Escape From Konoha

Konoha, Ushima family.

It is a two-story residential house with a slightly larger area. It is surrounded by a wide courtyard wall. There are a large number of flower pots placed in the courtyard. Since it is winter, the flowers planted in the flower pots have basically withered. Covered with white snowflakes.

At this moment, this two-story residential building was being blocked by security personnel. In addition to Tenzo, a close disciple, Tsunade also came with two groups of eight ANBU ninjas.

When we came to the living room of Ushima's house, we could see the blood stains on the floor and walls.

There were several kunai stuck on the sofa in the living room, and there were a few more shuriken fixed on the blood-stained wall.

Not only that, the tea table that was originally used to place things was burned by the fire, and some places were burnt black.

There was also a crater on the floor in the center of the living room, which was the mark of flames.

Tsunade just glanced at it, and with her years of eyesight, she understood that these traces were the remnants of the fire escape technique.

"Something strange..."

Not paying attention to the security personnel who were here to survey the scene for traces, Tsunade pinched a handful of black ash on the floor. The burned floor had already cooled down.

"It's a bit strange." Tenzang also nodded and glanced around casually. He also found many abnormalities: "Judging from the battle scene, Ameshima Ninja should have encountered a strong opponent here. , many places in the living room were damaged. However...the people around did not notice it at all. It was not until the ANBU patrol did they discover what happened here."

Generally speaking, this is simply not going to happen.

In such a fierce battle, the movement must be huge, and it is impossible not to attract the attention of the people around you.

The fact is that until the ANBU arrived, the residents said that there were no unusual sounds coming from here.

More importantly, Amejima is a jounin of Konoha Village. Although his level is still a special jounin, he has also reached the threshold of jounin.

Ninjas who have reached this level should have enough time to call for help from the outside even if they encounter a surprise attack by a Jonin.

Moreover, the fighting time at the scene seemed a bit long, which proved that the Ameshima ninja was not controlled by the enemy in the first place, but experienced a fierce battle before being subdued by the enemy.

Therefore, Amejima Ninja had time to ask for help from the patrolling Anbu and together they could subdue the attackers.

"Are you sure that when the fighting broke out here, no one around you was alert?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly and asked again.

"Sure."

Tenzo nodded.

He asked the ANBU and security force personnel in charge to ask this question more than ten times, repeatedly confirming the testimonies of surrounding residents.

"If that's the case, then there's only one possibility. This place has been blocked with magic, and there seems to be a fierce battle. From the outside, it looks very normal here."

Tsunade guessed this.

This is the only guess that is consistent with the current situation.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain that the traces of battle here would be so intense that outsiders would not notice it.

"A complex illusion barrier that blocks vision and sound, and disrupts illusions..."

Tianzang was speechless.

In this way, the person who made the move was very powerful. Among jounin, the strength is also extremely strong.

Moreover, he is proficient in enchantment and illusion, and can easily perfectly combine the two techniques to achieve the effect of blocking outsiders' vision and sound.

In this way, in the eyes of outsiders, the place was naturally calm, and Amejima Ninja could not ask for help from the patrolling ANBU until he defeated the enemy.

"Hokage-sama, what should we do next?"

Tenzo asked.

Tsunade frowned and thought, so many people had disappeared within a few days, including chuunin and a jounin... To be honest, the seriousness of the incident was escalating.

It must be addressed as soon as possible before panic is created.

However, no matter how you think about it, there seems to be no connection between these consecutive disappearances.

And why did the attackers make these people disappear?

Judging from the report, there was no loss of property here, and all kinds of valuables were well preserved, which shows that it was not a money crime. Besides, it's totally not worth it to create such a big battle and commit crimes for money. It's a bit overkill.

"Keep following up."

After thinking for a moment, Tsunade couldn't understand the connection. The disappearance of all the people was extremely strange.

Vendetta? Or does he simply want to cause panic in the Konoha village in order to take revenge on Konoha?

"Then, Vice President Asami's side..."

Tenzang hesitated.

This serial disappearance case really needed to be followed up, but in this way, he would not be able to be distracted by investigating matters in the medical department.

"I will handle it personally over there, and I will hand it over to you for follow-up investigation. Find the whereabouts of those missing persons as soon as possible. You must see the people alive, and you must see the bodies after death."

Tsunade said.

"I see."

Tianzang looked straight and nodded.

◎

Sitting on her own desk, Asami Masumi scanned the documents in front of her and tapped her fingers on the tabletop, pretending to be thinking.

Her attention was not on the report on the medical condition of the wounded in front of her, but on the safety of the main members of her team.

Although the "disappearance" case successfully misled the Anbu's investigation direction, turning the members' voluntary disappearance into disappearance after being attacked. In this way, the source of the problem is not the missing person, but the mysterious attacker who caused the missing person.

And this mysterious attacker didn't actually exist at all.

When investigating a non-existent person, no matter how experienced the Konoha Anbu were, they would never have imagined that this was an evacuation operation. It was just disguised as a serial disappearance in order to avoid suspicion.

Most of the personnel have been safely evacuated... only a small half of the personnel are left. As time goes by, the intensity of dark patrols will increase. Whether it is communication or evacuation, the next steps will become more and more complicated.

The more complicated the steps, the slightest carelessness may arouse the ANBU's suspicion.

Unfortunately, she no longer had the cards in her hand to attract the attention of ANBU and Hokage.

Being stared at by ANBU all day long, she could feel the ANBU ninjas lingering nearby even when she was taking a break or sleeping... From the Hokage's point of view, her suspicion had risen, and it was unknown how long she could sustain it.

It might be tomorrow, it might be the day after tomorrow, or it might be that he is suddenly surrounded by Anbu and arrested and imprisoned in the next second... But what is certain is that it will not be past this month at the latest.

The space for maneuver is getting smaller and smaller.

If you continue to sit still and wait for death, will you fall into passivity? Asami Masumi was not thinking about this possibility, but thinking about how to deal with this possible event.

That bastard superior, shouldn't he keep the local general here at this time? Thinking of this, Asami Masumi couldn't help but complain.

If General Dou was still in Konoha, things would be much easier.

Talking about upgrading the 'system' for the clones regularly, asking her to wait a few more days... If there is enough time, it doesn't matter. The key now is to race against time.

The letter also said that if unfortunately she was caught, he would take rescue measures, saying that there was no need to worry... Has it been assumed that she would be caught?

This feeling made Asami Masumi feel as uncomfortable as the arrival of relatives.

◎

"Ah Choo!"

Shiraishi sneezed without warning in the laboratory, picked up a tissue from the side and wiped his mouth and nose.

"What's wrong, Teacher Shiraishi? Is it because you have a cold?"

Lin, who was adjusting the machine, heard sneezing from behind and turned around to ask.

Shiraishi threw the paper towel into the trash can and piled it with the discarded experimental materials.

"No, maybe someone was cursing me behind my back."

Shiraishi said.

His eyes fell on the machine that Lin was adjusting.

The floor-standing transparent cylindrical building is about the size of a standard single room in a house. The bottom is a control machine with a display screen and buttons on it. It is as tall as an adult.

In the transparent cylinder above, an earth-yellow creature that resembles a humanoid curls up quietly, soaking in a green solution full of vitality, quietly sucking in this energy to nourish its body.

It was his clone, General Tu.

"It's true. Teacher Baishi is outside now, but he is an abomination to humans and ghosts. Moreover, the more famous a person is, the more valuable his head is. Teacher Baishi should be more careful when going out in the future. Keep an eye on your head. Not only the other big countries, but also some desperadoes want to get your precious head."

People die for wealth and birds die for food. This is a famous saying that has never changed.

In this world, it is not just the big countries that control ninja weapons. In the invisible shadows, there are countless ninjas who want to take away Shiraishi's 'golden head'.

After all, the reward is two billion taels, which is much more than the total bounty on the heads of the Five Shadows.

As long as you take this head, you can eat and drink for the rest of your life.

This also shows how many people in this ninja world want Shiraishi to die quickly.

The bounty that was issued so much was definitely not from one force, but from the combination of many forces, the accumulated bounty reached two billion taels.

The reward amount in the underground black market remains high, firmly occupying the top position.

"Is this a new type of bad joke?"

Shiraishi raised his eyebrows.

I don't really care about the bounties on the underground black market.

Although the underground black market was huge and connected to many countries, there were only a handful of bounty hunters in it that could attract his attention.

Not to mention, the Xuan Yuanzhong and the Thunder Light Group, which account for a considerable proportion, are private bounty weapons belonging to the Kingdom of Ghosts.

"I'm just telling the truth. Teacher Shiraishi, you don't have to worry about it."

Lin smiled softly. After all, a reward of two billion taels can indeed attract countless troubles.

Immediately afterwards, she focused her attention back on her eyes, skillfully controlling the handles and buttons on the machine, and then poured all the ground powder into the transfer port, and then mixed it with the solution in the cylinder. Provided for the soil inside to be absorbed by the general.

"Speaking of which, the maintenance time this time is shorter than last time. Did General Tu encounter any trouble outside?"

Lin asked casually.

Shiraishi's clone, although convenient to use in many cases, requires regular maintenance.

At the earliest, maintenance was required once a year to check the physical condition.

Later, as technology upgrades, regular maintenance will be required every two to three years.

She remembered that the last maintenance of General Tu was a year and a half ago. Logically speaking, it would take half a year at the earliest before maintenance was needed.

"It's probably because I've eaten too much recently and my stomach has been damaged. Since I came back from Konoha, I've been suffering from stomach upset, feeling depressed, and the barrier space in my body has also been damaged."

Shiraishi put his hands into the pockets of his coat, looked up at the sleeping general in the container, and explained.

"Is that so?" Lin nodded: "I'm not saying that, Teacher Shiraishi, you really don't care about your clone. After all, it is the flesh that fell from your body."

"Don't worry about this. Next, I will use the barrier space technique obtained from Miaomu Mountain to further expand the storage capacity in its body and increase its upper limit... In this case, there should be no problem."

Shiraishi thought for a moment and answered.

"No, the problem is probably bigger now."

Lin covered her head, feeling a little headache.

"I'm going to ask you to take care of me here. I'll go out and take care of some things."

"Isn't it already handled by someone else when it comes to negotiating a truce with the big powers?"

Lin asked in confusion.

"It's Masumi's side. Her intelligence team needs to be transferred from Konoha. I have to be prepared to meet them."

Although some people have separated from Konoha, the entire Fire Country is now under martial law, so the people who left Konoha are still staying in the strongholds within the Fire Country.

And as time goes by, Asami Masumi's actions will become more difficult.

We also need to act as soon as possible to help these people sneak out of the Country of Fire.

"Actually, I don't think it's necessary to evacuate the entire intelligence team."

Lin said.

"No need, the center of the next work is not Konoha. Myoboku Mountain no longer exists. Masumi's intelligence team has little meaning in staying in Konoha. Everything that should be obtained has been obtained, and it is more than expected. More. If they continue to stay in Konoha, problems are likely to arise."

After leaving these words, Shiraishi left the laboratory.

◎

In an apartment that can be seen everywhere, three figures gathered in a residential room, playing cards with extremely leisurely expressions.

But the content of what he said had nothing to do with poker.

"Are we the only three left in Konoha now?"

One person played a card and spoke in a very low voice.

"No, there is also a family of three from Haruno Zhao's side. According to the order, he, like us, is the last batch of people to leave."

Another person followed suit and answered.

"Now that Team Leader Asami can't be contacted, the worst-case scenario has indeed happened. She's been completely targeted, and it's probably only a matter of time before she's exposed."

The third person sighed.

Obviously worried about the current situation.

After all, the job of a spy is not easy to do. If you are discovered, you will basically die, and your family will be affected.

What's even more frightening is that in their long-term espionage career, as executors, they also have to bear tremendous mental pressure and cannot relax at all times.

In the enemy's territory, this is a profession of "die in the face of light".

Even if they were mentally prepared at first to embark on this path and learn mental stress-resistance techniques, this situation still makes them feel uneasy.

The bait released would disrupt ANBU's vision for some time.

If the Anbu caught some loophole, they would probably stay here forever.

Today's Konoha is like a terrifying devil's cave to them.

The longer you stay here, the more danger you will face.

If the situation didn't allow it, they would have wanted to fly away immediately to get out of this dangerous situation.

Once targeted, they would be powerless to resist the ANBU's arrest.

"Just follow the original plan. At times like this, we can't be agitated and need to stay calm."

The person who spoke also sighed, took out a pill bottle from his pocket, poured out a pill, put it in his mouth and chewed it.

The originally anxious state of mind suddenly regained its composure.

This is a new drug produced in the Kingdom of Ghosts. It can forcefully restore one's mood to calmness and prevent one from losing one's composure at such a time.

At this time, there was already an undercurrent inside Konoha Village, and they risked their lives to gather together again.

Even though he knew that the Anbu had not targeted them yet, he still had to look calm and not behave differently than usual.

"In this case, we will act on time at five o'clock in the afternoon three days later."

◎

At 5:30 in the afternoon, the sky had darkened and there was light snow falling on the streets.

A special guest came to Haruno Barbecue Restaurant.

"It's Mr. Yamato. It's been a long time since we last met. Why are you here at this time? Is it Sakura who's causing you trouble?"

Haruno Zhao saw the guest who entered the door. It was none other than Tenzo, the leader of the seventh team where his daughter Sakura belonged. His external name was Yamato.

In the eyes of outsiders, he is an extremely mysterious Jounin of Konoha.

He was not wearing ANBU clothing and looked no different from the other jounin in Konoha.

But Haruno Zhao knew that when the Third Hokage was in power, the other party was the Third Hokage's right-hand confidant. Now that the Fifth Hokage is in power, he is naturally also the Fifth Hokage's confidant. Moreover, the other party holds an important position in the ANBU. If the ANBU Minister is vacant, the other party is likely to be the next ANBU Minister.

Facing a Jonin of this level, Haruno Zhao did not dare to be careless at all, and was extremely vigilant.

My heart was pounding. Did the other party notice something?

"No, Team 7 doesn't have any missions recently. As for Sakura, she is currently receiving training from the Hokage."

Tenzo replied with a smile.

I met Haruno Zhao because of Sakura.

When Class 7 occasionally gets together for dinner, they will celebrate here.

Of course, it was his jounin's money.

"Then, when you come this time..."

"Well... how should I put it? I have something to trouble Store Manager Haruno. I was entrusted by the Hokage to ask you something."

At present, his work focus has changed from monitoring Asami Masumi to investigating the truth behind the disappearance of the personnel.

During the investigation, he found that the working ninjas among the missing persons did not have deep contact with each other. They were just ordinary friends. On the surface, there was no difference.

But the way they disappeared was very strange.

It is not consistent with ordinary kidnapping incidents.

Even after the disappearance, Tianzang did not know whether they were alive or dead.

Especially since a Jonin was involved, Tenzo would probably be shocked if he knew the truth behind this.

After reading the materials collected by the ANBU for a day and night, and spending a lot of time eliminating all kinds of unnecessary messy information, I finally came to a conclusion that surprised Tianzang.

Although these missing ninjas seem to be completely unrelated, they all have one thing in common - they love the barbecue at Haruno Grill.

Tianzang also thinks that the barbecue at Haruno Barbecue Restaurant tastes very good. The meat and vegetables are very delicious, and all kinds of condiments are available. The price is fair, and it is not an exaggeration to call it high quality and low price.

Throughout Konoha Village, the reputation is very good.

Except for people who don't like eating barbecue, Haruno Barbecue Restaurant will be their first choice for those who like this kind of food.

Therefore, even if they all have an interest in coming to Haruno Barbecue Restaurant, it doesn't seem to be anything strange.

However, there are also a few weird things here, and Tianzang feels it is necessary to understand them in depth.

"Did the Hokage-sama ask me? In that case, Mr. Yamato, please come here and talk."

Haruno Zhao thought for a moment, then took Tenzo to a secluded corner and sat down.

"Well, Mr. Yamato, I don't know what you want to know."

Haruno Zhao asked after sitting down.

Tenzo didn't hesitate, he took out a stack of photos from his arms, and picked out a few more, all of them were working ninjas among the missing persons, and placed them in front of Haruno Zhao.

"I think Manager Haruno has also heard that a very bad disappearance is taking place in the village. Not only civilians, but also working ninjas are implicated. Ignoring these civilians, when I was investigating this incident , found the missing working ninja, they all like to come to Manager Haruno’s BBQ restaurant to celebrate, so they came to ask some questions.”

"Excuse me."

Haruno Zhao said calmly.

Tianzang took out a photo of a slightly obese man.

"Manager Haruno, do you have any impression of this person?"

"Well... of course I know him. This is Doda Chuunin."

"Really? Manager Haruno has a really good memory. An ordinary ninja like Chunin Doda can still remember it."

Tianzang praised him intentionally or unintentionally.

Haruno Zhao laughed and said: "No, my memory is actually average, but this Doda Chuunin left a deeper impression on me, so I remember it more clearly. I became familiar with him after going back and forth."

"oh?"

"It's like this. This Chuunin Doda is actually a vegetarian, and he always comes to the barbecue restaurant alone... At that time, I paid attention to this person."

"Did he do any other strange behavior in the barbecue restaurant?"

Tianzang became thoughtful.

"Any other strange behavior? Well... how should I put it, it gave me the feeling that when he came to the barbecue restaurant, he was waiting for someone. After all, for a vegetarian, it is a bit strange to come to the barbecue restaurant to eat, but he is still a vegetarian. When people come over.”

"Waiting for someone?"

"Yes. That's how it feels to me."

Haruno Zhao answered like this.

"So, do you know who he is waiting for?"

"I don't know. I have never seen anyone sitting across from him. I also asked him if he was waiting for someone, but every time he shook his head and said nothing. Then he finished the baked vegetarian food and then left."

Haruno Zhao gave a bitter smile, obviously feeling extremely depressed about the strange behavior of the chuunin Doda.

"Is that so?"

Tenzo frowned in thought.

"How's it going, Mr. Yamato, do you have any clues?"

"This information is valuable."

After just saying this, Tianzang started to ask the next question.

Haruno Zhao's face was either frowning, or he was beginning to recall in distress, as if racking his brains, he stumbled and recalled some things, and told them to Tenzo, but some of the information was missing, resulting in the information Tenzo received being very fragmented, and Many of them are useless.

At the end of the questioning, Tenzou found that the "waiting for others" behavior of Chunin Doda at the beginning was the most valuable information.

Before Tenzo left, he quietly asked several regular customers of the barbecue restaurant about Doda Chuunin, and the answers he gave were basically the same as Haruno Zhao.

Did I really think too much? Walking outside the barbecue restaurant and looking at the booming Haruno barbecue restaurant, Tenzo shook his head.

The information provided by Haruno Zhao may be valuable, but it may be worthless. The breakthrough point of this information was the missing Chuunin Doda.

And if Chuunin Doda cannot be found, this piece of information will be extremely useless.

While thinking hard, Tenzou put his hands into the pockets of his pants and stepped forward, preparing to meet with the rest of the Anbu to discuss and rearrange the next actions.

At the door of the barbecue restaurant, Haruno Zhao kept the same smile as usual and watched Tenzo leave.

Everything is normal.