Huh?
At this sudden grab, Chiba instinctively halted, about to pull free and leap backward.
"Obito!"
But in that instant, Rin's sudden cry interrupted his instinctive reaction.
That cry of "Obito" made him abruptly look down, at the hand clutching his ankle—the boy's left hand, covered in stone dust and dirt.
"Obito!"
Then, he too cried out in surprise, his gaze involuntarily shifting to Obito's face.
At that moment, Obito's left eyelid was slightly sunken, and the bloodstained corner of his mouth twitched faintly. Though there was no longer an eyeball beneath that eyelid and his eye was closed, when Chiba's gaze fell upon him, he had the feeling that Obito was looking at him.
"Chi... Chiba?"
Then, Obito's lips trembled as he spoke.
"Yes, I'm Chiba."
Hearing Obito's words, Chiba crouched down and lowered himself as much as possible before answering.
"Thank goodness! Obito, thank goodness!"
At this moment, seeing Obito awaken and knowing Chiba had a way to save him, Rin finally could not hold back her tears, weeping with joy.
Then, a gaze lightly swept down from above. Kakashi could not help glancing below, but quickly withdrew his gaze and turned back around.
After looking away, Kakashi clenched his teeth and softly spat out two words: "Damn it."
What a worry-inducing bastard!
That was what he thought between those words.
"Obito, bear with it for now. What comes next may hurt a little, but I can guarantee that I'll preserve your life. Once we return to the village, I have a way to completely heal you."
At the same time, beneath the opening, Chiba spoke.
"Then you'll lose your ability to fight, right? In order to... preserve my life..."
Hearing Chiba's words, Obito's lips parted slightly in a faint smile.
"Yes, but don't worry. Support will be