The shuriken did not aim directly at the three of them but was instead thrown onto the path ahead, indicating that the Hyuga ninja from this timeline did not harbor strong hostility toward them...
Yamato quickly arrived at this conclusion. However, he was unaware that Kiyo Hyuga had refrained from showing hostility to prevent them from venturing further and stepping out of the trap's range. This feigned neutrality was accompanied by a probing question to mask her intentions.
In times of war, a failure to remain vigilant often meant certain death. Kiyo Hyuga had spent a significant amount of time alongside Hyuga Mirai and had picked up a few of her underhanded tactics.
"Ah, those are eyes like Hinata's and Neji's Byakugan! She must be a Hyuga ninja…"
Before Naruto Uzumaki could finish his enthusiastic comment, Sakura Haruno silenced him with a swift punch.
"Naruto, keep quiet! Don't reveal that we're not from this timeline!"
Sakura whispered her admonition. Although Naruto hadn't spoken loudly, it was better to avoid unnecessary risks. Any slip of the tongue could jeopardize their mission.
"I'm an ANBU ninja on a classified mission. I need to meet the Fourth Hokage… Jonin Minato Namikaze."
Faced with Kiyo Hyuga's questioning, Yamato tried to stick to less critical answers. Sharing the truth would likely sound unbelievable and lead the other party to assume they were lying. Only the younger Minato Namikaze might trust that they had traveled here through the Ryūmyaku.
"ANBU? Minato Namikaze, the Jonin…"
Kiyo Hyuga immediately knew Yamato was lying. A true ANBU operative would know that Minato was currently stationed at the Land of Rivers camp. These people were coming back from the front lines, yet they claimed they were searching for him.
Behind her back, Kiyo signaled to Kurenai Yuhi before continuing her questioning to divert their attention.
"Show me your ANBU mission credentials immediately!"
Yamato froze. He couldn't comply. The only document he carried was a mission order signed by the Fifth Hokage, but he couldn't show it.
"We need to meet Minato first to…"
Yamato's reply was cut short as he suddenly heard the sharp whistle of blades slicing through the air. His instincts immediately screamed trap.
"Watch out!"
Yamato shouted, leaping away from his position. Sakura and Naruto, alerted by his warning, instinctively followed suit, narrowly dodging the kunai with explosive tags launched from both sides.
Boom!
The explosive tags detonated, filling the dense forest with noise and flames.
"Damn it… She ambushed us! Aren't we from the same village?"
Sakura quickly chastised Naruto's complaint.
"Naruto, we're strangers to them right now…"
Suddenly, a signal flare shot into the sky, bursting into sparks. Yamato's expression darkened upon seeing it.
"That's the encounter signal for wartime. We need to get out of here quickly!"
If surrounded, they'd have no choice but to surrender. Given how unbelievable their story was, they'd likely be deemed spies and subjected to interrogation using the Yamanaka clan's mind-probing jutsu. Yamato knew from his ANBU days how damaging this technique could be to the mind. He was determined not to let Naruto and Sakura go through that.
"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"
Chakra blasts from Kiyo rained down on the group, combining with triggered traps and a barrage of shuriken and kunai, forcing Sakura and Naruto into a chaotic retreat.
"Captain Yamato!"
Sakura clenched her fists and called out. Faced with an unending assault, she wanted to strike back but hesitated. These were Konoha ninja, technically their allies. Without just cause, she couldn't bring herself to harm them.
"You two go ahead! I'll cover you!"
Yamato ordered firmly. They needed to escape now. He hadn't located Kiyo's teammate but decided to deal with the immediate threat first. Once Sakura and Naruto ran past him, he quickly performed a series of hand signs.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A massive water dragon surged forth, crashing toward Kiyo through the forest. The sheer force toppled trees in its path.
No escape!
Kiyo was shocked by the power of the water-style jutsu but managed to counter with Eight Trigrams: Revolving Heaven, amplifying her chakra output.
Boom!
The collision generated a powerful shockwave that sent Kiyo flying. Fortunately, her enhanced chakra output mitigated much of the damage. After rolling to a stop, she regained her footing, albeit battered.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Naruto hadn't gotten far before three kunai with explosive tags flew at them from the side.
"Watch out, Naruto!"
Sakura shoved Naruto aside but couldn't avoid the blast's shockwave herself, taking a glancing hit.
"Sakura! Damn it, we're Konoha ninja too!"
Naruto's protest was cut off as a tree sprouted from the ground behind him, its branches binding his limbs.
"Wood Style? Captain Yamato?"
Naruto wondered aloud. He'd been restrained by Yamato's Wood Style numerous times before.
But his hopes were dashed when a figure emerged from the tree above, kunai poised at his neck. The sight of ruby-red eyes sent a chill down Naruto's spine.
Before the kunai struck, a thunderous shout broke the tension.
"Naruto, wake up!"
The booming voice jolted Naruto, and the ground beneath him cracked as Sakura punched the earth with monstrous strength. The force sent tremors through the area, forcing Kurenai Yuhi to retreat.
Faced with Sakura's raw power, Kurenai silently counted her blessings. She'd narrowly avoided becoming a casualty.
Where did this monstrous woman come from?
Kurenai thought grimly. Her immediate priority was to separate Naruto and Sakura again, as her genjutsu would be less effective against the pair.
"Naruto! Sakura! Are you two okay?"
Yamato reappeared, having used a clone to delay Kiyo. Now reunited, he urged them to escape.
"Three people… This will be tricky. If only Mirai were here…"
From her hiding spot, Kurenai counted her remaining explosive tags. Only four were left. She could only delay them for so long.
In the distance, the sound of battle confirmed that Kiyo was still engaged, meaning the immediate threat was minimal.
Just as Kurenai prepared to intercept the trio, a figure suddenly appeared at her side.
"You've done well. Leave the rest to me!"
Namikaze Minato, wielding a Flying Thunder God kunai, smiled at her.
(End of Chapter)
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