Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 140 Rescue

"...Please don't be afraid, I've come to save you." Even though it was a little late...

Naruto's remaining rationality suppressed his urge to break through the underground, not because he was backing down, but because there were still too many innocent people trapped here, caught in the crossfire of fate. He tried his best to lower his voice, wanting to show his goodwill.

The woman stood for a moment, as if trying to discern something. Soon, the chains disappeared, and her body went limp, about to collapse, but Naruto, who had appeared in an instant, caught her. Her hands, clutching the hem of her clothes, trembled, and she instinctively shrank back, desperately clinging to Naruto.

“I recognize your chakra. You broke the seal… Thank you, thank you…” The woman’s voice was hoarse, tears streaming down her face beneath her sunken eyelids. But she didn’t lose her composure for long. She suddenly sat up straight and asked urgently, “Have you… seen anyone with red hair like me? Please take him with you… Please…”

“My friend saw it.” Naruto recalled the Senju who had infiltrated the auction as a lookout. He was one of the few rational members of the Senju clan, but he was so enraged by the dirty deal that he cursed and even gave up his precious talisman, secretly slipping it to the boy. The boy's chakra was far less powerful than his mother's, and didn't resemble a vortex at all, so Naruto thought it was just a gimmick at the auction. He never expected... it was actually true.

"Don't worry, don't worry, my friend has already gone there with people, and I will be there later. I guarantee that you will all be safe and sound."

[Uncle Tobirama, there are two special personnel who need to be sent directly to the base.]

Two? Hmm... I understand. I'm ready to come anytime.

[Also, prepare the medical equipment the pregnant woman will need.]

I'm in the medical ward now.

Naruto activated the Flying Thunder God Technique with the gentlest chakra flow, fearing the woman wouldn't be able to withstand the jolt. His mind was still in turmoil, and he had a mountain of things to do, but standing before the stone gate, looking at the shabby interior that would be considered shabby even for an ordinary person, he couldn't move an inch. He told himself several times that he needed to restrain himself; he couldn't forget the words he'd spoken to his teammates. If even he couldn't set a good example, everything would spiral out of control. Yet, deep within his soul, a voice murmured, roared, urging him to abandon his ridiculous principles.

I love this world.

"But not everyone deserves to be loved."

I crave change.

"But proceeding step by step is just too slow."

There are no shortcuts in this world!

"Really? No?"

"……No."

"Humanity spent thousands of years evolving beyond its primitive state, yet these people are turning back the clock, reawakening their animalistic desires. They are hindering the world's progress!"

I'm trying to correct the mistakes.

"That's not enough, far from enough! You could have done so much better!"

"If I did that, how would I be any different from them?"

"Of course there's a difference. You were chosen by them themselves."

"Lord Jinlun, Sasuke has infiltrated the city lord's mansion, and his goal seems to be the same as ours. If a fight breaks out later, we..."

"Make your move. Stay calm and don't unleash your Sharingan. I'll be there in a bit."

〖yes!〗

Naruto, in his mind's eye, glanced downwards, catching a glimpse of the figure clad in a haori, and slowly closed his golden eyes. He seemed oblivious, continuing his operation. He wouldn't kill directly, but making those guys suffer was within his capabilities. The mere thought caused a crack to suddenly appear in the ground a dozen meters away, sending several high-ranking auction house personnel tumbling into the crater. Earthquakes often create cracks in the ground; the crack was two or three meters deep. If they were unlucky, they'd probably lose a few legs.

The battle at the City Lord's Mansion is raging, literally.

The two discovered were instantly surrounded by guards. While individual samurai and soldiers posed no threat to ninjas, their sheer numbers created a formidable problem. Karin, at this point, hadn't yet developed her Adamantine Sealing Technique; at best, she was physically stronger and had more chakra, making her practically helpless against such a large group. Sasuke, on the other hand, was capable of overwhelming force, but to protect his comrades who were holding him back, he could only fight and retreat, pinning his hopes on Kabuto, the only one who hadn't been exposed. If he drew enough fire, Kabuto would eventually find a way to rescue them.

Sasuke wasn't foolish enough to reveal his Sharingan in front of so many people. After all, there were only two Uchiha left alive, and they could guess who it was even with their eyes closed. Since he couldn't even use Chidori, he decisively unleashed a common fire jutsu to disrupt the enemy's formation and to attack where the enemy was bound to defend.

The guards and samurai holding shields did indeed move. They quickly assembled and headed towards the place where the fire jutsu had flown. The samurai drew their chakra swords and chopped the flames into pieces, while the shield bearers stood in front to block the flames for the old man.

An opening appeared behind him, and Sasuke grabbed Karin and tossed her upwards. Only then would she be spared from being riddled with bullets. He followed up with a second Fire Release technique, this time a more dispersed barrage of fireballs to ensure Karin's escape from the rooftop. He wasn't worried about escaping the encirclement; this was confidence in his strength. He also needed to draw attention to Kabuto's actions. Sasuke dropped his disguise and, under the cover of smoke, split into three and charged into the crowd. Even at this point, he still remembered to use the back of his sword, each strike aimed at vital points that could instantly knock someone unconscious. His target was clear: the old man. Perhaps due to the recent earthquake, the old man refused to enter the house, instead hurriedly moving to the side with his guards and the boy, trying to bypass the battle zone and reach the back. But Sasuke wouldn't let him succeed. The three figures moved with incredible speed, barely managing to withstand three blows, pressing in from three directions, giving them no chance to escape.

"Where are the people from Iwagakure? Are they dead?!" The old man, furious, hid behind his servants, still swearing. Just then, something suddenly pierced through the house behind them, and a burly figure crashed into the crowd from the second floor, rolling twice before landing motionless on the ground.

"Not dead, but almost dead." A person wearing a white mask stood at the breach and looked down. His hair was white, his clothes were white, and his whole body glowed white in the moonlight! What kind of person would be so bold as to attack the city lord's mansion at night dressed entirely in white!

In that brief moment of complete stillness, the servant closest to the person wrapped in the white cloth suddenly waved his hand, scattering a handful of silver needles like a celestial maiden showering flowers, instantly felling several people. Then, he immediately hoisted the boy onto the roof, leaped away, and ran off without looking back.

"Damn it! Chase after him!" The old man, perhaps blinded by the series of events, was still thinking about the boy even though his own life was in danger. The guards, however, were not stupid. They quickly tightened their defensive perimeter, surrounding the old man, but not one of them tried to check on the fallen Iwagakure ninja.

Sasuke looked up at the white figure, which seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he'd seen it before. He saw the person point in the direction Kabuto had fled, then form hand seals, and a thick fog instantly rolled in on the dry night. Sasuke understood immediately, activated his Sharingan, and gave chase.