While a certain gambler was lost in dreams of the future, Shen had just returned home and finished taking a shower when he suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
"Taking a late-night bath really was a bad idea," he muttered under his breath before settling down to sort through the intelligence from tonight's events.
Earlier, the argument among the Kumogakure envoys clearly showed their eagerness to complete the mission as soon as possible and bring back their target.
Their team leader, Ji—who appeared to have a research background—had seemingly lost interest in the mission, burying himself in studies all day long.
Indeed, no matter where they are, scientists always put research first.
In such a mindset, people rarely question things deeply. If you dangled bait that seemed timely but was actually a trap, most would fall for it without hesitation.
"If there's no mess, I'll make one myself. It's been three years already. The time has come to live up to my old nickname—Konoha Troublemaker."
Shen quickly locked in his plan, finally allowing his tense muscles to relax after over half a month of stress.
He, Shen Uchiha—the original Konoha Troublemaker—could finally stir up trouble without restraint!
After running simulations inside Room 2046 for over a week, Ji successfully confirmed the accuracy of the chakra conduction formula.
"It does drain quite a bit though. No wonder Konoha needs the Uzumaki clan," Ji had already fallen straight into the trap.
Scientists are a proud breed—they firmly believe in their own research results.
Even if the real originator presented the correct formula now, Ji still wouldn't be willing to accept it.
This formula was something he painstakingly derived through time and effort—an irreplaceable creation of his own, like a beloved child.
If someone told him this child wasn't his but belonged to someone else, those with stronger composure might confront the alleged "neighbor," while others might simply deceive themselves and keep raising the child anyway.
To Ji, this formula was unquestionably his own work—the only authentic truth that existed.
"Tomorrow I need to put on a performance for the Uzumaki clan. Even though I haven't completed the mission yet, now that I've got this formula." His eyes gleamed with excitement as he decided to carry out his plan in a few days.
The next morning, under the watchful Byakugan gaze, Shen "forcefully" held Nayou's small hand and stepped onto his Indra's Ship.
Although externally identical to Fugaku Uchiha's model, its internal structure was completely different.
First, the power source: Fugaku's Indra's Ship used an upgraded version of the prototype engine, while Shen's was equipped directly with two engines taken straight from Hagoromo's Ship.
And just for mischief's sake, he painted the engines bright red and etched three black tomoe into them.
Combined with a more comfortable seating layout and a working braking system, this glossy black Indra's Ship rivaled even the airborne Hagoromo's Ship in quality.
"Konoha Troublemaker, don't you dare run!"
"Hurry and report to the clan head! The young mistress has been kidnapped by the Uchiha!"
"Tch, arriving by car? So he really came prepared!"
"Stop wasting breath—we might still catch them if we hurry!"
"What chasing? You're just proving the Hyuga have no one worth their salt!"
The Hyuga clan members who had chased them all the way out of the clan compound could only glare at the two bright taillights disappearing into the distance, loudly accusing him of his inhuman behavior.
Inside Indra's Ship, Shen quickly filled Nayou in on what was going down.
"So now we're going to stop the Uzumaki clan?"
"Yeah. First, we'll circle around Konoha a bit, then I'll floor it. Once the chaos starts, they'll make their move."
Nayou naturally chose to trust her close friend, but the whole matter truly sounded absurd.
If the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is dying, kidnapping someone from the Uzumaki clan makes sense—but why the Hyuga clan? After all, that Caged Bird seal wasn't a joke.
"Wait, so you're saying Kumo's main target was actually the Main House, and…" Nayou suddenly realized she might also be on their list.
Shen turned his head slightly, giving her a confident smile. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, not a single hair on your head will be harmed."
At the Uzumaki clan compound, seventeen neatly lined-up Kumogakure ninja arrived at the clan leader's residence.
Shūya naturally gave them no warm welcome. From the moment he saw them, he glared darkly and dismissed everyone else at the main gate, leaving only Ji as Kumogakure's official envoy.
"Our village was deceived by Amegakure. Who could've known they were aiming for annihilation instead of abduction?" Ji adopted a low posture, twisting the facts and placing full blame on Hanzo.
Shūya's eyes immediately filled with disgust. This man's shamelessness had truly exceeded anything he'd ever imagined.
Five years ago, even the lowliest ninja knew Kumogakure had betrayed Amegakure. Now they dared to act so self-righteously?
"Kumogakure sure has some nerve showing up to apologize five years later. You must want something from our Uzumaki clan." Suppressing his nausea, Shūya decided to hear them out first and see what their true goal was.
Ji immediately put on a sycophantic smile. "Everyone knows how uncontrollable our Eight-Tails Jinchuriki can be. Clan Leader Shūya surely already knows this, right?"
Hearing the mention of the Jinchuriki, Shūya understood why Kumogakure had come offering apologies.
"It's well-known across the shinobi world how superior our Uzumaki sealing techniques are," he said, narrowing his eyes at Ji with suspicion. "So your Jinchuriki is dying, isn't he?"
In truth, Kumogakure's plan was simple: relax the Uzumaki clan's vigilance, allowing them to freely move around the compound in preparation for their operation several days later.
Therefore, facing such an insulting remark from the clan leader, Ji didn't show even the slightest hint of anger. Instead, he humbly bowed deeply and repeatedly apologized, begging for forgiveness.
His groveling was ridiculous—he looked more like a beggar than an envoy.
"Clan Leader Uncle, whatever you do, don't believe his words!"
Both Shūya and Ji turned their heads together toward the voice, watching an elderly woman and a young girl approach.
"Kushina, a lady should speak gently; don't let them underestimate our Uzumaki clan," the elder spoke softly but carried a subtle threat within her tone.
"Yes, Grandma Mito," Kushina replied, then stuck out her tongue playfully afterward.
Seeing them approach, Shūya immediately greeted them. "Aunt Mito, what brings you here today?"
"And Kushina, why do you call me Auntie and Grandma?"
Mito gave Kushina's hand a gentle pat before beginning to explain everything.
It turned out that yesterday, not long after the Third Hokage and Mito began touring the Uzumaki clan compound, he was called away on urgent business and had to rush back to the Hokage Tower.
Left alone, Mito was guarded by Anbu, but these guys were all so stiff and formal. She didn't even know what to chat about with them.
Then, just as she walked out of the Uzumaki clan compound, she ran into Kushina, who was bouncing home from school.
At that moment, Mito realized the girl's personality reminded her of her own at a younger age. So she walked over and exchanged a few words with her.
As they kept talking, she found herself getting along incredibly well with Kushina, so she asked the girl to address her as "Grandma." It just sounded warmer and more affectionate that way.
"So that's how you two became so close with Auntie Mito?" Shūya now looked rather troubled.
Originally, the Red-Hot Habanero already had firm backing from the Konoha Troublemaker, allowing her to run rampant through the Uzumaki clan compound and the Ninja Academy alike.
If she now gained another powerful patron in none other than Konoha's very pillar, Mito Uzumaki, then there wouldn't be a moment's peace left in Konoha.
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner unnoticed by the four of them, a pair of eyes was secretly watching them.
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