In Takigakure, Natsuki returned safely with Fu.

When Shibuki saw Fu unharmed, tears welled in his eyes as he rushed forward and hugged her tightly.

It was the first time Fu had ever seen this side of Shibuki. She didn't know what to do and could only stiffly offer a few words of comfort. But she could feel the difference in the gazes of everyone else around her.

As a Jinchūriki, she had never been treated well in the village. The villagers and shinobi considered her a monster, treating her with coldness and exclusion. Not once had she felt warmth from them.

Now, the way they looked at her was even colder.

Fu understood immediately. The masked man had come for her. The people who died because of that would be blamed on her. They would think if only she wasn't here, those lives wouldn't have been lost. And now that she was back, they feared the masked man would return and kill even more.

They wouldn't welcome her like Shibuki. Some wanted her gone. Others probably wished she were dead.

That was how people were. When harmed, they often didn't blame the true culprit, but turned on fellow victims instead. Both infuriating and laughable.

Fu lowered her gaze, a quiet sadness filling her heart.

She knew she could no longer stay in this village.

Shibuki eventually composed himself and bowed deeply to Natsuki. "Lord Natsuki, thank you for saving Fu! I've always treated her like my own sister, but I was powerless to protect her. My stubbornness has only brought suffering to our people, and I couldn't even shield Fu. I'm useless!"

Natsuki gave a small nod. This leader isn't bad at all.

Shibuki had taken responsibility upon himself, sharing Fu's burden. He truly treated her as family.

Fu tried to protest, but Shibuki stopped her, his eyes red.

Seeing this, Natsuki chose to shift the subject. "Lord Shibuki, I'm sure you've realized by now—Akatsuki is frighteningly powerful, not easy to oppose. They've begun hunting down all the Jinchūriki, not just here but in every village. So… what do you intend to do?"

Shibuki hesitated. He looked at Fu, then at the villagers. He stayed silent for a long time.

But their eyes said everything. They didn't want Fu to remain. To them, she had never been one of their own—just a danger.

So the answer was clear: she had to leave.

At that moment, Fu spoke up. "I can't stay here anymore! I'll go with Natsuki!"

Shibuki opened his mouth but only sighed in the end. "Lord Natsuki… may I speak with the Hokage about this? Fu is like a sister to me. As her brother, I can't just abandon her."

"Of course. I can take you both to the Hokage right now. Do you need guards to accompany you?"

Natsuki didn't want to waste time arguing. Since Shibuki wished to talk with Tsunade, then let him.

Shibuki shook his head. "I trust you, Lord Natsuki, and I trust the Hokage. Guards won't be necessary."

Natsuki nodded, leaving a Flying Thunder God seal on a nearby table. He told the others: "I'll be taking your leader for a while. He'll be safe, so don't worry. I'll bring him back to this very spot. Don't move this table."

The villagers exchanged confused looks.

But when Natsuki, Fu, and Shibuki vanished before their eyes, they finally understood.

So this Leaf ninja can teleport instantly… no wonder he could snatch Fu back from that terrifying masked man!

—Swish!

They appeared in the Hokage's office.

"Lady Tsunade, I brought Fu back. And this is Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure. He wishes to speak with you."

Tsunade had been busy with paperwork. Seeing them, she smiled warmly. "Welcome. Lord Shibuki, Fu—I am Tsunade, the Hokage of Konoha."

Shibuki was still reeling from the speed of Natsuki's teleportation. He quickly pulled Fu forward to bow. "Greetings, Lady Hokage. Thank you for sending Lord Natsuki to rescue her. I came today mainly to discuss Fu's situation."

Natsuki casually found a chair, sat down, and pulled out some snacks to eat.

With Shizune now serving as director of the Konoha Hospital, she was always busy and rarely around to help in the office. So there wasn't even anyone to pour tea these days.

Natsuki helped himself, even pouring cups for Tsunade, Fu, and Shibuki. He passed Fu some treats, and the girl began nibbling happily.

Shibuki could only give a helpless but affectionate look before turning back to Tsunade.

Their talk centered on Fu's protection. Takigakure could not hope to protect a Jinchūriki. Insisting would only risk the village's destruction. But Shibuki couldn't just hand her off without care—he wanted to know how Konoha would protect her. If needed, Takigakure could even pay for it.

He wasn't naïve. He knew no village would protect a Jinchūriki for nothing.

Tsunade answered sincerely: "Lord Shibuki, rest assured. Konoha bears you no ill will. Akatsuki has begun capturing Jinchūriki everywhere. Even ours are targeted. They are extremely dangerous, composed of S-class missing-nin from many villages. Defeating them will not be easy.

"As for their true goal, we don't know yet. But one thing is certain—we can't allow them to succeed. Protecting Fu also means frustrating their plans."

Only then did Shibuki relax slightly.

If Tsunade had spoken of lofty ideals like peace or love, he would not have believed her. But her reasoning—thwarting Akatsuki's plot—made sense. Even if protecting Fu was a side benefit, for him it was a great relief.

At that moment, Shikamaru knocked and entered. Now serving as a strategist in the Hokage's office, he didn't excuse himself upon seeing guests.

He noticed Natsuki munching snacks in the corner and sidled over, whispering: "Natsuki, what's going on?"

Natsuki gestured with his chin toward the two guests. "That's Shibuki of Takigakure, and Fu, the Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki. Akatsuki's masked man attacked their village to capture her. They called for help, and I just rescued her."

Shikamaru's eyes widened. He remembered Fu from the Chūnin Exams, where he'd served as an examiner. A bright, lively girl. He never imagined she was a Jinchūriki. Her personality reminded him a little of Naruto.

"Akatsuki targeted Takigakure too?" he muttered.

"Too?" Natsuki paused.

"You didn't know? Sunagakure sent word earlier. Deidara and Sasori attacked them, and Gaara was taken after a fierce battle. Lady Tsunade already dispatched Team Guy and Team 7 to rescue him."

"…Oh. I see."

(End of Chapter)

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