— One hour earlier.
As the first rays of morning sunlight spread across Konoha, Yugao Uzuki opened her eyes right on time.
She rose from bed, washed up, got dressed, and adjusted her appearance.
The mirror revealed a beautiful face.
Her short hair from years ago had gradually grown longer, now nearly reaching her waist.
Under the gentle morning sunlight, her purple hair shone with a healthy glow.
Her snow-like skin made her look almost like a delicate porcelain doll.
Her naturally soft lips, without even a hint of lipstick, carried a breathtaking charm.
Satisfied with her reflection, Yugao nodded slightly before heading into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Simple but delicious food soon filled the air with a pleasant aroma.
Once she finished cooking, she removed her apron, picked up the prepared meal, and stepped out of her house.
Her childhood friend next door had already woken up and begun his daily training.
"Good morning, Hayate."
The boy her age, with noticeable dark circles under his eyes, was Hayate Gekko.
They had grown up as neighbors and childhood friends. They entered the Ninja Academy together, trained together, and graduated together.
Only after becoming official ninja did their paths begin to diverge slightly.
"Morning, Yugao."
With a warm smile, Hayate watched his beautiful childhood friend walk into his courtyard.
Because of his special ability, he had joined a reconnaissance squad.
Everything in his life seemed peaceful.
— Except for the hereditary illness caused by his unique bloodline ability.
Soon, the two walked into the house while chatting casually.
"This breakfast is really delicious."
Holding a fork and knife, Hayate looked at the meal lovingly prepared for him and smiled with happiness.
His ninja career was steadily improving.
And he had such a wonderful girlfriend by his side.
What regrets could he possibly have?
"Hayate, you say that every day," Yugao replied gently from across the table.
She didn't start eating.
That usually meant she had an important mission waiting.
In fact, Yugao had already served in the Anbu for several years.
Some people with exceptional talent were selected very early.
Even as Genin.
Yugao was one of them.
The higher-ups believed she possessed strong leadership ability and outstanding personal skill.
With proper training, she could one day become a pillar of the Anbu.
Today, she was being promoted to join the renowned Anbu Sixth Squad.
It was said that the famous Sharingan hero, the Copy Ninja Kakashi Hatake, served in that very unit.
To prepare for the potentially harsh evaluation mission, Yugao had skipped breakfast entirely.
After Hayate finished eating and put down his utensils, Yugao skillfully gathered the dishes to take them back for washing.
But suddenly—
Hayate reached out and gently grabbed her wrist.
"Yugao… let me wash the dishes today."
He was deeply grateful to the girl who had always taken care of him.
To keep her from worrying about small things, he decided to handle it himself.
That way, she could fully focus on the first test of Anbu Sixth Squad.
"Alright, Hayate."
Yugao smiled softly.
They understood each other without needing many words.
She turned and left.
Watching his girlfriend hurry off, Hayate took a deep breath—
Then immediately began coughing.
"Cough… cough… same old illness…"
Shaking his head, the ninja with the unique bloodline ability quietly began cleaning the table.
—
Inside the hidden preparation room of Anbu Sixth Squad.
When Yugao stepped out of the changing room, her outfit had completely changed.
A white cat-patterned mask covered her face.
The tight-fitting Anbu uniform outlined her slender figure.
Her jade-like arms were exposed, and her long purple hair flowed down her back like a waterfall.
Her appearance was striking and unmistakable.
She walked toward the entrance.
There she saw her future teammates.
They varied in height and build.
But one figure stood out immediately.
A silver-haired young man standing in the center of the group.
Kakashi Hatake…
Even during her time at the Ninja Academy, Yugao had already known his name.
As a junior, she had admired him for years.
His achievements were legendary.
Graduating from the Ninja Academy after only six months.
Being the student of the late Fourth Hokage.
Participating in the Third Great Ninja War.
Each of those accomplishments made him a hero admired by younger ninja.
Yugao lifted her mask slightly and let it rest beside her head, revealing her face as confirmation of identity.
Then she quietly watched Kakashi while reviewing the information she knew about him.
But the words he spoke next caught her off guard.
"Yugao Uzuki. The Hokage will assign your evaluation mission personally."
"Report to the Hokage's office."
Although she felt slightly puzzled, Anbu ninja existed to obey orders.
"Yes!"
After nodding, Yugao placed her mask back on and left the Anbu base immediately.
Watching the girl leave, the masked ninja began whispering among themselves.
"She's really pretty…"
"Don't get any ideas. She has a boyfriend."
"Who?"
"That guy with the special bloodline ability."
"Oh, that reconnaissance ninja… Hayate Gekko."
Their conversation meant nothing to Kakashi.
He ignored it completely.
Instead, his eyes drifted upward toward the Hokage Monument.
"Kakashi-senpai?"
The ninja beside him, Tenzo, noticed the change in his expression.
"I'm just… not ready to face my teacher's child yet."
Kakashi's quiet words made Tenzo understand immediately.
So the mission had been passed to Yugao instead.
Still, it should be fine.
The jinchuriki was still a small child, and the Eight Trigrams Seal placed by the Fourth Hokage was extremely strong.
This mission should be perfectly safe.
Tenzo only wondered when Kakashi would finally recover from the trauma he carried.
—
Yugao soon arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Hokage-sama…"
Kneeling on one knee, Yugao looked up.
A middle-aged man stood by the window with his hands behind his back.
Time had left its mark on him.
More and more strands of white hair had appeared.
The Hokage was growing old.
"Yugao, you're here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around.
His kind expression made Yugao lower her head respectfully.
"Don't be nervous. This mission isn't dangerous."
He sat down, lit his pipe, and began smoking slowly.
For a while, he said nothing.
The silence reminded Yugao of the earlier conversation with Kakashi.
Finally, after several minutes, Hiruzen spoke.
"Your evaluation mission is to deliver this monthly allowance to a boy named Naruto Uzumaki."
He took out a stack of money and placed it on the desk.
With one glance, Yugao recognized the amount.
It was the same monthly allowance given to orphans.
Being a ninja was dangerous.
Tragedy happened often.
Orphans were sadly common in the ninja world.
"Naruto… Uzumaki…"
At first confused, Yugao suddenly realized something.
"Could it be…?"
"That's right."
Hiruzen nodded and turned back toward the window.
The Nine-Tails disaster years ago had devastated Konoha.
Most people only knew that the Fourth Hokage and his wife sacrificed their lives to seal the Nine-Tails inside a child.
That child was Naruto Uzumaki.
But only a few people knew the truth.
Naruto Uzumaki was actually the son of the Fourth Hokage.
As a long-serving Anbu operative, Yugao naturally knew this secret.
It also meant she was trusted by the village leadership.
"I originally planned to…"
Hiruzen shook his head.
Since Kakashi had not yet recovered, it was better to let him take more time.
"In any case, deliver the money to the boy."
"He may be wary of strangers, so leaving the money quietly is acceptable."
Yugao listened carefully.
This might be the easiest mission imaginable.
The son of the Fourth Hokage.
The Nine-Tails jinchuriki.
But in the end—
He was still just a child.
"I will complete the mission perfectly, Hokage-sama!"
Yugao stood, took the money, bowed respectfully, and left the office.
After she departed, Hiruzen looked at the portrait of the Fourth Hokage on the wall and once again sank into quiet memories.
—
Back on the balcony of Naruto's apartment.
"You should report this," Kurama said calmly.
"The Uchiha Police Force is very good at handling situations like this."
For once, Kurama was being surprisingly rational.
If enemy ninja ever discovered the identity of a jinchuriki, kidnapping or assassination would follow.
It had happened before.
Kurama had no confidence that another hero like Minato Namikaze would appear to save them.
If the jinchuriki died, the tailed beast would die with them.
Resurrection could take an extremely long time.
Even worse—
Kurama's situation was unique.
Long ago, the Fourth Hokage had sealed half of its power inside the stomach of the Reaper.
If Naruto died, Kurama might reunite with that half.
And be trapped forever.
Because of that terrifying possibility, Kurama valued Naruto's life almost more than Naruto himself did.
"By the time the Police Force arrives, the thief will already be gone," Naruto replied.
"Didn't you say you wanted me to unleash chaos, stupid fox? Well… I'm about to do exactly that."
Naruto moved to the balcony window and quietly looked inside.
—
Inside the apartment.
The visiting Anbu girl was carefully observing the surroundings.
Electric kettle.
Washing machine.
Refrigerator.
Air conditioner.
Television.
Table and chairs.
Everything was neatly arranged.
Judging by the furnishings alone, this home was above average.
She walked quietly to the dining table in the living room.
Taking out the money, she placed it on the table.
Mission complete.
Yugao exhaled softly.
That had been easy.
Her evaluation was already finished.
A new beginning in Anbu Sixth Squad…
Lost in thought, Yugao failed to notice the cold gaze outside the window tracking her movements.
But soon she sensed the sudden drop in temperature inside the room.
"Hm?!"
She spun around instantly.
Her eyes met the fierce face staring through the window.
"Intruder."
Naruto's voice was low and dangerous.
The window slid open.
Like a wild beast lunging for its prey—
Naruto leapt toward Yugao.