Leaving the Hokage Office, he walked on the road back home.
Minamoto Takuno's eyes seemed to flicker faintly. He had a feeling when he encountered Minato at the Hokage Office earlier, but that wasn't the time or place for detailed contemplation.
Now, it was perfectly clear.
Minato had been transferred away from Konoha, and even the future Fourth Hokage couldn't complete an S-rank mission and return to Konoha in just a day or two.
During this period, it would be the best opportunity for Kirigakure to make a move against Rin Nohara.
It could be said that the S-rank mission itself might be inextricably linked to Kirigakure or Black Zetsu; they would certainly try every means to prolong the duration of this mission.
So, was it impossible not to accept this mission?
Naturally, it was impossible.
For a Ninja Village, especially a large one like Konoha, its operation must rely on the Ninja mission system.
Judging by the low-level missions completed by the protagonist in the original work, even those missions offered substantial rewards, let alone A-rank or S-rank missions.
It could be said that completing every such mission brought in a considerable income.
Not to mention that the war hadn't completely ended, and the Village itself was experiencing extreme difficulty in rotating funds.
During such a period, unless the enemy came knocking, making the protection of the Village's safety the highest priority, missions could not be stopped, especially not S-rank missions.
So, should he keep a closer watch on Rin Nohara now?
That was certain, but just in case, he also needed to keep an eye on Kakashi.
Moreover, Minamoto Takuno took a deep breath. No matter what, this operation would likely expose him to the scrutiny of White Zetsu. The enemy would definitely be monitoring this entire event comprehensively, and even the crows wouldn't be safe.
Even if he made the crows fly further away, they might still be discovered.
After pondering for a moment, Minamoto Takuno made a decision: after tracking for a certain distance, he would reduce the number of crows, and then he could only rely on luck that the crows wouldn't land on the trees where White Zetsu was hiding.
In the following days, Minamoto Takuno acted according to his persona, researching various Sealing Jutsu in his house.
During this time, a small-scale war broke out again. After the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, the Iwa Ninja had retreated after their supply lines were destroyed. Now, Kirigakure emerged, but the scope was very small, and he was not among the personnel summoned by the Third Hokage to participate.
Presumably, a small-scale battle like this wouldn't require the participation of a 'pure logistics and research' personnel like him.
Kirigakure's action reaffirmed his certainty that Rin Nohara would be captured during this period.
Minato was essentially a super weapon in such small-scale battles, which was why the enemy had calculated to draw him away beforehand with a highly lucrative mission. He estimated that Minato would have to rush directly to the small battlefield against Kirigakure immediately after completing the mission.
Minamoto Takuno adjusted his non-prescription glasses. He wasn't worried. Because this battlefield involved a unilateral and almost 'unprovoked' attack by Kirigakure, it was relatively close to Konoha, meaning he could arrive in time.
The Sealing Jutsu in his hand was the one he planned to use next—the Sealing Jutsu he had been preparing for years of research!
Through continuous research, constant experimentation, and now, endless reiteration and verification, every step of the technique was nearly perfect.
Its success rate against Ninja beasts was already one hundred percent, but the Sealing Jutsu he was about to use wasn't meant for ordinary Ninja beasts—it was meant for... a Tailed Beast!
Every Tailed Beast possesses immense power, certainly surpassing an ordinary Jonin. If a Tailed Beast could perfectly utilize its strength, its power reaching Kage-level wouldn't be an exaggeration; the Nine-Tailed could even reach Transcendent Kage-level.
Moreover, every Tailed Beast is unique. Minamoto Takuno wasn't sure what effect his Sealing Jutsu would have on a Tailed Beast, even after all his research, so he could only continuously refine its effectiveness as much as possible.
It could be said that, right now, this Sealing Jutsu was the result of his utmost perfection.
He had done everything he could; the rest... depended on fate.
Minamoto Takuno looked at the darkening sky, his gaze fixed on Rin Nohara, who was far away on the battlefield.
For the past few nights, most of his attention had been focused on her, terrified of missing the moment she was captured.
Finally, the Kirigakure Ninja hiding in the shadows made their move, swiftly capturing Rin Nohara, who was only a Chunin specializing in Medical Ninjutsu and possessing weak combat abilities.
This process was 'coincidentally' witnessed by Kakashi, who had come looking for Rin Nohara, and he immediately chased after them without hesitation.
Minamoto Takuno did not rush to the battlefield. Instead, he got up and walked toward the Hokage Office. He was certain the Hokage hadn't left work yet, because he had previously gone to the Third Hokage at this time to accept missions.
"Ah, Takuno? It's so late, why have you come again?" When the Third Hokage saw Minamoto Takuno, he roughly understood what was going on internally, but still asked with a cheerful smile.
"I ran out of money, so I came to accept a mission," Minamoto Takuno replied.
Immediately, the Third Hokage sighed. He knew it would be this way, and this wasn't the first time the man had run out of money and come to accept a mission so late.
Logically, the remuneration for an A-rank mission wasn't small, but considering Minamoto Takuno's expenditures over the past few days... the Third Hokage had no doubt.
Minamoto Takuno was truly unsparing when it came to research materials, always buying the best quality, so this expense was indeed normal.
"You shouldn't just focus on research; it's time to find a suitable wife," the Third Hokage said, then began selecting a mission suitable for Minamoto Takuno from the mission board.
It was impossible to refuse; having him willing to take missions was only beneficial to the Ninja Village, so how could the Hokage refuse? Just as the Third Hokage was selecting a mission, a figure rushed into the Hokage Office. The white mask on their face proved their identity as an Anbu member.
"Hokage-sama, emergency situation!" the Anbu stated directly.
"Speak!" The Third Hokage's expression instantly became solemn, and he gave the command without hesitation, seeing no need for Minamoto Takuno to withdraw.
"According to the report from Kakashi's summoned beast, Rin Nohara has been captured by enemy Ninja. A small squad of Kirigakure Ninja is taking Rin Nohara along a small path toward Konoha. Kakashi is currently in pursuit," the Anbu reported.
"Enemy Ninja?" The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed, then he felt a bit confused. Why would they capture an ordinary young girl? And why were they heading toward Konoha? Was there some sort of conspiracy?
He naturally knew Rin Nohara's file. She was unremarkable, save for her close relationship with Obito and Kakashi, which was why she was assigned to that team—to help regulate the psychological state of the two boys.
After all, it was well-known that the Uchiha were generally prone to mental instability, and Kakashi had gradually become extreme due to the death of the White Fang. Now that Obito was dead, Rin Nohara's only remaining function was to soothe Kakashi's severe psychological issues stemming from yet another comrade's death.
The Third Hokage truly couldn't figure out why the enemy would capture Rin Nohara. Did they intend to cripple Kakashi emotionally?
As for the presence of enemy Ninja inside the Village, that wasn't surprising. Konoha wasn't sealed off to outsiders, so it was possible for enemy Ninja to hide their identities, pose as ordinary people, and enter Konoha.
"Hokage-sama, let me take this support mission," Minamoto Takuno spoke up from the side. This was precisely the reason he had come.
Although he could have just followed them directly, doing so would leave traces. After all, how could a research fanatic who rarely left his home coincidentally discover that Rin Nohara had been captured far away on the battlefield?
It could be explained as a coincidence, but Minamoto Takuno didn't want to leave any weakness. If he went now, it would be under legitimate orders, and no one could criticize his actions!