minato, it's alright. This matter couldn't have remained secret anyway. We've done well to keep it under wraps for a week."
The Hokage then took out the letter that the Mizukage had sent earlier. Seeing this, Minato also knew they couldn't continue hiding it anymore.
Kushina quickly grabbed the letter.
A few minutes later, her face turned red with anger, her chest heaving.
"He-he-he! That Yusuke Kamizuki! He's dreaming!!!"
Everyone had anticipated her reaction.
"This matter is not easy to handle..." Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe, "This situation is difficult no matter how we approach it!"
"Lord Third! I request permission to lead all the major clans together! To crush Kirigakure mercilessly! Let them know the consequences of angering our Konoha!" Minato's eyes were filled with rage.
Hiruzen's expression was solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he said:
"Very well! From now on, you will lead the team! Have the Uchiha clan send more manpower to the battlefield. I will also notify other clans to prepare for a harsh strike against Kirigakure! We're not just going to fight — we're going to make them fear us! This way, we can resolve this incident and intimidate other hidden villages as well!"
"However!" Hiruzen stood up solemnly and looked at Minato. "In this battle, victory is the only option! Failure is not allowed!"
"Yes, Lord Third!" Minato's whole body trembled with determination.
He had been suppressing his anger for so long. Now, he must lead everyone to deliver a crushing blow to Kiri! He wanted to show Yusuke the consequences of coveting his future wife!
Hiruzen approached Minato and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"This battle cannot end in failure. Otherwise, it would be another devastating blow to Konoha. Go now."
"Yes!" Minato nodded solemnly once more.
The next day, another fresh corpse appeared at Konoha's main gate — a member of the Shimura clan.
As they had just begun to tighten security at the entrance, on the third day, a Yamanaka clan member's body was found right at the entrance of their compound!
It seemed utterly impossible to defend against these attacks!
Kisame himself carried out all these actions. His infiltration and concealment techniques were nearly flawless.
In Kirigakure, on the top floor of the ANBU building, Yusuke smiled after hearing Kisame's report.
"It's as we anticipated. Konoha is growing desperate. They urgently need a large-scale battle to subdue us, resolve this crisis, and boost their village's morale. But — " Yusuke rose slowly and strode to the window.
He gazed down at the blue stone training ground below, where throngs of Kiri Assassination Corps members were training fervently.
"We of Kirigakure, how could we not seize this opportunity for a grand battle? To raise our spirits! To hone our strength!"
Behind him stood Kisame Hoshigaki, Fuguki Suikazan, Mangetsu Hozuki, and the newly appointed team leader, Juzo Biwa. All four felt their blood begin to simmer with excitement!
"Kisame! Continue delivering one corpse every day to Konoha. Fuguki, have each remaining member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen lead a team of elite assassination units — keep them ready. Mangetsu, the Hozuki clan and other clan members are under your command. Organize them into various assassination squads and await my orders. Juzo Biwa! Keep honing the main ninja forces! Be prepared for my command at any moment! And next..."
Yusuke slowly raised his right hand, then clenched it into a tight fist!
"Our Kirigakure faces a formidable battle ahead! And we must emerge victorious! Nothing short of total triumph!"
The four behind him, upon hearing this, shouted in unison:
"Yes, Captain!" x4
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