Naruto's expression remained utterly calm as he watched every Sound ninja kneel on one knee in submission.
He had long since grown accustomed to scenes like this during his previous cycles.
Naruto said nothing. Without even sparing the kneeling Sound ninja another glance, he continued forward, making his way with practiced familiarity toward the building at the heart of Otogakure.
Uchiha Hikari hurriedly followed.
Orochimaru's gaze lingered briefly on Naruto's back, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through his golden eyes. Even his Otogakure was this familiar to him?
But Orochimaru quickly suppressed those emotions and strode a half-step behind Naruto at his side.
As they walked, Uchiha Hikari's dark eyes swept faintly over the Sound ninja around them, who all had their heads bowed. Her face remained expressionless as she silently followed beside Naruto.
Only after the three of them had fully entered the building did the remaining Sound ninja outside dare to carefully rise. The suffocating pressure in the air seemed to dissipate with their departure.
They exchanged glances, seeing both relief and lingering fear in one another's eyes, before hurrying forward to help up the severely injured Sound Four.
The four had already left their Cursed Seal forms and returned to normal, but each had suffered considerable internal injuries. Though they bore no obvious wounds or bruises, they still looked rather miserable.
They grimaced as others helped them to their feet, but the defiant, rebellious expressions they had worn before were nowhere to be seen.
Tayuya clutched her faintly aching abdomen, and there was even a trace of fear in her gaze as she looked toward the building entrance.
Meanwhile, Sakon and Ukon kept their heads lowered in silence. Recalling the black-haired girl's terrifying speed, the last traces of unwillingness in their hearts had long since been