Uchiha Itachi was resolute. He loved his family, and he loved everyone in Konoha just as deeply.
Uchiha Obito and Orochimaru were executioners. The Uchiha Clan would never forget what they had done.
While the two faced off,
a Giant Water Prison appeared to the west.
A Wooden Buddha Statue appeared to the south.
Uchiha Obito thought in confusion, The barrier hasn't been broken. Why do Kisame and Tobi look like they're facing a powerful enemy? Aside from Uchiha Itachi, there shouldn't be anyone in the Uchiha Clan who can stand against them.
Was the intelligence wrong?
Uchiha Itachi grew even more uneasy. So it wasn't just the masked man and Orochimaru. Other powerful enemies had invaded the Uchiha Clan. Were they going to destroy the clan completely?
The enormous statue filled the fleeing Sasuke with awe. He started doubting himself again. Why am I still so weak, even after awakening the Sharingan?
Then luck came his way.
Sasuke spotted Karin rescuing people from the ruins ahead and hurriedly called out, "Karin, please save my mother!"
Men weren't supposed to cry easily, but Sasuke couldn't stop the tears from falling as he grasped at this lifeline.
Karin took Uchiha Mikoto in both arms and gave Sasuke a look that told him to leave.
Sasuke wiped away his tears. "I know. I won't let the fighting disturb you. Karin, even if something happens to me, you have to save my mother."
Karin promised with conviction, "If I say I'll do it, I will. Naruto often says that although Sasuke is his little brother, deep down he understands how much everyone cares about him. Even if he's too single-minded in his pursuit of power, his passionate heart won't be completely changed by it. Sasuke, Naruto is fighting too. We're all fighting. We aren't fighting to die—we're fighting to defeat our enemies, to kill them, and to protect the people we hold dear."
"That's right!" Sasuke refused to lose heart. "A true Uchiha prodigy has nothing left to fear."
The Three Tomoe in Sasuke's eyes grew more profound, evolving toward something even more incredible.
Protecting the people I hold dear—that is the ninja way of Sasuke.
Sasuke turned and sprinted toward the Water Prison.
Orochimaru stopped and glanced toward Karin before looking back at Sasuke. "Sasuke, I'm growing more and more fond of you. So, let me show you why I, one of the Sannin, am the one you should choose."
"Summoning Jutsu." Orochimaru gave a soft call. "Manda, come out. It's been a long time."
Rumble.
Manda, his body over a hundred meters long and marked with purple stripes, opened his eyes haughtily. "Orochimaru, you summoned me. Have you prepared the food for the sacrifice?"
Orochimaru smiled. "There are Uchiha corpses all over the place. I'm sure you'll be satisfied. But please leave their eyes for me, then go catch Uchiha Sasuke as he flees toward the Water Prison."
Manda inhaled deeply, filling his stomach with satisfaction. "Orochimaru, why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken?"
"How could you understand?" Orochimaru gave an unusual smile.
Manda moved incredibly fast. His enormous body crushed the ruins beneath him, grinding the buildings to pieces.
At Uchiha Obito's feet, Tobi slowly emerged, weak and exhausted.
"What happened?"
Tobi merged with Uchiha Obito. "Everything's a mess. Sasori was pulverized by an unknown blond boy from Konoha using Taijutsu and the Rasengan. My Wooden Golem was also cut in half by that blond boy using Taijutsu and the Rasengan. His physique is like a Tailed Beast's. He took my full-power attack and still recovered."
"Does Konoha really have someone that powerful?" Uchiha Obito cursed Danzo in his heart. Why hadn't the intelligence been complete? If the powerful ninjas he'd painstakingly gathered died while trying to destroy the Uchiha Clan, it would be a terrible loss.
Tobi laughed. "Don't you think this is getting more and more interesting? If we succeed too easily, it won't mean much. We won't even get the pleasure of it."
Uchiha Itachi overheard their conversation. The blond boy had to be Naruto.
Naruto, just how far will you grow?
Outside the Four Violet Flames Formation,
Danzo blocked Kushina Uzumaki and the others.
They watched from beginning to end, frantic with worry.
"Danzo, have you found the weak point yet? We can't wait any longer. Can't you see how strong the enemies inside are?" Kushina demanded. "Didn't you say you knew the village inside and out?"
But Konoha's true fighting strength wasn't in the village.
Kakashi and Guy had also been sent away on missions.
Danzo remained as steady as an old dog. "Kushina, this isn't an ordinary barrier. If you aren't strong enough and try to break through by force, the flames will burn you to death. I'm desperate to save the Uchiha Clan too, but there's nothing I can do while the barrier remains intact!"
Behind Kushina stood Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga.
Hinata clasped her small hands before her chest, her ring finger able to feel Naruto's heartbeat.
More ordinary Konoha shinobi stood guard outside.
A giant Wooden Golem appeared.
They cried out in shock, wondering if the First had come back to life.
A Blue Flash cut the Wooden Golem down.
They stared in disbelief, wondering when the Uchiha Clan had gained such a powerful figure.
Naruto moved so fast that even the jonin couldn't make out his appearance.
But Kushina recognized him. He was the child she had carried inside her.
Hinata recognized him too, because the Red Thread of Fate connected their lives.
"Danzo, I suspect you're colluding with the enemy." Kushina couldn't wait any longer. Straightforward as ever, she accused Danzo of treason.
Danzo tapped the ground lightly with his cane.
Root shinobi appeared behind him, waiting for his orders.
Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga both stepped in front of Kushina. If Danzo really made a move against her, the Hyuga Clan would do everything in their power to protect the Fourth Hokage's wife.
The seemingly harmonious village of Konoha stood on the brink of civil war.
Nara Shikaku stepped out of the crowd. "Everyone, listen to me."
At that moment, Manda appeared.
"That's Orochimaru's summoning beast! So Orochimaru is the one attacking the Uchiha Clan. Send this news to the Third and Fourth Hokage immediately!"
The Konoha Intelligence Division shinobi paled. Orochimaru was one of the Sannin. The Uchiha Clan was truly in danger.
Karin had chosen a treatment area far from the scene and hidden it well. The enemy wouldn't find it for now.
The wound in Uchiha Mikoto's abdomen had healed, but she had lost too much blood. Karin had to use some of the Uzumaki Clan's unique life-restoring ability to save her.
Karin bared her snow-white arm. "I'm doing this to save her."
"You, come help."
Karin called over an ordinary-looking boy. "Lift her head and move her jaw so her teeth can bite down firmly on my arm. Understood?"
"Okay." The boy got right to work.
Bite marks appeared on Karin's arm. Uchiha Mikoto's complexion returned to normal, and her breathing grew strong.
Uchiha Izumi hadn't been poisoned too badly. After applying Medical Ninjutsu for a while, Karin successfully treated her.
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