The moment Konan left, Yugao also put on her Anbu's uniform, strapped on her sword, and slipped out silently. The difference was, one was flying through the sky, while the other was operating under official orders.
"Commander?" The Anbu were stunned upon seeing Yugao.
"Mm. Immediately dispatch Team Three to the Yamanaka Flower Shop for surveillance and protection. Team Two will go to the Hyuga Clan's compound to explain the purpose of our visit to the Hyuga Clan and protect Hyuga Hinata's safety."
As Yugao walked, she issued orders and put on her Anbu mask.
"Hurry up!"
"Yes!" The Anbu's members immediately disappeared on the spot.
At the same time, half of Konoha abruptly stirred to life. The Anbu members on leave were immediately recalled, and Kakashi also woke up from his sleep and led people to the Hokage Tower.
"Enemy invasion? When?"
"Just now. They've already left." Yugao replied calmly.
"Just now?" Kakashi rubbed his temples, "Do we know who it was?"
"Not yet, but it's likely the same group that kidnapped Yamanaka Ino and Hyuga Hinata before." Yugao used the word 'that group' as the answer to heighten the tension.
"Why?"
"I saw Naruto leave with them. It was probably under coercion." Yugao explained.
Suddenly, a discordant voice sounded among the crowd.
"What if that guy betrayed the village?"
Hearing the voice, Yugao glanced over and couldn't help but frowned. She suddenly remembered something Naruto had once said, and the words now struck her with chilling clarity.
[I can't protect this village at all costs. The stronger I get, the more they wish for my death.]
Kakashi also looked over, his expression neither angry nor reproachful. He knew the village's nature too well, and there were more than just those who supported the Hokage in Konoha.
To put it bluntly, some only cared about who controlled the Hokage's seat.
Some things were so common they no longer sparked outrage. Kakashi had long outgrown anger, as time had left him with nothing but resignation.
"Have the Anbu reinforcements been deployed?" He asked.
"I've already reinforced security around the Yamanaka Flower Shop and the Hyuga Clan's Compound. Team Two and Team Three are in position."
"Good. From now on, everyone needs to stay sharp." Kakashi considered for a moment and gave the order, "The village is now under Level Two alert."
"Understood!!!" The people in the conference room responded in unison.
As the crowd dispersed, Yugao remained standing in place. Kakashi Kakashi didn't call out to her either. He silently sat at the Hokage's desk with his arms crossed, staring at the map in deep thought.
His gaze passed beyond Konoha and looked far towards the borders of the Land of Fire.
"Did they head outside the village?" Kakashi finally looked up and asked.
"Yes. My guess is that the enemy used some kind of leverage, something Naruto couldn't refuse, to force him to leave with them." Yugao replied, "The fact that they're being so cautious suggests they don't want to provoke Konoha."
"Are they wary of the village?" Kakashi mused.
"It doesn't seem like it." She shook her head.
"That's really strange. Naruto is probably the only one who knows the other party's identity." Kakashi sighed and leaned back in his chair. "In that case, the two of them are most likely heading toward the outskirts of Konoha's forest, or perhaps the borders of the Land of Fire."
"The area's too vast. We can't conduct a search." Yugao added.
"Then we'll have to trust Naruto. The village still needs to remain on alert." Kakashi picked up a pen, his expression growing distant, "The village's interests come first. Increase security around Ino and Hinata's locations."
"Understood." Yugao nodded and left.
In the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Ino was woken up by the commotion downstairs. When she changed her clothes and went downstairs, she found several Anbu standing in the shop. She froze for a moment, then rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"What's going on?"
She was still in her pajamas, only putting on an outer robe before stepping out. Standing at the top of the stairs in her pink slippers, she blinked sleepily.
Inoichi was speaking with the leader of Anbu's Team Three. When he heard Ino's voice, he turned around and frowned as if he had encountered something troublesome.
"Ino, go back upstairs. The adults will handle this."
Hearing this, Ino nearly choked, 'What does he mean, 'the adults will handle it'? I'm not a child anymore!
"Father, I'm not a kid. I'm an adult now."
"I know. Just go upstairs for now. It's nothing serious." Inoichi wanted to say something, but was stopped by Rino.
"Ino, go upstairs first. Mom will come up and explain in a bit."
"...Fine."
What else could Ino do? She nodded and went back upstairs. Though her mind was still swirling with questions, she could only wait for her mother to come up and clarify.
Not long after, Rino walked up the stairs in small steps, sat down next to Ino and explained the situation in detail.
"Then… what about Naruto?"
"He… He will be fine. He That boy always has a plan." Rino reassured her, "He is usually very smart and shrewd. Nothing will happen to him."
After hearing what her mother said, Ino panicked.
"Mom, Naruto must have been threatened! Otherwise, he'd never willingly leave the village with that person! What do we do?"
"He'll be fine. What could possibly threaten him? Hokage-sama must already have a plan. Don't worry." Rino pulled her daughter into a hug.
"No, Mom, it's not like that." Ino's eyes welled up with tears. She wanted to say that the enemy must have used her or Hinata's safety to threaten Naruto… but she couldn't say that.
If she did, her mother would be furious. No matter how understanding she was, she wouldn't accept her daughter loving someone who was also involved with another girl.
"Ino, calm down, alright?" Rino said softly, "Hokage-sama has already sent reinforcements to protect us. The house is safe."
"Since Naruto cares about you that much, he definitely wouldn't want anything to happen to you. The best thing you can do right now is stay home and stay safe."
"But Naruto..." Ino grew frantic.
"Alright, Ino, that's enough." Rino rarely used such a firm tone, then she stood up and said, "I'm going back downstairs. Stay on the second floor."
…
At the same time, at Hyuga Clan's Compound.
Hinata pressed her lips together. For the first time in her life, she stood up to her father, the man she had feared for over a decade. She argued with a stubbornness that turned her face red.
Hanabi was completely stunned by this. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed her gentle, soft-spoken sister would dare to argue with their father.
And all for the sake of a boy… an outsider.
Although she knew that Naruto was very important to Hinata, Hanabi had always assumed her sister would swallow her grievances and endure in silence, as she always had.
But who could've predicted Hinata would explode like this? The father and daughter almost had a falling out.
Hiashi was so furious he smashed two teacups in a row. When that didn't vent his anger, he flipped the table over, breathing heavily before finally calming down.
"Have you truly lost all regard for the Hyuga Clan's dignity?"
"Has the clan ever consider my feelings?" Hinata lowered her head but didn't back down.
Her voice was soft, but her words were unyielding, and each syllable hit Hiashi like a slap to the face. His hands trembled, and for a moment, it looked like he might pass out from rage.
"You! Are you really going to defy me for him?"
"...Yes." Hinata nodded, "Even if you forbid it, my decision won't change, Father."
Hanabi quickly stepped in, patting their father's back and pouring him tea, trying to smooth things over. She understood better than anyone that her sister was completely devoted to him.
The Anbu stationed in the Hyuga Clan's compound all awkwardly turned away. This was a family matter… something they really shouldn't be overhearing.
But they have a mission to do, so they can only bite the bullet and heard the gossip.
'Gods, I really don't want to know this gossip… Why are you forcing it into my ears?'