CHAPTER 281

You Shouldn't Be in This World

After feeling a moment of pity for the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, a group of Kumo-nin resumed their mission.

Not long after, the shinobi hidden in the shadows stiffened, their expressions wary. A masked figure was approaching from a short distance away.

Judging by his attire, the man appeared no different from an ordinary Konoha villager. But in this desolate alley, at this hour, he couldn't possibly be a mere civilian. He was here for them.

The Kumo-nin's captain smirked, already crafting an excuse for his team's presence. If necessary, he could manipulate the situation to Kumo's advantage.

The masked man halted before them, his voice calm and deliberate:

"Good. It seems everyone is here. Prepare to move—we must capture the jinchūriki today."

At his words, the Kumo captain's expression flickered with alarm, but before he could react, the masked man had already vanished.

Shunshin? Or a clone technique?

One of the Kumo-nin turned to his leader, puzzled. "Captain, has the plan changed? Are we engaging the jinchūriki now?"

"What are you talking about? That was a spy from another village!" the captain snapped, gritting his teeth. "We've been set up."

But it was too late.

High above them, Konoha's Anbu operatives had taken notice. Dark figures leaped across the rooftops, swiftly closing in on their position.

The sound of their rapid approach filled the night air. The Kumo-nin exchanged wary glances.

"Captain, what now?"

"Explain ourselves. Someone else is targeting the jinchūriki…"

Before he could finish, two Anbu agents—Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Yugao—landed before them, their blades drawn.

"We've been watching you for some time," Hayate said coldly. "Now tell us—what are you doing here?"

The Kumo captain forced a chuckle. "Konoha Anbu… If we said we were just passing by, would you believe us?"

Even as he spoke, he knew how flimsy the excuse sounded.

Hayate smirked. "Of course not. You're coming with us."

---

Meanwhile…

Naruto Uzumaki let out a yawn, rubbing his eyes as he shuffled toward the bathroom.

Nothing interesting tonight… Might as well sleep early.

At his current strength, he knew better than to involve himself in high-level conflicts. Doing so would only draw suspicion.

As he turned on the faucet, a sudden feeling made him pause.

His senses prickled—an overwhelming, unmistakable wave of malice was approaching.

Naruto's expression hardened as he turned toward the window.

Inside his mind, the Kyuubi stirred, its crimson eyes narrowing.

"Oi, brat. Someone with killing intent is coming. Judging by their chakra, it's a ninja."

Naruto clenched his fists. A ninja? But then… Where are the Anbu who are supposed to be watching me?

Kyuubi scoffed.

"Your babysitters are occupied elsewhere. You're on your own."

Naruto inhaled deeply. He had never imagined his first real enemy encounter would come this soon.

Is this… the butterfly effect?

Taking a moment to steady himself, he searched the room for anything sharp. He might not be strong, but at least he could land the first strike.

The Kyuubi's voice rumbled again.

"If you're truly about to die, give me control. If my chakra takes over, you might wake up later. If not… well, you'll be dead for good."

Naruto gave no response, but he didn't argue either.

---

Below the Residential Building

A masked intruder vaulted over the courtyard wall, his gaze fixed on Naruto's window.

Reaching up, he slowly removed his mask, revealing an unremarkable face—one that had once belonged to a familiar figure from Naruto's daily life.

Ichiraku Ramen's former customer, Tianfeng, a once-promising Konoha shinobi.

Unlike before, his once-weary eyes now gleamed with steely resolve, the burden of failure replaced by hatred.

Scaling the outer wall, he slipped into Naruto's room with disturbing ease.

Konoha's Anbu aren't here. The demon fox is alone.

His eyes swept across the small, unremarkable space. Just a child's room.

Then, his gaze fell upon a small, framed photo at Naruto's bedside.

Minato Namikaze.

The Fourth Hokage—his former commander. His supposed role model.

Tianfeng's fingers trembled as he picked up the frame. A small, bitter smile crossed his lips.

Then, without hesitation, he crushed it.

---

Tianfeng had been a mere foot soldier, neither a prodigy nor a legacy. He had no powerful clan, no prestigious master.

And yet, under Minato Namikaze's leadership, he had climbed—inch by inch—toward something greater.

The Fourth Hokage had been an orphan too, yet he had risen to greatness. He had given men like Tianfeng hope.

But that hope died the night of the Nine-Tails attack.

When Minato perished, his subordinates were discarded—sent on suicidal missions, forgotten by the new regime.

Tianfeng had suffered years of brutal assignments, accumulating injuries that stole his future.

All because of that night.

All because of that damn fox.

For years, he had watched Naruto be mocked and shunned, and it had been the only thing that made him feel better. The demon fox deserved it.

But now, watching from the sidelines was no longer enough.

Naruto Uzumaki had no right to exist.

Tianfeng stepped forward, stopping at the bathroom door.

He reached for the handle.

The sound of running water masked his movements. The demon fox was unaware.

Slowly, he slid the door open, revealing Naruto's silhouette in the mist.

With no hesitation, he lunged forward, kunai in hand.

"Uzumaki Naruto… If only you had never been born…"

The blade drove forward—

—and pierced nothing but air.

Tianfeng's breath hitched.

Then, pain.

A sudden, sharp sting.

He gasped as a fruit knife embedded itself deep into the top of his foot, blood trickling down.

From the shadows, a voice—low and unwavering—cut through the silence:

"You're the one who shouldn't exist in this world."

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