Despite his efforts, Haseo failed to extract any clues about the missing person from the spy.
Since this involved the Uzumaki Clan and the loss of Uzumaki power—something directly tied to himself—he naturally took the disappearance case very seriously. But now, he was at a bit of a loss.
Konoha was a huge town, with an extremely vertical structure—how could someone locate a specific individual in such an environment?
With all leads gone cold, the next step would be to let the Uzumaki Clan, Kagenami, and Anbu slowly dig for more information.
Haseo really wished this whole mess would just pull a disappearing act like his nail clipper—gone when he needed it, and back out of nowhere the second he didn't.
But what had vanished wasn't just a tiny nail clipper... Once a person went missing, how easy was it to find them again?
He couldn't possibly pour all his energy into searching for someone either—war had brought another uncertainty. Preparing a response to Kumo was now the top priority.
News of the Kumo team being completely wiped out still remained under strict lockdown. However, even without spies leaking intel, if Kumo received no feedback from their Envoy Team within a few days, they'd quickly figure things out. Konoha didn't have much time left to prepare.
Sakumo Hatake had already received orders and was on his way back to Konoha.
Once Sakumo and part of the ninja returned to Konoha, although Haseo technically still held the title of Eastern Front Commander, actual command authority had fully transferred to Nagisa Nara on the frontline.
Soon enough, the so-called "Eastern Front" wouldn't exist anymore. As troop numbers shrank, the entire front would gradually become several monitoring outposts… Mist wouldn't cause much trouble in the short term, so there was no need to pressure them further.
If they kept pushing Mist any further, they might just send them into a full-blown panic.
...
In one ward at Konoha Hospital, three new patients had recently been admitted—two humans and one cat.
The Black Cat had also been injured, which explained why it could openly lie on Kushina's hospital bed… It had been sensing something ominous these past couple days, as though misfortune loomed nearby.
Kushina only fully regained consciousness and woke up after Haseo finished testing the spy's "endurance."
However, her long sleep hadn't stemmed from side effects of the Kinjutsu. It should be considered a result of treatment by the medical ninjas. This positively effective treatment meant that upon waking, Kushina no longer felt unbearable pain across her body. She also noticed that her mind felt unusually clear.
The first thing Kushina saw was the Black Cat curled into a ball on the blanket. Noticing that one of Black Cat's paws was wrapped in bandages and realizing the feline was injured as well, she gently reached out and stroked its back… Hmm, her arm moved freely without any obstacles.
Of course, the Black Cat sensed Kushina's awakening, but it showed no particular reaction, remaining listless and indifferent at the moment.
Mainly because there was still an outsider present.
Just as Kushina was about to speak to the cat older sister, she noticed the other's tail gave a gentle flick, pointing toward a hospital bed on the opposite side.
It was only then that Kushina realized someone else was lying there too.
Blond hair, blue eyes, and a gentle smile on his face.
Minato Namikaze, wrapped up like a mummy in layers of bandages.
Since both children had been brought here by Haseo, the hospital naturally arranged them in the same ward.
"You're awake, Kushina."
Although Kushina and Minato Namikaze were in the same class at the Ninja Academy, they hadn't really interacted before. It would've normally seemed abrupt for him to address her by name directly, yet when Minato said it, it felt completely natural.
Yeah, it was casual but not overly familiar—just like what real friends would do. Plus, his voice carried genuine concern and joy, as if he was truly happy to see Kushina regain consciousness.
This guy must be naturally approachable, and his face definitely supported such charm… of course, some people with dark minds might say he deliberately practiced this act.
Looking at Minato all covered in bandages and looking quite pitiful, Kushina slowly recalled the scene where he had fought against that Kumo Shinobi. At the time, she'd been riding on Haseo's back, watching everything unfold clearly.
"Didn't expect you to look like a toothpick yet actually possess real strength. You always seemed so quiet and smiled gently at school—I thought you were someone I couldn't really count on."
Though somewhat biased, these words were probably meant as praise. Thanks to his actions during the fight, Kushina's impression of Minato Namikaze had improved somewhat, raising her opinion of him.
In Kushina's mind, Minato had upgraded from "someone I'd never thrown a punch at" to "actually pretty solid."
Hearing the compliment, Minato instinctively tried to raise his hand to scratch his head. But he quickly remembered both hands were tightly wrapped in bandages, so he simply said, "I'm not exactly sure how strong I am myself. I just believe strength shouldn't be used against comrades—it should be reserved for proper occasions."
Kushina immediately sensed something meaningful within his words, "You mean I shouldn't have been fighting at school?"
"No, no, I just mean regardless of my abilities, I should've joined the fight that night because the enemy was a true threat."
That explanation helped Kushina understand him a bit better. Yet right away she asked, "By the way, why were you even there anyway?"
"Well, previously we were observing the battle from afar, and someone reminded me your house was nearby, so I wanted to come confirm your safety. If you were ever in danger, I hoped I could offer some help..."
Was that... flirting on the spot?
The expression was too direct, catching Kushina off guard. For a moment, she didn't know quite how to respond.
Just then, Black Cat's ears twitched suddenly. Without another word, it lifted the quilt and slipped beneath Kushina's blankets... Although the bulge in the quilt clearly revealed its hiding spot, right now only a dark, narrow, and warm place like this could offer it a sense of safety.
Then, a man known as Haseo pushed open the door and entered the ward.
He… was Death's own messenger.
Not only did he bring doom to humans—but even to cats.
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