Uzumaki Yuka was gravely injured, while the Cloud ninja squad leader was under her control.
But the ANBU kunoichi "Purple Cat" was fixated on completing their mission — the top priority was to prevent sealing techniques from leaking out.
Killing Uzumaki Yuka would indeed complete the mission.
But afterward, wouldn't she die too?
Sometimes Yorimitsu really couldn't understand how Konoha ninja thought.
Every day in the ANBU was either harsh training or endless lectures from squad captains, all brainwashing them to believe: a ninja is a tool for missions.
Mission above all else.
That belief was enforced in the ANBU without compromise.
Just like in the original story — when Kisame, during an intelligence escort mission, ruthlessly slaughtered his own information team before Konoha's reinforcements arrived.
Following closely behind Purple Cat, Yorimitsu used her back as cover while he formed hand signs, making sure no one saw.
When Purple Cat's kunai was just ten centimeters away from Uzumaki Yuka's throat —
She froze. Her body stiffened like the Cloud captain's, joints locked by a cursed seal.
Purple Cat was horrified. Yuka had taken two sword strikes — how could she still have this kind of power?
But Uzumaki Yuka was just as shocked — that curse seal of self-binding wasn't cast by her!
Then she looked past Purple Cat and saw the fox mask behind her — and something clicked.
No wonder the fox had been protecting her all along — he was from the Senju Clan!
This kind of Uzumaki secret art would never be taught to outsiders, except to disciples or those absolutely trusted.
If the fox also knew Uzumaki sealing techniques, then he was an ally — that was truly unexpected.
So instead of killing her, the fox had first restrained Purple Cat.
Yorimitsu immediately dashed toward the Cloud captain.
His kunai stabbed hard toward the man's heart.
The captain, though badly injured by Yuka's earlier seals, broke free just in time.
He swung his blade upward toward Yorimitsu's wrist.
Facing a foe of elite chūnin level, Yorimitsu felt death looming.
He had already used his monthly resurrection — if he died now, it'd be for real.
Feigning weakness, Yorimitsu's knees buckled and his body dropped just enough to dodge the upward slash by coincidence.
The kunai missed the captain's heart but pierced his abdomen instead.
Landing the hit, Yorimitsu threw himself to the ground and rolled away, crawling frantically.
What followed was beyond what he could handle — he had already done his part.
His chakra reserves were limited, and Purple Cat's sealing restraint was now lifted.
Forced to face the Cloud captain head-on, she pressed the attack.
The captain backed off, wary of another sealing jutsu, but Purple Cat pursued.
Meanwhile, Yorimitsu crawled to Uzumaki Yuka's side, stopping her bleeding and applying medicine.
After quick treatment, Yuka's condition improved significantly.
Then, trembling but resolute, Yuka grabbed the fox's hand and guided it toward her thigh.
Yorimitsu blinked in confusion. Wait— now's not the time for that, right?
Under her skirt, he brushed along her thigh and felt a scroll strapped there.
"Throw it! Toward the Cloud ninja! That's what they're after — our secret weapon!"
Yorimitsu grinned inwardly. Saving the Uzumaki really was the right call — there was even a bonus reward.
He hurled the scroll toward the Cloud captain.
Only then did he notice — Purple Cat was dead, cut down by the Cloud leader moments earlier.
As the scroll unfurled midair, golden light flashed.
The sound of clanging chains filled the area — dozens of spiked chains shot out like a massive net.
Yorimitsu instantly dropped flat to the ground.
Everyone nearby was either pierced through or bound by the sealing chains.
Adamantine Sealing Chains?
The Uzumaki Clan had turned their strongest seal into a single-use ninja tool, like an explosive tag?
Originally, only the most gifted Uzumaki could use that advanced sealing art — now even ordinary clansmen could deploy it.
Yorimitsu quickly got up and threw several kunai.
The immobilized Cloud captain fell dead under his assault.
He exhaled in relief — the danger had finally passed.
"Fox! Keep moving!"
The shout from Captain Antelope snapped Yorimitsu back to focus — the captain himself was trapped by the sealing chains, unable to move.
Such a powerful sealing technique.
Kunai whistled through the air, striking true into every Cloud ninja's throat.
The battle was over. Eight Cloud ninja were dead. Two male Uzumaki had fallen. Purple Cat was gone.
Standing beside her corpse, Yorimitsu felt a twinge of regret.
Just when they'd finally started working well together, she had died.
Like him, she was a common-born ninja — just another disposable pawn.
Captain Antelope approached, sighing in regret. "Purple Cat died first? That's… unexpected."
Yorimitsu and Kakugyū both looked up in confusion.
Wait, what?
Captain, what do you mean?
What order were you expecting us to die in?
The captain didn't answer. He simply walked toward Uzumaki Yuka.
"Captain Antelope, please… have the fox carry me. We must return to Uzushiogakure quickly."
Yuka's voice was weak but firm.
Yorimitsu noticed the captain's muscles tensing — he was hesitating.
Uzushiogakure was supposed to be Konoha's ally, right? So why did he look so conflicted?
The mission was supposedly to ensure no Uzumaki fell into enemy hands — and now that all the Cloud ninja were dead, what was there to hesitate about?
Only the captain knew the full mission details. Soldiers like Yorimitsu just followed orders.
The Adamantine Chain scroll was now strapped to the captain's back — he had no intention of returning it to Yuka.
Finally, Captain Antelope said, "Fine. We'll head to Uzushiogakure immediately."
Yorimitsu carried Yuka on his back as they moved toward the hidden whirlpool village.
During a rest, he set her down carefully to check her wounds — they were healing well.
He glanced at her thighs again — no scrolls this time.
The last time, he'd been too distracted by her toned muscles to notice she'd hidden another scroll on the opposite leg.
When Captain Antelope walked out of sight, Yuka leaned against Yorimitsu and whispered softly:
"I know you won't admit it, but you've learned the Uzumaki's secret jutsu — the Self-Binding Curse Seal.
You must be from the Senju Clan, right?
So I'll consider you one of us. Please… help me.
Help me return safely to the village."
Her tone weakened.
"Lately, there've been many rumors — one says that after the Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama, died,
Konoha no longer intends to honor the alliance between the Senju and Uzumaki clans.
The current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, isn't of the Senju bloodline.
Konoha's attitude toward us keeps worsening… Only the Senju's in-laws still honor the pact."
Yorimitsu nodded slightly, pretending to agree.
But in truth, if the captain ordered him to kill her, he'd do it without hesitation.
He couldn't beat Captain Antelope anyway — so he'd obey.
When they finally reached Uzushiogakure, Yorimitsu froze in shock, staring for a long while.
So this… is the true strength of the Uzumaki Clan?