Unscathed

On a tree branch outside the mine.

The night wind rustled the leaves.

The violent tremors from moments ago had stopped.

The ground no longer shook.

Obito crouched on the trunk.

Both hands clenched tightly around a kunai.

His knuckles had turned white.

He swallowed.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

The sound of his heartbeat thudded in his ears.

"Kakashi, that disturbance just now was seriously creepy, wasn't it?"

Obito turned to look at the white-haired boy beside him.

"Big Brother Qian Ye hasn't been buried in there, has he?"

"No, we have to rush in and save him!"

Obito rose from the trunk.

He made as if to jump down.

His mind was filled with the image of himself charging into the rubble, roaring as he activated his Sharingan.

Then driving back the Hidden Stone ninja.

And finally digging Qian Ye out from beneath a pile of rocks.

Becoming the hero who saved his comrade.

Making Rin see him in a new light.

Kakashi did not respond.

He stood where he was.

His back ramrod straight.

One hand rested on the hilt of the White Fang Short Blade.

His palm was covered in sweat.

He had seen Qian Ye's strength before.

He knew this civilian Chunin was hiding many secrets.

But that explosion and the subsequent collapse were not something an ordinary ninja could withstand.

Not even a Jonin.

If someone encountered the bombardment of several hundred Explosive Tags inside a sealed mine.

They would most likely be doomed.

Kakashi's breathing grew heavier.

He weighed whether he should disobey orders and go inside to investigate.

Ninja had to obey orders.

But he did not want to lose another comrade.

Rin clutched the hem of her clothes behind them.

Her face was deathly pale.

Even her breathing had become careful and