Naruto: The Scarlet Ronin

Chapter 16 "The Hunt for Shinji"

Konoha Village – Village Gate

The morning sun bathed the massive gates of Konoha in golden light. Standing before them were some of the Leaf's finest shinobi, gathered for a mission of utmost importance. Among them were Sakumo Hatake, his silver hair catching the light like a blade; Hizashi Hyuga, his white eyes calm yet vigilant; and the trio of Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi, their camaraderie evident even amidst the serious atmosphere. A few other elite jonin stood silently, their faces betraying no emotion.

Sakumo stepped forward, his hands resting casually on his sword's hilt. "Is everyone here?" he asked, his sharp gaze scanning the group.

"No, Minato is still late," Shikaku Nara replied, his tone as lazy as his posture.

Inoichi, ever curious, tilted his head. "Minato? I thought he'd be early. Isn't he the co-captain for this mission?"

Before anyone could speculate further, a yellow flash appeared before them. Standing there was Minato, his blonde hair slightly windswept, and beside him, a striking young woman with long red hair tied back in a ponytail—Kushina Uzumaki. Both were clad in jonin vests and standard shinobi gear.

"Sorry for making you wait. We lost track of time," Minato said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

Shikaku smirked but didn't comment, while Sakumo raised an eyebrow. "We were just about to leave. But Kushina... why are you here? You're not part of this team."

Kushina crossed her arms, her fiery eyes locking onto Sakumo's. "I'm here because this mission involves Shinji Uzumaki, my only remaining relative."

Sakumo's expression hardened. "This mission is classified. You're not part of the team, and you were not supposed to know about it." His tone carried no malice but left no room for argument.

Kushina clenched her fists. "I don't care! As the princess of the Uzumaki clan, I have every right to go. He's my family!"

Sakumo sighed, shaking his head. "Rules are rules. This is a top-secret operation, and you're not authorized to—"

Before he could finish, an ANBU in a cat mask appeared beside Kushina, his sudden presence startling some of the assembled ninjas. "The Lord Hokage has authorized Kushina Uzumaki's participation in this mission. This is his official decree," the ANBU stated, handing a scroll to Sakumo.

Sakumo read the scroll, his face neutral. After a moment, he tucked it into his pouch and looked at Kushina. "Looks like you're coming with us. Don't slow us down."

Kushina smirked, the fiery determination in her eyes evident. "Don't worry about me, old man."

As the group began to move, Shikaku leaned toward Inoichi with a wry smile. "This mission just got a lot more troublesome."

Minato placed a reassuring hand on Kushina's shoulder before teleporting them ahead to catch up with the others.

---

Hokage's Office

From his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the departing team through his crystal ball, his face a mask of contemplation. "I hope this works," he muttered to himself, his tone heavy with unspoken worry.

The sound of footsteps pulled his attention away. Danzo Shimura entered the room, his dark robes and bandaged eye as imposing as ever.

"You shouldn't have let the jinchuriki leave the village," Danzo stated, his voice cold. "This weakens our defenses and exposes her to unnecessary danger."

Hiruzen sighed, already anticipating this confrontation. "Kushina's presence is crucial. Her connection to Shinji might be the only way to bring him back without unnecessary bloodshed."

"She's a liability," Danzo shot back. "Emotions make her unpredictable. If she compromises the mission, the consequences could be disastrous."

"She's more than capable," Hiruzen replied calmly. "And this way, we know exactly where she is."

Danzo's scowl deepened. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen. Mark my words."

Hiruzen's voice turned firm, the authority of the Hokage unmistakable. "I make the decisions for this village, Danzo. Not you."

With a sharp turn, Danzo left the office, his cloak billowing behind him. Hiruzen exhaled heavily, his gaze returning to the crystal ball. "For all our sakes, let this succeed."

---

Land of Tea – Training Grounds

The serene landscape of the Land of Tea stood in stark contrast to Shinji Uzumaki's intense training. In a secluded clearing, surrounded by tall trees and soft winds, Shinji practiced his kenjutsu. His blade, Yamato, moved with unmatched precision, slicing through air and shadow alike.

Each strike was deliberate, each step calculated. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his crimson eyes never wavered. He was refining his technique, pushing his body and mind to their limits.

As he paused to catch his breath, Shinji's heightened senses tingled—a faint, foreboding feeling in the air. His grip tightened on Yamato's hilt, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"A storm is coming," he murmured to himself, his voice low.

The winds carried an eerie silence, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Whatever was coming, Shinji knew it wouldn't be long before it reached him.