Rescue

Obito dirt flying and tearing his knuckles open instantly, but he felt no pain whatsoever.

"It's my fault! It's my arrogance! I failed to protect Lin, I'm so sorry!"

His voice was choked with a desperate sob, the Tomoe in his eyes swirling wildly, and the surging power in his pupils emanated an evil aura, causing Kakashi to furrow his brow deeply.

The power gained from just being promoted to the Two-Tomoe was utterly pale and powerless in the face of Jonin.

"Calm down, Obito. Blaming yourself won't help!"

Kakashi growled, forcefully pulling Obito the brink of madness.

"Where was Lin taken? How many people were on the other side?"

While quickly treating his deepest wounds, he rapidly scanned his surroundings, trying to find any remaining traces at the scene.

"North! Three Chunin! Rin fainted at that time!"

Obito, as if grasping at a straw, pointed in the direction the three had left.

That was also the direction in which the Iwagakure Jonin just disappeared.

"Kakashi, quick! We have to save Rin! Kill them!"

He struggled to get up and rush out, but Kakashi grabbed his shoulder.

"Lord, listen to me!"

Kakashi's voice was resolute, carrying an unquestionable determination.

"In our current situation, we might be facing three Jonin and three Chunin. A direct confrontation offers no chance of victory! Chasing after them would be suicide; no one can save us!"

"What can we do?! Are we just going to watch Lin—"

Obito's eyes were bloodshot, his Sharingan fixed on Kakashi as if he were looking at a cold and heartless stranger.

"Kakashi! Rin is our comrade! We can't abandon her."

"In the ninja world, those who break the rules are trash, but—those who don't cherish their comrades are even worse than trash!"

Kakashi's deep voice rang out, revealing his inner decision. Beneath his silver hair, his half-closed eyes also burned with anxious flames.

"I didn't say we wouldn't save her! But sending someone to their death isn't the same as saving them. We don't have the strength to save her right now. We must retrieve the Kunai you dropped first. Only by calling Taiichi can we ensure Rin's safety."

Kakashi's words were like a bucket of cold water, temporarily extinguishing Obito's frenzied impulse, but the bone-chilling anxiety and fear still burned in his chest.

The two fell silent, with Obito leading the way, retracing their steps and carefully watching their footsteps, trying to find the slashed part of their Ninja Tool Pouch.

"There."

Soon, Obito made a discovery. He pointed to a bush where various medicine bottles and first-aid supplies were scattered in twos and threes.

The two men quickly stepped forward, and in just one glance, their expressions changed drastically.

"No, how could it be missing? Everything else is still here, so how come Taiichi's Flying Thunder God Kunai gone?"

Obito panicked, his Sharingan wide open, searching every inch of land as if afraid of missing a single spot.

"Could it be that someone from Iwagakure picked it up?!"

Kakashi offered a possibility, but Obito wished he hadn't heard Kakashi's words; such a fact would undoubtedly be rubbing salt into his wounds.

It's too painful, too unbearable!

"No, even without Taiichi, I have to go save Rin. Kakashi, I caused this mess, I'll go alone. You hurry and find Minato-sensei, maybe he can come and save us."

At this moment, Obito was exceptionally serious, and his words were clear and logical, as if he had regained his composure.

Kakashi knew that Obito wanted to die; if he couldn't save Rin, he would die with her to atone for his past sins.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm the kind of person who would abandon my companions?"

Kakashi gave a cold laugh and glanced sideways at Obito.

"With you like this, you can't save Lin even if you sacrifice yourself."

Let's go! Since there's no turning back, we have no choice but to give it a shot!

They turned and headed back, intending to follow the trail of the Rock Ninja to track their whereabouts.

Behind him, Obito watched Kakashi's retreating figure, his heart feeling like a volcano about to erupt, yet he could only suppress it tightly.

He wiped away the tears from the corner of his eye and quickly caught up with Kakashi.

The two returned to their starting point and, following the subtle clues, slowly made their way through the forest.

Meanwhile, deep within a secluded mountain cave, at the temporary stronghold of the Iwagakure.

Lin slowly opened her heavy eyelids, the intense pain in her body causing her to groan involuntarily.

As their vision gradually cleared, the dim torchlight flickered, illuminating the faces of two Iwagakure Ninja.

It was Kakkou and Taiseki, the Jonin Iwagakure who had been chasing them earlier. They were staring at her with the cold indifference of someone looking at a dead person.

"Woke up?"

The sound of the Kakkou was flat and emotionless, carrying a chill that penetrated to the bone.

"A young girl from Konoha, Minato Namikaze's disciple—what an unexpected bonus."

Lin tried to struggle, but found that her body was firmly bound by tough ropes, and her Chakra was suppressed by some kind of technique, making it impossible to mobilize.

She forced herself to calm down, and the sunlight swept across the entire cave.

There were only two Jonin inside the cave, but outside, one could faintly hear that there were other ninjas guarding the cave, which should be the three Chunin.

What do you want to do?

Lin's voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were unusually firm.

"Nothing much, I just wanted to ask you for a small favor."

Taiseki stepped forward, his rough fingers pinching Lin's chin, forcing her to raise her head.

"Minato Namikaze's disciple—he's quite valuable. Don't worry, I won't kill you right away; that would be a waste."

Kakkou took out a scroll from his pocket and slowly unfurled it, revealing extremely complex and profound Sealing Talisman.

"I heard that your Konoha has a sealing technique called the Reverse Four Symbols Seal Sealing Jutsu? That's a very sophisticated trigger-type Sealing Jutsu."

The key point is that it can be implanted in the human body!

Rin's pupils suddenly contracted! She was Medical Ninja, but she had also learned some Sealing Jutsu from Taiichi.

Taiichi had also explained the technique of the Four Symbols Seal to her as a knowledge point.

This is a rather insidious Sealing Jutsu. Once the triggering conditions are met, it can instantly open a Sealing Space, sealing everything within it and taking it to the Yomi.

"Oh, judging from your expression, it seems you know about this Sealing Jutsu."

The Kakkou flickered in his hand as he watched with amusement the terrified expression on Lin's face.

"You----"

Lin instantly understood the other party's intention.

They wanted to turn her into a living bomb, a human weapon that could explode at a crucial moment and cause massive damage to Konoha, especially to Minato-sensei!

Fear coiled around her heart like a cold, venomous snake.

"It seems you understand."

Kakkou's lips curled into a cruel smile; he seemed to have a particular fondness for provoking others' emotions.

"But don't worry, this is not the Hidden Four Symbols Seal of Konoha."

Lin breathed a long sigh of relief. Good thing it wasn't!

But before she could even finish venting her anger, she heard that devilish whisper in her ear again.

"This is the Six-Harmony Death Zone developed by Iwagakure. Its effect might be slightly weaker than your Konoha's Reverse Four Symbols Seal Technique, but only by a tiny bit."

As he spoke, he pinched his thumb and forefinger together, making a gesture the width of a hair.

Seeing Lin's face turn from relaxed to Kakkou pale again, Huoguang couldn't help but burst into laughter, revealing his wicked nature.

"Alright, let's get moving and avoid any unforeseen complications."

At that moment, Taiseki walked over, his left side hanging limply, wrapped in thick bandages. It seemed that the injury Kakashi had inflicted on him was quite severe.

Kakkou stopped smiling, took a few steps forward, and grabbed Lin.

"You're very clever. To prevent you from doing anything irrational—" Before he could finish speaking, he quickly Hand Seals.

Lin immediately felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her throat.

Immediately afterwards, a chilling force invaded her mental realm, enveloping her in a strong sense of suggestion and confinement.

She could sense that she was unable to voluntarily reveal information about the seal, or even attempt to end it herself!

Then her limb joints were cruelly crushed, which restricted her movement.

The sealing ceremony begins.

Kakkou and Taiseki joined forces to cast a spell, and complex Sealing Talisman unfolded from the scroll, condensing in the air and shimmering with a dark light, slowly pressing down on Lin's heart.

The intense feeling of rejection and the pain on a spiritual level caused Lin's body to convulse violently. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and she bit her lower lip so hard that blood seeped out.

All she could do was scream in anguish, her eyes filled with pain, humiliation, and overwhelming hatred.

In the shadows of the dense forest not far from the cave, Kakashi and Obito, like lurking cheetahs, held their breath and focused intently.

"Found it! The cave! There are three Chunin guarding the entrance!"

--

With the Sharingan's exceptional insight, Obito was the first to identify the target.

He could hear Rin's screams from inside the cave, and his emotions surged instantly. Obito was about to rush out to rescue Rin.

But Kakashi grabbed him and held him down firmly.

"Stay calm, acting impulsively won't save Lin."

"Kakashi, Rin is screaming! What are they doing to her?"

Obito clenched his teeth, making a "crunching" sound, and squeezed out each word from between them.

Kakashi remained silent. Although his eyesight wasn't Obito's, his Sensory Ninjutsu allowed him to perceive the general situation inside the cave.

"The Kakkou and Taiseki of Iwagakure are inside, but the strongest Mahiru isn't. Three Chunin are at the entrance; they're both an obstacle and cover. Listen, Obito, this is our only chance!"

Kakashi's voice was extremely low, and he spoke very quickly.

"I'll use Earth Style: Hiding in Earth Technique there. You make some noise to attract their attention, creating an opportunity for a fatal blow, and then we'll—"

"Okay, I understand!"

Obito nodded emphatically, his Sharingan filled with unwavering resolve. He knew this was the most sensible tactic, and the only hope of saving Rin.

Earth Style: Subterranean Voyage.

Kakashi's figure slowly sank into the ground, disappearing behind the three Rock Ninja. Rin's screams in the cave were too shrill, masking the sound of Kakashi's stealth.

Over here, Obito, seeing that it was almost time, immediately made a sound in the forest.

The unusual commotion immediately attracted the attention of the three Rock Ninja. Kakashi suddenly leaped out of the ground, his Short Sword flashing across the necks of the three Rock Ninja in a dazzling arc.

This strike incorporated all of Kakashi's lifelong skills; it was the most perfect strike he had ever unleashed.

After the slash, Kakashi turned and rushed into the cave without even looking back.

Inside the cave.

The Sealing Jutsu was complete, and all the dark runes had disappeared into Lin's chest. A sinister grin of triumph appeared on Kakkou and Taiseki's faces.

Sudden!

"Lin!"

A deep call came with the sharp sound of wind breaking through the air!

Kakashi appeared behind Kakkou as if by teleportation, his Short Sword flashing with a chilling light, aimed straight at Kakkou's back!

Kakkou was, after Jonin, a seasoned Jonin. In the critical moment, a strong sense of crisis made him instinctively roll forward!

Sizzle!

The Short Sword grazed Kakkou's arm, leaving a trail of blood, but failed to kill him instantly. However, Kakashi's goal was not to kill!

His left hand had already reached out, the Kunai blade of his kunai precisely slicing through the ropes binding Lin, and he pulled her into his arms in one fluid motion! The movement was swift as lightning!

"Lin, let's go!"

Kakashi gave a low shout, grabbed Rin, and without hesitation, turned and rushed out of the cave!

"Damn it! Stop them!"

Kakkou clutched his bleeding arm, roaring in shock and rage.

Taiseki reacted quickly, Hand Seals, but the injury to his left arm ultimately affected his performance.

Earth Style · Earth Style: Rock Stealing Staff.

Several sharp stone spikes suddenly pierced the ground!

Kakashi was now close to the cave entrance, his footwork shifting strangely as he narrowly avoided the deadly stone spikes.

At that moment, Obito appeared at the cave entrance and unleashed Fire Style blast into the cave.

Kakashi tossed Rin to Obito and yelled, "Let's go!"

He turned around and quickly Hand Seals.

Earth Style: Earth Style: Rock Lodging Collapse.

The entire cave shook, and chunks of rock crashed down from the ceiling. Just as the cave was about to collapse, Kakashi Body Flicker left the cave.

The moment he emerged from the cave, the cave behind him collapsed completely.

"Why aren't you leaving yet!"

Seeing the two people outside the cave, Kakashi was furious. Was this the time to dawdle?

"Kakashi, Rin—Rin's limbs are broken!"

Obito was somewhat flustered, completely unaware of the extreme pain and struggle that flashed in Rin's eyes!

She opened her mouth, as if trying to shout something, but the seal in her throat prevented her from making a sound!

"Damn it, carry me! We'll talk about healing when we get back."

He Body Flicker beside Lin, picked her up, and ran.

Outside the cave, Kakashi and his two companions had already escaped.

Inside the cave, beneath the boulders, within a hemispherical protective wall formed by Earth Style, the Kakkou and the Taiseki remained unharmed.

At this moment, however, the two stood blankly behind a strange black shadow, which was none other than Black Zetsu.

"It's time to wrap things up. You all know what to do next, right?"

The eerie voice rang out, and the two who had been dazed gradually came to life again. As if they hadn't seen Black Zetsu, they walked past him and came to the stone wall.

Taiseki placed his right hand against the stone wall, activated Earth Style Release, and the stone wall in front of him changed, slowly forming a stone passage leading directly to the outside world.

By the time the Taiseki and the Kakkou reached the outside of the cave, they had fully recovered.

Looking at the three Rock Ninja Chunin died tragically on the ground, the two men's faces showed anger.

Kakkou took out Signal Flare from his pocket, pulled the pin without hesitation, and a bright yellow Signal Flare rose into the sky, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, so conspicuous even in daylight.

Their current thought was to gather more people to surround and kill the ninjas of Konoha.

Kakashi, who was fleeing ahead, heard the sound of Signal Flare rising behind him. He and Obito exchanged a glance and quickened their pace.

At this moment, Lin felt a mix of emotions, as the dangerous seal buried deep within her heart constantly threatened everyone.

If she wasn't mistaken, Iwagakure wanted to use her to kill her teacher, Minato Namikaze. If they succeeded, the entire Konoha front would suffer a heavy blow.

The Western Front might collapse as a result.

Unfortunately, she couldn't say any of this, and her limbs were too weak to move. The immense sense of loss felt like a thousand ants gnawing at her heart, causing her immense pain.

Gradually, an idea took shape in her mind.