After leaving the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki alone, several Cloud ninjas continued their mission.
Not long after, a Yun Nin hiding in the shadows tensed up—a masked figure was approaching.
The masked man looked like any ordinary Konoha villager. But at this time and place, there was no way he was just "some random passerby." It was obvious: their presence was meant to attract the attention of Konoha ANBU.
Captain Yun Nin's lips curled into a sly smile; he already had an excuse ready.
The masked man stopped in front of Captain Yun Nin, taking a calm step forward. "You're a Konoha ninja, right? You led the Jōnin and then vanished—did you do it? Move your hands and feet?"
Dealing with low-ranking Konoha ninjas recently had taught them one thing: underestimating the underlings is dangerous, but high-level Konoha people? Pathetically weak. A little intimidation would make them retreat, just like that, out of fear of disrupting peace talks.
The masked man didn't answer immediately. He scanned the Cloud ninjas, then said lightly, "Very well. Looks like everyone's here. Let's get ready. Today, we take down the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Captain Yun Nin's face changed, but by the time he reacted, the mysterious figure had already vanished. Instant Body Technique? Clone Technique? Too fast to tell.
Confused, one of the Yun Nin asked the captain, "Captain, has the plan changed? Are we really supposed to attack Renzhuli?"
"What the hell? Those are spies from other villages! We've been tricked!" Captain Yun Nin gritted his teeth, but it was too late.
Meanwhile, Konoha ANBU, watching from the rooftops, had already noticed the movement. They leapt across the buildings, rushing to intercept.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, the Cloud ninjas whispered among themselves.
"Captain, what do we do now?"
"Explain carefully! There are outsiders trying to mess with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki…"
Before the captain could finish, Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Xiyan appeared before them. "We've been watching you for a long time. Explain why you're here."
"Um… Konoha ANBU, would you believe it if we said we just… walked here?" The team captain muttered. Even he knew it was a terrible excuse, but right now it was the truth, and he had no choice.
Moonlight Hayate sneered. "Do you think we'll believe that? Obediently, come with us."
Meanwhile, Naruto yawned, bored, and headed to the bathroom.
Since he couldn't interfere with the commotion outside, better to wash up and sleep. Acting rashly now would only attract suspicion.
Then, a flicker of malice caught his attention. His perception flared: someone with powerful hostile intent was moving straight for his position.
Nine-Tails' eyes snapped open in the sealed space. "Hey, Naruto kid. Someone with malicious intent is approaching. Judging by the chakra… definitely a ninja."
Naruto already knew it was a ninja. The problem: he didn't know who or how strong.
"And where are the Konoha ANBU who usually watch over you?"
Kyuubi chuckled darkly. "They've been entangled by another group. You're on your own this time."
Naruto's expression hardened. Running? Not an option. First battle, and it comes early. Butterfly effect, perhaps.
He scanned the room for sharp weapons. A ninja might as well strike first and strike hard.
Nine-Tails rumbled lowly, "If your life is truly at risk, you can hand over control. If I use my chakra… there's a chance to survive. Otherwise, you die for real."
Naruto nodded. Tacit agreement.
Below the residential building, a masked man climbed the courtyard wall. His eyes scanned Naruto's room, then he removed the mask—revealing an ordinary, nondescript face.
This was Tianfeng, a middle-aged Konoha ninja Naruto had met at Ichiraku Ramen. Back then, he was lazy and decadent. Now, his eyes burned with determination and viciousness.
Effortlessly, he slipped into Naruto's room, bypassing ANBU.
Naruto was taking a bath, judging by the running water and steam. Plenty of time. Tianfeng's eyes fell on a single headshot Naruto had left on the bed. He picked it up, smiling faintly at the memory—before crushing it under his fist.
Tianfeng's story was ordinary: no famous teacher, no powerful family. Born to struggle. But the Fourth Hokage's rise had inspired him. Even someone as humble as Minato could rise to the top.
He joined the Fourth Hokage's generation, climbed to Chunin squad captain, even nearly became Special Jōnin. Then, the night of the Nine-Tails attack changed everything.
With Minato's death, older Hokage units suppressed younger ones. Dangerous frontline missions, snowbound assignments—Tianfeng's body and dreams suffered. Becoming Special Jōnin? Gone. And all because the Fourth Hokage died.
Minato fought to protect the village—but what about the ones who followed him, worked for him, struggled under him? Tianfeng's resentment was silent but simmering. Watching Naruto, bullied and feared for being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki… he saw justice, twisted as it was.
Snapping out of his memory, Tianfeng approached the bathroom door. Slowly, deliberately, he pushed open the glass.
In the misty steam, he whispered:
"Naruto Uzumaki… you shouldn't have been born. You shouldn't exist, you damn fox."
Then something went wrong. The kunai in his hand struck… nothing. Air.
Next moment: a stabbing pain. A fruit knife had embedded itself in the back of his foot, blood slowly oozing.
A familiar, low voice cut through the steam:
"It's you who shouldn't exist in this world!"
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