Naruto - Leader of Kusagakure

"Information has already been transmitted, and I believe the leader will arrive soon!" Mubuki's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and determination as he addressed the group.

As he gazed at the darkened night sky, a sense of unease settled over him. He hadn't anticipated that finding the Uzumaki Clan members would attract the attention of skilled shinobi who were now hunting them down. Unlike the previous encounter in the Land of Hot Water, these were not mere mercenaries hired by merchants. They were elite shinobi, a force to be reckoned with.

Their previous incident of abducting someone had attracted the attention of a hidden force behind the scenes. That's why they had dispatched such a formidable group this time.

Mubuki's eyes shifted towards the emaciated and ailing Uzumaki Clan members behind him. His heart sank with a deep sense of melancholy. If it were up to him, Kusagakure would not have welcomed these wandering shinobi. The troubles they brought and the potential for infiltration posed too great a risk. But he had no choice but to obey the orders of the leader.

Moreover, he had vehemently denied being responsible for giving the book to Yahiko. It was Yahiko who took it upon himself. Yet, he was still unjustly accused and sent out on this perilous mission. Life was so unfair.

And now, standing in the cold night air, Mubuki couldn't help but feel a sense of impending doom. If it weren't for the rarity of the signed book from Ekinu-sensei, he would have gladly stayed indoors. But he had no choice due to the circumstances.

He was likely in great danger now.

As his thoughts swirled in turmoil, a hushed voice pierced the silence.

"Shh~"

Everyone's expressions changed as they looked around, their hearts filled with trepidation. A group of figures, concealed behind tightly wrapped cloaks and wearing animal masks, emerged, encircling them. "Uzumaki Clan... come with us!"

It was evident that their identities were intentionally obscured.

Mubuki and the others stood frozen, their faces drained of color, as they found themselves surrounded by high-level shinobi.

Why are they here already? And why are there so many elite shinobi?

Mubuki's expression darkened, torn between conflicting emotions. He inwardly acknowledged that fleeing was no longer an option. These shinobi were different from the average ones; they were specialized assassins, skilled in the art of killing.

Anbu?

Could they be Anbu shinobi from Konoha?

As he glanced back at the Uzumaki Clan members behind him, a flicker of concern passed through his mind. "Asui and Yahiko, those two troublemakers, should be able to fend for themselves. Remember, no more book thefts this time. And ensure that you burn the books for their old man!"

With a determined look on his face, he was about to step forward to face the approaching shinobi.

"Cough cough! Let me handle this!" An Uzumaki Elder, frail and pale, stepped forward, his voice strained. It was evident that he had suffered severe injuries.

Casting a deep gaze at the Grass shinobi who had unexpectedly arrived to take them away, he spoke with conviction, "I will hold them off. Uzumaki Clan... I am placing my trust in you!"

To be honest,

If it weren't for the news from Keji and the others about their eldest brother's presence in Grass Country, and the sudden ambush they encountered, Yonjin Uzumaki would never have agreed to venture into the unknown territory so hastily.

The doubts gnawed at him. What if it was a trap? A trap specifically designed to ensnare the Uzumaki Clan?

The man before him didn't exude a trustworthy aura. In fact, he seemed quite the opposite.

Especially when Yonjin considered the reputation of the Grass Shinobi Village, his suspicions only intensified.

But they had no other options. With a heavy sigh, Yonjin reluctantly gave in to the circumstances.

"I'm counting on you! Please stop them," Mubuki shamelessly agreed, waving his hand as if it were an easy task. "Rest assured, Grass Country has always been true to its word and never lies! Let's go, let's go! We need to hurry! Once we reach Grass Country, you'll have a good life!"

Yonjin's mouth twitched at the blatant lies. He began to question his decision.

True to their word? Kusagakure? What a deceitful bunch!

However...

"Attack!"

Without a moment's hesitation, the surrounding shinobi issued the order, leaving Yonjin no choice but to swiftly intervene.

But facing ten high-level shinobi, weakened by continuous escaping from other villages and the injuries he had sustained during saving the members of his clan, Yonjin found himself at a distinct disadvantage. His body was fatigued, hunger gnawed at his insides, and he felt that his chances of stopping them were slim.

In no time, he found himself on the back foot.

It was at this crucial moment that the enemy shinobi swung their blades, closing in on him from behind. Yonjin's expression turned grim as he locked eyes with the approaching shinobi, determination burning within him. He swiftly formed hand seals, preparing to unleash a powerful sealing jutsu—the very technique that had struck fear into the hearts of countless shinobi across the world.

But before he could complete the seal...

"Boom!"

A massive boulder crashed down upon the enemy shinobi, catching them off guard. Their expressions shifted to panic as they shouted, "Retre—"

But it was too late.

The giant stone, carrying immense force, sent them hurtling through the air. Three of them coughed up blood upon impact, their lives hanging by a thread.

The elder's immediate threat was temporarily alleviated, but those three enemy shinobi seemed to still cling to life.

A stunned silence fell over the battlefield.

Who had intervened at this critical moment?

Yet, when they followed the trajectory of the boulder with their eyes, they found no trace of its origin.

"The leader?" Mubuki momentarily pondered, his mind racing with possibilities. However, he quickly dismissed the notion, shaking his head. "No! It can't be the leader. If it were the leader... those shinobi would have met their end long ago!"

"Despite the leader often wearing a smile and boasting about elevating the Land of Grass to the ranks of the Six Great Nations, surpassing even the Land of Fire, he was far from being a benevolent figure.

Back then, they had eradicated all rebellious shinobi factions within the Land of Grass, putting an end to the chaos and allowing the nation to begin rebuilding.

In that critical moment, Mubuki could discern with a single glance that the leader was no ordinary person. The leader was exceptional, and it was this extraordinary quality that had compelled Mubuki to follow without hesitation—though the kunai pointed at his neck might have played a part too.

"What the hell am I doi... What are you guys doing? Run!" Mubuki shouted, jolting everyone into action. They quickly resumed their escape.

However...

They found themselves surrounded once again, with no escape route in sight.

The opposing shinobi were numerous, each one exuding an aura of formidable strength. Moreover, they had to ensure the safety of a group of ordinary civilians while trying to flee!

But this time...

No massive stones came crashing down to their aid.

Mubuki sighed and muttered to himself, "This time, we're finished. I forgot to remind Asui and Yahiko to burn Ekinu-sensei's new book for his father!"

The remaining high-level Uzumaki shinobi exchanged glances, their faces etched with disappointment and sorrow.

They had hoped that once they reached Grass Country, their days of wandering would come to an end, and a brighter future would unfold. But it seemed...

Fate had other plans for them.

However...

From where did they appear?!

"Surrender!" the mysterious shinobi commanded, their tone cold and devoid of emotion. "We don't wish to kill you."

It seemed their intention was to capture them alive, but for what purpose? Experiments? Or to exploit the Uzumaki Clan's unique physical abilities and sealing Jutsu?

Yet, it no longer mattered. Determination gleamed in the eyes of the Uzumaki clan members as their hands swiftly formed seals, ready to demonstrate the might of their clan.

Suddenly...

"Infinite Paper Swords!" ( A/N: (>‿◠) )

A calm and familiar voice echoed through the air. Mubuki, the shameless individual, dispelled his ninjutsu in a hurry and swiftly moved backward, a delighted expression crossing his face. "Hurry! Find cover!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stood in disbelief. Before both the Uzumaki Clan and the mysterious shinobi could react...

A figure materialized in the darkened sky, wings flapping behind them. Countless paper swords soared through the air, assailing the group of shinobi!

"The leader... has arrived!"

.....

Simultaneously, in a nearby vicinity, A figure strolled along the streets, yawning as her chest rose and fell. However, her demeanor abruptly shifted as her gaze turned serious, fixed upon a particular direction. "This chakra... Who could it be?"

She paused for a moment before shaking her head, and continued walking with a dismissive gesture.