Naruto: Flash Reborn — Minato’s Second Life

Tachiyama Shinsaburo's expression darkened, but he also understood that Fuu Akimoto was no fool.

With Sakumo Hatake's strength, even with Ryo Yagura at their side, there was no way they could wrest the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons from Sakumo's grasp. In the face of true power, numbers meant little.

After handing the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons to Sakumo, Fuu Akimoto looked at Tachiyama Shinsaburo and said, "Call off your men from the Hidden Hot Spring Village. But make no mistake—you heretics will eventually be eradicated."

Tachiyama Shinsaburo sneered coldly before ordering part of the nearly seven hundred Evil Cultists surrounding him to exit the Hidden Hot Spring Village through the destroyed western wall.

"Bring Reina Oshima over," he commanded another group at the same time. All of them were Rogue Ninjas who had also joined the ranks of the Evil Cult.

Dozens of rogues encircled Reina Oshima and Eirei Kato at the center, slowly backing away—clearly due to fear of Sakumo alone. They had witnessed the brief clash between Sakumo Hatake and Ryo Yagura earlier, and each of them now felt profound fear toward Sakumo.

There was little panic in Eirei Kato's eyes. Though she wasn't a ninja herself, her knowledge and composure far surpassed those of ordinary people. Her gaze toward Fuu Akimoto carried subtle complexity.

"Mother, with Sakumo Hatake and Miyone around, you'll definitely be safe," Fuu Akimoto chuckled lightly.

Although he had handed the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons to Sakumo, clearly he couldn't entrust the entire mission solely to Sakumo and the group of four accompanying him.

As Tachiyama's faction began their retreat, Fuu Akimoto simultaneously selected dozens of elite Hot Spring Ninjas—including Miyone Kato—to accompany Sakumo and Minato.

Reina Oshima slightly furrowed her brow, glancing repeatedly at Fuu Akimoto.

Meanwhile, Eirei Kato kept observing her expressions closely.

Upon reaching the crowd, Reina Oshima removed the string of Explosive Tags wrapped around Eirei Kato's waist. Carrying these while walking required keeping movements within a certain range.

Tachiyama Shinsaburo proposed sending someone else to hold Eirei Kato hostage in place of Reina Oshima, but she rejected each suggestion.

This was because Reina Oshima simply didn't trust him. Just like they abandoned Sosuke Sasaki, once exposed, she would possess no further usefulness to Tachiyama Shinsaburo.

Eirei Kato remained the sole bargaining chip in her possession.

Protected by Ryo Yagura, Tachiyama Shinsaburo finally felt slightly more confident. Still, he left the Hidden Hot Spring Village ahead of over a hundred Evil Cultists together with Reina Oshima.

"Miyone, Sakumo—this mission rests entirely in your hands!"

Leading a group of Hot Spring Ninjas, Fuu Akimoto watched as Sakumo's team, along with Miyone Kato—who led dozens of elite Hot Spring warriors—departed.

Back in the village, Fuu Akimoto still had a lot to take care of...

...

Thus, Sakumo's team, along with Miyone Kato and dozens of Hot Spring warriors, trailed behind Tachiyama Shinsaburo and more than a hundred Evil Cultists as they left the Hidden Hot Spring Village.

At a ninja's travel speed, it would only take less than half a day to completely escape the pursuit range of the Hidden Hot Spring Village.

However, most of the people led by Tachiyama Shinsaburo weren't ninja, and combined with Kato Eirei—who was a hostage with limited mobility—by midnight, they had traveled only about a dozen kilometers.

Everyone came to a brief stop to catch their breath.

Back during the attack on the Hidden Hot Spring Village, Tachiyama Shinsaburo had already anticipated this situation, so the Evil Cultists carried simple rations.

Sakumo and the others took a short break about one hundred meters away. They weren't worried about losing their target—not only because Junko Watanabe was a Sensor-type ninja, but also because they still possessed the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons.

A small campfire was lit. Although some had expected Sakumo to assign tasks, he remained completely silent throughout, exchanging meaningful glances with Kato Miyone instead.

The two shared quiet smiles, while Junko Watanabe beside them grew visibly displeased.

Beside her, Minato exchanged glances with Yan Uchiha.

...

"Here."

Oshima Reina handed a simple ration to Kato Eirei without looking at her, offering no opportunity for conversation.

Still, she stayed close to Kato Eirei.

After a quick break, as night deepened, Tachiyama Shinsaburo's group continued onward.

...

This went on until nearly noon the next day, by which time they were already more than thirty kilometers from the Hidden Hot Spring Village.

They reached a valley before finally stopping.

"At this point, the Hot Spring ninjas shouldn't be able to keep up anymore," said Tachiyama Shinsaburo. Once they exited this valley, multiple paths would branch out in different directions.

With Ryo Yagura's protection, even Sakumo Hatake wouldn't find him quickly enough.

By then, he'd definitely complete the Immortal Ritual. Even if Sakumo didn't come after him, he would eventually hunt that man down.

"Can we proceed with the exchange now?"

Sakumo Hatake, Junko Watanabe, and Kato Miyone approached Tachiyama Shinsaburo's group, while Minato, Yan Uchiha, and the remaining dozens of Hot Spring ninjas waited where they stood.

On Tachiyama Shinsaburo's side, Oshima Reina held Kato Eirei's hands bound, standing alongside Ryo Yagura and two Jonin from Kumogakure.

Sakumo Hatake and Ryo Yagura—two powerful figures—remained wary of each other, with the former holding the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons.

"Let's do it at the same time," said Sakumo. To prevent any underhanded moves, such an exchange naturally had to happen simultaneously.

The two groups approached each other. Sakumo and Yagura faced off directly, while Kato Miyone and Junko Watanabe moved near Oshima Reina and Kato Eirei.

Sakumo handed the Bloodthirsty Sickle of Three Moons to Ryo Yagura. At that moment, the latter suddenly curled his lips into a sinister grin.

Behind Kato Eirei, who now stood before Junko Watanabe and Kato Miyone, the two Cloud Ninja Jonin launched an almost simultaneous attack—aiming straight for vital points.

Caught slightly off guard, the two had no time to react—the attacker was already too close!

At that moment, Oshima Reina, who had been holding Kato Eirei's hands bound, suddenly shoved her hard with one hand.

The impact flung her right into Kato Miyone's arms. At this moment, the blade in Miyone's hand was wrapped in [Wind Release Blades], which instantly severed the weapons of the two Cloud Ninja Jonin.

At the same time, Junko Watanabe sprang into action and launched an assault on the two Cloud Ninja Jonin.

"Boom!"

Meanwhile, Kato Miyone wrapped her arm around Kato Eirei's waist and abruptly turned around, as her [Transformation Jutsu] was instantly dispelled.

From a distance, Ryo Yagura observed the scene, his pupils narrowing slightly.

"Was that… Fuu Akimoto!?"

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