Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Kidnapping Kushina

At dusk, Uzumaki Kushina, covered in sweat but smiling, made her way home.

In Konoha, once she entered the Senju clan's territory, she didn't notice that it was quieter than usual around her.

"I'm back!"

Kushina called out cheerfully to the empty mansion. However, this time, no one responded.

Being within Konoha, and especially within the Senju territory, she hadn't sensed anything amiss. But the silence in the house gradually made her smile fade, and she began to feel that something was wrong.

As the sunset shone through the window, three shadowy figures appeared, gazing at her with greedy eyes.

"Target identified!"

Kushina reacted instantly. The moment she saw the shadows, her pupils shrank, and without hesitation, she turned to run, shouting in panic.

"Is anyone there? Help!"

With one sharp scream, the mansion returned to silence. Outside, under a cherry blossom tree, Tsunade appeared.

"Tsunade-sama, Lord Hokage has issued an order…"

"Silence!"

Tsunade’s sharp voice cut off the ANBU operative before they could finish speaking.

Tsunade turned, her face expressionless, and looked at the ANBU with a cold gaze.

"Go back and tell the Third Hokage: the Senju clan will not participate in this test. But if anyone tries to harm Kushina, I will intervene."

"Yes!"

With a quick movement, the ANBU operative vanished. Tsunade watched his departure, and several other Konoha shinobi appeared behind her.

"Keep a close watch. Even if Kushina chooses incorrectly, no one is to harm her!"

"Yes!"

These shinobi were Senju elites. Tsunade had learned from past experiences with Nawaki, Dan, and the Grass Country ambush. She no longer fully trusted the Hokage’s inner circle.

"Kid, don't let your guard down. This is your Uchiha clan’s chance!"

Mumbling to herself, Tsunade’s expression shifted as an idea struck her. She addressed one of the Senju elites nearby.

"Senju Kawaki, go and discreetly lead the Uchiha kid."

Kawaki hesitated, then noticed the other Senju members pretending not to hear, leaving him with no choice.

"Understood!"

Senju Kawaki headed towards the Uchiha clan. The other Senju members quietly exhaled in relief. After all, this mission was sensitive, given the relationship between their clan’s princess and that Uchiha boy.

The unusual looks from behind didn't escape Tsunade's notice, and she turned around, snapping at them.

"Why are you still here? Go! If anything happens to Kushina, you’ll be held accountable!"

"Yes!"

As her men disappeared, Tsunade's face grew serious. She understood that while this test was inevitable, its implications for the Senju were far-reaching.

For Kushina, the Hokage was the village leader, and such a test might seem acceptable. But for the Senju, who were family, their involvement in such a test would leave Kushina feeling betrayed.

"Third Hokage…"

A wry smile appeared on Tsunade's face. The Senju were already halfway to losing this test, manipulated once again by her old teacher.

"But this time, the Senju may not lose!"

Tsunade smiled coldly, prepared with her own plans.

---

In the Uchiha clan's training grounds, Uchiha Yosuke was training when he suddenly sensed something. He opened his eyes, revealing three Sharingan tomoe, and heard a whizzing sound.

A needle landed on the grass, and Yosuke was startled.

"Who's there?"

The figure disappeared, but Yosuke noticed red strands of hair on the needle on the ground.

"Kushina!"

Realizing this, Yosuke looked up at the setting sun, understanding the message.

'So it's tonight. This must be Tsunade’s warning.'

At least it showed that his efforts over the past year hadn’t been in vain.

Tsunade was beginning to distrust the higher-ups, and the Senju now trusted the Uchiha—or rather, trusted him. Yosuke knew Tsunade wasn’t easy to sway, and that while they were close, they hadn’t yet become romantically involved.

'An opportunity for a bond… It seems the Senju clan has decided to be cautious.'

Yosuke immediately saw Tsunade’s intentions. While it looked like she was creating a bond, she was also drawing the Uchiha in.

If successful, this bond would mean a powerful position for Uchiha within the village, especially with Kushina as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. How could the Uchiha resist such an opportunity?

As for Mikoto? In a big clan, such arrangements were common, and she already expected it.

'Bonds can sometimes change; be careful not to lose everything."'

Rolling the red hair in his fingers, Yosuke grinned.

'A child chooses, an adult wants it all!'

With a swift movement, Yosuke vanished into the shadows, heading towards the police headquarters, not directly out of the village.

On the opposite end of the village, Minato Namikaze was also receiving guidance from the ANBU.

Holding a strand of red hair, Minato’s eyes hardened with determination.

'I won’t abandon my comrade. If she does make the wrong choice, I’ll break her hands and feet to bring her back alive!'

Though there were orders from the Hokage to eliminate Kushina if she defected, Minato trusted his friend.

"Because she's my comrade!"

Whispering the final words in his heart, Minato also darted toward the village gates.

With azure blue ey

es filled with resolve, Minato believed in Kushina. While his mission might be a factor, his feelings were genuine.

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