The narative

Chapter 145: Narrative

"That's how it happened, Kiba,

please..." Hirohiko looked at Kiba weakly. Before he could finish the

sentence, he slowly closed his eyes. His lips also stopped moving, with a few

words at the end but unclear.

"Hirohiko!"

Kiba exclaimed, hurriedly leaning

over to check Hirohiko's breath. Confirming he still had breath, Kiba breathed

a sigh of relief.

Hirohiko just passed out.

Considering his severe injuries and blood loss, it's

normal for him to faint.

Kiba wiped his face, removing some

sweat. When Hirohiko closed his eyes, Kiba almost broke into a cold sweat.

At this time, Kakashi adjusted the

IV drip and asked Kiba, "What do you think about this matter?"

Kiba looked at Hirohiko, then at

Yukina, and said, "According to Hirohiko's account, do you think the ninja

who kidnapped Sensei Kushina deliberately let Hirohiko and Yukina find their

tracks?"

"On purpose?" Shiga

Taketake and Kiuchi Taketo were stunned.

According to Hirohiko's account,

he had just returned to the village after completing a mission. Because it was

already dark, he planned to go to Ichiraku Ramen for dinner with Yukina. When

they got near the meatball shop, they felt something different. Yukina

subconsciously activated her Byakugan and found the ninjas who kidnapped

Kushina, quickly leaving the village.

A passing ninja was asked by

Hirohiko to report the incident to Hokage, while he and Yukina hurriedly chased

the kidnappers.

There were four ninjas who

kidnapped Kushina. They didn't wear any village signs, even their clothes were

ordinary. But soon after Hirohiko and Yukina left the village, the four

kidnappers noticed them.

What followed was a battle that

left Hirohiko and Yukina seriously injured. They didn't fight all the

kidnappers, only one. After the others left, this single ninja fought Hirohiko

and Yukina hard. In the end, they killed the ninja, but not without severe

injuries.

Hirohiko's narration omitted many

combat details. He kept repeating that the ninja's death was very strange.

Although he couldn't pinpoint the strangeness, he felt this ninja didn't

deserve to die by their hands.

From the battle's course, he

vaguely felt this, and likely Yukina felt it too.

The Third Hokage, upon receiving

the news, immediately sent Anbu. After killing the ninja, Anbu found them

following traces left by Hirohiko and Yukina.

"Do you think so too?"

Kakashi looked at the passed-out Hirohiko and said, feeling, Hirohiko Uchiha... I'm

afraid he has reached his limit! The reason he stayed conscious was to tell Kiba

about these things.

"This matter is not that

simple." Kiba looked at Hirohiko, then at Yukina, clenching his fists

tightly.

Listening to Kakashi and Kiba's

conversation, Shiga Taketake and Kiuchi Taketo exchanged looks. Shiga Taketake

stepped forward, saying, "Since there is something hidden, and Hirohiko

repeatedly said the ninja died strangely, we should report to

Hokage-sama."

"Yeah," Kakashi nodded.

"Kakashi, there is something

I want to ask you," Kiba said, nodding.

"What is it?" Kakashi

asked.

"Obito and Rin, are they in

the village?" Kiba asked.

Obito and Rin? Why ask about them?

Puzzled, Kakashi said, "Yes,

what's wrong?"

"I want you, Obito, and Rin,

to protect Yukina and Hirohiko here," Kiba said seriously.

Protect Yukina and Hirohiko?

Kakashi frowned, keenly noting Kiba's

use of "protect," not "take care of" or "look

after."

"Do you have any plans?"

Kakashi looked at Kiba, whose eyes showed seriousness.

Kakashi, relatively close to Kiba

due to their senseis' relationship and past battles, approved of Kiba and

didn't want to refuse but was a bit confused.

"Ah, I thought of a

possibility. Although it may not be correct, we have to guard against it. With

even Anbu mobilized, there is likely no manpower to protect Hirohiko and

Yukina. You have the best experience, and with Obito and Rin on your team, you

should cooperate well if something happens," Kiba said.

Indeed, cooperating with Obito and

Rin would be easier than with others.

Kakashi nodded inwardly, thinking,

What is this

guy planning? Why protect Hirohiko and Yukina? Well, but he must have his

reasons.

"I see. I will call Obito and

Rin," Kakashi said.

"Thank you," Kiba

nodded.

Kakashi waved, indicating it was

fine, then walked out of the ward.

"Taketo, can you report

Hirohiko's narrative to the Third Hokage? Also, report the information that

'there are still enemies in the village' to the Third Hokage-sama." After

Kakashi left, Kiba said to Kiuchi Taketo.

Kiuchi Taketo nodded, "If

there are any plans, I'll come back later."

"Ah, please," Kiba

nodded.

Kiuchi Taketo left.

Shiga Taketake stared at Kiba,

eyes flickering, "What do you mean, there are still enemies in the

village?"

Kiba glanced at Shiga Taketake,

"Well, when Captain Morino and I went on a mission, we got some

information. Combining that with Hirohiko's narrative, I thought of this

possibility."

Shiga Taketake touched his chin,

thinking, "Is it convenient for me to know this information?"

Kiba frowned slightly.

The matter of Kumogakure is too sensitive... should

I tell Shiga? Since the Third Hokage dispatched Anbu, Captain Morino must have

told the Third Hokage about Kumogakure.

If it was just unidentified ninjas robbing Kushina,

it would be enough to dispatch Namikaze Minato and Morino Shinsuke, not Anbu.

But now even Anbu has been dispatched.

It is precisely because the Third Hokage knew

Kumogakure did it, and this matter is too sensitive, they dispatched Anbu.

"If it's inconvenient, then I

won't inquire about it," Shiga Taketake said, seeing Kiba's expression.

This made Kiba breathe a sigh of

relief.

Then Shiga Taketake added,

"But, if you have any plans, you must tell me."

Kiba was taken aback, then smiled,

"I'm going to ask you to figure this plan out."

Considering Shiga's cautious nature in the Chunin

exam, he would ensure the plan's perfection.

Shiga Taketake was taken aback,

then smiled wryly.

Asking someone like me to plan the strategy... Is

this appropriate?