Chizuru's Resolve as Bait, Clan's Lives Hanging by a Thread

"Go!" Sen roared the order.

The gap in strength between allies and enemies was no longer something strategy could bridge. If they lingered, more than just one person would die!

Uchiha Chizuru's teeth gnashed together. He cast one last look at his torn comrade, his crimson Sharingan bloodshot. Suppressing his immense grief, he finally turned and followed the retreating group.

"Sen!" Chizuru approached Sen, his voice trembling slightly from fear and anger. "This group of Mist Ninja... why are they all such strong Jonin?! We need to find a way, otherwise... otherwise, we'll all be wiped out!"

He dared not speak loudly, afraid of affecting the already shaky morale of his clansmen behind him.

The brutal and bloody scene they had just witnessed had already left many of the younger clansmen as pale as paper.

"How much longer until Orochimaru's reinforcement arrives?!" Sen asked urgently, while rapidly surveying the rugged terrain around them, searching for even the slightest glimmer of hope.

His heart was filled with regret.

If he had known the Mist Ninja were this terrifying, he should have insisted on acting alone! Bringing his clansmen here now was like inviting wolves into the fold!

"At the earliest, twenty minutes!" Uchiha Chizuru replied quickly, simultaneously unleashing several Great Fireball Jutsu to barely slow down the enemy's pursuit. "But I'm more worried about the Mist Village's reinforcements! We're too close to the island they control!"

He looked back and saw Sen still lost in thought. Gritting his teeth, a look of determination flashed across his face. "Sen! I'll hold them off! You take everyone and escape first..."

"Don't say foolish things! I'm the decoy!" Sen interrupted him curtly.

He suddenly turned back and gave his final command to all his clansmen, "Everyone, head for the volcano ahead! The poisonous gas is thicker there, and they don't have specialized anti-gas equipment, which will be more advantageous for us!"

Upon hearing this, the group seemed to have found their last straw of hope. They immediately nodded and fled towards the volcano with all their might.

Watching his clansmen retreat, Sen suddenly threw Samehada and plunged into the dense forest in another direction, alone.

He had already made his decision.

This was his plan's failure, so he would bear all the consequences alone.

The Mist Ninja's target was him. As long as he could lure the enemy away, these clansmen might still have a sliver of hope.

However, he had ultimately underestimated the enemy's cruelty and cunning.

Kushimaru Kuriarare, who was pursuing them, was about to catch up when Jūzō Biwa stopped him, a playful, cat-and-mouse smile on his face.

"No rush. The group from before were all wearing Uchiha clan attire. Kushimaru, take two people and go clean up those small fry first. Remember, torture them a bit longer and make some noise."

Kushimaru Kuriarare instantly understood Jūzō Biwa's intentions. A cruel smile spread across his face, and with a wave of his right hand, he led two Mist Ninja towards the direction the Uchiha clansmen had fled.

Damn it! They saw through it!

Seeing this, Sen cursed inwardly and stopped in his tracks.

The moment he stopped, six Mist Ninja led by Jūzō Biwa surrounded him tightly from all directions.

"You think such a small trick can be performed in front of us Mist Ninja?" Jūzō Biwa slung Kubikiribōchō over his shoulder and ordered, "The air here is toxic, let's finish this quickly!"

As the words fell, he raised his great sword and slashed horizontally towards Sen!

"Eight Inner Gates: Gate of Life, open!"

Nowhere left to retreat! Sen let out a roar, and the Chakra within him instantly boiled!

A storm of green Chakra erupted from his body, scattering the volcanic ash beneath his feet!

At the same time, the intense pain contorted his face.

Seizing the moment when the swirling dust obscured the enemy's vision, he grabbed Samehada and swung it with all his might at the closest enemy!

"Clang!"

However, this fatal blow was steadily blocked by another famous sword—Kubikiribōchō!

"So fast..." The Mist Ninja who had been saved felt a lingering fear. Seeing his teammate's support, he immediately regained his senses and, along with his companions, attacked Sen from various angles!

Facing enemies attacking from both front and back, Sen could only leap backward to dodge.

Seeing that he couldn't resolve the immediate threat, he made a quick decision and sped towards Kushimaru Kuriarare's direction.

At least he had to cover his clansmen's escape!

"He must have used some forbidden jutsu. Such a technique can't last long. Three-man teams, alternate attacks. Kushimaru should be done soon," Jūzō Biwa, still in pursuit, continued.

Hearing this, Sen's heart sank further.

The enemy had six well-coordinated Jonin. Forget killing them, even breaking through their encirclement seemed as difficult as ascending to heaven. Could it be... he really had to use that move?

The Gate of Pain...

Just using the first three gates caused him immense pain throughout his body. If he were to use the Gate of Pain, he feared his meridians and bones would shatter and he would die within minutes!

While he hesitated, Kushimaru Kuriarare's figure appeared in his field of vision!

Seeing the Nuibari about to be swung again, the Chakra beneath Sen's feet erupted once more without reservation!

"Kushimaru Kuriarare! Watch out behind you!"

Hearing his comrade's warning, Kushimaru Kuriarare finally snapped back to attention, only to see a beast, like a wounded tiger, lunging before him!

He instinctively blocked with Nuibari.

"Bang!"

But how could the slender Nuibari block the powerful Samehada?

Kushimaru Kuriarare was sent flying back like a kite with a broken string, his abdomen ripped open by the barbs on Samehada, leaving several wounds so deep they exposed bone!

"Captain Sen!"

Seeing Sen land in front of everyone, Uchiha Chizuru's brow furrowed even tighter.

"Why are you back?" Uchiha Chizuru asked anxiously. Now, they really couldn't escape.

"Captain! Let's fight them! We've already killed so many Mist Ninjas, it's not a loss!" Uchiha Chiyu stepped forward, his eyes full of rage.

Just moments ago, a member of his squad had been mercilessly slaughtered by Kushimaru Kuriarare.

"Exactly! We'll stall for time. Look, their faces are already flushed – that's a sign of poisoning! Let's fight one more time, we can save at least one!"

"That's right! For the glory of Uchiha!"

Sensing the meager amount of Chakra he had stolen from Kushimaru Kuriarare, Sen looked back at his clansmen behind him.

In just a minute or two of his absence, two more clansmen had been injured.

If he had returned any later, he feared...

"Don't hesitate! They're injured, charge!" Even the young girl Uchiha Totsuka let out a low growl.

Sen, however, raised his arm, stopping his impulsive clansmen.

His voice, for the first time, carried a hint of hoarseness and fatigue.

"This was my plan's failure. I originally intended for you to ambush them and eliminate them. This is all my fault, and I won't let you be dragged down with me."

He looked at the enemies who had completely surrounded them and were closing in, and slowly said, "I have one more jutsu that can hold them off. You... take this chance to escape."

That jutsu was, of course, the Fourth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates –

the Gate of Pain.

Sen looked at his skin, which had already begun to bleed, and felt the meridians within him about to snap. A sense of desolation washed over him.

Once he opened the Gate of Pain, his body would be completely ruined.

But...

He looked back at his clansmen, who were around his age, and at the complex expressions in their eyes, which shifted from fear and anger to final resolve.

In the end, if he could save even one, it would be worth it.

Consider it... a free sightseeing trip in this Naruto world.

The radiant, sun-like smile of Kushina and the gentle, water-like eyes of Mikoto flashed through his mind.

It's a shame... I can't go back.