Naruto : I Got "Return by Death" Kind Of Cheat

Just like in the previous timeline, Yako saw the Kumo spy again while drinking at the tavern.

The plot hadn't changed.

He shoved all the meat into his mouth in a hurry, left the Tsurugetsu Tavern, and headed straight for the Forest of Death.

This time, there was no resurrection.

He had to be cautious. No more reckless solo actions.

If he couldn't win, then he'd call reinforcements.

He knew the plot—how could a few Kumo-nin possibly suppress Konoha inside Konoha?

He entered the underground Anbu base within the Forest of Death. Luck was on his side—Captain Black Ape was present.

"Captain, I've spotted a Kumo spy. I've studied their kenjutsu. I'm certain—his arms bear the marks of a decade of sword training."

Captain Black Ape didn't question him and quickly gathered his team.

Most were off-duty, so only three Anbu were resting in the locker room.

The Anbu training grounds had unlimited supplies of kunai and shuriken, and someone always cleaned up the targets and retrieved the weapons. Many off-duty Anbu spent their spare time here to train.

With luck, some would even offer pointers—improving everyone faster.

One of those training was Yako's squadmate—Purple Cat.

Despite her fatigue, she rushed to gear up.

Yako glanced at her.

Purple Cat was a kunoichi—curvy, masked, but clearly a beauty.

Five Anbu, including Black Ape and Yako, left the Forest of Death.

They waited outside the tavern for half an hour—finally spotting the Kumo spy.

The spy moved northwest—toward the park outside the Senju compound.

Once there, Captain Black Ape noticed Anbu hidden in the trees.

"Other Anbu? That must be… the squad guarding the Uzumaki Princess?"

Suddenly, the Kumo spies hidden among the Anbu rookies attacked.

The guarding squad was thrown into chaos—many couldn't tell who was ally or enemy, delaying their reactions.

Yako blocked Black Ape from charging in. "Captain! Look at the Princess!"

Several Kumo-nin had already killed a Senju girl and taken Uzumaki Kushina.

Black Ape turned pale. "Damn it! They're after her! We prioritize the rescue!"

Under his command, the squad moved forward—but slowly.

Yako noticed that since losing his arm, Black Ape had grown more cautious—overly so. His pursuit lacked decisiveness.

The Kumo-nin vanished into the shadows with Kushina.

Black Ape ordered detours, scouting patterns, security measures—all slowing them down.

By the time they reached the village wall, Yako saw a blond child slipping through a tunnel.

This time, he dropped in behind Namikaze Minato.

Minato crawled out the hole, eyes sharp, trailing strands of red hair clutched in his fist.

There were more strands than before.

Just imagining Kushina tearing out that much hair—it hurt to think about. Her will to live must've been intense.

Soon, Minato spotted silhouettes ahead.

Three Kumo-nin, and the bound Uzumaki Kushina.

One of the Kumo-nin noticed Minato behind them, turned back to intercept—buying time for the others.

Seeing only a kid, the Kumo-nin sneered.

Years of building Kumo's spy network in Konoha, all culminating in tonight's operation to abduct the Princess—

And their first pursuer was just a child?

A little runt who hadn't even graduated the Academy, what cou—

Splurt!

The Kumo-nin stared in shock at the kunai buried in his waist.

This Konoha brat was that fast?

One dodge, one stab—and he was dead?

Nearby, Captain Black Ape was equally stunned.

A genius—clear as day.

Minato's taijutsu was sharp, decisive, efficient.

But more than that—he had the killer instinct. No hesitation, no flinching.

To kill at that age, so cleanly—this boy was born to be a shinobi.

Black Ape made a mental note: when filing the mission report, he'd highlight this genius.

This Academy student needed to be nurtured.

Minato remained alert, watching the two remaining enemies with caution.

That clean kill just now—only possible because they underestimated him. He knew better than to expect a repeat.

Then—one of the Kumo-nin suddenly twisted and slashed low.

From the ground beneath him burst an Anbu in a Fox mask.

Doton?

Some kind of stealth earth technique.

The Fox-masked Anbu shot straight into the Kumo-nin's chest.

Two blades flashed—one from each of their backs.

But only the Kumo's blade dripped with blood.

The Fox's blade was clean.

Minato's eyes lit up. That Anbu's speed was incredible.

The enemy's blade had pierced between the Fox's ribs and arm—looked deadly, but had caused no injury at all.

Yako withdrew his sword. The Kumo spy collapsed.

Purple Cat, watching from nearby, felt calm return.

Her clan always said joining Anbu was certain death.

But if she followed a captain like Fox… maybe she'd survive.

Yako didn't notice his new admirer.

He looked at Kushina.

Chasing the girl under the moonlight… is that my storyline now?

These Kumo spies weren't even jōnin. He had a chance.

So what if the original pairing was canon?

He might not be as strong as Minato.

His smile wasn't as bright.

His potential wasn't as limitless.

But so what?

If he ended up with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Konoha would practically roll out the red carpet for him.

Just thinking about it made him giddy.

Yako charged at the final Kumo-nin.

But as he engaged, he saw—over the enemy's shoulder—Minato had already scooped up Kushina.

Huh?

Damn it, why is he so fast?!

Still a student, and already overpowered.

Minato jumped high, carrying Kushina away from the battlefield.

The huge moon cast silver light over them.

Blond and red hair intertwined in the glow.

Yako's moonlit love story—shattered before it began.

Captain Black Ape arrived. He and Yako attacked from both sides, killing the final Kumo spy.

Then Black Ape shouted to Minato, "Come down! We're Anbu. Hand over the Uzumaki Princess!"

Minato obeyed, landing with Kushina.

"We're taking her back to the village. She needs to see Lord Danzo."

At the mention of that man—the Konoha elder with the X-shaped scar—Kushina trembled and hid behind Minato.

"I… I don't want to see Danzo! I want to see Uncle Rinmu!"

Minato spoke gently, "Let's go home, Kushina. That's what matters most right now."

Black Ape was impressed. The blond kid understood priorities.

He knew getting Kushina back to the village came first. That's good judgment.

They returned to Konoha's main gate.

An entire Anbu squad was already assembled.

Captain Yellow Dog saw Kushina and exhaled in relief.

Noticing that Black Ape had brought her back, he said, "Come with me to the Hokage's office."

Black Ape replied, "Captain, I request to bring Fox. He discovered the enemy first."

Yellow Dog nodded. "Very well. Fox comes too."

During the battle at Uzushio, Fox had performed admirably—from recon to cleanup.

In Yellow Dog's eyes, Fox was trustworthy.

Reliable.

Worth investing in.