Faced with near-outright pressure from the village's higher-ups, Senju Rinju remained deep in thought for a long ti.
All eyes were on him, waiting for his capitulation.
At last, he said, "I'll summon Tsunade. I'll have her return from the frontlines to support and train Kushina."
Tsunade was the greatest common ground between the two sides—both the prized student of the Third Hokage and the princess of the Senju clan.
"Tsunade, huh…" Sarutobi Hiruzen, who knew her best, let his voice trail off. Compared to Senju Rinju, Tsunade's love for the village was far more straightforward.
For the village, Tsunade would do anything.
The village was her grandfather's legacy. She would never let a Jinchūriki threaten it.
Seeing Hiruzen's softened stance, Danzo and Mitokado Homura also chose to remain silent.
Kato Dan couldn't help smiling—finally, he'd get to see Tsunade again.
The Third Hokage dismissed both groups.
As they departed, he said one final thing: "Yellow Dog, I want a full report on tonight's incident. Fast."
"Yes. I'll prepare it in ten minutes."
That night, Hiruzen carefully read the report.
There was no embellishnt—just a ticulous record of everything the Yellow Dog Unit had seen and done.
The key turning point ca when Squad Leader Fox discovered the Cloud ninja spy.
Fox reported it to Captain Black Ape, who led a pursuit unit—and just happened to catch the Cloud ninja in the act of kidnapping the Princess of the Uzumaki clan.
Hiruzen thought to himself, So that's what happened.
After the Uzumaki Massacre, several promising new agents had erged in the ANBU, and Fox was one of them.
Fox had been emulating Cloud-style kenjutsu in battle. His swordsmanship was rapidly improving.
The growth was clearly visible—a step-by-step climb. He couldn't possibly be a Cloud spy.
Reading further, Hiruzen's eyebrows arched in interest.
Namikaze Minato, a classmate of Princess Kushina, had actually killed a Cloud spy?
Captain Black Ape's evaluation of Minato was extrely high.
Even Fox, who was known for his quick reflexes and keen blade, fell slightly short compared to Minato.
A ten-year-old… stronger than an ANBU squad leader?
This was the first ti Namikaze Minato had entered Hiruzen's radar.
A rare seedling indeed, he thought.
Imdiately, Hiruzen issued an order for the ninja academy instructors to closely monitor and develop Namikaze Minato.
It was highly likely that this recent incident would forge a friendship between Minato and Kushina. Through Minato, the village might gain better influence over the young princess.
In both power and social potential, Namikaze Minato was well worth investing in.
Ti passed in a blur of surveillance missions.
Many days later.
The full moon hung like a silver disc. Its light fell cold and white, like frost.
Another full moon night had arrived.
At midnight, following the shift change, Yako was perched in the tree canopy just outside the Senju compound, using a telescope to observe the grounds.
The compound was vast—nearly one-tenth the size of Konoha's central district.
This once-great shinobi clan now stood at the end of its glory days. Even so, they had twelve elite jōnin and over thirty regular jōnin within their ranks.
Both Mito Uzumaki and Princess Kushina were extrely safe within those walls.
Yako scanned the outer periter. In a nearby alley, he spotted a couple.
The female ninja was from the Senju clan. The man—a civilian ninja from the village.
Thanks to Tobirama Senju's policies, the Senju were known for supporting commoners. After the destruction of the Uzumaki clan, many Senju won had begun to consider relationships with civilian shinobi.
Purple Cat, positioned beside Yako, was also watching the couple through her own telescope. After a mont, she set it down.
The male ninja's hands were… restless, constantly wandering.
Senju kunoichi were famously curvy. Exploring that terrain was like climbing hills and valleys—a bumpy ride, to say the least.
Being a woman herself, Purple Cat felt a bit embarrassed.
She turned her head slightly and noticed her three male teammates—all of whom had their mask eyeholes firmly glued to their scopes.
"Ahem."
Purple Cat gave a soft cough, trying to rein in the guys.
Peeking at a couple being affectionate didn't exactly align with the Will of Fire.
Antelope and Ironstag guiltily put down their scopes.
These two were Konoha shinobi too—how could they violate a comrade's privacy?
Yako, however, remained unfazed. In fact, he began scolding Purple Cat with authority:
"Purple Cat, you made several fatal mistakes. If we weren't in the village, your actions might've gotten the whole squad killed.
First, you must not make a sound.
As ANBU, how can you make noise during a surveillance mission?
We're just outside the Senju compound. If they realize we're monitoring Princess Kushina, it's not the end of the world.
But what if we were in a foreign town? Would you be the first to volunteer for the rear guard if we got exposed?
Second, you must not make assumptions.
Just because the scene looks a bit… spicy, you abandoned your post?
What if that civilian ninja were a spy?
What if, at the exact mont you looked away, he suddenly killed the Senju kunoichi?
Any unfamiliar face within the Senju grounds could be a threat to the princess.
Third, you have no right to give orders to Antelope or Ironstag.
Unless I issue a command, all three of you follow my lead. Without question.
Now—pick up your scopes. Keep watching. I want every single detail observed. No exceptions!"
Under her mask, Purple Cat flushed bright red—more than she had watching the couple earlier.
"Sorry, Captain Fox! I was wrong!"
Antelope, Ironstag, and Purple Cat all hurriedly resud their observation of the "intimate scene."
Both n were deeply moved. Their captain was too understanding—letting them enjoy the show in the na of duty.
They even started trembling a little without realizing it.
Poor guys. Unbeknownst to them, the Senju compound was under very tight surveillance.
In nearby trees alone, at least three squads were watching them.
After more than ten minutes of affection, the Senju kunoichi, cheeks red and legs weak, finally slipped back into the compound.
Ah… the stench of love.
The male ninja, however, remained standing in the alley for a long ti.
From a neighboring tree, Captain Black Ape signaled a series of hand signs.
Yako returned the signals, then waved for his team to withdraw.
Purple Cat's guilt deepened. The exchange between squad and platoon had been conducted in complete silence. No wasted movents. That was the ANBU standard.
Captain Fox was strict—but that's what made him reliable.
Once they were far enough, Yako finally said to his team, "Track that male ninja. Rule out the possibility that he's a spy."
The squad followed from a distance until the man returned ho.
He went upstairs, turned off the lights, and drew the curtains.
Purple Cat, seeing Captain Fox unmoved, waited quietly.
And waited.
From midnight until dawn.
Only once the man left the house did Yako give the order to infiltrate the small residence.
He cautiously inspected every part of the ho.
The more he looked, the more sothing felt off.
"Purple Cat—check the bed.
Ironstag—the bathroom.
Antelope—the desk."
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