Naruto: I Traveled with a Max Level Account

Chapter 397: Chapter 397: Trouble in the Family, Time to Cover Up



"Bang!!"

In a narrow alley, Kushina transformed herself into an ANBU operative and dashed quickly towards Konoha's main gate. As she approached an ANBU exit point near the gate, the guard on duty suddenly found his vision blurred, and before he knew it, a hand struck the side of his neck. His eyes rolled up, and he collapsed limply to the ground.

Disguised as an ANBU, Kushina confidently exited Konoha, heading towards the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in," Tsunade called out without looking up, her eyes still scanning the document she held.

"Hmm?"

Noticing something off, Tsunade put her file down and gave Kushina-who was acting oddly -a curious look.

"Kushina? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting at home right now?" she asked, puzzled by Kushina's uncharacteristic formality. "She even knocked," Tsunade thought, "When did this brat ever get so polite with me?"

"Uh..." Kushina's shadow clone scratched her head, then hurriedly said, "Kushina already left Konoha. She's headed to the border to find Takuya. That's all." With that, the clone quickly formed a seal and vanished inside the Hokage's office.

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Tsunade's brown eyes widened in shock, and she froze.

That was a shadow clone? So, Kushina had already left the village to go find Takuya? "That brat!"

Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk and stood up, rage boiling over.

"She sure knows how to create problems for me!!"

And... when did Kushina get so bold? Was this the Nine-Tails' doing?

Thinking about the fox's unruly and malicious personality, Tsunade's forehead vein throbbed visibly.

"Damn that Nine-Tails!!"

"Someone, come here!"

"Lady Tsunade."

An ANBU operative entered the Hokage's office, kneeling respectfully.

Tsunade quickly wrote down a report on a secured scroll about Kushina's departure from the village. She sealed it tightly before handing it over to the ANBU. Gritting her teeth, she ordered:

"Deliver this scroll to the Intelligence Division and have them send it to the western front as soon as possible. Make sure it reaches Takuya Yagami's hands directly. During delivery, nobody is to break the seal. Also, dispatch operatives to monitor Iwagakure's movements around the Land of Grass."

"Understood, Lady Tsunade."

The ANBU operative left with the scroll.

Tsunade slumped back into her chair, exhaling heavily.

"That brat... she really dares to run off like that. And now I have to clean up her mess!!!"

Yes, Tsunade was indeed covering for Kushina.

As for an excuse, she had already thought of one.

With the ongoing war and Iwagakure showing signs of restlessness, Konoha needed to finish the conflict as soon as possible—at least one of the fronts. So, she had "secretly dispatched Kushina" to the western front to support Takuya against Sunagakure.

She made up this reason to silence the elders and the Third Hokage. As for Danzo, she simply ignored him.

Even though the elders and the Third might be upset about Kushina leaving, it was the best justification she could come up with.

Iwagakure's recent suspicious activities were very real.

Dispatching Kushina to the frontlines was reasonable. As long as the Third Hokage didn't object, Tsunade doubted the elders could stir up much trouble.

"Just wait until you get back and see how I deal with you."

Mumbling angrily, Tsunade massaged her temples. She could practically feel her blood pressure rising thanks to Kushina.

Kushina moved quickly, but no matter how fast she was, she couldn't outrun a ninja eagle flying overhead. Unless she could use the Flying Raijin Technique to instantly teleport, there was no way she could evade detection.

Before dawn, the scroll had already reached the encampment.

"Lord Takuya!"

"What is it?"

Still half asleep, Takuya opened his eyes groggily as the ANBU operative entered. He slowly sat up. Pakura, who had been dozing beside the chair, also stood up straight.

The ANBU presented the encrypted scroll and said, "This is an urgent message sent directly from the village. Lady Tsunade specifically instructed that it be handed over to you in person."

"Thank you. Go rest."

An encrypted scroll? What was so important that it required this?

Takuya scratched his sleep-mussed hair, got up, dressed, and undid the seals on the scroll. He

opened it.

"Cough, cough!!!"

Within seconds, Takuya's eyes widened dramatically, and he nearly choked on air.

What on earth could have been written in that scroll to shock him so much?

Pakura wondered silently.

She frowned when she saw Takuya looking at her with a peculiar expression.

"What are you looking at?" she demanded.

"Nothing. I just wanted to ask... Do you know how to comfort someone?"

"????"

Pakura was full of question marks.

"Don't look at me like that, just answer. Do you know how to?"

"No!!"

Seeing Takuya's baffling expression and strange question, Pakura turned her head away in

irritation.

Comforting people? Since when did she ever do that?

It had to be the Nine-Tails' doing. Kushina wouldn't have the guts on her own.

Even if she did, she wouldn't choose such a critical moment to run away, especially since that would create problems for Tsunade and give the elders an excuse to confront her. Kushina wasn't someone to act rashly. But add in the Nine-Tails, and it was a different story. Takuya was sure of it. This was all the Nine-Tails' handiwork.

Still, Kushina coming here might not be a bad thing.

After all, the first time always sets a precedent. With this, future visits outside Konoha would

be easier for her. Besides, it's good for her to get out for a bit.

As for whether Kushina wanted to fight on the frontlines, Takuya wouldn't push her.

But if she did join the battle, it would be a nightmare for Sunagakure, especially after losing

the Third Kazekage.

Kushina was traveling towards the border. By now, the Nine-Tails had given back control of her body, and she was feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

This was her first time leaving Konoha since arriving there, nearly eight years ago. Seeing the outside world again-how could she not be excited?

And she was also about to meet Takuya soon, which made her speed up even more, as though

she could fly straight to his side.

The consequences of leaving without permission were the least of her worries now.

Inside the sealed space, Kurama gazed wistfully at the scenery. Once, it had roamed the Land

of Fire freely, like the wind.

The Land of Fire used to be Kurama's territory.

But that freedom was long gone, never to return.

Now, the Nine-Tails could only crouch in its seal, staring out at the world through Kushina.

Since Kushina was coming, Takuya figured he might as well make some preparations, to make sure Tsunade's story would hold up. The fewer complications, the better.

So, he called for Hatake Sakumo and Shikashige Nara.

As for Pakura, Takuya had already released the seal on her. True to his word, he hadn't lied to

her.

He believed that as long as he was keeping an eye on things, Pakura wouldn't be able to cause

trouble.

And with Kushina arriving soon, Pakura would have even fewer opportunities.

"Takuya, what's so urgent that you called us over this early?"

Sitting down and accepting the cup of tea Pakura handed him, Sakumo raised an eyebrow at

Takuya, a strange look on his face.

The seal on Pakura had been lifted.

It looked like Takuya trusted her a lot.

But then again, why worry about it? If she ended up causing any trouble, Takuya would be then/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

one dealing with it.

Sakumo didn't want to lecture Takuya just because he was the elder.

Shikashige, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm, as though none of it was any of his

concern.

Next Bonus: 2400->2900 power stone

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 450+ at Patreon com/ Emiko1.