Simple... Let's take away... such a fine tool! Uchiha Nobuhiko's words fell softly, yet they were like a thunderclap in a pitch-black night, booming through the three grief-stricken minds that had nearly lost the ability to think. They tore through the darkness of that sorrow, illuminating those three minds overwhelmed by grief in an instant!
In a flash, grief turned into realization.
"Was this your doing?"
As that thunderclap flashed, all three faces turned in the same direction, toward the figure wrapped in Black Flames-like Chakra. A cry—whether of grief, rage, or perhaps delight—burst from their mouths!
"Of course it was my doing."
At those words, feeling the three gazes upon him, Uchiha Nobuhiko's lips curled in a cold smile as he spoke.
I-is that so...
This enemy did something to him?
So Chiba wasn't breathing because of this? Then Chiba wasn't actually dead—someone had merely done something to him, making him look as though he were dead? Chiba wasn't dead after all!
Upon hearing this and learning that Chiba had been subjected to some unknown restraint by the other party, Hirohiko, Yukina, and Kushina suddenly smiled.
Though Chiba had been controlled by the enemy, at this moment, the only thing in their hearts was joy.
Is that so...
He wasn't breathing because something had been done to him!
I see... so that's what it was.
Someone did this to him!
Thank goodness! Thank goodness!
Chiba isn't dead! He's alive—he's still alive! At this moment, the despair in his heart had transformed into wild joy. As long as Chiba was not dead, no matter what the circumstances, it was the best possible news.
Even Minato Namikaze, who was keeping watch ahead, let out a long breath of relief.
Officially speaking, given the importance of the Nine-Tails, even though Chiba was